Got me a speeding ticket

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:54 pm

My first ever speeding ticket and I got it for going 55 in a 45 on the highway in one section where the speed turns from 55 to 45 ~_~

Definitely taking this shit to court and planning to say something along the lines of "I was pacing myself with all the traffic around me and there were no extreme weather conditions" Since it was completely dry out and I was no where near tail gating or gaining on anyone quickly or shit like that.

Any advice on what to say in front of the judge?

Harrison · Post by **Harrison** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:58 pm

You likely won't have to say anything since the cop rarely shows up, giving you the easy-out.

Phlegm · Post by **Phlegm** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:47 am

Tell the judge that your guild was having a raid and you're next in line for loot so you have to get home as quickly as you can. He'll understand.

Tikker · Post by **Tikker** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:48 am

why are you taking it to court?

you know you were speeding

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:55 am

Tell the judge that you were keeping with the flow of traffic.

Post by **Lyion** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:59 am

Tikker wrote:why are you taking it to court?

you know you were speeding

Because in the U.S. if the cop doesn't show up, and they often don't, it gets thrown out and you save some serious jack.

Even if the cop shows up, ask if his equipment was properly calibrated and if he has records. If it was, then say you dispute the charge. It'll probably get thrown out.

Tikker · Post by **Tikker** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:21 am

that's retarded

Samboa · Post by **Samboa** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:34 am

I planned on contesting a ticket I got for running a stop sign I didn't actually run. There was a 3-foot concrete retaining wall extending 75feet in the direction the cop was coming from, and he said I didn't make a complete stop. I drove the exact route he did several times and you can't even see the stop sign, let alone a car stopped behind it.

Anyway. . .I do a lot of site mapping (CAD stuff) for an environmental services company, so I drew up a diagram using aerial photographs, side view photographs, and police view photographs detailing the plausibility of the whole situation. It turned out that, based on the line of site of the cop, had he been going the speed limit (35mph) I would have had to accelerate from 0-35 in less than 2 seconds to get in front of him at the point in time that he could first see the stop sign, ie optimal conditions.

Argument was airtight. Took it in front of the judge, and he kinda laughed and said, "Ok, well let's just schedule you a court date for next week. The court costs are going to be around $60, and you'll probably want to bring an attorney."

I opted out of that. The ticket was $90, and had I lost I would have been out $150. It was clear to everyone I was innocent here but the police. Small town cops can suck my D.

To sum this up: I wouldn't argue it, it's probably not worth your trouble. Take the community service or pay the ticket. As unfortunate as power-hungry asshole cops are, there isn't a whole lot we can do about them.

Trielelvan · Post by **Trielelvan** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:34 am

Not as retarded as the idea of getting a ticket written for a measley 10mph difference, especially if traffic is rolling along at the same speed. :rolleyes:

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:32 am

I'm not paying higher insurance and nullifying my perferred member status with my insurance company for going 55 in a 45.

Spazz · Post by **Spazz** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:51 am

Dude you were doing 10 over thats totally a ticket . So your saying you totally broke the rules but should be above them anyway :wink:

Darcler · Post by **Darcler** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 5:04 am

We still have to go to court and pay even if the cop doesn't show.

Pay your ticket, take defensive driving and get it voided. You WERE speeding, after all.

Ouchyfish · Post by **Ouchyfish** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:44 am

I've been driving for 18 goddamn years and have never gotten a speeding ticket, nor been in an accident that was -my- fault. BOOYA!

I just flash the cop my man-tits and get away with a warning.

:rofl:

Thon · Post by **Thon** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:09 am

if it's the highway then it's bullshit. the fuckers here have signs up saying 45 mph in some work zones where they don't do any work that i've ever seen. i do 70 mph through there and still get passed by half the traffic

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:46 pm

Wait so, do I have to pay for the court date? I was under the impression its their fault I have to go to court so it was just a part of the whole process?

I'm a newb.

Spazz · Post by **Spazz** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:56 pm

Yes you have to pay for time in court any time you go i think.

Phlegm · Post by **Phlegm** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:57 pm

There are court costs but if you wear a mini skirt and bat your eyelashes at the judge, he might waive the fee for you.

Lionking · Post by **Lionking** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:20 pm

Just pay the ticket. Hell, the insurance won't know unless you switch providers. Besides, 1 speeding ticket is usually overlooked anyway and won't hurt your rates. Just don't make a habit of speeding or at least getting caught speeding.

-Out

:vonk:

Samboa · Post by **Samboa** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:38 pm

If you go to court and opt for community service/defensive driving you pay a court cost (like $35 here), but if you decide to challenge the ticket and lose, you pay court costs twice, plus the ticket. Oh, and the ticket goes on your record.

Take the community service, take the class, and get the ticket off your record. I was told a ticket would raise my insurance from $220 a month to around $350 a month. I ended up doing 14 hours community service (for a damn $90 ticket, outrageous number of hours), went to 'peer pressure counseling' which was all about drunk driving and stealing when I ran a damn stop sign, and wrote a two page 'essay' on teen drug use (copy/paste, and once again wtf? I ran a stop sign, I must be on drugs!), and considered myself lucky.

Gypsiyee · Post by **Gypsiyee** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:26 pm

I got my first ticket this year also, and I totally am contesting it. I don't care what I have to pay, the cop is completely in the wrong so I'll be happy to pay to scream at the top of my lungs that in no way, shape, or form, am I guilty. To save myself from typing, I'll post my blog from ~a month ago (brinstar ignore cuz I know you've read!)

So, yesterday.. on my way home, to end a lovely day of work, I got my very first traffic ticket - AWESOME.

So I was driving behind this cop car, and he's going 10 mph under the speed limit, and I'm simply looking for a good opportunity to pass him because hello, you're going 10 mph under the speed limit, speed it the fuck up grandma, I got shit to do - after I find no opportunity to pass him what with no passing zones and traffic on the other side, he finally pulls over to the side, and all I can think is "thank god" - another mile down the road, the son of a bitch pulls me over and says I was following too close and I wouldn't get off his ass - "you were 2 car lengths behind me" he says.. hang on, let me get my tape measure, asshole.

To make matters worse, he's one of those rotund red-headed fellows who thinks he's god's gift to the world - HI, I flunked out of college and was too lazy to do anything else, so I became a cop, and now I make 30k a year and am your master type of guy. He says "You were tailgating me for the past mile, I don't know if you realize exactly WHO you were following, but most people know not to tailgate a cop." Hi moron, you're a traffic cop - that's ONE step above crossing guard - congratulations, would you like a cookie?

At any rate, I definitely wasn't tailgating him, and a $185 ticket can kiss my ass - bet your ass I'll be in court appealing it, some jackass isn't going to taint my perfect driving record. So, to all you short shit chubbers who have nothing better to do but look down on people because of your own self-insufficiencies, a hearty fuck you, and I hope you choke on your oreos.

WoWShaman · Post by **WoWShaman** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:49 pm

Eh just plead to obstruction of traffic and pay 90 bucks. It dosent go on your record its no points its an easy out.
Thats what I do with my tickets and my rates havent gone up for it.. It has because my neighborhood is now considered to be a lower average income area.. But thats just greedy fucking insurance companies.

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:20 pm

Wait... whats the obstruction of traffic shit?

Tikker · Post by **Tikker** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:53 pm

Dylan wrote:Wait so, do I have to pay for the court date? I was under the impression its their fault I have to go to court so it was just a part of the whole process?

I'm a newb.

how is it remotely their fault?

you were the one speeding

Minrott · Post by **Minrott** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 5:04 pm

I want to know what the hell Samboa drives that costs $220 a month!? to insure.

Christ my most expensive vehicle, $20K+ pickup is $600 a year for full coverage.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 5:20 pm

Tikker wrote:
Dylan wrote:Wait so, do I have to pay for the court date? I was under the impression its their fault I have to go to court so it was just a part of the whole process?

I'm a newb.

how is it remotely their fault?

you were the one speeding

95% of the time police in the US nail you for speeding if you go 11 or higher above the speed limit in a residential. 21 or higher on a highway. Yeah he's speeding, but normally that's a speed that doesn't get you pulled over at. Not to mention he just reached a speed limit change zone. Kinda like a trap ya know.