First of all, I try not to speed or do anything else that attracts blue-coated attention. I have MUCH more enjoyable places for my money than to pay fines. But, I have been stopped a few times and I have a "trick" that seems to work. Cops have heard every excuse in the book and, barring being in terminal labor, none of them generate sympathy.
When I've been stopped and the officer says, "You were speeding." I say, "Was I?" I'm so sorry I wasn't paying attention. Thank you for stopping me and I'll be more careful in the future." I've seldom even gotten a warning ticket because they aren't used to that sort of response.
Once, I was "keeping up with the flow of traffic" and got stopped. The officer asked, "Do you know why I stopped you?" and some demon of smart-assiness popped out with, "I was the only one you could catch?" Luckily, the cop thought it was funny, cracked up and sent me on my way.
It could have been much worse.
PS ... I never was in or caused an accident.
Take that, system!
I addressed the trooper by his rank (corporal), as indicated by the chevrons on his sleeve.
Because of that, he asked me if I was in the military. I told him that I had been in the Coast Guard previously (which was the truth).
He said, "Oh, so was I." So we swapped a couple quick Coastie stories, and then he let me off with a warning.