It finally happened - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pocon1 · 07-08-2004, 03:37 PM

I drive the speed that I am capable of driving. This usually is faster than the speed limit allows. Most of the roads in my area had their speed limits set 30 or 40 years ago, before the advent of radial tires, anti-lock brakes, power steering, and better all-around handling. A honda odyssey minivan could outrun a porsche 356. I also pride myself on my ability to drive safely, but I drive what I can handle.

denim · 07-08-2004, 03:56 PM

Great, how about the others around you if you fuck up or your equipment fails unexpectedly, such as a tire blow-out?

Scorps · 07-08-2004, 04:12 PM

The whole world should have limits like Montreal, they have a limit you have to "stay at", if you go under lets say 40 you get a ticket...LOL

All they have to do it take the limit off how fast you can go!

EricPDX · 07-08-2004, 06:36 PM

just so you know what it cost

stupid mistake on the way to the beach from Portland Oregon. 105/55 , i thought it was super safe 2 lanes both ways, new pavement, no cars in sight (could see maybe 1/4 mile) anyways im decelerating and get caught by a late model camaro, I just stop. I was in a Safety Zone, and got a tongue lashing but was just as polite as pie

1100 in fines, and a careless driving ticket. Best part is the officer forgot (??) to check the safety zone box and the judge though that the fines were excessive. so he dropped it to just under 500. I was happy and got lucky. I know I was breaking the law and told the judge it was a case of misjudgement (it was) however I still feel if you are risking nothing but your property and your health you are probably not a horrible person for speeding

denim · 07-08-2004, 06:57 PM

You are also risking the innocent people around you if something goes wrong. Even if you don't see anyone, that proves nothing.

Jeff · 07-08-2004, 07:21 PM

Damn, those speeding ticket fines are ridiculous.

Iowa Highway Patrol got me going 67 in a 55 a few weeks ago, and it was only 43 bucks.

k1ng · 07-08-2004, 07:40 PM

I got pulled over twice while I was away at school but I only got one ticket.

First time I was pulled over I was speeding and too close to the car in front of me (Although I didnt even notice either of those two things--I guess driving in Atlanta traffic has me immuned to such things

. The cop let me off the hook because I went to school nearby. I was thinking, "Wow, that was easy.."

I wasn't as lucky the second time. Pulled over for going 69 in a 45 zone (24 over the speed limit). I went to court and told the judge it was my first ticket, etc.. He dismissed the ticket on the condition that I take a defensive driving class. Damage: 8 hours and $65. Not bad..

SaltPork · 07-09-2004, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by primal
Why don't you just send them a check everytime you speed then? Why make them go through the trouble of writing you a ticket when you already know you were speeding?

I'm just being sarcastic there. My real point is that most people realize that speeding tickets are just revenue streams for the goverment. It's a money game to the state. The whole reason why you can get out of the tickets in court is becuase it makes the state more money. They don't really care about safety or they'd concentrate on unsafe driving. It's been proven in study after study that higher highway speeds are not significantly more unsafe than the current speed limits. Just look at the autobahn. Americans are not required to demonstrate an adequete driving skillset to maintain a license. That's what really makes driving dangerous in america.

Well, first of all, I wasn't on the highway, I was on backroads, which are winding and hilly, second I think using the autobahn as an example of safe driving speeds. Aren't they considering a speed limit on that because of the speeding related deaths?? Driving anywhere isn't safe...unless there are no buildings, no people, a governor on the engine that holds your speed to 25 MPH, and everything is perfectly flat and there is never any weather. So, I wouldn't say that driving is just dangerous in America.

Also, I'm not a fucking idiot, I know that speeding fines are a revenue stream. Just as my taxes are a revenue stream. There's no news there. You can get out of tickets in court, you just have to have your shit together. I've fought tickets before, but only when I was absolutely right. In those case the fine has been dismissed or reduced. I am a big proponent of doing what's right and admitting fault and taking responsibility for my actions. My point was, I'm not going to fight a ticket that I clearly deserved. I was going 65 in a 35, I saw the cop and hit the brakes but too late, he nabbed me at 57. To suggest that I send them a check every time I speed, whether sarcastic or not, is just a ridiculous thing to say. Clearly you misunderstood the point.

Memnoch · 07-09-2004, 06:51 AM

Here comes a rather fantastic story. It is entirely true.

I was speeding down a local road (35 mph speed limit) at 105 mph in my '92 Plymouth Voyager. The road is used for dragging all the time, because there are never any cops on it. Tonight was no exception - however, there *was* a cop in the neighborhood near the street, who heard my van (my muffler was totally shot at the time). He came running and saw me blow on past him - I didn't give him enough time to get his radar gun when he initially saw me. I slammed on my brakes, and he pulls me over.

Me: "What seems to be the problem, officer?"
Him: "Well, I was patrollin' those neighborhoods back there for stragglin' kids, when I sees you race on by at Mach 2."
Me: *chuckle* "I was going kind of fast, I guess."
Him: "Yep. I wasn't able to register you on my radar gun, but I estimate you were probably doing about 60 to 70. That's pretty fast."
Me: "True enough."
Him: "Well, I think I'm going to just let you go with a ticket for disobeying a speed limit sign, seeing as I didn't get record of your speed"
Me: "Alright then."
Him: *gives me the ticket* "Have a good night."
Me: "You, too, sir!"

So, already, I've gone from what would have been an 800 dollar fine and a 12 month suspension of my license (that's pretty standard for doing 30+ mph over on a local street in this county/state) to an 85 dollar fine and two points taken off my license.

I go to court to see if I can have them fine doubled and the points nulled. I see a cop that's a good friend of my mom's, and he pulls me aside.

Him: "You wanna help your mom out with the Fourth of July this year?"
Me: "Sure."
Him: "Good. I'll put a good word in for you."

I go in to talk to the DA. The grins at me.

Her: "SB tells me you're going to help your mom out with Fourth of July this year. That so?"
Me: "Yes, ma'am."
Her: "Well, in light of your good character, I'd be willing to set the fine at 100 dollars, and not put it on your records."
Me: "That'd be just fine!"

So, in short, I was doing 70 (yes, seventy) miles per hour over the speed limit, got caught, and got away with only a 100 dollar fine and a couple hours of community service.

primal · 07-09-2004, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wrkime
Well, first of all, I wasn't on the highway, I was on backroads, which are winding and hilly, second I think using the autobahn as an example of safe driving speeds. Aren't they considering a speed limit on that because of the speeding related deaths?? Driving anywhere isn't safe...unless there are no buildings, no people, a governor on the engine that holds your speed to 25 MPH, and everything is perfectly flat and there is never any weather. So, I wouldn't say that driving is just dangerous in America.

Also, I'm not a fucking idiot, I know that speeding fines are a revenue stream. Just as my taxes are a revenue stream. There's no news there. You can get out of tickets in court, you just have to have your shit together. I've fought tickets before, but only when I was absolutely right. In those case the fine has been dismissed or reduced. I am a big proponent of doing what's right and admitting fault and taking responsibility for my actions. My point was, I'm not going to fight a ticket that I clearly deserved. I was going 65 in a 35, I saw the cop and hit the brakes but too late, he nabbed me at 57. To suggest that I send them a check every time I speed, whether sarcastic or not, is just a ridiculous thing to say. Clearly you misunderstood the point.

I did understand your point I was just exagerrating this aspect of it "I am a big proponent of doing what's right and admitting fault and taking responsibility for my actions.". To me that says if you murdered someone you would turn yourself in. You know that's the right thing to do so you wouldn't wait until you're caught. So in the same vein if you knew you were speeding you'd just send a check. It was just a joke. I just thought that the righteousness in your statement sounded a little too absolute. I meant no disrespect.

As far as the Autobahn's safety record here are a few articles.
A report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows the fatality rate on the western autobahn has been virtually identical to the death rates on U.S. Interstates for over ten years.

Here's another article that talks about why the autobahn is so safe.

Quote:

The German Autobahn system was started before WWII and has been in constant operation since. Parts of the Autobahn are without a speed limit. On these portions, people drive 80 mph in the slow lane, 100 mph in the center lane and 130 mph plus in the fast lane! (Smith). Yet, it has earned a reputation of being safe and delivering people to their destinations more quickly.

In Germany, there were 42.5 million registered vehicles (35.5 million cars) in 1990. The network of roads totals 221,000 km, including 11,000 km of autobahns (motorways). In size, it is second only to the United States. An ongoing safety program of driver training in schools, improved vehicle safety and better roads have produced fewer fatalities on the Autobahn in spite of greater traffic density. The one exception is the area that comprised the old German Democratic Republic [the former communist East Germany]--it has a higher accident rate since it has had to adjust to more traffic and faster cars. (Here is another confirmation that becoming more socialistic is stupid!) To earn a license in Germany, one must complete 33 hours of classroom instruction and 18 hours of road training. Every modern car in Germany is designed for safety and high performance. Their vehicles stick to the roads on curves and will "stop on a dime."

My point is that our highway safety could be greatly improved if we required the training and proficiency that Germany does. I think the effects of speed are over exagerated in America. Just having a similar lane etiquette would improve safety. Here people drive whatever speed they want in any lane.

wrktime, I respect you and never intended any harm with my statements. This subject interests me and if you want to discuss it further I think we should start a new thread. I'd love to see any research that counters any of my statements. I realize that the info I linked to doesn't come from the best sources in the world so if we continue the discussion I think we should all do more in depth research.

SaltPork · 07-09-2004, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by primal
I did understand your point I was just exagerrating this aspect of it "I am a big proponent of doing what's right and admitting fault and taking responsibility for my actions.". To me that says if you murdered someone you would turn yourself in. You know that's the right thing to do so you wouldn't wait until you're caught. So in the same vein if you knew you were speeding you'd just send a check. It was just a joke. I just thought that the righteousness in your statement sounded a little too absolute. I meant no disrespect.

If I murder someone it would only be in defense of myself or my family, not sure if I would need to turn myself in since the cops would more than likely be called to the scene anyway from the victim's screams. No disrespect taken and none intended in your direction either. But, I still stand by what I said about doing the right thing and taking responsibility for my actions. I don't think a lot of people do that anymore, at least not what I can tell from the news.

Quote:

My point is that our highway safety could be greatly improved if we required the training and proficiency that Germany does. I think the effects of speed are over exagerated in America. Just having a similar lane etiquette would improve safety. Here people drive whatever speed they want in any lane.

I went through 30 hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of "road instruction" in driver's ed in high school. I think that you're right, it should be a mandate. You're still required, at least in NH, to pass a written test with at least an 80% and you have to pass a road test with no less than a 95%. Granted the road test is subjective based on the city worker riding along with you. There should be some follow up every ten years or so.

Quote:

wrktime, I respect you and never intended any harm with my statements. This subject interests me and if you want to discuss it further I think we should start a new thread. I'd love to see any research that counters any of my statements. I realize that the info I linked to doesn't come from the best sources in the world so if we continue the discussion I think we should all do more in depth research.

Again, no disrespect taken and no harm done. I am simply a passionate advocate for what I think, even if others don't agree with me.

oberon · 07-10-2004, 03:46 PM

I've been driving cars since 1996. I've done more >500-mile trips than I can count. The longest was ~2,000 miles (Lafayette, Indiana, through Michigan, all the way to Ottawa, Canada, and back). And of course plenty of 50-100 mile commutes.

Usually I cruise on highways around 80mph (regardless of speed zone, unless there's construction), sometimes spiking to 95-100, and always slowing in heavy traffic.

I've never been given a speeding ticket. I've never even been pulled over for speeding, only for slightly reckless driving (which the cop let me off easy for). And it's only been that one time.

And I've done that all without the assistance of a radar detector.

Then again, like Hal, I wouldn't be caught dead doing more than 5-10 mph over the limit on a street road, and even then only temporarily. So I only speed on interstates and to a lesser extent rural highways. I drive safe, regardless of what the law says.

Eric640 · 07-10-2004, 05:15 PM

Well I've only been driving for about 2 years, and in that time I've never had an accident or a ticket... but my parents and my frends still say my driving sucks so whatcha gonna do.

I'm sure it will happen someday.

Eric640 · 07-10-2004, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Usually I cruise on highways around 80mph (regardless of speed zone, unless there's construction), sometimes spiking to 95-100, and always slowing in heavy traffic.

My theory has always been that as long as you aren't passing everyone then you are doing the "right" speed regardless of the posted limit.

A lot of people drive 70-80 in 65 areas and if you are only doing 60 or 65 then you are more of a hazard that the so called "speeders" b\c they will try to pass you more.

Cowman · 07-11-2004, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ngdawg

Me: (searching for the required ID's) 41???? I am so sorry, sir, my mind just wasn't on what I was doing. Uh, who's on desk this morning?

Your mind wasn't on what you were doing? No offence, but you shouldn't be out driving if your "mind isn't on what you're doing"...

Frowning Budah · 07-11-2004, 05:48 PM

phredgreen, New Mexico is a very strange place to drive in. Sometimes the cops just couldn't care less how fast you were going then other times they would follow me around waiting to speed. Of course I was driving a Z car in those days.
I like Northern Florida. They never stop you here. Both my wife have gone by State Patrol doing 85 and not even rated a frown. I don't even have the radar detector in the car any more.

SaltPork · 07-12-2004, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cowman
Your mind wasn't on what you were doing? No offence, but you shouldn't be out driving if your "mind isn't on what you're doing"...

So what you're saying is that you never think about other things when you're driving?? Maybe you're new to driving a vehicle, because I think just about everyone has had a time where there are things on they're minds and they just aren't paying attention to how fast they are going. Or maybe you're just different from the rest of us.

THGL · 07-12-2004, 05:58 AM

Depending on the situation, I learned a little trick for getting out of, or limiting the amount of, a ticket.

I've been pulled over 3 times in my 18 yrs. of driving and all three times I saw the cop either coming at me from the opposite lane (2) and sitting on the side of the road (1). All 3 times I pulled over, knowing I was caught red-handed, and waited for the officer to come to me.

The first time I was going nearly 76 in a 55 and got a ticket for only 10 over.
The second time was about 70 in a 55 and got a warning.
The third time was 75 in a 55 and the ticket was written for 9 mph over the limit (which means no points on my license and my insurance won't go up). The officer told me the reason I got the break was because "I didn't have to chase you."

I think the police appreciate it when someone takes responsibility for their actions and doesn't try to BS their way out of it. So, if you know you're busted, just pull over and have your license and registration ready for when the cop gets to your window... you just might get lucky.

TheDave87 · 07-13-2004, 12:53 PM

Ive wrecked a car for my first ticket, but that should have disappeared from my license by now. As for my second ticket... I was out in a local junkyard getting some parts for my truck and i cut my finger pretty deeply on the truck i was taking parts from. It was the friday of memorial day weekend. After i left the yard, i ended up taking the highway back trying to get somewhere to see if i needed stitches in my finger. I was in a hurry to get where i was going, and completly missed seeing the cop sitting in the median. I blew past him doing 77 mph in a 60. Ill admit it, i panicked a little and dove off at the next exit, hoping to lose him. He followed me and came up to my truck, nice as can be. He asked me why i was going so fast, so i unwrapped my finger and showed him, and explained what had happened. He took a look at my finger, and then just said "Oh, well I'll try to hurry so you can be on your way."

My father on the other had managed to lose his license for a year when he was a teenager. He owned a 1969 Camaro SS and was caught doing 92 mph in a 25. I seem to remember him telling me of another time where he got a ticket for "exhibition of speed" for pulling the front wheels off the ground near a cop

07-08-2004, 04:12 PM	#43 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	The whole world should have limits like Montreal, they have a limit you have to "stay at", if you go under lets say 40 you get a ticket...LOL All they have to do it take the limit off how fast you can go! __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

07-08-2004, 07:21 PM	#46 (permalink)
Jeff And we'll all float on ok... Location: Iowa City	Damn, those speeding ticket fines are ridiculous. Iowa Highway Patrol got me going 67 in a 55 a few weeks ago, and it was only 43 bucks. __________________ For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. --Charles Bukowski

07-08-2004, 07:40 PM	#47 (permalink)
k1ng Nothing Location: Atlanta, GA	I got pulled over twice while I was away at school but I only got one ticket. First time I was pulled over I was speeding and too close to the car in front of me (Although I didnt even notice either of those two things--I guess driving in Atlanta traffic has me immuned to such things . The cop let me off the hook because I went to school nearby. I was thinking, "Wow, that was easy.." I wasn't as lucky the second time. Pulled over for going 69 in a 45 zone (24 over the speed limit). I went to court and told the judge it was my first ticket, etc.. He dismissed the ticket on the condition that I take a defensive driving class. Damage: 8 hours and $65. Not bad.. __________________ "Delight in excellence is easily confused with snobbery by the ignorant." -Joseph Epstein

07-09-2004, 06:51 AM	#49 (permalink)
Memnoch Insane Location: Land of milk and honey - Wisconsin	Here comes a rather fantastic story. It is entirely true. I was speeding down a local road (35 mph speed limit) at 105 mph in my '92 Plymouth Voyager. The road is used for dragging all the time, because there are never any cops on it. Tonight was no exception - however, there was a cop in the neighborhood near the street, who heard my van (my muffler was totally shot at the time). He came running and saw me blow on past him - I didn't give him enough time to get his radar gun when he initially saw me. I slammed on my brakes, and he pulls me over. Me: "What seems to be the problem, officer?" Him: "Well, I was patrollin' those neighborhoods back there for stragglin' kids, when I sees you race on by at Mach 2." Me: chuckle "I was going kind of fast, I guess." Him: "Yep. I wasn't able to register you on my radar gun, but I estimate you were probably doing about 60 to 70. That's pretty fast." Me: "True enough." Him: "Well, I think I'm going to just let you go with a ticket for disobeying a speed limit sign, seeing as I didn't get record of your speed" Me: "Alright then." Him: gives me the ticket "Have a good night." Me: "You, too, sir!" So, already, I've gone from what would have been an 800 dollar fine and a 12 month suspension of my license (that's pretty standard for doing 30+ mph over on a local street in this county/state) to an 85 dollar fine and two points taken off my license. I go to court to see if I can have them fine doubled and the points nulled. I see a cop that's a good friend of my mom's, and he pulls me aside. Him: "You wanna help your mom out with the Fourth of July this year?" Me: "Sure." Him: "Good. I'll put a good word in for you." I go in to talk to the DA. The grins at me. Her: "SB tells me you're going to help your mom out with Fourth of July this year. That so?" Me: "Yes, ma'am." Her: "Well, in light of your good character, I'd be willing to set the fine at 100 dollars, and not put it on your records." Me: "That'd be just fine!" So, in short, I was doing 70 (yes, seventy) miles per hour over the speed limit, got caught, and got away with only a 100 dollar fine and a couple hours of community service. __________________ Doing my best not to end up like Kathleen Chang.

07-10-2004, 03:46 PM	#52 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	I've been driving cars since 1996. I've done more >500-mile trips than I can count. The longest was ~2,000 miles (Lafayette, Indiana, through Michigan, all the way to Ottawa, Canada, and back). And of course plenty of 50-100 mile commutes. Usually I cruise on highways around 80mph (regardless of speed zone, unless there's construction), sometimes spiking to 95-100, and always slowing in heavy traffic. I've never been given a speeding ticket. I've never even been pulled over for speeding, only for slightly reckless driving (which the cop let me off easy for). And it's only been that one time. And I've done that all without the assistance of a radar detector. Then again, like Hal, I wouldn't be caught dead doing more than 5-10 mph over the limit on a street road, and even then only temporarily. So I only speed on interstates and to a lesser extent rural highways. I drive safe, regardless of what the law says. __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

07-08-2004, 03:37 PM	#41 (permalink)
pocon1 Banned	I drive the speed that I am capable of driving. This usually is faster than the speed limit allows. Most of the roads in my area had their speed limits set 30 or 40 years ago, before the advent of radial tires, anti-lock brakes, power steering, and better all-around handling. A honda odyssey minivan could outrun a porsche 356. I also pride myself on my ability to drive safely, but I drive what I can handle.

07-08-2004, 03:56 PM	#42 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	Great, how about the others around you if you fuck up or your equipment fails unexpectedly, such as a tire blow-out?

07-08-2004, 06:36 PM	#44 (permalink)
EricPDX Upright	just so you know what it cost stupid mistake on the way to the beach from Portland Oregon. 105/55 , i thought it was super safe 2 lanes both ways, new pavement, no cars in sight (could see maybe 1/4 mile) anyways im decelerating and get caught by a late model camaro, I just stop. I was in a Safety Zone, and got a tongue lashing but was just as polite as pie 1100 in fines, and a careless driving ticket. Best part is the officer forgot (??) to check the safety zone box and the judge though that the fines were excessive. so he dropped it to just under 500. I was happy and got lucky. I know I was breaking the law and told the judge it was a case of misjudgement (it was) however I still feel if you are risking nothing but your property and your health you are probably not a horrible person for speeding

07-08-2004, 06:57 PM	#45 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	You are also risking the innocent people around you if something goes wrong. Even if you don't see anyone, that proves nothing.

07-10-2004, 05:15 PM	#53 (permalink)
Eric640 Tilted	Well I've only been driving for about 2 years, and in that time I've never had an accident or a ticket... but my parents and my frends still say my driving sucks so whatcha gonna do. I'm sure it will happen someday.

07-11-2004, 05:48 PM	#56 (permalink)
Frowning Budah Slave of Fear	phredgreen, New Mexico is a very strange place to drive in. Sometimes the cops just couldn't care less how fast you were going then other times they would follow me around waiting to speed. Of course I was driving a Z car in those days. I like Northern Florida. They never stop you here. Both my wife have gone by State Patrol doing 85 and not even rated a frown. I don't even have the radar detector in the car any more.

07-12-2004, 05:58 AM	#58 (permalink)
THGL Psycho Location: Louisville, KY	Depending on the situation, I learned a little trick for getting out of, or limiting the amount of, a ticket. I've been pulled over 3 times in my 18 yrs. of driving and all three times I saw the cop either coming at me from the opposite lane (2) and sitting on the side of the road (1). All 3 times I pulled over, knowing I was caught red-handed, and waited for the officer to come to me. The first time I was going nearly 76 in a 55 and got a ticket for only 10 over. The second time was about 70 in a 55 and got a warning. The third time was 75 in a 55 and the ticket was written for 9 mph over the limit (which means no points on my license and my insurance won't go up). The officer told me the reason I got the break was because "I didn't have to chase you." I think the police appreciate it when someone takes responsibility for their actions and doesn't try to BS their way out of it. So, if you know you're busted, just pull over and have your license and registration ready for when the cop gets to your window... you just might get lucky. __________________ "The truth is merely an excuse for lack of imagination." - Garak

07-13-2004, 12:53 PM	#59 (permalink)
TheDave87 Psycho Location: The Amish Wastelands of Ohio	Ive wrecked a car for my first ticket, but that should have disappeared from my license by now. As for my second ticket... I was out in a local junkyard getting some parts for my truck and i cut my finger pretty deeply on the truck i was taking parts from. It was the friday of memorial day weekend. After i left the yard, i ended up taking the highway back trying to get somewhere to see if i needed stitches in my finger. I was in a hurry to get where i was going, and completly missed seeing the cop sitting in the median. I blew past him doing 77 mph in a 60. Ill admit it, i panicked a little and dove off at the next exit, hoping to lose him. He followed me and came up to my truck, nice as can be. He asked me why i was going so fast, so i unwrapped my finger and showed him, and explained what had happened. He took a look at my finger, and then just said "Oh, well I'll try to hurry so you can be on your way." My father on the other had managed to lose his license for a year when he was a teenager. He owned a 1969 Camaro SS and was caught doing 92 mph in a 25. I seem to remember him telling me of another time where he got a ticket for "exhibition of speed" for pulling the front wheels off the ground near a cop __________________ Honk if you've never seen an uzi fired from a car window!