Beat the Heat: Speeding Tickets

[Pencil.Fight]

Ok, an old co-worker of mine told me about a trick you can use to reduce the effects of a speeding ticket. I debated whether or not I should post this, for fear of it getting in the wrong hands and the loophole fixing itself, but it may not even be true, so here goes.

So you're driving down the road, going 75 in a 60 mph zone. The cop pulls you over and walks up to your window. What do you do? You're polite as can be, you thank him for watching out for your safety, and tell him to have a nice day. This has nothing to do with the loophole, but it's always nice to be courteous, they're just doing their jobs after all.

When it comes to sending in the fine for the ticket, send in a check for more than the ticket calls for. For example, if the ticket is for $212.37, send in a check for $213. Now, here comes the tricky part. Supposedly my co-worker was told by a lawyer friend of his that the City is now required to send you a refund for the extra amount that you paid. When you get the check, don't cash it. As long as the refund remains uncashed, the ticket is considered open and it will not show up on your insurance (or maybe even your driving record?).

Now, I got pulled over August of last year (my third speeding ticket) and decided that it would be worth the 50 cents to test this, even though there's no way it could be true, right?

Well, I never got any refund check in the mail, but that could be because I moved to a new apartment a couple of months later. However, it's been over a year and my insurance rates have not gone up at all.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't consider this proof that it worked. I have no idea how car insurance works, and I am afraid to talk to my insurance agent for fear of alerting him to the ticket ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it").

The 3 year mark for my first speeding ticket, before I knew about this, is coming up on October 1st, so when I go in to talk to them about that, I'll test the water and see what else is on my record.

Any one else have any tips on beating the system where cars are concerned: Speeding tickets, radar detectors, insurance in general, etc.?

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by Pencil.Fight

Any one else have any tips on beating the system where cars are concerned: Speeding tickets, radar detectors, insurance in general, etc.?

Yeah......

Don't get pulled over for breaking the law!

INS usually checks and only takes action after three tickets...USAA

[TFord]

gotta love USAA

[Eisenhower]

Originally Posted by Pencil.Fight

Any one else have any tips on beating the system where cars are concerned: Speeding tickets, radar detectors, insurance in general, etc.?

1. On the highway, never speed around corners or over hills even if you're familiar with that route. Aside from not being able to see what's around the bend, cops love to hang out clockin' folks from the other side.

2. Despite you having the best detector on the market, a lot of cops leave their radar guns off until they can see you. This is so that your detector can not give you advance notice of a police presence thereby deadening your reaction time to slow down.

3. BEWARE: Sometimes cops park on the entrance ramp to a highway just off an overpass. Be mindful, they can clock you from behind.

4. MOVE: Always allow the Claude behind you that wants to do 95, to go ahead of you. As he/she passes, smile and wave as a form of gratitude; this individual has just volunteered to become your new "guinea pig". Stay a safe distance behind, your guinea pig is an irresistible snack and will flush out any cops who may be lurking.

5. BE AWARE: Sometimes, motorists on the opposite side will flash their lights warning of impending doom waiting in the distance. Check your speed! Take care to slow down and proceed with caution.

6. Keep your eyes on the road but be alert for Cessna aircraft that may be monitoring your activity from above.

7. Police aren't allowed to clock from private property. You might be able to contest any citations issued if this is your case.

8. Some departments have enlisted the assistance of unmarked units. It may be difficult for you to distinguish between that of a law enforcement officer and your average Joe. These units usually have tinted windows making it tough to see it's occupants. But a keen eye can make out the blue flashers sitting at the bottom of the back window and the light bar perched at the top, just above it.
If a vehicle approaches you from behind, check for any silver or black laptop that may be present close to their dashboard, a possible sign that there's a cop behind you. These vehicles come in all shapes and sizes; I've seen VW Beetle's to 4X4 pickup's carrying a bed-mounted toolbox.

9. In some jurisdictions, the police like to play dress-up! You may see them posing as city electrical workers, surveyors, phone line repair or even maintenance crews. Believe that they are out there clockin'. Slow down.

10. Remember, you're probably being recorded so you want the officer to explain the reason(s) for the stop.

11. Finally, if you know you're busted and give in, you'll have to check but you may be able to take advantage of a local driving school. This usually results in a reduced fine and no points applied to your record if you complete the course.

[Jak]

What helps around here is that the State troopers and Corrections are in the same union and if you've got a union sticker in your window and if you don't cop (sorry Tag ) an attitude and you don't make an ass of yourself by flashing your badge around like your king(blank) and you show him proper respect, the officer'll let you go with a warning. I try not to push it, I've been stopped once for speeding an twice for seatbelt. Never got a ticket on any of them. I've had officers strike up conversation about what it's like working in prisons. It's amazing how many of them think were allowed to carry weapons inside an how many say there's not enough money to get them to work in there.

[CamaroSpike23]

Join the military

[Mr. Wyndham]

Get a detector, and use it wisely, if it beeps...slow down!!!

But seriously. If I'm really hammering it...and that's a BIG 'if', then it's on a baracaded freeway, at night, and I'm paying atention to make sure there are no potential hiding spots the police may use. Other than that..I keep it on the track.

A little O/T, but on one day in my life, I'm shipping my car over to Germany, and I'm running the Nurburgring. Then I can die happy.

[CamaroSpike23]

AUTOBAHN FTW!!!

[Mr. Wyndham]

This thing is nicknamed "The Green Hell." And has actually claimed lives. They strongly recommend allowing a trained Nurburgring driver to take you around in one of their cars. For obvious reasons, but I you can pay a price, and your allowed to go yourself.

take a look, they actuall printed out a page of saftey regs. :eek:
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/safety-leaflet.pdf

Ironically, on thier site; they beg you not to time your laps. and yet, they offer the fastest laptimes recorded...

[TAG UR IT]

Back on topic.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by Eisenhower

1. On the highway, never speed around corners or over hills even if you're familiar with that route. Aside from not being able to see what's around the bend, cops love to hang out clockin' folks from the other side.
YEP
2. Despite you having the best detector on the market, a lot of cops leave their radar guns off until they can see you. This is so that your detector can not give you advance notice of a police presence thereby deadening your reaction time to slow down.
YEP
3. BEWARE: Sometimes cops park on the entrance ramp to a highway just off an overpass. Be mindful, they can clock you from behind.
YEP
4. MOVE: Always allow the Claude behind you that wants to do 95, to go ahead of you. As he/she passes, smile and wave as a form of gratitude; this individual has just volunteered to become your new "guinea pig". Stay a safe distance behind, your guinea pig is an irresistible snack and will flush out any cops who may be lurking.
YEP!
5. BE AWARE: Sometimes, motorists on the opposite side will flash their lights warning of impending doom waiting in the distance. Check your speed! Take care to slow down and proceed with caution.
Which is illegal as well...be careful if you want to warn others...they might be watching for that too. and...YEP.
6. Keep your eyes on the road but be alert for Cessna aircraft that may be monitoring your activity from above.
Not too common (mainly out in remote areas in highly travelled HWYS). YEP
7. Police aren't allowed to clock from private property. You might be able to contest any citations issued if this is your case.
WHAT????????????? SAYS WHO? NOPE.
8. Some departments have enlisted the assistance of unmarked units. It may be difficult for you to distinguish between that of a law enforcement officer and your average Joe. These units usually have tinted windows making it tough to see it's occupants. But a keen eye can make out the blue flashers sitting at the bottom of the back window and the light bar perched at the top, just above it.
If a vehicle approaches you from behind, check for any silver or black laptop that may be present close to their dashboard, a possible sign that there's a cop behind you. These vehicles come in all shapes and sizes; I've seen VW Beetle's to 4X4 pickup's carrying a bed-mounted toolbox.
YEP.
9. In some jurisdictions, the police like to play dress-up! You may see them posing as city electrical workers, surveyors, phone line repair or even maintenance crews. Believe that they are out there clockin'. Slow down.
Not here. But I've heard of it.
10. Remember, you're probably being recorded so you want the officer to explain the reason(s) for the stop.
YEP. Unless you'd like to explain! I love it when people tell me why I stopped them (not that I run traffic all that often anyway).
11. Finally, if you know you're busted and give in, you'll have to check but you may be able to take advantage of a local driving school. This usually results in a reduced fine and no points applied to your record if you complete the course.

Take probation first. If you get another ticket while on probation, take the defensive driving. It'll save you from having to pay the first ticket. Also, save that defensive driving for tickets you receive far from home. Other jurisdictions won't give probation if you don't live there (cause you can't screw up again in their area).

Originally Posted by Jak

What helps around here is that the State troopers and Corrections are in the same union and if you've got a union sticker in your window and if you don't cop (sorry Tag ) an attitude and you don't make an ass of yourself by flashing your badge around like your king(blank) and you show him proper respect, the officer'll let you go with a warning. I try not to push it, I've been stopped once for speeding an twice for seatbelt. Never got a ticket on any of them. I've had officers strike up conversation about what it's like working in prisons. It's amazing how many of them think were allowed to carry weapons inside an how many say there's not enough money to get them to work in there.

Don't be sorry. Stickers sometimes make us ask. But, I've had people w/ SAPOA stickers on their cars before, stopped them, asked them why they had it, and then they told me their cousin was on the dept. I asked who their cousin was. Mark.....uh......uh....... Yeah. TICKET. Don't lie to me...

[Eisenhower]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

7. Police aren't allowed to clock from private property. You might be able to contest any citations issued if this is your case.
WHAT????????????? SAYS WHO? NOPE.

The law says. Private property is just that, you can get sued for trespassing. This is why you see troopers clockin' on the side of the road and not parked in someone's driveway do it. You know that, TAG. You can't search their vehicle without their permission or even search their house without a warrant.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by Eisenhower

The law says. Private property is just that, you can get sued for trespassing. This is why you see troopers clockin' on the side of the road and not parked in someone's driveway do it. You know that, TAG. You can't search their vehicle without their permission or even search their house without a warrant.

I understand what private property is. You can get into a bad situation with a property owner if signs are properly posted...unless a police officer has legal authority to enter the area (mainly talking about curtilage here). I could go on, but would rather refer anyone who's interested to check out their states penal code regarding Criminal Trespass.

I can run radar from private property all day long. I won't run radar from peoples residential driveways (if this is what you were referring to)....even though I have had MANY who have asked me to do that before (since they are sick of people speeding through their neighborhood).

I will (on rare occassion) run radar from the front parking lots of businesses alongside the road. I don't do this too often, but there's nothing wrong with it. Now, if someone asked me to leave, that's fine by me. If the owner wants people flying by their business putting their customers at risk of getting into accidents when trying to leave their parking lots, that's fine by me. But, there is nothing ILLEGAL about it. Maybe in your neck of the woods, it is....but not here.

As far as searching peoples cars and houses....THAT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TOPIC. I know when I can and can't search peoples cars and houses, how consent works, and also how plain view works.

[Eisenhower]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I will (on rare occassion) run radar from the front parking lots of businesses alongside the road. I don't do this too often, but there's nothing wrong with it. Now, if someone asked me to leave, that's fine by me.

"Now, if someone asked me to leave, that's fine by me."

I'm curious as to what you mean by that. Being that there's nothing wrong with it and all, why would you honor their request? Seems like most cops would tell you to scam or risk being arrested for obstruction.