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There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Radar and about how Radar Guns work. Below is a list of the most frequent questions we get by people hoping to get out of their speeding tickets. So, without further adieu, here are the most commons myths about radar, misconceptions about radar guns and the cops that wield them. If you have any radar gun myths you'd like to add to this list of Radar Detector Facts, feel free to post them in the comments.

Myth #1 - Radar doesn't work accurately in bad weather - Many people think that if it's raining, cloudy or cold that radar equipment won't work correctly. This is simply not true. Look at it this way. Air traffic controllers can still track airplanes in the sky when it's foggy or cloudy. The equipment a radar gun uses is substantially scaled down compared to an airport but the same principles of radar technology and the laws of physics still apply. Bad weather as an argument will not get you out of a speeding ticket. Besides, if the weather is bad, it might be a good idea to drive more carefully anyway.

Myth #2 - Radar Detectors will prevent me from getting a speeding ticket - A Radar detector does not make you bulletproof. Radar detectors are simply tools; tools that can be used correctly or incorrectly and can perform differently under different circumstances. There's a good chance it won't detect a cop on the prowl and there's an even better chance of it going off when there is no cop around at all. There are also new and changing radar technologies that your fancy radar detector may not be able to pick up.

Myth #3 - Cops can't hide when running Radar - Cops can park wherever they want to nail speeders. There is no law saying they can't hide when searching for speeders. Some people call this entrapment, but that defense won't get you very far in traffic court.

Myth #4 - The Officer has to show me the Radar readout if I ask - Cops don't have to do anything for you. They're the ones with the authority over you. If he refuses to show you the readout, you can't use that as a defense in court. The officer is not obligated to show you his equipment. The judge will always believe the cop's word over yours. Cops can even ticket you for speeding with a visual inspection without radar. You can tell when someone is going a 100 mph and cops are trained to pick it up, even if their radar equipment is off.

Myth #5 - Cops give more speeding tickets to red cars - Cops give tickets to speeders and don't discriminate on car color. This theory probably arises from the corollary that people who own red cars are more likely to speed and thus get nailed more often for speeding. There are no magic properties in red car paint that make them more targeted by radar guns.

Myth #6 - Why did I get a ticket, I was only going 5mph over? - Generally it's up to the cop and the jurisdiction he represents to decide how much speeding warrants a ticket. There are no laws that say this much over is or isn't speeding. Speeding is 1 mph over the posted limit, period. He has grounds to ticket you for going 1mph just as much as if you were going 50 mph over. "But judge, I was only going five miles over" will not make a good defense in court. Five miles over is five miles over.

Myth #7 - I only got a ticket because cops have a quota - This is a common myth about police departments. They don't set quotas for how many tickets a cop needs to write. Officers can write as little or as many tickets as they wish. You can't establish a quota based on who might break the law. That'd be like telling cops they have to solve 5 murders in the next month when murders may or may not even occur.

Myth #8 - I didn't sign the ticket so it's not valid and I don't have to show up in court because it will be dismissed - Signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt. It's usually an acknowledgement you have to appear in court. If you don't show up to court based on this logic, the judge will likely rule against you automatically, you'll be levied a fine in addition to the ticket and have a warrant issued for your arrest. Some states will even suspend your license.

Myth #9 - There's an error on my ticket so the judge will have to dismiss it - People make mistakes. The judge will not dismiss a speeding ticket if the cop got your eye color wrong on the ticket.

Myth #10 - If I place tinfoil on my car's hubcaps or hang a CD from my rear-view mirror, I will become invisible to police radar - This was the subject of a recent Mythbuster's episode. All these methods were proved to be ineffective. There's nothing you can put on your car that will prevent it from being detected by polic radar. Maybe if they started building cars out of the stuff they make stealth bombers out of...

Editor's Note: None of the above information should be considered legal advice.

We've all been there. You’re cruising down the highway at a good clip; you're in the Driving Zone, completely unaware of your surroundings. And BAM! You see blue lights in your rearview mirror. I know, I know; you didn't even realize you were speeding, but the Cop nailed ya anyway. We get a lot of questions about the accuracy of Radar Guns and how to get out of speeding tickets. Many people have their own unique ways to get out of a speeding ticket. Some never work, while some do. This advice is just that, advice. I make no guarantees that these methods will actually work in your favor. In no way should this be considered legal advice.

1. Don't Speed - The obvious solution is to just watch your speed. I know, I know, this a cop-out (pun intended) of a reason. But generally obeying the speed limit will ensure that you don't get pulled over and ticketed. It will also have the knock on effect of making you a safer driver.

2. Kindness Counts - Cops see a lot of crap in the line of duty, the least you can do is not add to it. When you're pulled over, turn the engine off, have your license and registration ready, roll down the window and keep your hands on the wheel when he approaches. If you're wearing a hat or sunglasses, take it off. Never get out of your car or be provocative in any way. Simple courtesies like this will work in your favor. When he starts talking to you, kill him with kindness and be very polite. Remember, he has the high ground.

3. Admit fault immediately - This is usually the best way to get out of a speeding ticket. When the cop asks, “do you know why I pulled you over?” Or something along those lines. Simply respond "Yes, I was speeding." Usually this will catch the cop off guard. People try to come up with a million excuses as to why they were speeding, but unless you’re speeding to the hospital there really isn't a good excuse.

Don’t forget that cops are human. Don't you hate it when people give you excuse after excuse? Cops hear excuses all day and they could care less about yours. Simply admit speeding was the reason you were pulled over. That’s it. Often times, you'll find yourself on your way in a few minutes with a written warning. This also depends on your driving record as well. If you have a lot of tickets on your record, especially with the traffic authority the officer represents, he'll be more likely to issue you a ticket.

4. Fight it in court - There are as many strategies for fighting a ticket as the sky is blue. Here are some common tips. Show up to the court date, preferably in a suit and tie. Often times the cop will not show up, often times they have to appear in court on their own time and they have so many possible court dates that there's a good chance he won't show up at all. Usually this means the judge will rule in your favor. If the cop does show up, challenge the validity of the radar equipment. Ask when the last time the equipment was calibrated, ask to see the logs. This will create lots of delay and can work in your favor. Create as much delay as possible.

Another strategy is to file continuing motions to string things out for as long as possible. Most people would rather avoid this method; you'll end up with as much in court costs as the ticket would have cost you, plus the cost of a lawyer if you don't feel you are up to fighting it. Also be sure to be very respectful of the judge and the officer. Don’t be a jerk. That will not help you.

5. Pay it and take defensive driving - Sometimes it's best to just suck it up and deal with it. Get the money order and just pay the ticket. If you're worried about your insurance going up, most municipalities have programs where you can take a defensive driving course and the ticket won't show up on your driving record at all. Nowadays most of these courses amount to a 4 hour video and a test you can take online. Paying the ticket and the cost of the course is a lot cheaper in the long run against higher insurance premiums. Look at the bright side; it might actually make you a better driver.

6. It's about who you now - This is where your extended network of friends and family comes in handy. It's called six degrees of separation. You've got to be able to connect to someone you know in the court of city government that can simply make the ticket 'go away' or help the court rule in your favor. If you know someone who knows the cop, perhaps they can get the cop to drop it once that personal connection is made. It never hurts to be friends with a cop. However, in some cases this is not exactly the right thing to do.

7. Don’t Pout - If you're a girl, don't expect to be able to use your good looks and whatnot to get out of a ticket. Cops are generally impervious to your charms, especially if the officer in question is a woman. Do not play dumb to the cop or pull down your top a little to show off your assets. It won't work and may actually work against you.

8. If you’re Drunk – You’re screwed. Don’t drink and drive.

Have your own tips? Post it in the comments or send us an e-mail.