Most of us here are auto enthusiasts who are committed to driving fast, and have continued to do so despite being ticketed for it, in some cases numerous times.
How bad would the penalty for speeding have to be before you would actually swear off speeding?
I would say it would take a fine of about $1,000 before I would try a lot harder to follow the speed limit. I don't think even a fine of that magnitude would really keep me from speeding, but I'd be more careful not to get caught.
Even more effective would be a community service requirement that lasted over several weeks, or at least two weekends in jail, for speeding. I hate to give up my personal time for something I don't want to do, so these penalties might make me slow down. I'd probably not be deterred by a short community service requirement (1 day), but a longer one would probably make me slow down.
I "speed" all the time, but no more than 10-15 mph over the limit, and have never been caught, and I believe the vast majority of people that drive 10-15 over the limit are never ticketed. Anyone that drives faster than that is seriously endangering everyone on the road, and clearly lacks a bit in the responsibility department. I only drive at that rate because more often than not, the speed of traffic mandates I do so, and if I was blowing people's doors off, I wouldn't go that fast. I'm not pointing any fingers, just giving my opinion.
QuoteMost of us here are auto enthusiasts who are committed to driving fast, and have continued to do so despite being ticketed for it, in some cases numerous times.
How bad would the penalty for speeding have to be before you would actually swear off speeding?
I would say it would take a fine of about $1,000 before I would try a lot harder to follow the speed limit. I don't think even a fine of that magnitude would really keep me from speeding, but I'd be more careful not to get caught.
Even more effective would be a community service requirement that lasted over several weeks, or at least two weekends in jail, for speeding. I hate to give up my personal time for something I don't want to do, so these penalties might make me slow down. I'd probably not be deterred by a short community service requirement (1 day), but a longer one would probably make me slow down.
There is a downside to raising fines as far as the powers to be are concerned. Every time fines go up cops write less tickets. Even though the speeding fines in MA are $100 for the first 10 over then $10 for every MPH over that, most of us only write for the minimum, $100. Fines and surcharges are already high enough.
Wow you're an easy-going cop, Catman. So if someone's doing 60 in a 40 you only slap them for $100 instead of $200? At what do you say "enough's enough" and bring in the extra $10/mph?
QuoteWow you're an easy-going cop, Catman. So if someone's doing 60 in a 40 you only slap them for $100 instead of $200? At what do you say "enough's enough" and bring in the extra $10/mph?
I make a good salary and I don't want to have to pay $100. When I was working patrol I would give a 15 mph buffer before I would cite on most roads. School zones were less. The majority of stops were between 15 and 20 over. Once you get more than 20 over it's getting into reckless driving in my opinion, so I might ding you worse. If I stop someone for 15 over and I get the, "I wasn't going that fast", followed by the predictable behavior, I will slam you. Anyone going more than 10 over without realizing it is either a liar or negligent.
QuoteQuoteWow you're an easy-going cop, Catman. So if someone's doing 60 in a 40 you only slap them for $100 instead of $200? At what do you say "enough's enough" and bring in the extra $10/mph?
I make a good salary and I don't want to have to pay $100. When I was working patrol I would give a 15 mph buffer before I would cite on most roads. School zones were less. The majority of stops were between 15 and 20 over. Once you get more than 20 over it's getting into reckless driving in my opinion, so I might ding you worse. If I stop someone for 15 over and I get the, "I wasn't going that fast", followed by the predictable behavior, I will slam you. Anyone going more than 10 over without realizing it is either a liar or negligent.
Sounds fair enough. B) Those fines are hefty.
Well, i always try to keep a clean record. Sort of a little 'thing' to see how long i can go before i get a ticket, so any ticket would make me sad.
QuoteWell, i always try to keep a clean record. Sort of a little 'thing' to see how long i can go before i get a ticket, so any ticket would make me sad.
If I catch you speeding I will summon Annabell to look at you.
God no! :o That ferocious beast! Who says cruel and unusual punishment has gone by the wayside? Rag could be licked to death! :o
I rarely travel at more than 5 mph over the speed limit. On an interstate, I might cruise at 73 mph in the 65. Higher speeds hurt fuel mileage, and with the price of gas I prefer to spend a little more time in transit and pick up a little bit better fuel mileage.
QuoteQuoteWell, i always try to keep a clean record. Sort of a little 'thing' to see how long i can go before i get a ticket, so any ticket would make me sad.
If I catch you speeding I will summon Annabell to look at you.
What torture! is that even illegal!?!?! :o :o
:lol:
QuoteThere is a downside to raising fines as far as the powers to be are concerned. Every time fines go up cops write less tickets. Even though the speeding fines in MA are $100 for the first 10 over then $10 for every MPH over that, most of us only write for the minimum, $100. Fines and surcharges are already high enough.
Do higher fines make cops write fewer tickets because the higher fines cause more motorists to fight the tickets, which forces the cops to spend more time than they would like in court?
I agree -- if the goal is to raise revenue, a moderate fine, that the motorist will pay without fighting it, is more effective than a very high fine. It's kind of like merchandising -- lower prices can mean higher profits if sales go up significantly.
I also think that with speed limits on the highways set relatively low, making speeders out of the majority of motorists, a really meaningful penalty for speeding is probably politically impossible, unless the person is going more than 30 mph over the speed limit.
I do think in certain cases, it is safe to go 20 mph or so over the speed limit; certainly not on city streets or in residential areas, but on the highway with good conditions and light traffic it can be safe to go significantly over the speed limit. And the time when it is safest to speed is also the time when you're most likely to get busted, since there isn't a lot of other traffic to distract an officer looking for speeders. This is the only time I ever get tickets -- on a nice empty roadway under great conditions, when I am unable to resist the temptation to take advantage of the opportunity and open it up.
It would take a car that really isn't much fun at speed. Like a Trooper... ;)
QuoteIt would take a car that really isn't much fun at speed. Like a Trooper... ;)
Good answer. :lol:
I'd love to get L. Ed Foote's answer on this. He's pretty much a "penalties be damned" type of speeder.
QuoteIt would take a car that really isn't much fun at speed. Like a Trooper... ;)
I've never had a car that's enjoyable at high speeds and have never had a speeding ticket. That must be the secret formula. :praise:
If I get pulled over...I won't be able to get my license until I'm 18...
So basically, one ticket will make me stop speeding... :ph34r:
To make me spot speeding, you've have to get rid of speed limits.
QuoteTo make me spot speeding, you've have to get rid of speed limits.
:praise:
To answer the question, I would stop speeding if fines/insurance premiums went up even more with a ticket. Or if a cop is in the immediate area. In that case, I would travel right at the speed limit, regardless of how low it is.
QuoteQuoteThere is a downside to raising fines as far as the powers to be are concerned. Every time fines go up cops write less tickets. Even though the speeding fines in MA are $100 for the first 10 over then $10 for every MPH over that, most of us only write for the minimum, $100. Fines and surcharges are already high enough.
Do higher fines make cops write fewer tickets because the higher fines cause more motorists to fight the tickets, which forces the cops to spend more time than they would like in court?
I agree -- if the goal is to raise revenue, a moderate fine, that the motorist will pay without fighting it, is more effective than a very high fine. It's kind of like merchandising -- lower prices can mean higher profits if sales go up significantly.
I also think that with speed limits on the highways set relatively low, making speeders out of the majority of motorists, a really meaningful penalty for speeding is probably politically impossible, unless the person is going more than 30 mph over the speed limit.
I do think in certain cases, it is safe to go 20 mph or so over the speed limit; certainly not on city streets or in residential areas, but on the highway with good conditions and light traffic it can be safe to go significantly over the speed limit. And the time when it is safest to speed is also the time when you're most likely to get busted, since there isn't a lot of other traffic to distract an officer looking for speeders. This is the only time I ever get tickets -- on a nice empty roadway under great conditions, when I am unable to resist the temptation to take advantage of the opportunity and open it up.
Most don't care what happens after they write tickets. Court time is fine for most since it's OT.
QuoteQuoteQuoteThere is a downside to raising fines as far as the powers to be are concerned.? Every time fines go up cops write less tickets.? Even though the speeding fines in MA are $100 for the first 10 over then $10 for every MPH over that, most of us only write for the minimum, $100.? Fines and surcharges are already high enough.
Do higher fines make cops write fewer tickets because the higher fines cause more motorists to fight the tickets, which forces the cops to spend more time than they would like in court?
I agree -- if the goal is to raise revenue, a moderate fine, that the motorist will pay without fighting it, is more effective than a very high fine. It's kind of like merchandising -- lower prices can mean higher profits if sales go up significantly.
I also think that with speed limits on the highways set relatively low, making speeders out of the majority of motorists, a really meaningful penalty for speeding is probably politically impossible, unless the person is going more than 30 mph over the speed limit.
I do think in certain cases, it is safe to go 20 mph or so over the speed limit; certainly not on city streets or in residential areas, but on the highway with good conditions and light traffic it can be safe to go significantly over the speed limit. And the time when it is safest to speed is also the time when you're most likely to get busted, since there isn't a lot of other traffic to distract an officer looking for speeders. This is the only time I ever get tickets -- on a nice empty roadway under great conditions, when I am unable to resist the temptation to take advantage of the opportunity and open it up.
Most don't care what happens after they write tickets. Court time is fine for most since it's OT.
Understood. But what I don't understand is why higher fines would make cops write fewer tickets. Is it because of sympathy for what they're imposing on a motorist in a marginal situation?
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteThere is a downside to raising fines as far as the powers to be are concerned.? Every time fines go up cops write less tickets.? Even though the speeding fines in MA are $100 for the first 10 over then $10 for every MPH over that, most of us only write for the minimum, $100.? Fines and surcharges are already high enough.
Do higher fines make cops write fewer tickets because the higher fines cause more motorists to fight the tickets, which forces the cops to spend more time than they would like in court?
I agree -- if the goal is to raise revenue, a moderate fine, that the motorist will pay without fighting it, is more effective than a very high fine. It's kind of like merchandising -- lower prices can mean higher profits if sales go up significantly.
I also think that with speed limits on the highways set relatively low, making speeders out of the majority of motorists, a really meaningful penalty for speeding is probably politically impossible, unless the person is going more than 30 mph over the speed limit.
I do think in certain cases, it is safe to go 20 mph or so over the speed limit; certainly not on city streets or in residential areas, but on the highway with good conditions and light traffic it can be safe to go significantly over the speed limit. And the time when it is safest to speed is also the time when you're most likely to get busted, since there isn't a lot of other traffic to distract an officer looking for speeders. This is the only time I ever get tickets -- on a nice empty roadway under great conditions, when I am unable to resist the temptation to take advantage of the opportunity and open it up.
Most don't care what happens after they write tickets. Court time is fine for most since it's OT.
Understood. But what I don't understand is why higher fines would make cops write fewer tickets. Is it because of sympathy for what they're imposing on a motorist in a marginal situation?
Because the huge fines and surcharges are bullshit. People are getting screwed enough. ;)
I think that attitude is reflected more by local agencies, who are out serving a community in many different respects. They know how fast traffic usually moves, are aware of how the driver was performing, and can judge things on a case-by-case basis.
The state agencies seem to put troopers on "speed enforcement" and that becomes their primary job, rather than the multitude of tasks local police are involved in during a given a day. Alot of them seem to come down with "Officer Bob Syndrome" where speed enforcement is the be-all and end-all of their job, and they don't cut breaks, even in light traffic on a clear day on an open highway.
QuoteTo make me spot speeding, you've have to get rid of speed limits.
Pretty much. For the most part, you can't really raise the penalties for speeding any more than they are now, or else you'd have speeding tickets that carry harsher penalities than DUI or other "real" crimes.
Basically, you'd have every state become Virginia, where almost every speeding ticket automatically becomes "reckless by speed" and subject to a boatload of points. A friend of mine was nabbed on I-95 in NoVa doing 78 in a 55 and was charged with "reckless by speed." Since he had an out of state license, I don't think he sweated it too much, but he still had to work out some deal with them because that particular charge would have had him driving 5 hours down to VA to appear in court.
QuoteQuoteUnderstood. But what I don't understand is why higher fines would make cops write fewer tickets. Is it because of sympathy for what they're imposing on a motorist in a marginal situation?
Because the huge fines and surcharges are bullshit. People are getting screwed enough. ;)
It's good to see an officer thinking this. I think TurboDan is right that this attitude is more prevalent among community officers than state troopers.
Connecticut has a strange system of fines. Fines are significantly jacked up for highway speeds, though arguably, this is the safest speeding within a certain zone.
For example, I got tagged for doing 52 mph in a 35 mph zone, and the nominal fine on my ticket was $131. But when I got nailed for going 78 mph in a 55 mph zone, it was $239. 83 in a 55 was $279.
The funny thing is that I only actually paid the nominal fine once, when I would have had to travel a good distance to go to court, and I had too much going on to take the time. Otherwise, I have gone to court, and without any question, they have reduced the fines to $35 in the case of the $131 ticket, and $100 for the $239 ticket.
It's a catch-22 because it encourages people to go to court, and believe me, a lot do in Connecticut. The line to get into the courthouse was out the door and down the street. This forces the system to lower fines to "get rid of" people who contest their tickets, rather than having them take the whole stupid thing to trial.
For a system meant to raise revenue, there is a "sweet spot" where the fine needs to be to encourage the highest number of people to pay without contesting. Once people contest, it's only a question of cutting losses.
I tend to agree with you that some who are basically safe drivers get screwed by tickets. I also think there's not enough distinction made between minor and major offenses. I'd rather see higher speed limits, fewer tickets given out, but more severe penalties for truly dangerous driving.
Sound good to me. If you really want to make a dent make it a civil infraction for anything under 20 over. Over 20 would be a criminal offense requiring a court appearance. The courts wouldn't like that though. ;) Highways could have a different standard.
QuoteSound good to me. If you really want to make a dent make it a civil infraction for anything under 20 over. Over 20 would be a criminal offense requiring a court appearance. The courts wouldn't like that though. ;) Highways could have a different standard.
Catman, in Massachusetts, how much above the speed limit does somebody have to be going when ticketed in order to be required to make a court appearance?
QuoteQuoteSound good to me. If you really want to make a dent make it a civil infraction for anything under 20 over. Over 20 would be a criminal offense requiring a court appearance. The courts wouldn't like that though. ;) Highways could have a different standard.
Catman, in Massachusetts, how much above the speed limit does somebody have to be going when ticketed in order to be required to make a court appearance?
That's officer descretion. It would be a criminal charge under reckless operation or operating to endanger (slightly different elements). There really is no magic number, it's circumstantial.
QuoteThe state agencies seem to put troopers on "speed enforcement" and that becomes their primary job, rather than the multitude of tasks local police are involved in during a given a day. Alot of them seem to come down with "Officer Bob Syndrome" where speed enforcement is the be-all and end-all of their job, and they don't cut breaks, even in light traffic on a clear day on an open highway.
Off topic a bit, how many officers will give out tickets (on highways, mostly) for people doing bad habbit things like: merging too slow, sitting in the left lane, blocking the left lane of traffic (it really irks me when the limit is 70, and you have one guy doing 70, and another guy doing 70.5, and there is a line of cars behind them that's 10+ cars long.) Granted they are speeding, but is there a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic? And about the merging thing, a top 3 pet peeve of mine is people who merge onto highways going 35. They have this looong entrance ramp, at least get up to 55 or more appropriatly get going the speed of traffic. It seems like someone merging at 35 is more dangerous than the guy going 15 over the limit.
On topic, I haven't been caught yet for speeding so I'm not sure what it would take. I would assume anything over 500 + court time would get me to slow down a bit.
I'm slowing down now, but only because most of my commute comes with plenty of merciless cops who have nothing better to do than just harass kids on the way to campus. The look for Penn State parking stickers.
If it just starts getting expensive to speed I would stop speeding as much. At some point, there is no reason to waste that much money on having a little more fun.
QuoteQuoteIt would take a car that really isn't much fun at speed. Like a Trooper... ;)
Good answer. :lol:
I'd love to get L. Ed Foote's answer on this. He's pretty much a "penalties be damned" type of speeder.
To be honest with you, I don't know.
Threaten to suspend my license? Nah, that didn't work.
Actually suspend my license? That didn't work either. The only way you'll catch me is if you pull me over again. That may be the day after, or it may be 5 years later.
Speeding tickets? Nope. From infraction to actually paying, I have 3 months to pony up my loot. And that's if the ticket doesn't get dismissed, for whatever reason.
Drive an econobox? Nah, been nailed anywhere from 15-25 over in a Geo Metro, a Toyota Corolla (early 80's model), and a Chevy Spectrum.
I guess the only way to get me to stop speeding is to eliminate speed limits. Either that or you'll have to impound my car right there on the spot. That's the reason why I keep it under 30 over; reckless endagerment in NYS, and I think your car's impounded on the spot.
Maybe if I were caught more often, I'd stop? Naaah
FWIW, I drop the hammer on highways, thruways, expressways & parkways. I cool it in residential areas, and school zones.
I don't speed to get a kick or a thrill, I do it because it's practical. Distance driving is boring. Especially in the southern states. The faster I drive, the sooner I arrive at my destination & quicker I get it over with.
Nothing personal with those in LE, you have to do what you have to do, I have to do what I have to do. You catch me, fine. If not (which is more likely), even better. The law's on the books, but it'll take all your resources to enforce it properly
Let's face it. If I drive cross country at high speeds without incident, and I get nailed for speeding, it doesn't change the fact that up until the point I was cited, I was clipping along above the posted limit.
But as it stands now I will, and will continue to, drive as fast as conditions will allow.
QuoteTo be honest with you, I don't know.
Threaten to suspend my license? Nah, that didn't work.
Actually suspend my license? That didn't work either. The only way you'll catch me is if you pull me over again. That may be the day after, or it may be 5 years later.
Speeding tickets? Nope. From infraction to actually paying, I have 3 months to pony up my loot. And that's if the ticket doesn't get dismissed, for whatever reason.
Drive an econobox? Nah, been nailed anywhere from 15-25 over in a Geo Metro, a Toyota Corolla (early 80's model), and a Chevy Spectrum.
I guess the only way to get me to stop speeding is to eliminate speed limits. Either that or you'll have to impound my car right there on the spot. That's the reason why I keep it under 30 over; reckless endagerment in NYS, and I think your car's impounded on the spot.
Maybe if I were caught more often, I'd stop? Naaah
FWIW, I drop the hammer on highways, thruways, expressways & parkways. I cool it in residential areas, and school zones.
I don't speed to get a kick or a thrill, I do it because it's practical. Distance driving is boring. Especially in the southern states. The faster I drive, the sooner I arrive at my destination & quicker I get it over with.
Nothing personal with those in LE, you have to do what you have to do, I have to do what I have to do. You catch me, fine. If not (which is more likely), even better. The law's on the books, but it'll take all your resources to enforce it properly
Let's face it. If I drive cross country at high speeds without incident, and I get nailed for speeding, it doesn't change the fact that up until the point I was cited, I was clipping along above the posted limit.
But as it stands now I will, and will continue to, drive as fast as conditions will allow.
Dude, your attitude matches mine almost exactly. The only real difference is that I've never had my license suspended, though I was threatened with suspension once if I got any additional tickets.
Generally, I don't worry about getting a ticket unless I've gotten two tickets within the previous 18 months or so. Once, I got two tickets within ten minutes of each other. I paid two fines, and it wasn't that big a deal. I just felt stupid for allowing myself to get nailed again so quickly. What was the shortest time you ever went between tickets?
What if you had to do two full days of community service every time you got nailed for speeding? What impact would that have?
QuoteIf it just starts getting expensive to speed I would stop speeding as much. At some point, there is no reason to waste that much money on having a little more fun.
Hey man, are you back in school yet? How's the year going for you so far?
QuoteQuoteQuoteIt would take a car that really isn't much fun at speed. Like a Trooper... ;)
Good answer. :lol:
I'd love to get L. Ed Foote's answer on this. He's pretty much a "penalties be damned" type of speeder.
To be honest with you, I don't know.
Threaten to suspend my license? Nah, that didn't work.
Actually suspend my license? That didn't work either. The only way you'll catch me is if you pull me over again. That may be the day after, or it may be 5 years later.
Speeding tickets? Nope. From infraction to actually paying, I have 3 months to pony up my loot. And that's if the ticket doesn't get dismissed, for whatever reason.
Drive an econobox? Nah, been nailed anywhere from 15-25 over in a Geo Metro, a Toyota Corolla (early 80's model), and a Chevy Spectrum.
I guess the only way to get me to stop speeding is to eliminate speed limits. Either that or you'll have to impound my car right there on the spot. That's the reason why I keep it under 30 over; reckless endagerment in NYS, and I think your car's impounded on the spot.
Maybe if I were caught more often, I'd stop? Naaah
FWIW, I drop the hammer on highways, thruways, expressways & parkways. I cool it in residential areas, and school zones.
I don't speed to get a kick or a thrill, I do it because it's practical. Distance driving is boring. Especially in the southern states. The faster I drive, the sooner I arrive at my destination & quicker I get it over with.
Nothing personal with those in LE, you have to do what you have to do, I have to do what I have to do. You catch me, fine. If not (which is more likely), even better. The law's on the books, but it'll take all your resources to enforce it properly
Let's face it. If I drive cross country at high speeds without incident, and I get nailed for speeding, it doesn't change the fact that up until the point I was cited, I was clipping along above the posted limit.
But as it stands now I will, and will continue to, drive as fast as conditions will allow.
Spoken like a seasoned speeder :praise:
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteIt would take a car that really isn't much fun at speed. Like a Trooper... ;)
Good answer. :lol:
I'd love to get L. Ed Foote's answer on this. He's pretty much a "penalties be damned" type of speeder.
To be honest with you, I don't know.
Threaten to suspend my license? Nah, that didn't work.
Actually suspend my license? That didn't work either. The only way you'll catch me is if you pull me over again. That may be the day after, or it may be 5 years later.
Speeding tickets? Nope. From infraction to actually paying, I have 3 months to pony up my loot. And that's if the ticket doesn't get dismissed, for whatever reason.
Drive an econobox? Nah, been nailed anywhere from 15-25 over in a Geo Metro, a Toyota Corolla (early 80's model), and a Chevy Spectrum.
I guess the only way to get me to stop speeding is to eliminate speed limits. Either that or you'll have to impound my car right there on the spot. That's the reason why I keep it under 30 over; reckless endagerment in NYS, and I think your car's impounded on the spot.
Maybe if I were caught more often, I'd stop? Naaah
FWIW, I drop the hammer on highways, thruways, expressways & parkways. I cool it in residential areas, and school zones.
I don't speed to get a kick or a thrill, I do it because it's practical. Distance driving is boring. Especially in the southern states. The faster I drive, the sooner I arrive at my destination & quicker I get it over with.
Nothing personal with those in LE, you have to do what you have to do, I have to do what I have to do. You catch me, fine. If not (which is more likely), even better. The law's on the books, but it'll take all your resources to enforce it properly
Let's face it. If I drive cross country at high speeds without incident, and I get nailed for speeding, it doesn't change the fact that up until the point I was cited, I was clipping along above the posted limit.
But as it stands now I will, and will continue to, drive as fast as conditions will allow.
Spoken like a seasoned speeder :praise:
Foote's definitely a seasoned speeder. He embodies that quintessentially American attitude of strong defiance of authority that is (sometimes) improperly exercised.
I also like the way that, unlike other speeders who get nailed, he harbors no personal animosity toward law enforcement. He knows he could get nailed, and when he does, he takes it like a man, and keeps right on speeding.
Most of it is a mind game anyway. Penalties for speeding are not great, in the grand scheme of things, and for most people, the trauma they put themselves through when they get caught is far worse than the penalty itself. Foote is wise to that game, and declines to play it.
There's a lot to respect in his attitude toward the whole game.
QuoteDude, your attitude matches mine almost exactly. The only real difference is that I've never had my license suspended, though I was threatened with suspension once if I got any additional tickets.
Generally, I don't worry about getting a ticket unless I've gotten two tickets within the previous 18 months or so. Once, I got two tickets within ten minutes of each other. I paid two fines, and it wasn't that big a deal. I just felt stupid for allowing myself to get nailed again so quickly. What was the shortest time you ever went between tickets?
What if you had to do two full days of community service every time you got nailed for speeding? What impact would that have?
Shortest time between two tickets? I believe it was a month, back in 1996. I was nailed in Sharon Springs (Rt. 20). When I went to contest that ticket a month later, I was nailed on the Taconic Parkway.
It seems that speeding tickets are always pleaded down to a lesser charge (unless you act like an ass), so it seems I don't have to worry about getting 3 tickets in a 18 month period.
If I had to do 2 full days of community service, I'd still speed. It's part of the "fine" so I'd have to "pay." Time or $$ it makes little difference to me. I'd rather have the time, (I can make back the $$), but if those are the lumps I have to take, so be it. Wouldn't be the end of the world.
QuoteShortest time between two tickets? I believe it was a month, back in 1996. I was nailed in Sharon Springs (Rt. 20). When I went to contest that ticket a month later, I was nailed on the Taconic Parkway.
It seems that speeding tickets are always pleaded down to a lesser charge (unless you act like an ass), so it seems I don't have to worry about getting 3 tickets in a 18 month period.
If I had to do 2 full days of community service, I'd still speed. It's part of the "fine" so I'd have to "pay." Time or $$ it makes little difference to me. I'd rather have the time, (I can make back the $$), but if those are the lumps I have to take, so be it. Wouldn't be the end of the world.
You got a ticket on your way to court for a ticket you got a month before? That's pretty funny, man. :lol:
I have to agree that if I had to do two days of community service for speeding, I'd suck it up and continue to speed, as long as I wasn't getting nailed too often. I could probably deal with doing it about once a year or so.
Foote, I can see that you're not a guy who's too suseptible to behavior modification. :D It must have been a lot of fun for your dad, teachers, principals, etc. to try to discipline you when you were a kid. I'm sure you gave them a run for their money. :P
QuoteFoote, I can see that you're not a guy who's too suseptible to behavior modification. :D It must have been a lot of fun for your dad, teachers, principals, etc. to try to discipline you when you were a kid. I'm sure you gave them a run for their money. :P
My father gave me enough rope to hang myself. I never did. He played it straight with me, I did the same with him. He knows my value system, and how I put pride and honor before anything else. And I won't do anything extremely stupid.
I never was a bad kid, I'd do as asked, no problem. I hate attention, so I don't like acting up or out. Never felt the need to show off to others, I really didn't care what others thought of me. Still don't. It's good to be an introvert sometimes.
If I detect that you don't have my best interests at hand, then I get stubborn, and we have a problem on our hands.
I also don't see eye to eye with those who overstate their importance to me.
But yeah, I've taken my fair share of lumps.
Honestly though, other than removing speed limits, I'd need a cop in front of me and a cop behind me at all times.
QuoteHonestly though, other than removing speed limits, I'd need a cop in front of me and a cop behind me at all times.
Even that's not guaranteed...
On my way to Montreal Labor Day Weekend, a slick-topped statie blew past me like I was standing still. I tried pacing him @ 100, and he was pulling away from me, hard...
QuoteQuoteHonestly though, other than removing speed limits, I'd need a cop in front of me and a cop behind me at all times.
Even that's not guaranteed...
On my way to Montreal Labor Day Weekend, a slick-topped statie blew past me like I was standing still. I tried pacing him @ 100, and he was pulling away from me, hard...
That's happened to me before, too. But what I really meant was an escort.
I'll never stop speeding. If penalties get bad enough I'll cough up the moeny for a good radar detector.
QuoteQuoteHonestly though, other than removing speed limits, I'd need a cop in front of me and a cop behind me at all times.
Even that's not guaranteed...
On my way to Montreal Labor Day Weekend, a slick-topped statie blew past me like I was standing still. I tried pacing him @ 100, and he was pulling away from me, hard...
That's pretty cool, man. I have had similar experiences a couple of times.
One time, I was in the left lane of the Merritt Parkway (in Connecticut), going about 75 mph. I saw a cop come racing up behind me, with his lights off. I thought I might be busted for speeding and was waiting for him to put his lights on.
But he didn't put his lights on, and I moved over into the right lane, and he sped past me. I let him get a little ahead of me, and then I paced him at a safe distance, going about 80-85 mph. I couldn't keep up with him, and I eventually lost him. Still, it felt great to do some serious speeding right under a cop's nose, and get away with it. :lol:
QuoteI'll never stop speeding. If penalties get bad enough I'll cough up the moeny for a good radar detector.
That pretty much describes the way I feel.
One of my friends was stopped at a light next to a cop. He starts reving up his engine and looks at him and basically tells him "let's race".
They really raced... The cop let my friend get a head start, but he zoomed by him and laughed.
I speed within limits, usually 0-10 over, except on the highway where I'll get up to 75 or 80 on a normal day. Then again, that highway's flow of traffic is usually around 75, so you're not exactly risking a ticket going 80 in the left lane.
BTW, Catman brought up a good point: Local officers are usually much more courteous, relaxed, and lenient than county or state officers, unless you really piss them off.
The only times I've been caught (and ticketed) for speeding was when I was in a hurry to get somewhere. Since it took 15-20 minutes to be ticketed, it wasn't worth it. Since then, I've spent a lot of time watching cars passing me, then catching up with them when we get to the next intersection. I find it amusing when I happen to catch a green light at an intersection and drive past a car that passed me a mile or two back that got caught by the red light. Not only am I making better time, but I'm saving a small amount of gas also....and not risking a ticket.
When I do feel the need for fun, I just find a twisty country road out in the county, cruise it once to see if there are any kids playing, farm tractors, or policeman on the road, then drive it for fun. If it has enough curves, and the curves are sharp enough, I don't even have to break the speed limit to reach a good thrill level. I've found the "sensation" of going fast is just as much fun as going fast.
Edit: The photo of my Saab in the signature was taken on one of those "fun" rides.
Uh......nothing :lol: :rockon:
I'm always 20-30 over the limit.
I've never gotten a ticket.
But honestly, the one thing to make me stop speeding would be to increase the Speed Limits to about 100 mph. B)
Better yet, NO LIMITS!!! :rockon:
Oh yeah, parents. :rolleyes:
QuoteUh......nothing :lol: :rockon:
I'm always 20-30 over the limit.
I've never gotten a ticket.
But honestly, the one thing to make me stop speeding would be to increase the Speed Limits to about 100 mph. B)
Better yet, NO LIMITS!!! :rockon:
How long have you been driving?
QuoteQuoteUh......nothing :lol: :rockon:
I'm always 20-30 over the limit.
I've never gotten a ticket.
But honestly, the one thing to make me stop speeding would be to increase the Speed Limits to about 100 mph. B)
Better yet, NO LIMITS!!! :rockon:
How long have you been driving?
not very long apparently. :lol:
QuoteQuoteQuoteUh......nothing :lol:? :rockon:
I'm always 20-30 over the limit.
I've never gotten a ticket.
But honestly, the one thing to make me stop speeding would be to increase the Speed Limits to about 100 mph. B)
Better yet, NO LIMITS!!! :rockon:
How long have you been driving?
not very long apparently. :lol:
:lol:
Probably true. If you're going 20-30 over all the time, you'll see the flashing lights behind you at some point.
It's funny how you know you're in trouble when the guy gets out of the car behind you, and you see the stripe on his pants. As soon as you see the stripe, you know your a** is fried. One time, I passed a completely unmarked car going pretty fast, and at the next light, he pulled up behind me. Not knowing at first that it was a cop, I watched through the rear view mirror as the car door opened, and as soon as the guy stuck his leg out, I knew what awaited me. Pretty funny.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteUh......nothing :lol:? :rockon:
I'm always 20-30 over the limit.
I've never gotten a ticket.
But honestly, the one thing to make me stop speeding would be to increase the Speed Limits to about 100 mph. B)
Better yet, NO LIMITS!!! :rockon:
How long have you been driving?
not very long apparently. :lol:
:lol:
Probably true. If you're going 20-30 over all the time, you'll see the flashing lights behind you at some point.
It's funny how you know you're in trouble when the guy gets out of the car behind you, and you see the stripe on his pants. As soon as you see the stripe, you know your a** is fried. One time, I passed a completely unmarked car going pretty fast, and at the next light, he pulled up behind me. Not knowing at first that it was a cop, I watched through the rear view mirror as the car door opened, and as soon as the guy stuck his leg out, I knew what awaited me. Pretty funny.
Hasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
I don't speed just for the fun of it.(Except when the road is windy and clear, but that's a whole different story. :P )
I just simply keep it with traffic on the highway.
Neighborhoods are different. I drive exactly the speed limit. No faster, no slower.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteUh......nothing :lol:? :rockon:
I'm always 20-30 over the limit.
I've never gotten a ticket.
But honestly, the one thing to make me stop speeding would be to increase the Speed Limits to about 100 mph. B)
Better yet, NO LIMITS!!! :rockon:
How long have you been driving?
not very long apparently. :lol:
:lol:
Probably true. If you're going 20-30 over all the time, you'll see the flashing lights behind you at some point.
It's funny how you know you're in trouble when the guy gets out of the car behind you, and you see the stripe on his pants. As soon as you see the stripe, you know your a** is fried. One time, I passed a completely unmarked car going pretty fast, and at the next light, he pulled up behind me. Not knowing at first that it was a cop, I watched through the rear view mirror as the car door opened, and as soon as the guy stuck his leg out, I knew what awaited me. Pretty funny.
Hasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
After the initial surprise, it's not a big deal. Eventually, you get used to it and get over it. A ticket isn't the end of the world.
QuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
QuoteProbably true. If you're going 20-30 over all the time, you'll see the flashing lights behind you at some point.
Probably. With the correct combination of educated awareness on the highway and a decent radar/laser detector, you could go quite a few years getting away with it, though.
But, if he's doing it in residential/non-highway areas, though, he ain't going to last too long.
QuoteHa, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Yeah, if you're white, that almost never happens. ;) :lol:
QuoteQuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
The officer won't, but my parents will. ;)
QuoteQuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
My sentiments exactly. I've had lots of things cost me a lot more than any of my speeding tickets ever did, so speeding tickets aren't too high up on the list of things I dread in life. Would I rather not get one? Sure. But I'm not going to lose too much sleep when I do get one.
As far as the young guys are concerned, I never did get a ticket when I still had to answer to my parents for it. They probably would have taken away my driving privileges at that point, or refused to continue insuring my car. So I had to be a little more careful then. Now I only have to answer to the state.
The bottom line is, unless you drive like an old lady, tickets are a fact of life. I'd rather drive the way I want and get a ticket every so often than drive like an old lady and keep a clean license. Everybody makes their choice.
QuoteQuoteQuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
My sentiments exactly. I've had lots of things cost me a lot more than any of my speeding tickets ever did, so speeding tickets aren't too high up on the list of things I dread in life. Would I rather not get one? Sure. But I'm not going to lose too much sleep when I do get one.
As far as the young guys are concerned, I never did get a ticket when I still had to answer to my parents for it. They probably would have taken away my driving privileges at that point, or refused to continue insuring my car. So I had to be a little more careful then. Now I only have to answer to the state.
The bottom line is, unless you drive like an old lady, tickets are a fact of life. I'd rather drive the way I want and get a ticket every so often than drive like an old lady and keep a clean license. Everybody makes their choice.
Dude, i always ride my bike now, so i can't even get a ticket, and if i did, my parents would kill me. When i buy my own car, i'll speed all i want.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
My sentiments exactly. I've had lots of things cost me a lot more than any of my speeding tickets ever did, so speeding tickets aren't too high up on the list of things I dread in life. Would I rather not get one? Sure. But I'm not going to lose too much sleep when I do get one.
As far as the young guys are concerned, I never did get a ticket when I still had to answer to my parents for it. They probably would have taken away my driving privileges at that point, or refused to continue insuring my car. So I had to be a little more careful then. Now I only have to answer to the state.
The bottom line is, unless you drive like an old lady, tickets are a fact of life. I'd rather drive the way I want and get a ticket every so often than drive like an old lady and keep a clean license. Everybody makes their choice.
Dude, i always ride my bike now, so i can't even get a ticket, and if i did, my parents would kill me. When i buy my own car, i'll speed all i want.
Trust me...rag you are not gonna enjoy those expensive tickets...speed will care!
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
My sentiments exactly. I've had lots of things cost me a lot more than any of my speeding tickets ever did, so speeding tickets aren't too high up on the list of things I dread in life. Would I rather not get one? Sure. But I'm not going to lose too much sleep when I do get one.
As far as the young guys are concerned, I never did get a ticket when I still had to answer to my parents for it. They probably would have taken away my driving privileges at that point, or refused to continue insuring my car. So I had to be a little more careful then. Now I only have to answer to the state.
The bottom line is, unless you drive like an old lady, tickets are a fact of life. I'd rather drive the way I want and get a ticket every so often than drive like an old lady and keep a clean license. Everybody makes their choice.
Dude, i always ride my bike now, so i can't even get a ticket, and if i did, my parents would kill me. When i buy my own car, i'll speed all i want.
Trust me...rag you are not gonna enjoy those expensive tickets...speed will care!
"Speed all I want" meaning I won't be nearly as careful. ;)
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteHasn't happened to me yet, but i'd have a heart attack if it did.
Ha, why? It's not like the officer is going to pull you out of the car and beat you with his night stick! :lol:
Getting a ticket is a fact of life - it happens sometimes. It's just unexpected. But hey, oilfilter's lost cell phone (see General Talk) cost more than most speeding tickets. ;)
My sentiments exactly. I've had lots of things cost me a lot more than any of my speeding tickets ever did, so speeding tickets aren't too high up on the list of things I dread in life. Would I rather not get one? Sure. But I'm not going to lose too much sleep when I do get one.
As far as the young guys are concerned, I never did get a ticket when I still had to answer to my parents for it. They probably would have taken away my driving privileges at that point, or refused to continue insuring my car. So I had to be a little more careful then. Now I only have to answer to the state.
The bottom line is, unless you drive like an old lady, tickets are a fact of life. I'd rather drive the way I want and get a ticket every so often than drive like an old lady and keep a clean license. Everybody makes their choice.
Dude, i always ride my bike now, so i can't even get a ticket, and if i did, my parents would kill me. When i buy my own car, i'll speed all i want.
Trust me...rag you are not gonna enjoy those expensive tickets...speed will care!
"Speed all I want" meaning I won't be nearly as careful. ;)
Well...I know i talk about the fastest i've ever gone...but remember that was on a deserted road ;)
Jeez, here if you go like 6 mph over they'll stop you. :ph34r:
QuoteJeez, here if you go like 6 mph over they'll stop you. :ph34r:
Same here...only the cops go 10 over sometimes and if you go the same speed and they look at the speedo your getting the ticket-o ( :D )
Sadly, sometimes it's easier to go slow than watch out for cops.
I've only gotten 1 ticket in my life, of course at the time I had my drivers license for only a few months, and the ticket was for 65 in a 35, so it was a $200+ ticket.
With gas prices the way they are I don't speed any more. I set my cruise control to the speed limit exactly and turn up my stereo.
I've heard that some of the more communist European countries link fines with income. Now that would stink.
I don't like to let the government steal any more money from me than they already do.
QuoteSadly, sometimes it's easier to go slow than watch out for cops.
It's even easier to go fast, and take your chances :praise:
QuoteQuoteSadly, sometimes it's easier to go slow than watch out for cops.
It's even easier to go fast, and take your chances :praise:
If I did that it wouldn't be long before I wasn't driving
any speed.
QuoteQuoteQuoteSadly, sometimes it's easier to go slow than watch out for cops.
It's even easier to go fast, and take your chances :praise:
If I did that it wouldn't be long before I wasn't driving any speed.
I'm with Foote on this one.
There is a technique to speeding within reason that will generally mean that you won't even come close to getting nailed often enough for it to be a problem.
Remember, unless you're driving like you're on the Indy Speedway, one ticket is rarely a problem. The problem comes when you accumulate several tickets within a short time period. If you don't push the limits too far, you're unlikely to get tickets often enough for it to be a problem.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteSadly, sometimes it's easier to go slow than watch out for cops.
It's even easier to go fast, and take your chances :praise:
If I did that it wouldn't be long before I wasn't driving any speed.
I'm with Foote on this one.
There is a technique to speeding within reason that will generally mean that you won't even come close to getting nailed often enough for it to be a problem.
Remember, unless you're driving like you're on the Indy Speedway, one ticket is rarely a problem. The problem comes when you accumulate several tickets within a short time period. If you don't push the limits too far, you're unlikely to get tickets often enough for it to be a problem.
I don't disagree. I try to keep it no more than 5-7 over in a 30mph-ish zone, 10 over in a 45mph-ish zone, and 15 over in a 65mph-ish zone. That way you don't stick out from the flow of traffic and if you spot a cop it's easy to slow down even more before they get you. If a wide open, cop-free stretch presents itself then no rules apply :rockon: (except for basic common sense B) )
QuoteQuote from: dazzleman,Oct 23 2005, 09:39 AMI don't disagree. I try to keep it no more than 5-7 over in a 30mph-ish zone, 10 over in a 45mph-ish zone, and 15 over in a 65mph-ish zone. That way you don't stick out from the flow of traffic and if you spot a cop it's easy to slow down even more before they get you. If a wide open, cop-free stretch presents itself then no rules apply :rockon: (except for basic common sense B) )
I follow your same basic philosophy, though I have more liberal guidelines as to how far over the speed limit I will go.
But, it's those wide-open stretches that you think are cop-free where you're most likely to get nailed. At least that's been the case for me, with my last couple of tickets. I never get nailed in moderate traffic, though I've had some close calls.
AFAICT, you have quite a bit of time from flushing the cop to actually getting pulled over.
The key to getting away is knowing when you've flushed the cop and where you can get off or take any other sort of evasive action.
QuoteAFAICT, you have quite a bit of time from flushing the cop to actually getting pulled over.
The key to getting away is knowing when you've flushed the cop and where you can get off or take any other sort of evasive action.
Definitely. Alertness is the key.
The last time I got nailed, I didn't realize that I had a cop after me. It took him over a mile to catch up with me. In that stretch, while we were not within sight of each other, there was an entrance to the highway (I-95). Had I realized that I had passed a cop, I could have gotten on the highway innocently and been lost in traffic before he ever caught up with me.
Instead, I just drove along in blissful ignorance, thinking how lucky I was to be able to go so fast without any competing traffic. My blissful drive was then broken by flashing red lights behind me. :lol:
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteSadly, sometimes it's easier to go slow than watch out for cops.
It's even easier to go fast, and take your chances :praise:
If I did that it wouldn't be long before I wasn't driving any speed.
I'm with Foote on this one.
There is a technique to speeding within reason that will generally mean that you won't even come close to getting nailed often enough for it to be a problem.
Remember, unless you're driving like you're on the Indy Speedway, one ticket is rarely a problem. The problem comes when you accumulate several tickets within a short time period. If you don't push the limits too far, you're unlikely to get tickets often enough for it to be a problem.
I don't disagree. I try to keep it no more than 5-7 over in a 30mph-ish zone, 10 over in a 45mph-ish zone, and 15 over in a 65mph-ish zone. That way you don't stick out from the flow of traffic and if you spot a cop it's easy to slow down even more before they get you. If a wide open, cop-free stretch presents itself then no rules apply :rockon: (except for basic common sense B) )
I basically will only speed way over if...I know where the cops will sit if there are any and if the road is open...then its pedal to the metal...
I know my town really well since its considered a small town with a slight large town feel....so i know where to be careful...i also know the fun roads :rockon: