Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Ticketed for driving "too fast for conditions"

Walt · 01-31-2010, 12:36 PM

Over the weekend, North Carolina was hit with a bit of a snow storm. I spent the weekend at a friends house on the opposite side of the state and was driving home on a major highway. There was some snow on the road even though the roads had been plowed and salted but generally, the tires from the volume of traffic had cleared 3 feet of pavement on each side of the driving lanes

It was the day after the storm had hit and I was headed home. I moved in to the left lane to pass a group of cars doing roughly 45 mph. In that group of cars was a State Trooper who hit the lights and sirens as soon as I passed him. I immediately pulled over and was ticketed for "operating a vehicle at a speed greater than was reasonable and prudent under the conditions". The Trooper guestimated me to be traveling at approximately 55 mph - I was doing 50 mph - in a 65 mph zone. I assume the ticket says "approximately 55 mph" because the Trooper never verified my speed by radar/laser. At 50 mph, I didn't exactly blow by the group of cars doing 45 mph.

After the Trooper handed me the ticket, he asked if I had any questions. I asked at what speed I should be traveling. He got pissy and gave a noncommittal and sarcastic answer, saying I should be going "the speed at which an average person can safely drive without getting in to an accident".

What the shit is "an average person"? I spent 2 years in southern Germany and made my living driving an emergency vehicle. I have attended the Volvo and US Army winter driving schools. I live in a mountainous area that averages 40-60" of snow a year. Long story short, I have a bit more experience and training driving in snow than the "average person".

What does the "average person" drive? I was driving a four wheel drive truck (with the 4WD engaged) that was equipped with all-terrain tires, specifically engineered for driving in mud and snow. It late in the afternoon, the sky was clear and I had my headlights on. At no time did I spin my tires, lose traction, fish tale, etc. I even had both hands on the fucking wheel and signaled to change lanes.

In fact, I was driving the ideal vehicle for the given conditions, going only 5 mph faster than a Trooper in a rear wheel drive, supercharged muscle car with the civilian equivalent of racing tires.

Even though it will cost me more to hire a lawyer than it would to pay the ticket AND I will have to miss a day of my college classes, I plan on fighting this tooth and nail. Has anyone else had similar experiences with such arbitrary bullshit?

01-31-2010, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Walt I'm calmer than you are, dude Location: North Carolina	Ticketed for driving "too fast for conditions" Over the weekend, North Carolina was hit with a bit of a snow storm. I spent the weekend at a friends house on the opposite side of the state and was driving home on a major highway. There was some snow on the road even though the roads had been plowed and salted but generally, the tires from the volume of traffic had cleared 3 feet of pavement on each side of the driving lanes It was the day after the storm had hit and I was headed home. I moved in to the left lane to pass a group of cars doing roughly 45 mph. In that group of cars was a State Trooper who hit the lights and sirens as soon as I passed him. I immediately pulled over and was ticketed for "operating a vehicle at a speed greater than was reasonable and prudent under the conditions". The Trooper guestimated me to be traveling at approximately 55 mph - I was doing 50 mph - in a 65 mph zone. I assume the ticket says "approximately 55 mph" because the Trooper never verified my speed by radar/laser. At 50 mph, I didn't exactly blow by the group of cars doing 45 mph. After the Trooper handed me the ticket, he asked if I had any questions. I asked at what speed I should be traveling. He got pissy and gave a noncommittal and sarcastic answer, saying I should be going "the speed at which an average person can safely drive without getting in to an accident". What the shit is "an average person"? I spent 2 years in southern Germany and made my living driving an emergency vehicle. I have attended the Volvo and US Army winter driving schools. I live in a mountainous area that averages 40-60" of snow a year. Long story short, I have a bit more experience and training driving in snow than the "average person". What does the "average person" drive? I was driving a four wheel drive truck (with the 4WD engaged) that was equipped with all-terrain tires, specifically engineered for driving in mud and snow. It late in the afternoon, the sky was clear and I had my headlights on. At no time did I spin my tires, lose traction, fish tale, etc. I even had both hands on the fucking wheel and signaled to change lanes. In fact, I was driving the ideal vehicle for the given conditions, going only 5 mph faster than a Trooper in a rear wheel drive, supercharged muscle car with the civilian equivalent of racing tires. Even though it will cost me more to hire a lawyer than it would to pay the ticket AND I will have to miss a day of my college classes, I plan on fighting this tooth and nail. Has anyone else had similar experiences with such arbitrary bullshit? __________________ Calmer than you are...