Avoiding Tickets... what a concept.
The best defense against speeding tickets is to simply obey the speed limits. However, we know that's often easier said than done. Besides, with all the traffic laws in existence, it is difficult if not impossible to be in perfect compliance all of the time.

Before going out on the road...
Make sure your car at least looks good.
The idea to remember is if the car looks good, it appears that the owner is a responsible person. If an officer has to choose between a white 1988 Olds Cutlass going 75 that's in good condition and a white 1988 Olds Cutlass going 75 that is missing a rear bumper, has blown-out lights, and maybe several dents, guess who is getting the ticket? We don't mean showroom condition, just one that shows reasonable care has been given to it. The point here is: Don't give the police any more reasons to look at and/or stop you.

Check your lights. 
Perhaps the most overlooked yet cheapest items are your lights. Take a walk around your car at night. Make sure all of the lights work, even the $2 license plate lights. In most cases, the only tool needed is a screwdriver. Don't rely on colored tape to act as a permanent replacement for a brake light or turn signal lens. Spend the money and get the real thing. At least the money you pay the parts store is going to some worthy entity, not a government charity as it would if it was spent on a ticket.

Clean the car.
Wash it occasionally and vacuum the inside. Papers, maps, fast-food wrappers and whatnot scattered around does not impress the officer at your side.

Remove all stickers.
  If it says "Mafia staff car - keepa you hands off," you'll get stopped by the only Italian officer in the county. The officer will not be impressed, nor will he be if it says "Insured by Smith & Wesson."

Stickers for the Police Benevolant Association or similar organizations aren't likely to get you out of a ticket. Why? About the only reason people have them is to get out of speeding tickets! Everyone knows that. Plus, the officer that stopped you may have a grievance against the union (These organizations are also unions in some areas). And, the agency you paid for the sticker may not represent the officer at your side.

When you're on the road...
Don't stand out. 
If you are moving faster than the surrounding traffic, weaving, cutting across three lanes at once or do anything to cause another motorist to use his or her horn, you are a prime candidate for a ticket.  (Not to mention being a menace....)

Stay in the right lane. 
This is related to the previous comment about not being obvious. Not only is this good driving practice, it is good ticket-avoidance practice too. There's a psychological element here; if you're in the left lane, you must be speeding. Note that the left lane is sometimes called the "fast" lane.

Radar can't tell which vehicle is speeding. 
But if an officer sees you passing another vehicle, the radar gun's readout will be written on your ticket. By passing that vehicle, you provided a visual frame of reference.

Use your eyes. 
Don't place blind faith in a radar detector; doing so is a good way to get a pacing or vascar ticket, and detectors are less effective in light traffic due to instant-on radar. (Watching your speedometer might also be of use...)

Scan the road as far ahead as possible. 
This is not only good accident-avoidance practice, it will alert you to the presence of unusual items. You'll see cars parked in medians or on entrance/exit ramps, brake lights going on as you approach a turn, or another motorist flashing his headlights at the oncoming traffic. You'll have time to slow down and avoid the speed trap.

Use your mirrors. 
This is similar to what we just described. Is a car rapidly approaching? It could be an officer on an "silent" emergency call - or an officer trying to catch up to you. Did the trooper you just saw leaving the Interstate get back on again? Stay in the right lane and turn on your car's halo until the suspicious car is no longer a problem.

Watch the trucks. 
Remember, truckers are professional drivers and many get paid on a per-mile basis. Therefore, the more miles a trucker can cover in a shorter period of time, the more money he or she will make. If they are maintaining Boy Scout-like compliance with the speed limit, something is amiss and you should be wary.

The weather makes a difference in police activity. 
Would you rather get out of your warm, dry car when it's raining or would you rather do it on a sunny day? Radar works in all kinds of weather, but radar operators would rather not. If it's 10 degrees outside, most officers would rather stay in their warm car than chase one person who's driving safely but illegally at 75 mph.

Sometimes though, even the best avoidance maneuvers don't work.

If you know the officer is after you....

Unless otherwise directed, pull over to the right shoulder as soon as you can. Going to the left shoulder is asking for one unhappy officer since the left shoulder exposes both you and him to the path of passing vehicles. His job is dangerous enough as it is, don't make it worse. Pull as far off as possible. (If you're on the right shoulder, traffic can easily move to the left. If you're on the left shoulder, traffic cannot safely move to the right. Plus, re-entering traffic is much easier done from the right side, for the same reasons.)

If it's at night and the police car is unmarked, you may want to continue on to a lighted area. Most officers won't have a problem with that. Also, turn on the dome light.

Put both hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to arrive next to your door. He has no idea if you're armed, an escaped ex-convict, or just an average person.

Keep movement in the car to a minimum; he can see your movements but doesn't know what you're doing. Are you hiding a gun? Putting away a radar detector? Make his job easier and you can only benefit.

When speaking to the officer, don't insert "Sir" or "Ma'am" after every word. Cops call that "bootlicking." Conversely, calling the officer by his rank or title, like "Sergeant" or "Deputy" is not disrespectful if used sparingly. But, only refer to them this way if you're absolutely sure of their rank or title.

Although most people want to be honest, don't volunteer self-incriminating information. When the officer asks "Do you know how fast you were going?" or something similar, just say "yes" or "I was driving at the speed of traffic" (if true) and leave it at that. But if there's a valid reason for your conduct, such as a medical emergency, say so.

When the officer asks for your license and registration, tell him it's in the glove box (if it is), then ask if it's okay to open it. Leave it open so he can see in. Again, reduce his apprehension about the situation. However, if it's in a console between the seats, ask before opening, but close it when you're done. It's too easy for you to reach back inside and get a weapon.

Do not argue or plead your case. The roadside is never the place to conduct a hearing. To do so is a guaranteed losing situation, and all you'll do is get your story added to the cop's list of "Ten Best Excuses." Cops enforce, courts decide.

Remember that officers are usually not required to show you the readout on the radar gun (for their safety and yours.)

Be inconspicuous. If you make a fuss, the officer is more likely to remember you when you go to trial. That's bad, you want to be as forgettable as possible.

Keep your copy of the ticket!

If your speed was recorded on radar or some other speed measurement device, you should request the make, model and serial number of the device and the serial number of the calibration instrument (for radar, the tuning forks). Some of this information may already be on the ticket. However, only ask for this information after the officer has given you the ticket.

Note the make and license plate of the officer's car. Also look for ID numbers on the sides.

Do not voluntarily agree to a search of your car. If the officer has to ask for permission, it is very likely that he does not have probable cause or reasonable suspicion to believe you have something illegal. If he had probable cause or reasonable suspicion, he would not need to ask you.

When you've parted company, go back to your car and make notes of the situation. Amount of traffic, weather, time, officer's demeanor, etc. No detail or event is unimportant, you will forget them later when you need to know. It is a good idea to draw a map of the area, including trees, signs, buildings, etc. You may need that later.