As Thanksgiving and other holidays are right around the corner, chances are you’ll want to hit the road during your time off from work. While air travel will likely be reduced thanks to COVID-19, the roads are set to be packed. No one knows this better than police officers. So much so that various police departments have significantly increased the number of officers present on the road, says The Herald. Today we’ll be going over the best tips to avoid receiving an unwanted and expensive speeding ticket.

Avoiding a speeding ticket can be quite tricky

Avoiding a speeding ticket in your hometown is quite easy. After driving the same roads repeatedly, you likely know all of the various speed zones and speed-trap locations. However, if you decide to venture out into another city or state, chances are you’ll be driving blind. Additionally, with so much traffic sharing the roads with you, missing a speed limit sign is easier than ever.

Police officers aren’t just out issuing speeding tickets. According to The Herald, an even greater concern for officers is the prevalence of drunk drivers on the road. As a result, not only will there be more officers, but they’ll be extra vigilant as well. One tiny mistake could land you a sizeable fine.

These apps can help prevent a speeding ticket

The first step you’ll want to take to avoid getting a speeding ticket is downloading a navigation app that features speed limit warnings. While Waze used to be the only option available for iOS and Android phones, Google Maps and Apple Maps now offer the feature. The benefit here is that you can get your directions and speed warnings simultaneously.

You can connect these apps to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and project the directions onto your infotainment screen. If you have an older vehicle, an affordable phone mount can also work well.

In terms of speeding tickets specifically, Waze has the advantage of allowing users to report speed traps to other users in the area. The result is that you may become aware of an officer’s location with more than enough time to adjust your speed if necessary.

A radar detector is a worthy investment

One of the tools a police officer may use to record your speed and subsequently issue a speeding ticket is a radar gun. Given that a speeding ticket could easily cost hundreds of dollars, investing in a radar detector is a worthy investment. While the mobile apps rely on peer to peer reporting to spot speed-traps, the detector can pick up the actual radar being used by an officer and alert drivers up to miles in advance. A typical radar detector can range from $100-$500. While that isn’t a small sum, the detector lasts for years.

It is important to note that you’ll have to check your local radar detector laws since they vary from state to state. However, if you can legally add one to your vehicle, it can significantly help you save money by avoiding large speeding fines.

Take the road less traveled

Since the largest amount of holiday road-trippers will take to the country’s main highways, that’s likely where you’ll encounter the most officers. To lower your chances of getting a speeding ticket, taking the scenic route may yield great benefits. Aside from having the potential for an excellent sight-seeing opportunity, you’re less likely to see other drivers and officers. Additionally, chances are you’ll encounter less traffic and make for an overall nicer road trip experience.

Regardless of which preventative measure you choose, the best way to avoid a speeding ticket is to follow the law. Now that you’ve got all the tools to do so, you should arrive safely and with all of your cash in your wallet.