jd_black_00

No, the ticket says "DRAG RACING" on it. There is a code that I need to look up, but I left the ticket at home today and I'm at work. I'll check the code online tomorrow

jd_black_00

I looked up this clinic this morning, but couldn't find any locations in Illinois. I'll do more research though

Vetteman Jack

Good luck with whatever you do. Hope you can get the drag racing charge reduced or dismissed, but you may be on the hook for speeding. And next time, perhaps just let the other driver speed ahead - not worth the chance of getting nailed by an LEO.

DevilDog II

(625 ILCS 5/11-506)
Sec. 11-506. Street racing; aggravated street racing.
(a) No person shall engage in street racing on any street or highway of this State.
(b) No owner of any vehicle shall acquiesce in or permit his or her vehicle to be used by another for the purpose of street racing.
(c) For the purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
"Acquiesce" or "permit" means actual knowledge that the motor vehicle was to be used for the purpose of street racing.
"Street racing" means:
(1) The operation of 2 or more vehicles from a point
side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other; or
(2) The operation of one or more vehicles over a
common selected course, each starting at the same point, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit; or
(3) The use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to
outgain or outdistance another vehicle; or
(4) The use of one or more vehicles to prevent
another vehicle from passing; or
(5) The use of one or more vehicles to arrive at a
given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles;

jcsperson

Did the tow truck driver also get a ticket for drag racing? It takes two to race, right?

Seriously, if the judge has a brain in his head, a race between a Corvette and a tow truck is patently ridiculous. It doesn't make sense. That shouldn't take too much convincing.

You're probably on your own on the 45 in a 30.

Orig Ante M

Hire a lawyer. It's the BEST way to make sure you are represented and shows you mean business in getting it rectified. It's going to cost you one way or the other so you might as well get a fair deal. Good Luck!

Dave68

I have to admit that I do the same thing. After all, by law, the person driving the vehicle in a lane that ends
Must merge safely, not rocket past the
Vehicle next to him or her. The hilarious thing that often happens is that a soccer mom in an Explorer thinks she will easily sail past a guy in a Corvette. (lowered and sounding a bit mean)

nj02vette

For any company that makes that sort of claim.....it sounds an aweful lot like legalized corruption. But being Chicago, that's probably the norm there.

flynbyu2

Sounds like the local police got a "drag race" trap there. Speed traps are illegal, drag racing traps.......who knows?

Bakerking31

murf257

Born and raised in the area I have my $.02 to add. Cook County Courts and very corrupt to say the least. With that said, I'd take my chances and go to court and plead not guilty. The over congested court system will get the judge to be truly leanient if you do not have previous convictions. Often they will take 30 to 40 people who want to plead not guilty and dismiss all at the same time. If you have the opportunity to go before the judge, remember they have heard it all! However, if you explain that this was your first time in the neighborhood and you were not familar with the lane merge, plus the fact you do not have any other moving violations, the judge should offer supervision. I'd take my chances and not have an attorney. If however u do have other tickets...... u can pay for an attorney and still get wacked! Remember it is Chgo., the most corrupt city in the US.

99FRC Newb

PM me the officer's name. hopefully i know him

slowtealz28

Get a lawyer just to be safe. I am sure he will be better at explaining to the judge why it is nonsense to think you would be drag racing a tow truck. The speeding ticket your most likely screwed, though. Did you spin tires at all?

SaberD

our tax dollars hard at work. =\

Mecinoid

This is the best advice. These types of tickets are best handled by those that deal with them day in day out. The penalties are servere and deserve a professionals opinion at least. Drag race (Speed Contest in Cali), Reckless Driving and Drunk Driving are now serious offenses. It is not like it was in the 50,60,70's anymore. People do go to jail over these types of tickets.

With that being said - If Chicago has a Ticket Clinic the first thing I'd do is ask them if this is the type of ticket that I would be allowed to go to school on. If not, I'd ask them if they can get it reduced to a ticket that I could go to school on. Then if so, do the school clear your record and be aware of this in the future. If not, get a lawyer you need one. The police apparently are having issues as we do here in Cali. People try to pass unsafely at these merges even if there is a do not pass sign on the right; they pass. I actually think your ticket should have been for unsafe passing. In Cali that is a heavy fine but, it's not in the category with Reckless / Drunk Driving.

This is one of the grey areas of driving I fear getting caught up in. I feel for you.

Good luck !!!

Mecinoid

Ah you won't believe me anyways.... retracted. ;-)

jhanson999

I got a drag racing ticket here in IL, along with wreckless driving and speeding 20+ all in the same instance. And I was in no way shape or form doing any of the above. The officer claimed to "hear" my exhaust from a few blocks away, admitted to never even seeing my car moving, came to me when I was parked at a friends house and proceeded to write me up. I figured there was no way this could possibly hold up in court, but I ended up with $2000 in fines, lawyer fees, and 1 year probation.

I was 18 with a camaro and apparently that's illegal here in IL. Hope you have better luck than I did!

jd_black_00

I didn't spin the tires but I have an aftermarket Borla exhaust setup that gets pretty loud.

baxsom

best thing to do is not post on a public forum that you deliberately accelerated so that the tow truck wouldn't try to get ahead of you. a little calmness, live and let live attitude, and a little less on the gas and you wouldn't be worried about this.

pluslt

Whatever man, he posted to get an idea of what he's facing. Its not like he has a video of said situation going down. Its not like he was even drag racing. I see no issue with any of this. In fact with regard to the actual event itself, he did what I would be willing to bet 90% of the people on this forum would do. He was at a light with the lane next to him clearly about to end and some jerk in a TOW TRUCK decided to punch the gas and get in front of him? Lmao, no chance that's happening to me and very very few of you either.

And to the OP sorry you got some trumped up BS ticket. Sounds like the cop is a real d-bag. Get a lawyer and chalk it up to life. Good luck man.