Ticketed again :(

Well I had been clean for about 5 months untill today. On the way into school I passed a slower moving car (50 in a 55) and what is the first thing I see on coming a Sheriffs car coming at me. I got back in the lane slowed down and saw his lights turn on The radar never went off so I was expecting some other kind of ticket. I pulled over knowing very well I was to say the least screwed. He came up to the car Liesnce Registration Insurance got you at 73 in a 55 and walked away. Sat in my car flipping out because I would lose my liesence with the 4 point ticket untill the 23rd and I don't really want to pay the 141 dollars. He came back and said her is your ticket sign in the yellow I'm letting you off lucky with failer to obey a traffic control device 78 dollars and 2 points instead of a 200+ ticket and 4 (thinking to my self no your wrong it's a 141 dollars I've got this exact ticket already) So to say the least I was extremley mad at myself all day and then the day just kept getting worse and worse
So anyone know how bad 2 points is going to effect my insurance? I will try the over pay thing and see if it works because I can't take the class.
I know I'm disappointed in myself to but I really don't think that it was anything that bad because once I passed I was slowing right back down again (but I know thats not the law)

[Ashman]

that sux dan.

You need a slow benz.

Alon

Your not to break the speed limit when passing according to what they told us

[Jim Anderson]

Thats what diesels were made for

IDK if I can get tickets in a mini-van I think i can pull it of in a Diesel

[G-Benz]

Diesels, minivans, manual, auto...whatever!

It's not about what you are driving and whether you drive fast or slow...it's how aggressively you do it!

I'm obviously getting old as I get passed even when driving the SL, but one thing for sure is you will get more attention tromping on the pedal and making a speedy pass, than doing so in a graceful maneuver.

So it's not your speed that's getting you in trouble...it's the aggressive driving tactics that do!

You can go a steady 80mph on the highway and the trooper might look the other way...but go from 55mph to 80mph making a lane change and the same cop will be pulling you over to the shoulder!

[jeffwolinski]

I just got a seatbelt ticket 2 days ago. Maryland State troopers actually had a seatbelt checkpoint set up! I'm sorry but I have to believe that there are more pressing problems for the police to worry about other than my decision to wear or not to wear a seatbelt.

I know statistics show.... but I was in a roll-over after flying through the air where I have no doubt that I would be dead if I was wearing a seatbelt. I was the passenger and managed to throw myself down on the floor and grab a pedal before we hit, which crushed the roof down to the level of the hood on my side. I had a slight neck sprain and a few peices of glass. A shoulder belt would have resulted in my head being crushed like a tomato.

Actually, Maryland is having huge budget problems, so this is probably a way to raise revenue.

[jsmith]

i hope you're not advocating not to use seatbelts there Jeff. glad you walked out of that accident alive though...

[jsmith]

Originally posted by SP0CK
-G-benz

I agree and disagree with you here G. I definitely took it much more easy in the diesel, true story. I felt like a safer driver too. That's my point. I get behind the wheel of my gas powered and it's MUCH easier to go fast.

and as a counterpoint, it has been proven that red cars are ticket magnets (almost regardless of how you drive)...

I will look into it today Bill thanks

[el presidente]

Dan, it seems you have been having rotten luck with the local law enforcement

G-Benz touched on something about aggressive driving. I must agree. Police notice aggressive drivers much more so than (moderate) speeders...I know...I've done enough ride-alongs to know what they are looking out for, and what catches their attention.

I hope you don't lose your license.

But, I would seriously consider taking a defensive driving course, or at least hitting the bookstore and getting a book on it.

Try this....

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0933181086/qid=1049457810/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/102-7545640-9273748

Leave the performance driving for a local track day with the BMWCCA or the SCCA. It'l be A LOT less expensive in the long run.

Good luck!

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by jsmith
and as a counterpoint, it has been proven that red cars are ticket magnets (almost regardless of how you drive)...

Partly true...

From the first car I ever owned to present, they have ALL been RED. Now that I have a family, the ML is black and the wife's SL is white, but my W124 is RED!

But my ticket acquisition trend steadily decreased as I got older. So I am more inclined to believe my more conservative driving behavior has more to do with that then the color of the vehicle I choose to drive...

First car:

Current car:

[Michael K]

Have you considered going to trial versus just paying the ticket?

It may be a good experience for you (and a possible chance to have the charge dismissed).

To me it’s clear you’re guilty of whatever. However, the fact that the officer “lowered” the offence tells me that he does not have hard evidence of what you were doing. The onus is on the officer to prove that you are guilty. In a trial, it would be his word against yours. If the officer shows up to court, when your case comes up, just plead “no contest” and let the judge know you wanted to say sorry in person. Be sure you take your checkbook.

If the officer does not show up, plead not guilty. The judge more than likely will dismiss the charge.

If you have the time, it may be a good experience for you. The ticket should list the trial date.

[longston]

First, you got yourself into this situation more than once, and didn't learn your lesson. I have no sympathy for anyone who can't get a clue and learn from their mistakes. I hope you get convicted, lose your license and/or can't afford the insurance anymore.

Now, while that may seem harsh, I say that because you obviously need to get spanked harder to get you to learn to drive safely before you get into a serious accident, or even kill someone. I will not coddle you, I will tell you that you need to learn how to drive safely and defensively and to take your driving PRIVILEGE much more seriously.

If you follow Bill's advice, and manage to squirm out of this with the help of an attorney, at least make an effort to spend some time at your local library studying books on defensive driving, or find someone who can professionally evaluate your driving habits so you can make corrections before it's too late.

As for Michael Kerley's well meant suggestions, if you want experience, go to traffic court as a spectator to see how the process works, and how the judges rule on cases similar to yours. Do this well in advance of appearing as a defendant.

The officer didn't "lower the offence" because he didn't "have hard evidence". The officer was nice enough to reduce the violation to a lesser infraction. This may have been just because you were polite, or cooperative. Police are people too.

The officer in a traffic matter only has to provide their testimony as a sworn officer of the court. The "onus" is then on you to disprove the testimony of that officer to a degree that shows a "reasonable doubt" that the officer was correct in his evaluation of the circumstances.

Where I live, there is no option for a plea of no contest when appearing in traffic court. You are only given a choice of not guilty, or guilty with an explanation. A plea of "no contest" is only applicable in certain jurisdictions for certain types of court trials or hearings. And in fact, a no contest plea -- known often by its Latin name "nolo contendere" -- only means that you agree to accept the punishment or decision of the court without formally acknowledging that you are guilty. Don't play with no contest pleas without the advice of an attorney representing you.

If the officer fails to show up, and you enter a plea of "not guilty", the court (judge) has the option to decide to carry the matter "on calendar" to a later date. The only way the matter will be dismissed under those circumstances is if you enter a motion for dismissal on the grounds of "failure to prosecute", as the officer is, in essence, acting as both the prosecutor and the prime witness for the prosecution. This is a tricky matter for novices to execute properly.

Also, if you go to court and the officer is present, he can, and likely will, tell the judge that he already reduced the offence from a more serious infraction to the lesser one. Judges usually don't rule favorably for the defendant under those circumstances.

DISCLAIMER - I am not a licensed attorney, a member of any bar association, or certified to practice law in any state. My comments made here are as far as I know, accurate, but are solely based upon my own personal knowledge and experience. I strongly suggest that anyone wishing to contest a traffic citation do their own research, and consult a licensed attorney in their own state.

FYI, it has never been proven that red cars are "ticket magnets". The simple fact of physics is that the frequency of the color red is such that it causes a moving object of that color to "appear" to be moving faster. This is an optical illusion. Add to that the fact that red is a "bright" color that attracts attention, and you may surmise that red cars are more prone to attracting police attention.

[jsmith]

Originally posted by longston

FYI, it has never been proven that red cars are "ticket magnets". The simple fact of physics is that the frequency of the color red is such that it causes a moving object of that color to "appear" to be moving faster. This is an optical illusion. Add to that the fact that red is a "bright" color that attracts attention, and you may surmise that red cars are more prone to attracting police attention.

My bad on that, I could have sworn I saw some statistics to that effect. A quick search shows that it is a topic still contested on usenet. Practical experience in my family at least, indicated that convertibles in "arrest-me-red" did result in a significant rise in speeding tickets.

That remark about the laws of physics brought back memories of a hated physics teacher who gave us this test:

A moving violation for going thru a red light was contested with the argument that due to the doppler effect, the red light appeared green. Given the speed limit was 25 mph, (the wavelengths of red and green light were provided), the judge fined the violator 10 cents for each mph he was over the speed limit. What was the fine?

PS. Nope I didn't get it right...