SEATTLE – Let's face it: When we get pulled over for a traffic violation, most of us start making excuses.

KING

Steve Pomper, a veteran police officer, wrote a book on how to avoid getting traffic tickets.

According to one Seattle police officer, that's exactly the wrong approach and what you say can often mean the difference between a warning and a citation.

Steve Pomper is a veteran officer who's written thousands of tickets, and now a book on how to avoid getting them.

Pomper says understand that the officer probably wants to give you a warning.

"It's amazing how many times an officer will stop someone totally intending to give them a warning and they will actually talk themselves into a ticket," he said.

Even cruising around off-duty, Pomper says he sees people breaking traffic laws constantly.

So if you're one them and you get caught?

Just admit it!

"Officers appreciate it when folks understand what they've done, are honest, easier for us to say, well, don't do it next time," he said.

Pomper's top three rules:

1. Pull over right away.

2. Don't make silly excuses.

3. Resist the temptation to say: Don't you have anything better to do? He hears it all the time.

The officer who stopped you may have just come from a bank robbery or fatal accident. He or she doesn't want to hear about how you didn't do what they just witnessed.

"I've been so impressed by people telling the truth that it takes me by surprise. I almost expect a lie first," he said.

While politeness and honesty can help a lot, even this officer of 15 years admits you can't win them all.

Even he has gotten a traffic ticket – for an improper motorcycle helmet.

Pomper said he paid his ticket, but later helped convince the legislature to change the law.

One more bit of advice: Don't tell the officer you ran that red light because you're late for a doctor's appointment. Pomper says unless you need an ambulance, they're not going to buy it.