Another speeding ticket thread

[VADER]

Got a ticket last night going to track. Havent had a ticket of any kind in 7 years. The problem is I dont think I was speeding as they said 76 in a 60. I was driving in the left lane, I had a car in front of me, and 3 cars on my right side. I saw cops in right side, and I didnt even slow down, I didnt see the point.

cops here w/laser
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My speedo is covered from 60 mph on, so I drive usually with the needle on 55 allowing for 5 mph difference since I have 28" tall tires, which is what I was doing. All the cars around me were white or light colored, except me of course.
So anyway, I continued driving past the trap, and the car in front of me gets over to the right, so I am now first. I see the cop now behind me, so I get over and she follows me. First thing I thought was, I was following him to closely and they saw me.
So she says she pulled me over for speeding, and I said calmly that I really think she got the wrong car. She said the laser guy described my car to her. I give her my license and registration, and she says this reg is for a regal, and I said thats what it is. She goes to her car, writes me a ticket, and Im on my way.

I wanted to tell her, I will be able to sleep tonight, how can she? but I didnt.

Is this worth fighting? My ticket doesnt even say a speed, just speeding.

 

[wiked87gn]

yes take it to court dont think twice, the cop wont even show..

 

[bruce]

The only way I could see that happening is that they were mistaken. Radar can't read the second car in a line. If you were *tailgating*, he might have made an innocent mistaken, seeing you as you went by, rather then the car in front of you. Then again, if he was tagged at 76, and you were pacing him, you were doing an indicated 76.

It all sounds bogus from what you've said, but I don't know how you'd prove it. With Speeding tickets, your quilty until you prove yourself innocent.........

About the only recourse, is to fight it, and hope the cop doesn't show, or the Radar didn't have a current calibration.

 

[VADER]

BTW, the cop was using laser. I wasnt exactly tailgating. I had about 3 carlenghts between me and the car in front, not 5-6.

I just know that, I can pay the ticket, take the course and its over, but I just feel that I am right in this case. To go to court and lose means points, and higher insurance.

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by VADER
I wasnt exactly tailgating. I had about 3 carlenghts between me and the car in front, not 5-6.

The Laser, had someone going 76, and that would mean 7-8 car lenghts for not tailgating.
At 3 the cop could have easily missed the first car and saw you, between the *windows* of viewing between the other cars.

BTW, I'm on your side in this, I'm just trying to point out what he might have done/seen.

 

[VADER]

I agree somebody had to be doing that speed. I wonder if it couldve been someone going the other way. Im going to check the tire calculator to see my actual speed.

Im not sure how laser works, but although my car is a brick, is practically invisible surrounded by white cars at night.

 

[87grandnat]

dude, if the cop didnt even write in a speed, just wtite in 61mph and go pay it and have it defered

 

[Army MP]

Originally posted by 87grandnat
dude, if the cop didnt even write in a speed, just wtite in 61mph and go pay it and have it defered

 

[Cme2fly]

Did you happen to be on J Turner Butler?

 

[VADER]

Yep, sure was. Could I fill in a speed? Hmm

 

[QWIK4ASIX]

If you go to court and the cop is there, just ask for a higher fine and no points....worked for me last 2 times!

 

[RobsIron]

Yo Vader, I just got a ticket on my bike. I'm pullin outa' the GoldClub And there's no median cut to go East so we do a U'ey against traffic and start headin' towards the Beach and I get pulled.

He says he could give me 3 tickets, but instead he just gives me one for running a stop sign. I didn't complain even though I didn't run a stop sign.

Go to Court...The Cop won't show and they'll withhold Judication and you'll pay just Court costs with no points.

 

[VADER]

Thanks Rob, Gold Club?, isnt that the family place like adventure landing?

I just read your pm yesterday, btw, but I am not going to need to install an alarm for a while. I thought I would need it sooner, but I dont.

I went to midnight madness at pecan park, you should check it out.

 

[dgreen1069]

It's pretty tough to fight a laser ticket. Lasers are vehicle specific, whatever you point it at is what it measures....they don't have large zones of influence like radars.

I find it strange that your ticket doesn't list a speed....how would you know how much to pay? I wouldn't count on going to court and finding the officer a no show....most departments frown on missing court and mine will take vacation from you.

Your best bet is to fight based on the possibility the officer writing the ticket made a mistake. If one officer was operating the laser and the other was making the stops, there is a reasonable doubt a mistake could be made.

 

[Cme2fly]

Sorry about your luck, kinda funny my sister called me to see if that was me pulled over. How did your car run?

 

[VADER]

That is funny. I posted my times in the drag racing section. I ran a best 7.87 in 1/8 mile but my 60 ft was 1.99. I would like a mid 7, but I also have some top end tuning to work on for the 1/4.

I wouldnt mind going again, maybe its every Saturday.

 

[Cme2fly]

It is every saturday night i think the gates open at 10:30 or 11:00 Pm. I have been going out there with a few of my buddy's on saturday, but I think test and tune which is on tueday nights because there is a better spread of cars. My friend Jon and I took his car out about a month ago and only got one 18# pass in and spit out the 200r4 with a 7.30 pass. Two weeks later came out with a TH400 this time it only lasted one pass, losing 3 gear and rev. We did manage two runs an 8.49 stuck in first gear. Maybe we should gather up some of the local TRs and show the rice up....

 

[denn454]

i don't mean to steal this thread but i think its pointless to make a new thread for a similar question that i have.

i was caught doing 63 in a 45, i coudl swear its a 50, but neither here nor there, the cop gave me a 58 in a 45. i can't really make sence of the ticket, it looks like its a 4 pointer, but the cop said it was a 2. if i do take this to court (which i'm planning on doing) and the cop doesn't show does that mean that i'm 100% off the hook? either way i think i can talk the da out of pushing it too far, clean record, at night with no traffic. truth is i was doing well over 90, its a very fun twisty road and i was having way too much fun. i did slow down as i saw lights coming at me fortunatly. so i deserve whatever i get, but i was planning on buying a camaro, and i've decided to hold of untill the ticket thing is resolved. i don't even what to know what the insurance company will do to me.

i'll definatly try to talk them into raising the fine rather than giving me points. its all about revenew isn't it?

also, whats my best way to approach this? i don't think i should deniy anything, should i just go up and say i was being stupid and learned from my mistake or what? i really do need my clean driving record. i'd gladly pay a few hundred bucks to have this disapear.

 

[turbofish38]

Originally posted by RobsIron


Go to Court...The Cop won't show and they'll withhold Judication and you'll pay just Court costs with no points.

I dont think that will work in FLA. At least in Seminole county it doesn't. The last time I was in court the prosecution rescheduled every time the cop had to make an appearance if the cop couldn't make it. I'm thinking this is standard practice in the state.

 

[macatoni]

You should have never stopped!!!! !!!!!!

But seriously im all about the trial by written decleration. Works everytime. If you get a really lazy cop they wont even write back. If your unlucky and loose, you still can have a real case at the court house....