Have you ever gotten a ticket of any kind?

[Logan]

I don't know about you guys, but in SC, regardless of whether the DMV drops the points, the insurance company still knows they are there and it costs a lot!

I'm knocking on wood as I say this, but I haven't had but one speeding ticket in my life. I always make sure to be no more than 5 mph over the speed limit, all because I got nailed many years ago in Charleston, SC, in a red car, going 50 in a 35. There was no way that the policeman was going to let me out, either, no matter how much I batted my eyes at him! LOL!!

Pam, I'm so sorry you had this happen.

Logan

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I voted on "parking ticket", but I also got 2 speeding tickets.... .
That parking ticket: my parking time was exeeded by 2 minutes

Speeding: hadn't seen the "works-sign"

[Randi]

Oh yes, I have! Only about a month ago I was stopped on my bicycle going around a corner on red light. It was a right turn and there was no traffic coming, but the police were behind the bushes by the lakes.

However, when I got the ticket (KR. 500,-), the letter also said that if you earn below a certain amount a year, you can have it reduced to KR. 300,- So I called them to ask a few questions and then wrote them a letter. They said they would put it on hold. I've not heard from them since.

You can see the corner here - the yellow P is where the police was hiding.

[Pam]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Now I don't feel so alone in this. I think this penalty carries 4 points, if I understood what I read online correctly. Hubby said if I go plead my case I might also incur court costs and who knows if they will wind dropping the points. Also sitting in court can be a long ordeal since I called the police station yesterday and they said there are 6 pages of people scheduled for that evening.

I think I will call the insurance company on Monday and see what they have to say and decide what to do after that. They will obviously find out one way or the other, and Logan, if NJ is the same as SC I wouldn't really gain anything by going. *sigh* I am going to become a speed limit sign reader for sure in the future.

Randi, I can't believe you were ticketed on a bicycle. I didn't even know bikers could be ticketed. What a sneaky man to hide behind the bushes, but they do that here too.

[Cataholic]

I don't know about you guys, but in SC, regardless of whether the DMV drops the points, the insurance company still knows they are there and it costs a lot!
Logan

Sadly, that is the case. If you could get them to drop it to a non-moving violation, you would get no points, and no insurance surcharge. Just ask for the maximum on fines.

If I were you, I would call the officer ahead of time, tell him what you are requesting, and see if he would go along with it.

[CultureJunky]

I got a speeding ticket about a month ago, for going 56mph in a 40mph zone, doh! I've been driving 10 years and that's the first thing that's every happened to me, I had to pay a £60.00 fine and have 3 points on my licence.
My car insurance was charged a £35.00 aministration fee for updating my details on their database, but luckily my premium didn't change though probably will next year, grrrrrrrr.
my fault though really.

[Pam]

Sadly, that is the case. If you could get them to drop it to a non-moving violation, you would get no points, and no insurance surcharge. Just ask for the maximum on fines.

If I were you, I would call the officer ahead of time, tell him what you are requesting, and see if he would go along with it.

Johanna, if I go will there be additional court costs for taking up the court's time? I am really weighing the pros and cons of going because this occurred 50 miles from home and I hate the thoughts of driving there (have to be there at 5:00 PM) and getting tied up for several hours and making the drive home late at night. *sigh*

[caseysmom]

Pam, You could call and ask if they offer driving school, you still have to pay the fine but your record stays clean.

I once had a few points on my record and my insurance company never found out

[ramanth]

I'm so sorry to hear that Pam.

I've received three speeding tickets in my lifetime...all in 1997.

My worst ticket was when I was doing 70 in a 55.

The others were 50 in a 45 and 30 in a 25 (coasting down a hill because I didn't feel like riding the brakes). I tried to fight the latter but lost.

Since then, I've been stopped a few times (rolling a stop sign at 3 a.m. and crossing the yellow line on a highway), but was just given a warning and no ticket.

[Cincy'sMom]

I've gotten two tickets...one speeding, one parking.

The speeding tickets was doing 69 in a 55 when I was 17. Ihad left volleyball practice, was trying to run into to order our Senior Volleyball shirts, then make it home to get ready for senior night at the football game. I didn't get the shirts ordered that night....


The parking ticket was at college. I was down over the summer with my mom to get books or something for the coming year, and parked at a meter. I ut money in, but it wasn't clear which meter was for which spot, so I put it in the wrong meter. I tried to argue the ticket, but they told me there was nothing they could do with metered spots.


I've been pulled over a few other times...once for pushing a yellow light in a small town (Cedarville, Ohio). I think it was the closest thing the cop would see to action in a months time. Once because it sounded like my muffler had a hole (ironically, Memorial Day weekend AND graduation weekend my senior year. I think the cop saw 4 teenage girls in a car and was checking to see if we were drinking). The other time I had gone to Findlay to play softball, then stopped by my parents. As I was leaving to head back to Toledo, I got stopped for turning off their street too wide?!? The cop was asking me why I was in town and where I was headed...he sorta let me go pretty quick when he saw the engagement ring...hmmmmm....no tickets from any of those.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Phunnie you should mention this (NOT)!

Been 30 years since I got a Speeding Ticket - on Day 1 of new job -
first time in the Company Car
(that had over-sized snow tires making speedometer read WAY low) ...
WITH the New Boss on board. Trooper said 70-some in a 55 zone.
Boss later had the neve to say "Thought we were goin a little fast!"

Since then - a combination of Good Luck, quick reflexes when I spot a copper-car,
having a Fire Light on the dash, carrying a FireFighter badge in my wallet,
and "knowing" a lotta coppers from working at accidents with them ...
has keep me out of Traffic Court. Few close calls - but I *smile* a lot and
having a Friendly Dawg or two or three on board helps.
And I try to never be First in Line!

Yesterday I had all FOUR Good-Luck Charms on board (we're Dawg-Sittin Cali for the weekend) -
but I was First in Line.
Saw the Sheriff too late - he was just pulling into his hidey-spot - lights came on
just as I passed him. NUTZ!

We were on a high-traffic 2-lane rural road - with butchered up speed zones -
35 mph to 45 - back to 35 - up to 45 again, back to 35 - 4 changes in about 6 miles!
How fast? 52 in one of the 35 zones!

LUCKY for me- he was on "Special Detail" - paid by the Feds to do traffic enforcement
on over-time. They want maximum exposure - so they "Stop & Warn" when possibe -
write a real Ticket if it's really bad.
I got the "Written Warning". (No fine, No points, but the 'puter knows I was a Bad Boy!)

MEMO to Self: Do NOT be First in Line!!
---------------------------------------

Parking Tickies? ... Yup - a couple over the years.
Most were "fixed" with the Fast-Pay method of $2-$5 cash in the lil red box
found every 10 meters or so in town.

Had a lil problem with one, though.
Got it in the Ole Company Car - on the YSU Campus - delivering radios to the
University Police Office.
There WAS no place to park - their old office was on the first floor of a dorm tower -
surrounded by NO Parking / Tow Away city streets.
I pulled up behind an UN-occupied Campus PD Car, did an imitation UPS 4-way flashers on park job, and trotted into the office.

In less than 3 minutes ....
* I passed the Campus Copper returning to and driving off in HIS car
* Exchanged radios in the Campus PD Office
* Returned to the Corporate Limo to spot the TICKET and the departing CITY Police car.

I figured - what they Hey - pay the dang $2 and forget it.
Read the fine print -
The "Quick Fix" was $25.00 - I parked (legally) and walked 2 blocks back to the
University PD Office ... "Weren't you just here?"

I showed the Sargent my "souvenir" and asked WHY the City was writing tickets on the University?
"We 'share' the semi-city streets ... don't sweat it - I'll get it 'voided'."

MONTHS later - the cards & letters began arriving from Corporate ... seems the LEASING Company
had been issued "papers" that read like an arrest warrant - for Failure to Appear in
Youngstown City Traffic Court!



Fines, fees, penalties, and Bad Boy surcharges had pushed it up to about $200.00 -
with the threat of ARREST tacked on for effect.
It took a meeting with the Assistant Chief of the University Police, a lil help
from the Chief himself - and I was assured it would all just "go away".

So far ... they've never "come to get me!"

Maybe I should "walk" more!

[Rachel]

Pam, You could call and ask if they offer driving school, you still have to pay the fine but your record stays clean.

I once had a few points on my record and my insurance company never found out

Pam, although I'm certainly not speaking from any personal knowledge, just my gut reaction. I'd put my bet on the chance the insurance company may not find out (glut of papers - too few employees) rather than calling them and hoping for some consideration to be given. You'll feel worse if you are the one who called it to their attention.

[Cataholic]

Johanna, if I go will there be additional court costs for taking up the court's time? I am really weighing the pros and cons of going because this occurred 50 miles from home and I hate the thoughts of driving there (have to be there at 5:00 PM) and getting tied up for several hours and making the drive home late at night. *sigh*

Pam,
This is how it works where I prosecute. If the person had NOT talked to the officer and gotten an agreement to a lesser charge- no deal. And, at least the officers I know are decent, and hardworking. They are just doing their job. It isn't personal (well, most of the time). In the courts that I am familiar with- there isn't any additonal fine imposed for having a trial, so, explain away. I am not sure what the explanation is on a speeding ticket....unless it is a broken speedometer, being chased by the mob, or a medical emergency. I would imagine the officer will testify that he is qualified to operater the laser, that it was in working condition, and that he was certain he had your car in view. So, IMO, tough to 'beat' a speeding charge. And, usually, you would only be arraigned that night (must be a mayor's court you are appearing in, since it is at night, and from my experience, they are much easier to deal than a county court), and your case would be continued for trial- when the officer could be there.

So, MY advice? Pay it and move on. One ticket isn't going to set you back that far. And, I wouldn't tell the insurance company voluntarily, but, they might ask it as part of a yearly renewal. Then, of course, you would have to tell them.

Any more Qs, just pm me, okay?
Johanna

[Pam]

Thanks Johanna. My thoughts are right now to just pay it. I was getting so many suggestions from my co-workers on how to avoid the points (tell the judge that I have been driving for decades and this is my first ticket and also that I was on an unfamiliar road and did not see the speed limit sign.....). All of these things are true, but I really don't have it in me to fight. I was doing wrong and that is that.

[zoey]

Yes. I got a speeding ticket awhile ago. There's a highway that the speed limit goes from 50 to 30 mph. in a distance of about 1/4 of a mile.
The area where it turns to 30 mph is at least a mile & 1/2 before the red light. And, in my opinion, no reason for it to be so slow there - no schools or much of anything but highway. But I wasn't watching my signs. So I opted for a 6 months expongement, my county offers. Since i didn't receive any citations or infractions for 6 months after the speeding ticket, the ticket is stricken from my record.