Ticket avoidance?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 30
The last ticket I received was around October of last year. It was probably my first in about 10 years. It was for driving in the left lane (passing lane) over a 23 mile bridge. I had no idea it was a passing lane only. The only signs posted state "slower traffic keep right". I later found out these were the signs that are supposed to inform you that it's a passing lane only. The funny thing is there was no traffic either in front, behind, or beside me as far as the eye could see. I thought, how could I be the slower traffic if there is no other traffic. 
It was a lazy Sunday after noon with the top down and I had cruise control set at the limit. I think it was a newbie cop or he had a personal thing against Vettes. Anyways.. I had everything ready to go. I had a copy of the original bill that was passed stating that the law was to prevent rolling roadblocks and obstructions to the flow of traffic along with some other documents. I had to go to court four times, drive an hour each way to get there, and take off of work. I went there the first time to explain my case to the assistant DA. The second time was the wrong court date written on the ticket by the cop. The third time was to plea not guilty and have the date set. The DA offered me a $175 fine, same as the original ticket, non moving violation that I quickly turned down. The fourth time the cop still did not show up. This time the DA finally offered to knocked it down to a 2nd no seat belt $55 fine, non-moving violation. I was 
. I almost wanted to turn it down again just to have the cop show up and be able to question him. They should have paid me for my gas back and fourth, toll charges, and time off of work. The whole time sitting in court I see people with lawyers or way worse violations getting off free or with a slap on the wrist. Anyways I hope your experience is much better than mine was.
It was a lazy Sunday after noon with the top down and I had cruise control set at the limit. I think it was a newbie cop or he had a personal thing against Vettes. Anyways.. I had everything ready to go. I had a copy of the original bill that was passed stating that the law was to prevent rolling roadblocks and obstructions to the flow of traffic along with some other documents. I had to go to court four times, drive an hour each way to get there, and take off of work. I went there the first time to explain my case to the assistant DA. The second time was the wrong court date written on the ticket by the cop. The third time was to plea not guilty and have the date set. The DA offered me a $175 fine, same as the original ticket, non moving violation that I quickly turned down. The fourth time the cop still did not show up. This time the DA finally offered to knocked it down to a 2nd no seat belt $55 fine, non-moving violation. I was . I almost wanted to turn it down again just to have the cop show up and be able to question him. They should have paid me for my gas back and fourth, toll charges, and time off of work. The whole time sitting in court I see people with lawyers or way worse violations getting off free or with a slap on the wrist. Anyways I hope your experience is much better than mine was. 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 702
Likes: 2
From: Conyers Ga
The last time I got stopped was at 3am doing 75 in a 45 with a loaded handgun in the car (CCW in hand). After being surrounded by 3 other local LEO's, I got a verbal warning. The cop said. "I like your plate"
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
Several things come to mind here.
1. The reason the cop is talking to you is he saw you doing something he considered against the law. Hey, it's his job to talk to you about that.
2. Everyone lies. No, officer, I wasn't speeding. Gee, the headlight worked when I left home (work), I checked just before I left. No, I didn't rob that 7-11, I just showed the lady my new gun and she liked it so much she gave this bag of money.
3. Some cops ALWAYS write tickets, some don't. The ones that don't, will be more leinent when the person actually treats them like a person. I've never understood folks that started the conversation with "why the **** did you stop ME, you stupid SOB?' and didn't understand why they got a ticket. Ummm, maybe attitude?
bill
1. The reason the cop is talking to you is he saw you doing something he considered against the law. Hey, it's his job to talk to you about that.
2. Everyone lies. No, officer, I wasn't speeding. Gee, the headlight worked when I left home (work), I checked just before I left. No, I didn't rob that 7-11, I just showed the lady my new gun and she liked it so much she gave this bag of money.
3. Some cops ALWAYS write tickets, some don't. The ones that don't, will be more leinent when the person actually treats them like a person. I've never understood folks that started the conversation with "why the **** did you stop ME, you stupid SOB?' and didn't understand why they got a ticket. Ummm, maybe attitude?
bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OHIO
When I get caught doing something stupid, I pull over turn the car off both hands on the wheel with the windows down. I turn on my flashers and if it's night I turn on the interior light. I haven't gotten a ticket in over eight years and I have been stopped several times doing some silly stuff. I have had the best luck with the police over the years and the last time I did get a couple of tickets he could have towed the car, wrote me for drag racing and a slew of other tickets. I got squeeling tires and 68 in a 25 which the judge turned into unsafe motorvehicle and a $50.00 fine with no points.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: hinton ia
Well I have had a similar incident driving home a see a unmarked cop headed the other way and I was doing like 80 in a 65 that was turning into a 55 so I pulled over and stopped, grabbed my license and reg. and waited, anyway he pulled a u turn and slowly drove BY ME! Well to say the least I was slightly confused so I give it a sec and pulled back onto the road he then pulls 2 more u turns and pulls me over like 1/4mile down the road, asks me why I was pulled over and sitting at the side of the road and I told him I was “kinda”
speeding when I saw him so I pulled over. He looks at me really strangely,takes my license and reg. go to his car comes back like 30sec later and asks me something like “have you ever heard of Christmas in September?” this time I look at him really strangely and I just sit there trying to figure out what the hell that meant when he smiles and says “have a good day” then I finally get it. Duh, but yes I agree if you treat Leo’s with respect and tell the truth most of them turn out to be civilized people. Who would have thought? 
speeding when I saw him so I pulled over. He looks at me really strangely,takes my license and reg. go to his car comes back like 30sec later and asks me something like “have you ever heard of Christmas in September?” this time I look at him really strangely and I just sit there trying to figure out what the hell that meant when he smiles and says “have a good day” then I finally get it. Duh, but yes I agree if you treat Leo’s with respect and tell the truth most of them turn out to be civilized people. Who would have thought?
