Ticket
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12,122
Likes: 418
From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26
Knock on wood. I have been ticket free for 16 years. So what do I do? BUY A TORCH RED CORVETTE! Keeping my head, and my speed down, for sure now!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
fightin back
Ok Im Fightin back, ya Im in the wrong for speedin, but I feel I've been profiled. Learning lesson SLOW, great but could this have been resolved with a warning. Yes!!! Tigard, OR
Will post outcome!
Will post outcome!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 57
From: Halcottsville NY
I got a ticket for 11mph over the limit, in my Tahoe, several years ago. I spoke to a friend, who happens to be a judge, and he said to plead "not guilty" to it. I did and when I went to court, the judge (not my friend) knocked it down to not obeying a local traffic law. No points, no insurance penalty and an $85.00 fine. All the money went to the local town and not to the "state". All they want is your money and they want it to go to them.
My wife had the same thing happen to her in Connecticutt, two years later. She was picked out of a line of cars doing 10mph over and got a speeding ticket. She did the same thing and her fine was reduced to a local with no points and no insurance penalty. Again, all they want is your money. Maybe it'll work for you. I hope so!
My wife had the same thing happen to her in Connecticutt, two years later. She was picked out of a line of cars doing 10mph over and got a speeding ticket. She did the same thing and her fine was reduced to a local with no points and no insurance penalty. Again, all they want is your money. Maybe it'll work for you. I hope so!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
I've had a valid driver's license for over 47 years and have never gotten a ticket (I don't count the parking ticket in San Francisco in 1964 since it was dropped.)
I have however been warned 2 times in the last year - both for speeding in the Corvette
I have however been warned 2 times in the last year - both for speeding in the Corvette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
If going to court to fight it, a lot has to do with your interaction with the cop. Got pulled over for speeding a few year's ago, stayed very polite, and he reduced it to 5 over. Went to court anyway to see if I could point's dropped with paying the fine, and they did agree. Again very polite, but turn's out I still got a moving violation on my record. This sort of court cooperation is getting harder, as some state's get a cut of the insurance surcharges. Either way, never admit any kind of guilt plea in the court room.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,163
Likes: 1
From: central OH
OK, Guys/Gals, need help here. Have owned Vert for 9mn got one ticket, ok my bad 8miles over I,ll pay. Today in right lane merged, everyone wasdoin 65 in the 55. Car on left is passing me slowly, Im 8 car back from 18 wheeler (whos doin 60+) and I get tagged by laser? Keep in mind I was still in right slow lane. Vert is Black and shinny? So 2 tickets now do I fight this one based on profiling sports cars that bling?
Last edited by N8sFavToy; Apr 21, 2011 at 02:20 AM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: WA
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 441
Likes: 3
From: North Canton, Ohio
For these reasons I generally refuse to go more than 5 MPH over the posted speed limit (at least on major highways and residential roads 
), and even then I realize that I could get a ticket. I stay out of the left lane, of course and let the others zoom by. I think our cars look like they are going faster than they actually are, which may lead to them being "targeted." Yeah, how could they be going faster than the rest of the pack, but you get the idea.
), and even then I realize that I could get a ticket. I stay out of the left lane, of course and let the others zoom by. I think our cars look like they are going faster than they actually are, which may lead to them being "targeted." Yeah, how could they be going faster than the rest of the pack, but you get the idea.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I got nailed by a laser in Washington, north of you a couple years ago now and the LEO lied. I knew it, he knew it, but it didn't matter. I hired an attorney to go fight it but they kept putting off the court date till the officer would show up. It was only then, that I found out it was laser as the officer refused to tell me at the time. I too was with about 30 other cars and a large truck, all doing the same speed.
Now I'm sporting a Blinder M27 thanks to him and it works! I'm no longer out there and the LEO's here are not fond of the Lidar as it requires two officers to run traffic stops with it.
Now I'm sporting a Blinder M27 thanks to him and it works! I'm no longer out there and the LEO's here are not fond of the Lidar as it requires two officers to run traffic stops with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,267
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
Not much to contest if you fight back. I would get a Lawyer have him speak with the DA plea bargain it down to some minor charge, pay the fine and be on your way.
As for insurance implications I have found that the Insurance companies never check your record unless there is a lapse or change in your policy. I have had several tickets and have never seen a rate increase. I have never heard of the DMV notifying your Insurance Company either. At least that is my experience here in Upstate NY.
As for insurance implications I have found that the Insurance companies never check your record unless there is a lapse or change in your policy. I have had several tickets and have never seen a rate increase. I have never heard of the DMV notifying your Insurance Company either. At least that is my experience here in Upstate NY.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida Sunshine State
Speed enforcement is pretty much "selective enforcement." I watched a LEO in a school zone a few days ago while waiting at a Tire Kingdom for about 2 hours. Vehicles obviously busting the 15mph were sometimes ignored; others he raised the laser gun to clock. The pattern seemed to be nice, new higher-end cars and ricers. Junky worker trucks and anything commercial was left alone, as well as old cars with busted windshields and junkers. Also any vehicle out by itself was clocked and long lines of bunched-up cars were ignored (probably because it was too hard to tag one). Lazy, selective and not at all geared toward safety in the school zone IMO. The actual stops I saw were all nice newer cars.
BTW my daughter and son-in-law work in LE so I don't have any issues with "The Man"- just sharing an observation of revenue gathering by our local dept.
BTW my daughter and son-in-law work in LE so I don't have any issues with "The Man"- just sharing an observation of revenue gathering by our local dept.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 147
From: St. Louis MO
The Federal Highway Administration recommends that police tolerance never be less than 5 MPH. See 66 FR 29855 ("setting and enforcing rational speed limits'').
Copied from the document, emphasis is mine.
Copied from the document, emphasis is mine.
A. Behavior Must Be Definable, Understandable and Detectable
The behavior that we want to stop, in this case, is traveling at
unsafe, unacceptable speeds over the newly established rational
speed limits. Enforcement operations shall take a top-down approach
for establishing the enforcement threshold. Speed measurements at
the selected road segments shall be used to determine the top 5
percent of speeds. This information will be used to establish the
enforcement threshold. The enforcement threshold should never be
less than 5 mph above the new posted speed limit. This top-down
strategy will not overwhelm the law enforcement officers, the
prosecutors, or the courts. This strategy promotes public and court
acceptance of enforcement by targeting only the most egregious
violators. The overall goal of the enforcement efforts is motorist
compliance, not issuance of citations.
The behavior that we want to stop, in this case, is traveling at
unsafe, unacceptable speeds over the newly established rational
speed limits. Enforcement operations shall take a top-down approach
for establishing the enforcement threshold. Speed measurements at
the selected road segments shall be used to determine the top 5
percent of speeds. This information will be used to establish the
enforcement threshold. The enforcement threshold should never be
less than 5 mph above the new posted speed limit. This top-down
strategy will not overwhelm the law enforcement officers, the
prosecutors, or the courts. This strategy promotes public and court
acceptance of enforcement by targeting only the most egregious
violators. The overall goal of the enforcement efforts is motorist
compliance, not issuance of citations.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 9
From: La Marque, Texas
Long story:
I had a ticket about three years ago. I was doing ~90 in a 55 on a 2 lane mountain road that I travel several times a week. The LEO wrote the ticket for 70 in a 55. I was *very* courteous and feel that was the reason he let me off so lightly. It's my understanding that anything more than 15 over is a major infraction and requires a court appearance here. So, basically I feel I dodged a bullet. The thing is during the time he was writing the ticket he kept shaking his and saying things like... "I'd really like to let this go but in good conciance I just can't," and "You can't just go that fast"... and "I'm sorry but please slow down a little"... and "ok, have a nice day."
I took the DT class to get the ticket removed from my record and the guy that taught the class was an ex-LEO. His first comment was "How many here have speeding tickets for going less that 10 over?" No one raised their hand. His next comment was "keep it under 10 over and I'll never see you again". And he went on to say that in our area and surrounding counties they *never* stop you for less than 10 over. This was good to know. I now keep it less than 10 over. Well mostly.
I had a ticket about three years ago. I was doing ~90 in a 55 on a 2 lane mountain road that I travel several times a week. The LEO wrote the ticket for 70 in a 55. I was *very* courteous and feel that was the reason he let me off so lightly. It's my understanding that anything more than 15 over is a major infraction and requires a court appearance here. So, basically I feel I dodged a bullet. The thing is during the time he was writing the ticket he kept shaking his and saying things like... "I'd really like to let this go but in good conciance I just can't," and "You can't just go that fast"... and "I'm sorry but please slow down a little"... and "ok, have a nice day."
I took the DT class to get the ticket removed from my record and the guy that taught the class was an ex-LEO. His first comment was "How many here have speeding tickets for going less that 10 over?" No one raised their hand. His next comment was "keep it under 10 over and I'll never see you again". And he went on to say that in our area and surrounding counties they *never* stop you for less than 10 over. This was good to know. I now keep it less than 10 over. Well mostly.
2005 Beast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 8
From: Tarpon Springs FL
OK, Guys/Gals, need help here. Have owned Vert for 9mn got one ticket, ok my bad 8miles over I,ll pay. Today in right lane merged, everyone wasdoin 65 in the 55. Car on left is passing me slowly, Im 8 car back from 18 wheeler (whos doin 60+) and I get tagged by laser? Keep in mind I was still in right slow lane. Vert is Black and shinny? So 2 tickets now do I fight this one based on profiling sports cars that bling?
That's what you do when you own a Vette.... because even though your not speeding, it always LOOKS like your speeding!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Find a local ticket clinic and have them fight it for you. More then likely you'll have to pay a fine, but it will likely be reduced. However, you might get it dismissed in which you would pay 0. Either way it's worth a shot. Just do a search in google for ticket clinic, I think they have offices all over the country. Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 8
From: Clearwater Florida
No tickets so far with my Corvette, but my 2002 FireBird with Ram-Air was a real ticket magnet! The color was Pewter and not bright, but those two big scoops on the hood must attract attention. I came close to four speeding tickets in a year, and that could have been messy here in florida. I could have lost my license because of the number of points in a year.
Couple of mine were similar to what you described. One on a six lane limited access with a 45 mph posted, I was being passed by an old pickup and a late model Town Car and I got the violation at 60. Another time I was running even with a delivery truck and I got the ticket.
However, the most ridiculous ticket I recieved was years ago in Indiana. A state trooper in a snazzy unmarked Mustang took off in front of me showering my new car with loose stones from his spinning tires. I hit my left signal and fled to the left lane trying to avoid the paint chips that resulted on my new black Cadillac. He gave me a ticket for unsafe lane change and exceeding the 30 mph limit.
Couple of mine were similar to what you described. One on a six lane limited access with a 45 mph posted, I was being passed by an old pickup and a late model Town Car and I got the violation at 60. Another time I was running even with a delivery truck and I got the ticket.
However, the most ridiculous ticket I recieved was years ago in Indiana. A state trooper in a snazzy unmarked Mustang took off in front of me showering my new car with loose stones from his spinning tires. I hit my left signal and fled to the left lane trying to avoid the paint chips that resulted on my new black Cadillac. He gave me a ticket for unsafe lane change and exceeding the 30 mph limit.
Last edited by florida john; Apr 21, 2011 at 07:09 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
Fight it always, it's a numbers game.. I've been saying this for years. Make sure you gave a good lawyer, get this month's or last months car/Driver magazine.. There is a huge article about this.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,363
Likes: 5,243
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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The radar will only pick up the closest vehicle, which is usually the vehicle in the travel lane. The vehicles in the passing lane (which may be traveling at a higher rate of speed) are effectively blocked from the path of the radar by the vehicles in the travel lane. If there are no vehicles in the travel lane, it will pick up the vehicles in the passing lane.