Is it illegal to accelerate fast?

[mhood]

Remember the movie "Doctor Strangelove" and the line "what's the point of building a doomsday machine if you don't tell anybody about it?"

Get it?

[LoneStar]

If you're quickly accelerating through the speed limit to get somewhere faster, how much time do you think you're actually saving? I bet it's no more than a minute or two saved per 50 miles.

[CrazyDan]

Like 90 percent of my family is in Law enforcement but not in this county so no have never used them to get out. Of my own actions. Never been cited but been pulled just to bug me. So no disrespect part rebel yes someone has to be. Having a roomate that is a lawyer and knowing your rights are nice. My ticket shouldn't depend on someones mood its wrong or right that should decide.

[crewxp]

lol wow, this got a whole lot more replies than I had thought it would get. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, and like I said in my OP, I would never do it near a cop, just out of respect for him. Just always curious about this. A WHAT-IF scenario.

If you saw me driving normally, I doubt you would think I was racing or anything, most people just think I'm a fast driver. It feels normal to drive like I do. I'm in no way putting the pedal to the floor, and I even accelerate smooth (more pressure on the pedal at higher speeds than less).

I'll have to go out today and actually time my usual speedups.

Originally Posted by LoneStarCamaro

If you're quickly accelerating through the speed limit to get somewhere faster, how much time do you think you're actually saving? I bet it's no more than a minute or two saved per 50 miles.

Not much, I agree. But Actually, in my city, at my normal speed, I just barely make the next light. Everyone else gets stuck behind XD

Do you really want to be the first one out of the gate like a bat out of hell?

I imagine the first time you have the luxury of experiencing a red-light runner, you won't be so quick to mash the go pedal as soon as the light turns green.

I hope all of you proclaiming that you mash the accelerator once the light turns green are looking both directions as far up the road as possible to make sure EVERYONE is stopping at the yellow/red light in front of them before you ever take your foot off the brake.

It happens too often and people just don't realize how quickly it can go from an enjoyable drive to a painful life lesson.

I know most people would say this, but I would consider myself pretty safe. I stop at ALL stop signs. Look both ways twice when going onto an intersection (To get out of my place, I have to pull onto a 70mph intersection. Became a habit.), never swerve onto other lanes when I'm driving, ALWAYS blinker, never run lights. But I admit I occasionally speed a bit on the highway (usually about 5mph, max 10, and only when I'm in a hurry. Usually going with the flow of traffic too). But I always make sure I'm a safe driver. I know the risks. My grandfather was actually a police officer. He died from spinal injury when I was little when he was hit by a red light runner. So :/

Originally Posted by stand-al0ne

I just had to laugh when the person who originated this thread has an avatar that shows "Drives: totaled"

no offense to you man, you may have not even been at fault, but reading the two at the same time cracked me up

And lol, its alright. Seems when someone hears "My car was totaled", they usually assume the driver is at fault first. It's a case I'm still fighting with my insurance (The other lady had no insurance, citizenship, and had expired tags/inspection too). And in my case, it was good how I regularly drive.

It was on thanksgiving and I was with my brother in law. I was the only one not drinking, so I was elected to pickup some butter for the food somehow. We were at a red light, it turned green, I went (I never accelerate fast when I have other people in my car. I make sure the ride is smooth ).

I saw her coming and not stopping, somehow I thought to think to speed up instead of the normal impulse of putting on the brakes so we wouldn't get it. The car hit us about an inch behind my brother in law's seat. She tried leaving the scene, but there was a cop nearby that saw it all. She flagged her down and ticketed her for leaving the scene, no tags, insurance, ID, or inspection. She said that it was a good thing that I had sped up or it would have been worse. Behind the seat was caved in about 2 ft. I know it doesn't help the OP case, but in my case, my natural acceleration tactics saved him

Funny thing is, my car was towed to the dealer and they let her drive home XD Something about since she technically came back to the scene (even if the cop flagged her down), the DA would dismiss it.

But bleh. It's all good now. Everyone's safe, other than a witness appearance I have to do, my insurance is handling everything. And most important, If my car wouldn't have been totaled, I most likely wouldn't have my camaro now

My other car just caved in so easily :/

[UT-Engineer]

The "Exhibition of Speed" law or anything similar is just so Gay! I'm all for safety but I cant stand law enforcement becuase 9 times out of 10 the "Enforcers" are the Violators. I cant even keep track of how many times I've seen d-bag cops speed for no good reason and type/look up crap on their laptops as they drive... isnt that the same as me texting and driving? they might as well as pop open a bud light while they're at it.

[midnighter]

There's accelerating fast to get to your desired speed (ok with a quiet exhaust) and there is a "ricer driveby" which is a senseless act commonly practiced by our younger drivers or immature drivers in their 30's driving cars such as mid '00 3 series BMWs, all years of Honda Civics, and fox body V6 Mustangs. These assholes just cause accidents and you to get pissed, step on it, and end up with a fat ticket.

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by CrazyDan

Like 90 percent of my family is in Law enforcement but not in this county so no have never used them to get out. Of my own actions. Never been cited but been pulled just to bug me. So no disrespect part rebel yes someone has to be. Having a roomate that is a lawyer and knowing your rights are nice. My ticket shouldn't depend on someones mood its wrong or right that should decide.

I am just messing with you, man...

I gotta think though, you and I both know what a true "take off" means and how it could be cited. You accel at the light up to 25-30 quick and begin to level off, nah...not even gonna bother that.

However, even with you having family in LE and lawyers as friends gotta know when you see another driver or some young kid being a dork taking off like a bat out of hell is a justified reason for a stop..

------------------------

To the poster that said a stop is like time out for adults? lol..odd, never looked at it that way. I like to think of it as many human beings are MORE understanding and willing to abide by any laws (whether they agree or not) if show just a bit of compassion. I think if I stop people and I am considerate, it will keep them in check...maybe they will think twice about it next time, that is all I am saying.

Now, there are some people that are just jerks and will only learn if you hit their wallet. You may think I sound harsh by saying that, but it is often I pull over a guy for 20-30 mph over the limit and they have 10-15 previous speeding tickets for the same thing...

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by UT-Enginner

The "Exhibition of Speed" law or anything similar is just so Gay! I'm all for safety but I cant stand law enforcement becuase 9 times out of 10 the "Enforcers" are the Violators. I cant even keep track of how many times I've seen d-bag cops speed for no good reason and type/look up crap on their laptops as they drive... isnt that the same as me texting and driving? they might as well as pop open a bud light while they're at it.

Wouldn't that lead you to believe they are actually doing WORK and going to a call? Most of our computers do not offer internet or "talk systems" such as AOL or Yahoo...

I agree, it is not safe once you are in motion....but if you see a cop face deep in his computer and he starts hauling a--, I would venture to say he is DOING something work related.

This has been discussed over and over on here...people don't know where cops are going and why they are driving the way they are. Many calls are moderate in priority which does not permit us to operate our vehicles in emergency mode, but we are told to respond "quickly". An example of this is a residential alarm..YOUR alarm going off, but I cannot confirm danger is exists so I am not authorized to siren and light up. Do you not want him there quickly?

I am not saying there are not bad apples..there are. However, realize I drive the same damn 10 miles over...and over....and over all day long. I have no desire AT ALL to get to the other side of town faster on Tuesday than I did on Monday just because I can. I do it because I AM going somewhere that needs my attention....not bashing you, just trying to add a different perspective.

[UT-Engineer]

Originally Posted by LoneStarCamaro

If you're quickly accelerating through the speed limit to get somewhere faster, how much time do you think you're actually saving? I bet it's no more than a minute or two saved per 50 miles.

Well depending on other factors such as location, traffic, and road construction, a little speed can make a difference. Im not saying that "excessive speed" is safe, but it does, at least in my case, make a difference versus time. I commute to and from San Antonio to Austin every weekday for work and I can easily gain 20+ mins in a one-way 75 mile trip with a little bit speed. I'll admit i do break the speed limit often but Im not acting like a jacka$$ swerving in and out of traffic or putting others at risk. I think speeders should only be ticketed when they are doing so in and around traffic. If someone wants to break 100mph and is all alone on the road, let them be. .... If only

[macwest]

Why draw attention to yourself. Also fighting a ticket I find a waste of my time. Rather just be cool then tempt fate. With that said here are a few codes speed contest, exhibition of speed and reckless driving

On 23109 If you do not exceed the posted speed limit you would win.

23109. (a) A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device. For purposes of this section, an event in which the time to cover a prescribed route of more than 20 miles is measured, but where the vehicle does not exceed the speed limits, is not a speed contest.

(b) A person shall not aid or abet in any motor vehicle speed contest on any highway.

(c) A person shall not engage in ( )1 a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway, and ( )2 a person shall not aid or abet in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on any highway.


But on 2202 if the offer can say you were trying to impress someone you may be guilty

2202. Exhibition of Speed
The defendant is charged [in Count ______] with engaging in an exhibition of speed.

To prove that the defendant is guilty of this crime, the People must prove that:

1. The defendant drove a motor vehicle on a highway;

AND

2. While so driving, the defendant willfully engaged in an exhibition of speed.

Someone commits an act willfully when he or she does it willingly or on purpose. It is not required that he or she intend to break the law, hurt someone else, or gain any advantage.

A person engages in an exhibition of speed when he or she accelerates or drives at a rate of speed that is dangerous and unsafe in order to show off or make an impression on someone else.

[The People must prove that the defendant intended to show off or impress someone but are not required to prove that the defendant intended to show off to or impress any particular person.]

[A motor vehicle includes a (passenger vehicle/motorcycle/motor scooter/bus/school bus/commercial vehicle/truck tractor and trailer/ <insert other type of motor vehicle>).]

[The term highway describes any area publicly maintained and open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel, and includes a street.]

[The term[s] (motor vehicle/ [and] highway) (is/are) defined in another instruction to which you should refer.]
(ref:http://www.justia.com/criminal/docs/...2100/2202.html)


Also Reckless driving 23103. While this is used in California more for drunk driving. ...Based on how fast you take off you could be cited under this. Since it states a prison term courts would rule mens rea, guilty mind, would need to be proven. So the mental intent becomes a major formation or breakdown of the case

23103. (a) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
(b) A person who drives a vehicle in an offstreet parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12500, in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 40008, persons( ) convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105.

[crewxp]

Originally Posted by brantley847

I am just messing with you, man...

I gotta think though, you and I both know what a true "take off" means and how it could be cited. You accel at the light up to 25-30 quick and begin to level off, nah...not even gonna bother that.

That's actually usually about what I do. When I accelerate and slow down, everything is always smooth. I'm going to go time it later just to see :P

[crewxp]

Oh yeah, kinda on same topic. I always laugh when I see people going so slow, yet NEVER stop at stop signs. I have yet to find a slow driver that stops at signs and blinkers. It's funny Anyone else ever see the same?

And something else I've noticed too. Most of those people never seem to have upkept cars. Always is old, has dents, cave in's, broken lights, etc.

Never saw accelerating fast as meaning you're an unsafe driver.

[UT-Engineer]

Originally Posted by brantley847

Wouldn't that lead you to believe they are actually doing WORK and going to a call? Most of our computers do not offer internet or "talk systems" such as AOL or Yahoo...

I agree, it is not safe once you are in motion....but if you see a cop face deep in his computer and he starts hauling a--, I would venture to say he is DOING something work related.

This has been discussed over and over on here...people don't know where cops are going and why they are driving the way they are. Many calls are moderate in priority which does not permit us to operate our vehicles in emergency mode, but we are told to respond "quickly". An example of this is a residential alarm..YOUR alarm going off, but I cannot confirm danger is exists so I am not authorized to siren and light up. Do you not want him there quickly?

I am not saying there are not bad apples..there are. However, realize I drive the same damn 10 miles over...and over....and over all day long. I have no desire AT ALL to get to the other side of town faster on Tuesday than I did on Monday just because I can. I do it because I AM going somewhere that needs my attention....not bashing you, just trying to add a different perspective.

Im sure the "violations" officers make are essential to their job as you poitned out, possibly responding to a call near by etc. but it just looks suspicious as I see unsafe driving by officers all too often.

[mhood]

<SARCASM>Yea, I bought my SS because of how slow and smooth it accelerated.</SARCASM>

Should have gotten an automatic...would make it easier to drive like my Grandmother.