I got a speeding ticket today....

[malta blue]

I was going to meet my stepdad for brunch with Little MB. We had chosen a time last night, and he called at the last minute and changed it, so I was already going to be a little late...so I admit it, I was going about 85 up the highway and had just slowed to 80 when I saw him hiding. I hit the brakes, he started to move out of his spot. I was SO BUSTED. :mad:

He was very nice and gave me a ticket for 75 not 80. My stepdad says I need to plead not guilty and go to court. I say I was speeding and got busted, pay it, suck it up.

What do you think?


And BTW, I have a clean driving record and I usually drive 80-85 at all times. I think I was overdue....

[flvegan]

1. I think you got the ticket I was supposed to get today.

I4 westbound. He was hiding behind a bridge support. It's a 70, but I was doing 84 or 85. By the time I saw him, he was only an 1/8 of a mile away. He had me dead to rights. Didn't even pull out after me.

Sorry you got caught.

[malta blue]

3. Lucky you....

A couple of weeks ago I was going behind an SUV about 90 (limit is 65) and a cop pulled out of his spot and pulled into the lane right next to me, got in front of me and then pulled the SUV over :wow:. I really thought that was my time.

Oh - and the first words out of the troopers mouth were "Do you think you can fit one more sticker on your car?" I told him I had alot to say... :rofl:

There really is no room for another sticker on my car.

[DS1]

2. I hardly ever speed anymore

it makes the drive much more relaxing, and the insurance is way down from a few years ago, about half in fact.

Still, sometimes you can't avoid it

[malta blue]

8. My commute is 40 miles each way, so I have a tendency

to speed just to save time.

Perhaps I need to slow down... :rofl:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear malta blue...

I'm with you...

Take the high road, pay the fine...

You were speeding, no question about it...

It's usually safe to go about 5-10 mph over the speed limit...

But if you're the fastest thing on the freeway...you don't want to be!

Slow down, and be safer, sweetie...

And also, consider the lesson you're teaching your daughter...

:hug:

[malta blue]

10. I usually am the fastest thing on the freeway...

my aunt says "Ella se come la carretera" which translates into "She eats the highway"
:rofl:

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Nobody was tazed?

What is America coming to?
;)

I've never understood arguing or being angry when a cop catches him/her dead to rights with a speeding ticket. Most people realize that it's one of the risks of going too fast. It sounds like he cut you a break with the lower speed rating too.

[malta blue]

11. Well, I was able to get Little MB to shut her mouth

since he threatened to taze her....imagine the headline "8 year-old tazed during routine traffic stop"

:rofl:

[FloridaJudy]

6. If finances are a concern

Go to court and plead "no contest". They usually give a discount to folks who show up - at least they did back when I got my only speeding ticket (decades ago).

You goofed. Pay the fine and move on.

I usually have the opposite problem: I'm the slowest thing on the road! I try to stay in the right hand lane, so those with a yen for speed can easily pass me. My car's too old and cranky to rush things.

[malta blue]

12. Yeah...I'm gonna just pay it.

And I am so happy that I have never been behind you on the highway.....:rofl:

[Droopy]

7. You can probably get the violation reduced but not the fine

if you go to court. They might change the violation to a non-moving one. You'll probably need a lawyer to make that happen and that will probably cost you an additional $500. If your job doesn't depend on a stellar driving record I would not worry about it.

[malta blue]

15. stepdad is a lawyer, so can use him, but

I figure I should just move along and pay it.

[Lil Missy]

9. Just pay it. I got busted too for going 85 last year on a 5 hour drive.

They got me dead to rights. I just payed the ticket.

[trof]

13. Speed limit? The 10% Rule:

If you're more than 10% (NOT 10 mph) over they'll nail you.
A state trooper told me this years ago and apparently it's still true.
So you can probably do 77 in a 70 zone.

He also said "But if you SEE me, back off down to the limit. Don't be 'in my face' at 77 because that will piss me off and I'll come after you anyway."

Good advice.
Haven't had a ticket in a long time.

[FloridaJudy]

14. Delete - dupe

My connection's cranky tonight.

[MrScorpio]

16. I've already beaten two tickets

First thing, get a lawyer and plead not guilty. There is no such thing as, "The mercy of the court".

I hope that the cop doesn't show up. If he doesn't, you'll get off.

If you're found guilty, appeal... Appeal, appeal.

I hope to God that this is your first ticket

If your lawyer is worth his salt, he'll get you a continuance. Or even more.

You can beat it, I have

[Critters2]

26. I have no idea,

but isn't more expensive to hire a lawyer than pay the fine? Seems like a lot of trouble to me.

Critters
one speeding ticket ever, deserved it, paid the fine

[MrScorpio]

27. Think about this

You're found guilty

You pay fines AND court costs

You're assessed points

Your insurance company raises your premium

And you hope to God that another cop doesn't pull you over again, because this shit will start all over again.

Not only that, the Judge will less likely to cut you some slack because you've been pinched before.

Hire a lawyer and fight it

Believe you me, it'll be cheaper in the end

[Critters2]

28. Hmmm...I'll keep this in mind if it should happen again.

It probably won't. You know that person who annoys you by always driving right at the speed limit?
Well, that's me.

[MrScorpio]

29. BTW, I was caught twice in a year

Lightning does strike twice

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

17. DH got caught Friday night

going 50 in a 35 on 302 in Windham ME. Now I hope he will slow down!!

He was also way overdue...

[hippywife]

18. I don't speed anymore at all.

I figure the money's better in my pocket than theirs.

[SPKrazy]

19. hardened criminal

find out if there is a defensive driving class you can take so it doesn't mess up your record or insurance.

ya go to court the trooper has to go to court or you will win.

:shrug:

up to you

busted

:D

:hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. Speed kills

Seriously. Slow down.

[Bossy Monkey]

21. You need to find out if your insurance will go up if you have points or violations

on your license. If so (it usually does), then it would benefit you, and for years, to go to court. At least hereabouts (Carolinas), the municipality just wants money, not so much to mess up your driving record. Therefore, if you show up, especially with a clean driving record over the past several years (or better still forever like you), they will reduce the fine slightly and leave your driving record clean. No lawyer is necessary at all.

[Shine]

22. That sucks, but it sounds like he busted you, fair and square

I say you should just go ahead and pay it. Go for traffic school, if you've got that option, too, to keep your insurance rates down.

It's happened to the best of us, not to worry. :hug:

:hi:

[Hotler]

23. Say Nothing to the judge except ...

yes sir, no sir, and not guilty. Never try and explain a story as to why you were speeding. Never ever plead guilty.

[DarkTirade]

24. You shoulda shown a little leg.

Maybe tried to sweet-talk the officer. :)

[uppityperson]

25. If you take the time to go to court, they usually reduce it by half.

Apologize, tell them you were sorry, don't know what happened, don't have a record, first speeding ticket, have a kid and try to be a good role model, etc. If you take the time to go and apologize, they usually cut it by a good bit. Good luck.