Weather is turning. Wednesday was a beautiful day here in E TN. Having new tires / DRM shocks installed took the vette out for some spirited mountain road driving to get a feel for the new shoes / shocks. Unfortunately, happened upon an officer on a motorcycle coming opposite direction while transitioning from curve to straight away. 72 in a 45.

He was polite, even complimented the car but was not hesitant about issuing the citation.

Anyway, have Grundy's for insurance. Anyone have feedback on what to expect as far as premium increase? No other tickets on record. TN has points system. This is 5 point violation that can be reduced by 2 points with prompt payment (or so I am reading). Thinking that will save $ with insurance. Don't think I stand a chance of fighting it.

Radar detector recommendations?

Any feedback appreciated.

TIA

 

I know nothing of points. But as far as radar detector that’s a whole can of worms whenever that topic is brought up. I like valentine one myself.

 

Get a lawyer

 

Thanks Dalannex, just Googled it. See it has a windshield mount and 12v adapter for power. My 12v socket was converted to USB port with head unit swap for convenient CarPlay connection a few years ago.

Really appreciate your sharing the recommendation. Haven't looked at these in a very long time.

 

A radar detector would not have helped you at all.

Can you take a class or a ything to get out of it? When I got a ticket a few years back I found a ticket attorney, they basically just ask to change the speeding violation to an improper equipment, which has no points and doesn't affect insurance. But it comes with a higher civil penalty.

Basically, it's a bribe. The state doesn't really care that you were speeding, they care that they can get money from you.

Mine was a couple hundred bucks, but I was 82 in a 70 or something like that. Sometimes the rules are different after 25 over or 30 over.

 

Have not traveled this train of thought yet. No idea what it would cost, or any expectation of benefit. Anything to share from experience in the way of benefit?

Don't necessarily trust a lawyer to give an accurate expectation if just picking up the phone to interview.

 

Once in NJ, I got 12 points worth of violations reduced to 4 with a lawyer and he was pressing for 2 points. In other violations cases, I've had a lawyer immediately get them dropped to no points, fines only.

 

Does your court allow you to take a Defensive Driving course for ticket dismissal?

Every 3-4 years i get cited for something. $100 court costs...$25 online class....no record.

 

Interesting point on the radar detector, has me curious as to why?

There is a class. Not sure when or how it comes into play as an option. Have to wait at least 10 business days before calling to get details on fine and options specific to the violation.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Per your story, you were going around a corner, and then happened on a cop going the other way. That sounds like he was driving and saw you going holy **** fast. He wasn't sitting on an overpass running a radar gun. You would have had no signal to detect because he likely wasn't actively running radar.

That said, depending on where you live, a radar detector might not even work. In FL they have had instant on radar guns that only emit signal while actually firing for like 20 years. So you would only get a blip detected if they radar'd someone in front of you. To me, that's a fairly low probability., unless you're on the highway speeding higher than the rest of traffic all the time.

 

I was clocked at 88 in a 65 near where I live in Georgia. I believe the officer wrote it up as 88 to get me under 25 over the limit to help me out.
I had to go to court and when the ADA saw my clean record she asked me if I was more concerned about the points or the fine.
Of course I said the points, so I paid a $250 fine and the ticket was reduced to some sort of parking violation. No issue with insurance.
I hear that Tennessee is tough on speeders. Good luck

 

Lawyer & Uniden R7 (IMO get one with arrows). Note with the RD that when you get a laser alert, that's pretty much just a "you're getting a ticket" notice & when the LEO sees a RD in your vehicle, chances of a warning go down almost to nil.

Around here Ka band is still 99% and it's either constant or on enough I know they're around. Still, 70+ in a 45 is something I haven't done in a long time.

 

There are places called the Ticket clinic down here in FL. All states probably have something similar. They fight the ticket for you, most often get it dismissed, worst case get it drastically reduced. Costs about $70 here. I haven't had the need in a long time but have used in the past.

 

Really appreciate your taking the time to explain. My highway speeds are seldom excessive relative to other traffic (usually cruise +/- 10 to 15 mph over which is common to other vehicles), so not sure I get much help there from a radar detector. This car spends a high percentage of it's drive time in the mountains and does see higher than normal speed in that environment.

The instant on radar guns are prevalent in TN from what I am reading. Again, thank you for the insight.

 

A Radar detector is good protection but not fool proof. Valentine, Passport 360 and Uniden R7 have the longest range so if the cop is shooting or driving ahead of you, it gives you the best chance of picking up a signal so you can slow down. If you are the only one on the road and you come across a stationary cop or pass one, then your dead because no chance of any warnings. I have a Valentine which can pair with Waze which provides more protection but again not fool proof.

Check out Blend Mount for mounting options. It mounts below your rearview mirror and using the power from the mirror as well. No cords & out of sight.

I second a lawyer. Most can get it reduced or the charge changed.

 

The idea of using a radar detector to detect an LEO is based on detecting him/her attempting to lock on to someone in front of you. So your detector alarms when they are concentrated on THAT individual...which gives you time to slow down. If you are hauling a$$ alone or the first in a line of cars speeding YOU are that individual. The effective range of any radar detector is best on long flat straight roads and is decreased (sometimes significantly) on curvy/hilly areas.

When I purchased my 2012 C6 I had already done my research on how I wanted to equip it with countermeasures.
I chose the Max 360 made by Escort and also their Laser shifting package. If I could do it all over again I would get the 360c as it is more easily updated via WiFi vs bringing my laptop out to the car. It wasn't cheap but I haven't received a ticket yet. I do PLENTY of "spirited" driving...this system has alerted/saved me many times over. The laser shifting/jamming system works great! If you are going to speed through Wisconsin or Ohio that system is a must to avoid LEOs there. Without this system if your detector indicates a laser alarm it is basically a notification that you are going to receive a highway souvenir from the local HP.

Escort Max 360c

Escort ZW5 laser shifter with direct wire

Edit: I also use the Waze app which allows me to see where others have marked LEOs that are hiding in various spots on the roadway.

 

Would check with your insurance, but most of the time a 2 point offense will not jack up the rates much, if any. So is really a win for you and the courts by quickly paying the fine to have it reduced to 2 points, since insurance may not go up much/at all.

If you lawyer up, may be able to play lets may a deal with the DA for no points, but healthy fine instead (hence double hit for the increase court costs, and the laywer fee). That is depending on the mood of the DA during the pre-trial conference/how good your laywer is, or could go the other way with the DA not making a deal during the pre trial conference for reduced points since it was already offered by the quick pay, and your looking at the full 5 point hit if found guilty isntead.

 

My radar detector mounts to my rear view mirror and it wired directly into the rear view mirror with a mirror tap. That's the way to go with no wires hanging down

To say a radar detector would not have helped is ignorant. Lots of variables involved. Like what type of radar gun was the cop using and what band was he radaring on.

Most popular radar bands have some bleed over which allows them to be detected before seen. By mounting to the rear view mirror when coming over a rise the detector will buzz before the radar gun can get a lock. Again, lots of variables. A detector is not a guarantee, but it has saved my *** numerous times. YMMV

 

Appreciate all the feedback. Found a local attorney feel comfortable with after speaking with him and reading online reviews. Wasn't thinking of doing so a few hours ago. We'll see how it turns out.

Radar detector research underway.

 

my attorney usually gets most stuff dropped, only pay court costs and fees..... definitely worth the cash, my record would be horrible!