Got caught speeding today......

**VivaLasViejas** · Aug 16, 2003 10:42 PM

Just a little whine about getting my first speeding ticket in over 20 years today.......I was nestled into the comfort of my bucket seat, admiring the intensity of the deep blue late-summer sky, listening to some Creedence Clearwater Revival on the radio, and paying absolutely NO attention to the fact that I was doing 40 MPH in a 25 MPH zone.

Until, of course, I saw out of the corner of my eye a black-and-white sitting at a stop sign as I sailed past.....well, I knew I was busted even before he turned the lights on.

The kid who pulled me over (I swear, they all look about 18 nowadays) was very nice about all of this, but he was firm about citing me for being so far over the limit, for which I don't blame him. What a wonderful time to remember that I didn't have a current new insurance card in the car......I could've been charged with failure to carry proof of insurance in addition to speeding, which would have resulted in my car being impounded, but thankfully he accepted my old one and merely advised me to put the new one in the car when I got home.

Funny, I had just posted something the other day about how nurses sometimes get out of tickets because cops tend to respect us as kindred spirits of a sort. Well, this one was very respectful, but I got nailed anyway, and it's nobody's fault but my own:imbar

My court date's the 4th of next month. Wonder if I can plead first-degree poverty complicated by second-degree stupidity, since the fine's over $100.....?

*Tweety* · Aug 16, 2003, 10:51 PM

I got my first ticket in 20 years this past year too. Did the safe driving video to get it removed. Was a big expensive pain.

**VivaLasViejas** · Aug 16, 2003, 10:56 PM

I wish I had that option. We just earned preferred insurance rates THIS MONTH.......so much for the $200+ in savings every 6 months......DAMN!!

SharonH, RN · Aug 17, 2003, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by mjlrn97
I wish I had that option. We just earned preferred insurance rates THIS MONTH.......so much for the $200+ in savings every 6 months......DAMN!!

Wow, is only one ticket enough to raise your rates? That hardly seems fair. I think with ours you have to get 3 in a 3 year time span or something like that before your rates are raised. At least I hope that's the case since hubby got one yesterday 95 in a 65. If the rates go up, I'm going to makehimpay the difference!

shygirl · Aug 17, 2003, 12:03 PM

This is so wierd! I got a speeding ticket last week! My one and only other ticket was 15 years ago. I was late ,(of course), and i was doing 49 in a 35mph zone. I am going to court this week to try to reduce it. It's 4 points and $100.00! Isn't that alot?

Shygirl

**VivaLasViejas** · Aug 17, 2003, 01:18 PM

Actually, before we citizens raised a hue and cry over the excessive traffic fines imposed in the state of Oregon some years back, you would've paid a $100 fine just for jaywalking! A ticket like mine would've cost in the neighborhood of $400, so I'm not complaining, but I'm going to court as well to see if I can get the fine reduced. I hear it's not intimidating like it used to be in the old days, when you actually had to stand in front of a man in black robes and make a plea like you were some kind of criminal; now you just go to the court clerk and sign a paper stating your plea and pay whatever fine they tell you. A friend of my daughter's advised me to plead "no contest", which she said knocked HER fine down by more than half. Sounds like a plan....I HATE paying my hard-earned money to the government!!

Rustyhammer · Aug 17, 2003, 08:57 PM

You should challenge the tickets always! Tell the cop you are taking it to court. Then when you get your court date you call and get it changed. Tell them you can't make it that day. The cop never goes to court and the judge will dismiss the case. No points, no ticket, no higher insurance.
-Russell

**VivaLasViejas** · Aug 17, 2003, 09:52 PM

I appreciate the advice, Rusty, but I think I'm screwed here.......I was clocked with a radar gun, and (stupid me) admitted to the officer that I was speeding. A few years ago, my DH got a ticket which he challenged, with good reason---he was supposedly doing 45 MPH on a short street where you'll run right into the dead end before you ever get up to 35. The officer showed up, brought his notes, and that was it---my dearly beloved was found guilty and paid a $150+ fine.

I wish I had enough *cojones* to try your approach, but I've already got a court date (they put it on the citation right under the officer's name). And, having basically convicted myself by my own verbal incontinence at the scene of the "crime", I think I'm just gonna have to take my lumps. Thanks anyway!

darla80 · Aug 17, 2003, 10:14 PM

well I have been stopped a few times in the last year.. admittedly I have a little bit of a heavy foot..

got a new Grand prix and the speedometer has a mind of its own.

anyway I have beeen succesful talking my way out of the tickets

here is my approach ..
I look ashamed,( which I am) sound contrite ( which I am) and usually say something like this...

"Thank you so much for stopping me....I am so sorry I was speeding..... It is importan to be reminded of our speed as speeding can be so dangerous ....I appreciate that you slowed me down etc etc

It really is honesty at its finest..I would never want to hurt somone by driving to fast..

The other approach..look at their name tag and say ..

I think I might know your sister. aunt etc... Went to HS with Susie Kawalski etc
and if you are in your unifrom, it is esp important to look the nametag.. maybe you have saved the life of a relative, took care of sick uncle etc

..this is good for a warning rather than a ticket

At any rate, I am sorry to hear about the ticket and fine.. you are right they do Look like they just started using the razor.. ahh the passion of the young....

PS: I am TRYING to slow down ;-) and I refuse to use the radar detector my spouse installed after his ticket.
he did not even try to talk his way out of the ticket..me..I ahver the nurses mentality..try try and try again

:roll

**VivaLasViejas** · Aug 17, 2003, 10:45 PM

Great post, Darla!

You're right about that strategy, I've saved myself from at least three tickets by being in nursing garb and/or being really sweet and apologetic. This time, however, my luck simply ran out. Oh well, my family has been waiting for this particular piece of shyte to hit the fan for years, because I am notorious for being a leadfoot and then sweet-talking my way out of trouble. Had to happen sometime, I guess!

Got caught speeding today......

Got caught speeding today......

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