1st ticket in 24 years!

Outbackwack

Howard
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
749
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Bike
'13 Vstrom 650
STOC #
8055
After riding nearly 500 miles to get the VT tag today, I wound up getting tagged myself 20 minutes from home. 56 in a 35 ($206, and my last ticket for speeding was $43). I was tired and probably was speeding, but I don't think I ever go that fast in a 35 zone. A guy on a crotch rocket in front of me turned at the light (wearing shorts, sleeveless and no helmet of course) so I accelerated up to the van that was in front of him. I think I was in 3rd or 4th gear and I shift most of the time around 2000 rpm on slow local roads. I was coming down a slight grade and the LEO said he hit me with laser and said I was catching up to the guy in the van in front of me . 21 over is $206 and 20 over is $103. I'm going to court to see if I can have it reduced and hope the LEO doesn't show up. At least it's close to home, and in NH, not MA. I hate the points and surcharges more than anything! ARRRGGGHHH! And after speeding all day nonetheless ;-)
 

Erdoc48

Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
1,422
Age
59
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC/ Sometimes Colorado
Bike
94/00/04 STs, FSC600
In some cases and with a clean driving record (which you have), you can have the ticket reduced to 'inattentive driving' which has a fine but no points (that's what it is in NJ, so I assume other states are somewhat similar). You will need to show up in court to get the charge reduced. This happened to me in late 2010 as I got caught for the 'move over law' in NJ, and I haven't had a citation in 20+ years. I was able to talk to the prosecutor prior to the 'trial' and had the points reduced to zero but the fine in my case was $389. Usually they're pretty amenable in these issues, so long as you're paying something to the township where the incident occurred.
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
1,499
Location
Wilton, NH
Bike
2021 BMW 1250GS
STOC #
7806
With your driving record...I would defiantely go to court. They will probably reduce it down.
 
Joined
Sep 17, 2011
Messages
63
Location
...
Congratulations on 24 years exemplary riding!

Depending on your viewpoint your ticket is an occupation hazard, a wake up call or was just your turn.

Speaking as one on the other side of the speed gun, I'd offer a pragmatic approach and agree with the suggestion to go to have your time in court and offer mitigation. But this has to be offset against the possible costs involved against going to court (loss of earnings wilts at court, parking etc). The LEO will be paid to attend so won't be loosing any money.

In the UK the possible options might be a fine (circa us$95) and three points on your licence (which is surrendered on reaching twelve points).

Like any court appearance, your hearing could go either way ( ie your 'punishment' could go up or down). This I'm sure depends on various things, and I normally carry out an interview at the roadside to establish a few factors that might influence any possible court appearances (or reduce the need for one at all). I also take a page or two of notes which are disclosed if needed, so that nothing is left to chance.

Finally it's worth remembering why we have speed limits which IMHO is to help reduce the number of crashes and injuries of both drivers/riders and other road users, I have attended many where the speed of the vehicle directly contributed to the crash itself and then greatly increased the outcome (collateral damaged). I have long since given up calling them accidents as IMHO they are nearly all avoidable.

Good luck and keep us posted as to the outcome...
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
915
Location
not quite Columbian Spoon, UT
Bike
'06 ST1300A
Perchance you could simply consider it the "ticket you got for all the tickets you dodged." ;)

I hope you can beat it. If I could develop a reflective device that destroys LEO speed trap equipment, I'd do it. And be a hero. Cops as revenue generators is fundamentally wrong.
 
Joined
Sep 21, 2009
Messages
182
Location
Michigan
You might find when you show up that they'll offer to drop the points if you plead guilty outside of the courtroom and pay the fine . Happens around here all the time; they just want the money.
 
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
399
Location
Puyallup, WA
Bike
05 ST1300
STOC #
8563
My investment in a radar detector has saved me three times this year alone. Well worth the investment, only if sound is piped in to the ear. Otherwise it's just like your blinker indicator going unattended until, whoops.
 
Joined
Jul 6, 2005
Messages
33
Location
MA
My investment in a radar detector has saved me three times this year alone. Well worth the investment, only if sound is piped in to the ear. Otherwise it's just like your blinker indicator going unattended until, whoops.
That's all fine and dandy unless your LEO is running laser, then your detector simply becomes a 'ticket indicator' :)

Living on the East coast my V1 really does not start to become useful until I get West of the Mississippi, unless you're looking for a shopping mall.

Regards

Andy
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
3,357
Age
52
Location
Rindge, NH
Bike
2006 ST1300
Depending on the value of your time, in NH its very common to be able to get a ticket dismissed by attending a points reduction class (actually a "driver improvement class", one day class, usually $50), then bring the certificate with you to court. Show it to the officer before court, and usually either he or the judge will drop the ticket. With your record it should be a slam-dunk. Saves the points, insurance increase, etc.
 
OP
OP
Outbackwack

Outbackwack

Howard
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
749
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Bike
'13 Vstrom 650
STOC #
8055
Depending on the value of your time, in NH its very common to be able to get a ticket dismissed by attending a points reduction class (actually a "driver improvement class", one day class, usually $50), then bring the certificate with you to court. Show it to the officer before court, and usually either he or the judge will drop the ticket. With your record it should be a slam-dunk. Saves the points, insurance increase, etc.
That's a great idea and worth investigating. Thanks Jim!
 
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
843
Location
Nashville
Bike
99 ST1100
No tickets in 24 years? I've just got one thing to say....


Pick up the Pace, would ya!!!:p:
 

ChipSTer

Growing old, but not up!
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
1,194
Location
Prattville, AL
Bike
2004 ST 1300
STOC #
5859
Ask for probation and public service... I got probation and 10 hours for my last ticket (over 10 years since prior ticket)...
:cool:
 
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
399
Location
Puyallup, WA
Bike
05 ST1300
STOC #
8563
If I'm leader of the pack, I very seldom will venture more then 6-8 over limit. But when others are leading and at a safe distance, I will venture a little above that comfort zone (ok, maybe alot) but always felt like the 8500 detected the lazer off the lead vehicle. Is that possible?
 
Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Messages
167
Location
USA
Both radar and laser have strengths and weaknesses from an enforcer's point of view, which is why it's good to have both. Sometimes you'd rather slow people down than catch someone, such as in a school zone, so many times we'd park in an obvious spot, maybe even turn on the overheads, set the radar on stationary, click the ECM off "standby", and let 'er rip to set off as many detectors as we could. Amazingly, even being as obvious as possible, we'd still occasionally get someone blowing through at 15 or 20 over.

One of the main advantages of laser (aka LIDAR) is that "leader of the pack" means nothing since, as opposed to radar, laser is a pinpoint device. Look through the sight, put the little red dot on the target (usually the front bumper, but it works going away, too), and pull the trigger. The beam is emitted only while the trigger is held down or until you get a lock (a double beep on the laser unit I'm familiar with). "Clock and lock" is usually obtained in a second or less, and if it's not a "keeper", shoot the next one, and keep working your way up the line. Unless the cosine is too great from your chosen shooting location, you can even get the ones speeding up the "slow" lane who think they're safe from being clocked from the center median esp on three or more lane roadways or if they hide behind other traffic. That tactic can work as a countermeasure against radar, but probably not vs. laser.

Typically a LIDAR clock takes place at ranges of 1,800 - 2,000 feet or more depending on sight lines and other conditions, so usually by the time you even see the officer he's already shooting well past you if you weren't a keeper, or just waiting for you to get there if you are.

The best places to clock with laser if there is steady traffic are those stretches of road that have a slight bend or downgrade to help you see past or over the closer traffic. Basically, if you can see it and it's moving directly toward or away from you, you can pinpoint it and clock it with laser.

As for so-called laser "detectors", the LIDAR beam is very narrow and is aimed at the most perpendicular part of the vehicle, usually the front license plate or bumper. In other words, the chances of the beam hitting a detector on your dashboard are pretty small, and even if it does, you're probably already toast before you can react if your speed was "out of tolerance". Operators will generally avoid pinpointing the windshield or any other area of the vehicle but the front (or rear) bumper while the trigger is pulled to prevent stray, unnecessary beams from setting off a detector. I had many violators ask me how I managed to clock them since their detector never went off, but the reason it never went off was because I was careful to not "illuminate" likely detector locations.
 
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
512
Age
47
Location
Elizabeth, CO
My investment in a radar detector has saved me three times this year alone. Well worth the investment, only if sound is piped in to the ear. Otherwise it's just like your blinker indicator going unattended until, whoops.
Radar detectors are great for radar but worthless against Laser. Laser is instant on/instant off and has a very small beam thus if your detector goes off it is just telling you that you were just busted. I have run tests and unless I was pointing directly at the detector it never made a peep. When I was in traffic I never gave a warning to a person if I saw they were running a detector. I figure it has given them plenty of warnings already. And contrary to popular belief it really is all about safety and nothing to do about revenue, at least from the officer's viewpoint. I spent 4 years on the fatal team, that will slow you down.
To the OP I also would talk to the court, with your record it will most likely be reduced.
 

ChucksKLRST

Team Colorado
Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,659
Age
74
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Bike
2019 Versys 1K SE LT
STOC #
086
I have a Escort 850 and when i am in traffic it lets me know Laser is being used,,, Now when I am the leader of the pack when its says beep I am the target
Its like the instant on radar, They pull the trigger and bam,,, But I keep my eyes open when I am speeding,,
I think the tickets in Texas are BIG money, but not as big as Calif,
Mike
You got that right. DAMHIK
 
Top Bottom