Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

[kenimpzoom]

Why does the cop always ask "Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit". Is it a law that they ask, or is it just part of the routine?<br /><br />And, is there a good answer that will get me out of one? <br /><br />79 in a 65 last night. <br /><br />147 bucks or 97 court cost, plus driving class. 97 court cost my a$$, it used to be 40 or 50.<br /><br />Ken

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Oops! I am glad that nothing own will go that fast.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

In Ghana they have no real speed limits - unless of course the officer needs money. They he pulls you over with a radar gun that always has the same speed on it - 79 miles per hours - and takes your license to check it. If you want it back, you give him 50,000 (cedis that is, about $5.50), and you are on your way again.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Ken, I feel your pain.<br /><br />Was caught in a speed trap earlier in the month in Indianapolis. 43 in a 25 "School Zone". Very poorly marked. No kids or school in sight. <br /><br />$150 !!!!!<br /><br />Went back the same road later in the day, different cop still there, another "customer" pulled over. <br /><br />It's not about kid's safety.... it's all about the money!<br /><br />I find if I keep my speed under 75 that I am left alone on the highways. If possible, I always make sure I have a rabbit or two out in front of me... just in case.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

aspeck, lived in thailand, I know all about that method. Also, I have been in Louisana, about the same.<br /><br />Ken

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

In alot of places the real cost isn't the ticket, it's the rise in insurance rates after they find out about the ticket.<br /><br />Where I live you can go to court & in a case like yours they will let you plead the charge down to 74 in a 65 (under 10 mph over s.l. is a big difference as far as insurance is concerned). You can hire a lawyer to do the same thing for you, saves a trip to court. In some cases the lawyer can get it changed to an improper equipment charge of some sort instead of a moving violation (no impact on insurance rates). <br /><br />Depending on your state/ insurance co., might want to check out your options. <br /><br />Thoughts/ suggestions from any of the law enforcement officers on this board?

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

"And, is there a good answer that will get me out of one?"<br /><br />This once worked for a friend of mine, before the state trooper could utter a word he leaned out of the car window and said "could you please hurry up and hand me the ticket i need to do #2 real bad,he handed the officer his wallet,keys to the car and whatever he could out of the glove box,unbuckled his pants and trodded off to the side of the interstate and did his business, upon his return all of his belongings were left on the seat of his car, no ticket,and the state trooper was not in sight

 

[one more cast]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

I got sick and tired of the rushing thing so I ask myself what I was actually gaining by rushing all the time.I didn't even have an answer. Now I just keep my speed down and I don't worry about it.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

I was just going to say that everyone seems to be in a big hurry.<br />What's the hurry? Where ever your going will still be there, and if it ain't, there ain't no use to rush anyway.<br />Just my .02 worth.

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Fight it!<br /><br />Fight any ticket you recieve.<br /><br />I advise you bring a lawyer.<br /><br />Ever since I started to bring a lawyer with me, I have never been convicted of a motor vehicle infraction.<br /><br />All have been dismissed.<br /><br />Just my .02 cents

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

I was driving that fast cause I wanted to get home quickly as it had been a long day and I knew that Mr Sandman would be coming soon. Driving while sleepy is dangerous. Finished the evening deer hunt, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and blasted off at 7:30 for a 3 hour drive.<br /><br />I just cant believe how much the court costs are. Many courts here in Texas have realized the loss in revenue when people take a driving course to dismiss a ticket. So they kept the speeding ticket fines the same, but raised the court costs. All about the money.<br /><br />I would fight it, but it is about 100 miles away from my house, not worth the time.<br /><br />It was dark with a full moon. The cop was sitting all the way on the other side of a divided four lane highway. I would say total distance across was 100 yards. I saw him turn around and he had to go through several cars to get up to me. All other cars were going about the same speed as me.<br /><br />I have many reasons to fight it, but it wouldnt be cheaper than 97 bucks.<br /><br />Plus I am guilty. I just look at it as a yearly extra fee. I get about one a year, cause I travel a lot.<br /><br />Ken

 

[DJ]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

I watch the speed REAL CLOSE. I have NEVER been pulled over, or cited, in my life.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

you might want to invest in a good radar detector

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Back when I was stationed at Ft. Benning during the first gulf war, I got pulled over once and told him I was on alert and trying to get to my unit. Worked like a charm. I now just drive the speed limit. There is not that much time saved, a matter of mere minutes if one is to do the math. Not worth the ticket. You could try to fight it, hoping the officer doesn't show, but its a gamble. If you win, you pay nothing. If you lose, you get the court costs plus the ticket. <br /><br />I never trust radar detectors and I trust them even less now that I am training to be on the other side of the radar gun. They just look for someone who looks like they may be speeding and zap them individualy, they don't just sit with the gun on. Same goes with laser. It is so funny when you zap them, and you see the front of the car dip down under braking. So obvious. One thing I have learned so far is nothing works, it is all about if the officer feels like pulling you over. I'll never own a detector or recommend on again knowing what I know now.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

you might want to invest in a good radar detector

Nope. Just obey the law and pay attention to what I'm doing and my surroundings.<br /><br />I've been involved in two accidents, fender benders, neither of which was my fault but were unavoidable.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

I've been pulled over many times, but only cited once and it was for speeding. I was driving to our honeymoon destination and was in a hurry. Mr. LF was sound asleep until he heard the sirens, then looked up and saw the Trooper.<br /><br />They DO always ask the reason you are driving that fast. I think they could write a book on the excuses they hear. One time I told them "I guess cause I have my head up my butt today", it worked.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Originally posted by LadyFish:<br /> I've been pulled over many times, but only cited once and it was for speeding. I was driving to our honeymoon destination and was in a hurry. Mr. LF was sound asleep until he heard the sirens, then looked up and saw the Trooper. At the time I was doing 30 mph over the speed limit, so I deserved it. But it was my first and last speeding ticket.<br /><br />They DO always ask the reason you are driving that fast. I think they could write a book on the excuses they hear. One time I told them "I guess cause I have my head up my butt today", it worked.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Oh yea, forgot to mention, I had a radar detector (a good one) and it never went off.<br /><br />Honestly, the radar dectors have become useless for all but the laziest of cops. Instant on, laser, and low power radar makes them useless. I wouldnt reccomend anyone buy one in this area.<br /><br />If it were near me, I would fight it, but just too much hassle for a little ticket.<br /><br />Ken

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Yes, there are good reasons I have found for speeding. The #2 is an oldie but goodie. I stopped a waitress one night wearing white pants with a red stain starting in a private place going home on break to get some supplies, medical emergencies etc. It is good to ask first and get the answer in case so we don't waste more time.<br />It is NOT all about the money. We cops make the same no matter how many we write. the money goes to the school districts to supplement federal money. Cops don't see a dime of anything from tickets. Some large departments have a quota just to keep track and make sure the officers are doing their job. It is NOT about the money.<br />Court costs I agree are way out there. They went from $21 in nebraska to 41.50 in the last year or so. <br />As far as getting a lawyer for traffic court, most prosecutors don't like wasting time on traffic cases. If you demonstrate your intent to fight a ticket most will dismiss the case. From personal experience I can say that when someone brings a lawyer for traffic cases, the prosecutor says since you paid more for the lawyer than the ticket, you have paid your dues. The lawyer gets the money instead of the schools, but there again the prosecutor doesn't care. They are given a budget to work with and that is it. They also don't want to blow their budget on traffic. In most cases you can fight traffic tickets without a lawyer and never see a courtroom. (at least the way it is around this area.)<br />Radar detectors are only good if the officers clock a car ahead of you. A lot of them use vascar (stopwatch). This is easy to beat in court but effective for traffic. <br />Anytime you fight a traffic ticket for speeding, the easy way is to demand to see as evidence the officers RADAR certification papers. Certification that the RADAR is accurate, that the officer is certified to run the instrument, and a log to verify that the officer has checked the instrument after each citation or at least every shift. I have all of this as required, but most departments don't.

 

[Link]

Re: Is there a reason you were exceeding the speed limit?

Originally posted by Elmer Fudge:<br /> you might want to invest in a good radar detector

Well I say this to all my friends in person, so I'm going to say this here as I consider you friends also.<br /><br />If you get pulled over for speeding and have a radar detector, the fine should be doubled or tripled as your intent was to break the law in the first place. I know "what a hard case" but that is how I feel about it.<br /><br />Ken<br />A guy I know got a ticket for doing 71 in a 60. The fine wasn't much 150-200. What hurt was the increase in his insurance.. over the next three years it was over 2000.