Getting pulled over for speeding usually comes with two worries: how expensive the ticket might be and whether the encounter could escalate. One Atlanta-area officer, however, says he has little interest in handing out speeding tickets, even when drivers are moving at extraordinary speeds.
Jordan Ennis, who has worked with the Georgia State Patrol and Sandy Springs Police Department, claims he rarely sees the value in handing out speeding tickets. In fact, he says he never writes them.
Speaking on the VINwiki YouTube channel, Ennis explained why he prefers warnings and conversations over fines. His philosophy has occasionally put him at odds with colleagues, particularly during his time as a state trooper.
Yet his advice isn’t simply about avoiding a citation. Ennis believes the way drivers and officers communicate during a traffic stop can determine whether an otherwise routine encounter becomes unnecessarily confrontational.
Why He Doesn’t Believe in Speeding Tickets
Ennis argues that a costly fine often accomplishes little when a warning could achieve the same result. He recalled getting into trouble as a trooper because he refused to write tickets.
He also discourages aggressive driving, particularly weaving through traffic. According to Ennis, traveling substantially faster than surrounding vehicles often saves less time than drivers imagine.
His Advice for Every Traffic Stop
Ennis recommends staying calm, being honest, and treating the officer like another person rather than immediately becoming confrontational. He says a little humor can help, although his willingness to overlook violations is unusually generous.
He also acknowledges that officers share responsibility for keeping encounters civil. His approach is to give frustrated drivers an opportunity to settle down rather than respond with equal hostility.
A McLaren Driver Expected the Worst
One memorable encounter involved a McLaren traveling at what Ennis estimated was over 160 mph on an Atlanta interstate. After catching up with the McLaren, Ennis learned that its driver had just purchased the supercar and was testing its performance for the first time.
The driver expected arrest and asked whether the car could be transported on a flatbed. Instead, Ennis says he told him to slow down and allowed him to leave.
Motorcyclists Get an Unexpected Deal
Ennis claims that motorcyclists who voluntarily stop receive an immediate warning from him, regardless of the behavior that prompted the stop. Ennis says rewarding a rider’s decision to stop is an opportunity to build trust, especially when some motorcyclists might otherwise attempt to flee.
His goal is to treat motorists as he would want his own family treated. Still, Ennis describes himself as an outlier, and his personal approach shouldn’t be mistaken for standard police policy.
According to Ennis, a successful traffic stop depends on both sides keeping their composure. Drivers can’t count on receiving a warning, but being courteous and communicating clearly can help prevent an already stressful encounter from becoming unnecessarily confrontational.