Is it illegal to accelerate fast?

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by THE EVIL TW1N

What department do you work for that has stepped up enforcement of the law for additional revenue?? We are facing layoffs in my department and not one Sgt., Lt., or Chief has stepped up to say anything close to the sort.

When there is stepped up enforcement, it's usually because a council member complained about a certain problem that the public informed him/her about.

It is humorous...

General population seems to think the base level officer cares at all about budget concerns or restrictions. If I write 1000 tickets a year or 10, I do not get any new equipment or raises...it makes no difference. If I have to write it, I write it because the guy was probably a jerk. If he is cool and honest about his mistake, he gets a warning from me...obviously not all cops are that way.

I haven't had one person approach me and tell me I need to increase production..it is a way for people to justify why they are getting tickets and continue to fail to take responsibility for their own actions. If you guys see 10 troopers lined up on a highway it is because people are getting injured in crashes in that area OR someone keeps complaining about reckless driving...trust me, the Q tip who keeps calling about people speeding in her neighborhood get far more results than any of our input.

The comments about "how do I get in trouble for how I accel" are extremely ignorant. Come on guys, YOU KNOW when you accel in a safe manner and when you are doing it to show off, shove it in a mustangs face, or just for S n G's. Trust me, I know when I do it, and you all know...it should not be a surprise to you when you get stopped. Exhibition of speed, racing to accel, reckless...they all fall within those limitations. If you are quickly pulling away from EVERYONE just to reach the speed limit, chances are you can be cited and convicted. I do not cite for this if people don't see me...however, the OP (and I mean you no disrespect sir, just using your statements as a reference) saying "If I did this right next to a cop" would I get stopped... is an absolute show of disrespect and you will be someone a cop unloads his ticket book on...

[the Kolektor]

Originally Posted by brantley847

It is humorous...

General population seems to think the base level officer cares at all about budget concerns or restrictions. If I write 1000 tickets a year or 10, I do not get any new equipment or raises...it makes no difference. If I have to write it, I write it because the guy was probably a jerk. If he is cool and honest about his mistake, he gets a warning from me...obviously not all cops are that way.

I haven't had one person approach me and tell me I need to increase production..it is a way for people to justify why they are getting tickets and continue to fail to take responsibility for their own actions. If you guys see 10 troopers lined up on a highway it is because people are getting injured in crashes in that area OR someone keeps complaining about reckless driving...trust me, the Q tip who keeps calling about people speeding in her neighborhood get far more results than any of our input.

The comments about "how do I get in trouble for how I accel" are extremely ignorant. Come on guys, YOU KNOW when you accel in a safe manner and when you are doing it to show off, shove it in a mustangs face, or just for S n G's. Trust me, I know when I do it, and you all know...it should not be a surprise to you when you get stopped. Exhibition of speed, racing to accel, reckless...they all fall within those limitations. If you are quickly pulling away from EVERYONE just to reach the speed limit, chances are you can be cited and convicted. I do not cite for this if people don't see me...however, the OP (and I mean you no disrespect sir, just using your statements as a reference) saying "If I did this right next to a cop" would I get stopped... is an absolute show of disrespect and you will be someone a cop unloads his ticket book on...

Bravo, well said. I got busted in NY outside Rochester before Christmas and got the ticket, I knew I was speeding and doing wrong. I got busted, it's all on me, I was the one driving. I wish more people would take responsibility for their actions, this world may just suck a little bit less.

[CamaroSkooter]

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.

[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

[Rip]

Originally Posted by THE EVIL TW1N

What department do you work for that has stepped up enforcement of the law for additional revenue?? We are facing layoffs in my department and not one Sgt., Lt., or Chief has stepped up to say anything close to the sort.

When there is stepped up enforcement, it's usually because a council member complained about a certain problem that the public informed him/her about.

I'm sure that's the case in a lot of instances, especially in larger, more populated areas. Where I live, virtually every piddling township is a speed trap. It's not that they have stepped up enforcement, it's just what they've always done, and if you're not a local they will ticket you for anything they can get away with. Hell, one of the ones I have to drive through on my way home has exactly one red light and basically nothing else but a police station. Last year alone they had over $300,000 worth of OUTSTANDING traffic fines, there was no report on how much they actually collected. Mind you, there is only one main road through it and you're in and out of that township in just a few miles, but they speed limit goes from 55 to 45 to 35 to 25 back to 35, 45, 55, etc. in an extremely short distance, and this is where they get 95% of their speeders.

[ron10]

i wouldn't try it with a cop beside me.

[turboguy327]

Originally Posted by Duflar

Well lets say you accelerate quickly when the light goes green, then you notice a car blowing through the red to your right, if you are able to stop in time the cars behind you may not. Drivers these days tend to follow too close to one another. If you accelerate quickly chances are the car behind you will as well and the car behind it etc.

That's gotta be the dumbest excuse to take money out of my wallet I have ever heard. If somebody runs a red light and hits me its my fault because I pulled away from the light faster than the guy next to me. And if I get rear ended its my fault to. Wow. A cop that can say that with a straigh face should not be a cop.

[CamaroSkooter]

Originally Posted by turboguy327

That's gotta be the dumbest excuse to take money out of my wallet I have ever heard. If somebody runs a red light and hits me its my fault because I pulled away from the light faster than the guy next to me. And if I get rear ended its my fault to. Wow. A cop that can say that with a straigh face should not be a cop.

Nope, not your fault. But it could have been avoided

[Shifty 6]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

Do you really want to be the first one out of the gate like a bat out of @#!*% ?

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.

Once I can see the other light is turning yellow, I bring the revs up to about 3500 rpm, close my eyes, count to 10 and let out the clutch. I count to 5 again, and open my eyes. I am amazed at how much ground you can cover in 5 seconds. I 've only been hit 18 times, luckily none have been my fault.

What is truly amazing is that we are all saying the exact same things....I am the only smart driver ever in the history of the world.

What really amazes me is how easily I get sucked in to this crap.

No it is not illegal to accelerate quickly. Just because there is a law the officer cites when writing the ticket doesn't mean that is the law you broke. It is all SUBJECTIVE as to how fast you accelerate.

[hot ss]

even if you are driving and think your not breaking the law....
doesnt mean your not attracting attention. i had a long meaningful chat with law enforcement about this. if you wanna do something dumb, be sure to do it
away from eyeballs. dont push the grey line cause you think you can, and have some
excuse when you get caught.

[snokid]

I had this happen to a buddy of mine close to 30 years ago in a 4cyl mustang...

left the light like a bat out of hell ok 0-60 in 15secs my bmx bike could get to speed quicker!!!

cop was right behind us sure enough lit up...

cop walks up to the drivers door and ask's my buddy if he knows why he is pulling him over. being my buddy is all of 17 he proudly proclaims "shooting for a-hole of the year!" Cop couldn't stop laughing then took my buddy to the back of the patrol car and let him sweat for about 1/2 hour and let him go with a warning!!!

Some cops can be a good sport!!!


True story we still laugh about it today

Bob

[stand-al0ne]

Originally Posted by Rip

I'm sure that's the case in a lot of instances, especially in larger, more populated areas. Where I live, virtually every piddling township is a speed trap. It's not that they have stepped up enforcement, it's just what they've always done, and if you're not a local they will ticket you for anything they can get away with. Hell, one of the ones I have to drive through on my way home has exactly one red light and basically nothing else but a police station. Last year alone they had over $300,000 worth of OUTSTANDING traffic fines, there was no report on how much they actually collected. Mind you, there is only one main road through it and you're in and out of that township in just a few miles, but they speed limit goes from 55 to 45 to 35 to 25 back to 35, 45, 55, etc. in an extremely short distance, and this is where they get 95% of their speeders.

Thats not Waldo, FL you're talking about by chance, is it???

[CrazyDan]

I do this all the time doesn't matter if a cop is next to me your not breaking any laws. No tire spin get right up to the speed limit. It will get droped in court . A lot of Cops think there above the law there job is only to enforce it. My brother is one of them thinks he's the punisher or something .

[GTAHVIT]

similar story... I was pulling out of the gas station onto a 6 lane divided road. the exit from the gas station is real close to an intersection were people making a right onto the same road are on your bumper when they turn on a green, they have a mini right turn lane...

Anyway. I pulled out at about the same time as a car made a right at the intersection at speed and was gaining on me pretty quick... so I step on it. made some exhaust noise but no tire squeal and once I hit the speed limit I slowed down a bit...

Next thing I know my driver's window was full of police car.... he didn't look at me or anything... I think he saw what happened but wanted me to know he was there... Just in case I was feeling froggy...

Bottom line, it was the Officers call... Sure I would have tried to explain what happened. and maybe would have gotten off... but... when the police are around just be cool.

my 4 cents... LOL