Corvette Impounded !
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Until you realize that life will always be dangerous if you want to be 100% (heck, even 75%) free, government will always be a refuge, and in reality, a lever to foist your sensibilities upon others.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 9
From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Maybe not a good idea!
California may not be good idea if you are caught racing. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
Only one more day until I get it back , I'm heading to the yard as soon as I bring the paperwork in a get my license returned to me 
. My GF has been great, I usually do almost all the driving so this past week she has been chauffeuring me around. I'm going to have to get her something nice, especially since my other girl won't be getting any more mods until this is all settled. (ok well maybe tinted 
and lowered)
. My GF has been great, I usually do almost all the driving so this past week she has been chauffeuring me around. I'm going to have to get her something nice, especially since my other girl won't be getting any more mods until this is all settled. (ok well maybe tinted and lowered)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
At the age of 27, I was driving a company pickup home one night and smashed into the side of a parked car.
I was pretty well liqoured up so I just drove home and went to bed.
Later that night, they came a knocking. I was rousted out of bed and read the riot act.
I was cited for Leaving the scene, Failure to Report, and Wreckless Driving. Enough to lose my license for a long time.
I went to our attorney who made a phone call and ended up actually talking to the judge. They were old friends and chatted for a while.
At the end, my citation was changed to careless driving and the others were dropped. This all happened right there in the lawyers office.
I drove down to the courthouse and wrote a check for the $100 fine and that was it. I was off the hook.
That was 16 years ago. Since then, I've never even received a parking ticket. Lesson learned.
Point? Lawyer up baby. Always lawyer up.
I was pretty well liqoured up so I just drove home and went to bed.
Later that night, they came a knocking. I was rousted out of bed and read the riot act.
I was cited for Leaving the scene, Failure to Report, and Wreckless Driving. Enough to lose my license for a long time.
I went to our attorney who made a phone call and ended up actually talking to the judge. They were old friends and chatted for a while.
At the end, my citation was changed to careless driving and the others were dropped. This all happened right there in the lawyers office.
I drove down to the courthouse and wrote a check for the $100 fine and that was it. I was off the hook.
That was 16 years ago. Since then, I've never even received a parking ticket. Lesson learned.
Point? Lawyer up baby. Always lawyer up.
Best advice on this thread.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Well, after just reading the first page you got some good advice and some very bad advice. You've already admitted guilt in a public forum...so my advice would be to tell the judge what you said in your OP and say your sorry.
I've seen several ticket courts and they all go bad for the violator when they try to justify criminal actions by blaming the officer etc other than themselves. You'll be surprised how much the judge respects people who are willing to take responsibility and only blame themselves...this is very rare these days.
Take responsibility, say your sorry, say you learned a lesson, ask for a small penalty and another chance to prove you're a responsible driver.
I've seen several ticket courts and they all go bad for the violator when they try to justify criminal actions by blaming the officer etc other than themselves. You'll be surprised how much the judge respects people who are willing to take responsibility and only blame themselves...this is very rare these days.
Take responsibility, say your sorry, say you learned a lesson, ask for a small penalty and another chance to prove you're a responsible driver.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: chicago il
I'd talk to the cop before court, you were nice to him maybe he can put in a good word with the prosecutor, this worked for me once I was doing 25 over at 2:00 AM and ended up getting supervision .... no fine or court fees
GOOD LUCK
GOOD LUCK
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
That was done to two cars in Ontario last summer/fall as I recall. Cops made a big deal of it with the press there as well.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Windsor Ontario
Double your insurance??? I don't think it will be that easy. Don't be surprised if you hear from your insurance company and find your rates have been increased to 10-12K annually, whether or not you get convicted. BTW, if I were a betting man I would bet strongly in favor of you're getting convicted. McGuinty is turning Ontario into an authoritarian socialist state and he demands that the courts and police enforce his arbitrary and draconian laws. It's a sad state of affairs but this is what are fellow electors wanted.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Sadly the OPP are pushing this crap WAYYYY too hard. I almost got nailed on the 401 just before the new street racing laws went into effect going about 160 in my C5 Vert. Was a beautiful day, traffic flow was probably 130-140 km/h in the fast lane but it was light so I just stayed in the centre lane and cruised at between 140-160 all the way to London from Toronto. Just before I got to my exit at the last second I spot the cop on the overpass and see him radioing a car to stop me. Luckily for me every car they had out already had a car pulled over so I juiced it to the next exit and got off the highway and came home the back roads. I know and admit I was speeding that day but was in no way shape or form driving faster than I, the car, traffic, the road and the weather conditions could safely allow. Under the new law the penalties are so severe that your life is almost certainly permanently screwed over a traffic ticket. If you are driving like a jackass I am all for this law but under normal circumstances it is ridiculous. I am now so paranoid that I have never even gotten close to what I would consider "fast" in my new c6 for fear of getting a "street racing" ticket and losing my license.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Double your insurance??? I don't think it will be that easy. Don't be surprised if you hear from your insurance company and find your rates have been increased to 10-12K annually, whether or not you get convicted. BTW, if I were a betting man I would bet strongly in favor of you're getting convicted. McGuinty is turning Ontario into an authoritarian socialist state and he demands that the courts and police enforce his arbitrary and draconian laws. It's a sad state of affairs but this is what are fellow electors wanted.
I hope McGuinty rots in hell
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
Racing and speeding are totally different. If you street race you deserve to have your car taken and put in the crusher while you watch. I never St. raced and never will.
Lots of St racing in California so the Draconian laws, I like this one.
Last edited by 06 C6 vert; Mar 24, 2009 at 04:43 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 92
From: Florida
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
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I don't have a problem with the state confiscating someones car if they are convicted of road racing, but crushing the car instead of selling it is just plain dumb!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
the crushing is just to impact the street racers. ( pun indended ) The racers are a huge cult in California and are not swayed easily.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 888
Likes: 50
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
If it were me I would be just as up front with the judge as you have been in the postings. I would bet most defendants try to create a crap excuse or a procedure to hide behind. I know in the US most judges would find honesty refreshing. I would also assure the court that any further Corvette adventures will be done on a track or other closed course and not on public roadways. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 9
From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Lesson learned the hard way!
Well I hate to be the victim of a stereotyping , but in my case it was painfully accurate.
I'm 23 and purchased my 05 Z51 with 30,000km in Dec of 08. Last Sunday it was finally nice enough to take my girlfriend out for a spin, I have only had the vette on the road for maybe 2 weeks at best. I had never taken it anywhere except the small town where I live so I decided we'd make a day of it and head in Ottawa which about an hour from my home and do some shopping. Other than a a couple spirited launches I was being very conscious of my driving paranoid that I would be picked out for being a young vette pilot. After driving behind some slow traffic on the two lane potion of the highway for 20 minutes and unable to pass as it seems everyone was out for a cruise this day, I was itching to hear my newly installed Borlas again. The road expands to 4 lanes and the fast lane is wide open, with 4 cars in the slow lane and nothing ahead in sight.
I drop to third put my foot in it and accelerate. I'm well past the 4 cars in a couple of seconds when I glance ahead to see the radar trap
. The officer waves me in from ahead and I pull over.
I got charged with doing 163 in a posted 100,(in Ontario anything 50 over the posted limit is considered "stunt driving"). Stunt driving charges result in an automatic 7 day vehicle impound and 7 day license suspension as well as an automatic court hearing. While waiting for the tow truck the officer gets talking to me turns out to be quite a nice guy and asks if he can sit in the car. I give him the go ahead so he jumps in fires it up a grins and shuts it down. My gf and I both get a ride in the back of the cruiser to the closest gas station where my friend picks us up.
My court date is April 24th, and here is what could result:
Stunt Driving
Actions that are considered to be Stunt Driving in Ontario:
* Driving at a rate of speed that is higher than 50km/hr over the posted limit
* Driving without care and attention to the road or without reasonable care for the safety of others on the road
For example:
* Preventing another car from passing without reason
* Stopping or slowing your car in a manner that interferes with the movement of the cars behind you
* Completing Donuts (circular motions with your car)
* Driving your car in a position that is not seated in the driver’s seat
* Driving with passengers in your trunk
* Improper turns
What are the consequences associated with a stunt driving / street racing conviction?
- A minimum fine of $2000 up to a maximum fine of $10,000
- Imprisonment for not more than 6 months
- Licence suspension for not more than 2 years for a 1st conviction
(up to 10 years for a 2nd conviction)
- Up to a 100% insurance rate increase for the next three years
- Six demerit points
I'm going to fight it but if convicted then I will probably have to sell my C6
.
It took me a long time to save for the car and find the exact one I wanted, it really was a dream come true to finally have it and be part of the community. Probably less than 8 seconds of spirited driving and it's all gone.
The morale of the story is save the speed for the track. I know I may have been at fault and deserve whatever happens. However I do think the new law is very harsh.
Learn from my mistake, it's just not worth. It might be hard to keep your foot out of it sometimes, but its much harder to watch your perfectly good car leave on a town truck as you stand on the side of the road.
I'm 23 and purchased my 05 Z51 with 30,000km in Dec of 08. Last Sunday it was finally nice enough to take my girlfriend out for a spin, I have only had the vette on the road for maybe 2 weeks at best. I had never taken it anywhere except the small town where I live so I decided we'd make a day of it and head in Ottawa which about an hour from my home and do some shopping. Other than a a couple spirited launches I was being very conscious of my driving paranoid that I would be picked out for being a young vette pilot. After driving behind some slow traffic on the two lane potion of the highway for 20 minutes and unable to pass as it seems everyone was out for a cruise this day, I was itching to hear my newly installed Borlas again. The road expands to 4 lanes and the fast lane is wide open, with 4 cars in the slow lane and nothing ahead in sight.
I drop to third put my foot in it and accelerate. I'm well past the 4 cars in a couple of seconds when I glance ahead to see the radar trap
. The officer waves me in from ahead and I pull over.I got charged with doing 163 in a posted 100,(in Ontario anything 50 over the posted limit is considered "stunt driving"). Stunt driving charges result in an automatic 7 day vehicle impound and 7 day license suspension as well as an automatic court hearing. While waiting for the tow truck the officer gets talking to me turns out to be quite a nice guy and asks if he can sit in the car. I give him the go ahead so he jumps in fires it up a grins and shuts it down. My gf and I both get a ride in the back of the cruiser to the closest gas station where my friend picks us up.
My court date is April 24th, and here is what could result:
Stunt Driving
Actions that are considered to be Stunt Driving in Ontario:
* Driving at a rate of speed that is higher than 50km/hr over the posted limit
* Driving without care and attention to the road or without reasonable care for the safety of others on the road
For example:
* Preventing another car from passing without reason
* Stopping or slowing your car in a manner that interferes with the movement of the cars behind you
* Completing Donuts (circular motions with your car)
* Driving your car in a position that is not seated in the driver’s seat
* Driving with passengers in your trunk
* Improper turns
What are the consequences associated with a stunt driving / street racing conviction?
- A minimum fine of $2000 up to a maximum fine of $10,000
- Imprisonment for not more than 6 months
- Licence suspension for not more than 2 years for a 1st conviction
(up to 10 years for a 2nd conviction)
- Up to a 100% insurance rate increase for the next three years
- Six demerit points
I'm going to fight it but if convicted then I will probably have to sell my C6
.It took me a long time to save for the car and find the exact one I wanted, it really was a dream come true to finally have it and be part of the community. Probably less than 8 seconds of spirited driving and it's all gone.
The morale of the story is save the speed for the track. I know I may have been at fault and deserve whatever happens. However I do think the new law is very harsh.
Learn from my mistake, it's just not worth. It might be hard to keep your foot out of it sometimes, but its much harder to watch your perfectly good car leave on a town truck as you stand on the side of the road.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
From: Folsom California