Is it illegal to accelerate fast?

[rharp]

About 10 years ago I was at a light on my R1. The guy in front of me was messin with his radio and when the light turned green he didn't look up. When he finally realized it he took off, by now I'm pissed so I get in the other lane and cracked the throttle to hurt his ears a bit. Well guess what, a cop was behind me and lit me up.
He was cool and didn't ticket me but said he could of.
In New Mexico it is called excessive acceleration. Not sure how they prove it in court but it is on the books.

[steeleshark2]

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.

LMAO, not many cars can accelerate as fast as the Camaro. Seems like you would be giving them more room to stop!!

[CamaroCowboy]

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...

I agree completely. I have been pulled over multipule times in different cars. Only once in the camaro. I just be courtious and apologize for my infraction. They are just doing their job and there is no reason to be an A-Hole about it. The 4 times I have been stopped I got a ticket twice and a warning twice. It really depends on the cop. There really is no reason to treat him like crap becaue you broke the law.

[bossbunny]

By texas law, from what i heard you can't get in trouble for accelerating too fast unless you suprass the speed limit or break traction. Some cops will be butts and write you a ticket but you can usually fight it. Other than that... Gun it and run it.

[BlueDragonVT]

All laws will vary by state and locale, but I thought it might help to have the actual California penal code on this specific topic, since it has been brought up a couple of times.

Exhibition of Speed
California Vehicle Code§ 23109.
No person shall engage in any 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.
No person shall aid or abet in any motor vehicle speed contest on any highway.
No person shall engage in any motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway, and no person shall aid or abet in any motor vehicle exhibition of speed on any highway.
No person shall for the purpose of facilitating or aiding or as an incident to any motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition upon a highway in any manner obstruct or place any barricade or obstruction or assist or participate in placing any barricade or obstruction upon any highway.
Any person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 24 hours nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or both that fine and imprisonment. The person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall be subject to suspension as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 13352. The person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle may be restricted for 90 days to six months to necessary travel to and from that person's place of employment and, if driving a motor vehicle is necessary to perform the duties of the person's employment, restricted to driving in that person's scope of employment. This subdivision does not interfere with the court's power to grant probation in a suitable case.
Any person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) for an offense which occurred within five years of the date of a prior offense which resulted in a conviction of a violation of subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than four days nor more than six months and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). Additionally, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall either suspend the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle, as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 13352, or the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall be restricted for six months to necessary travel to and from that person's place of employment and, if driving a motor vehicle is necessary to perform the duties of the person's employment, restricted to driving in that person's scope of employment. This subdivision does not interfere with the court's power to grant probation in a suitable case.
If the court grants probation to any person punishable under subdivision (f), in addition to the provisions of subdivision (f) and any other terms and conditions imposed by the court, which may include a fine, the court shall impose as a condition of probation that the person be confined in the county jail for not less than 48 hours nor more than six months. The person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall also be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13352 or shall be restricted pursuant to subdivision (f).
If any person is convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) and the vehicle used in the violation is registered to that person, the vehicle may be impounded at the registered owner's expense for not less than one day nor more than 30 days.
Any person who violates subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of this section shall upon conviction thereof be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by both that fine and imprisonment.
If a person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle is restricted by a court pursuant to this section, the court shall clearly mark the restriction and the dates of the restriction on that person's driver's license and promptly notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of the terms of the restriction in a manner prescribed by the department. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall place that restriction in the person's records in the Department of Motor Vehicles and enter the restriction on any license subsequently issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to that person during the period of the restriction.
The court may order that any person convicted under this section, who is to be punished by imprisonment in the county jail, be imprisoned on days other than days of regular employment of the person, as determined by the court. (l) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Louis Friend Memorial Act.

Under California code, just accelerating hard does not qualify as Exhibition of Speed. There has to be some form of contest involved, either against another vehicle, or against a timing device. If the prosecution cannot prove that a contest existed, they cannot convict.

The reckless driving statute in California is far more open to interpretation, essentially stating that you cannot operate your vehicle in a reckless manner. Basically, all it says is that, "any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving." That is pretty open ended, and if an officer wanted to, he could probably give you a citation for reckless driving.

[first one]

I got pulled over for what I think he called an unsafe start. I didn't get a ticket, but he said he heard my tires squeal. I did accelerate quickly, but my tires didn't break loose. Anyway, I don't think you can get a legitimate and enforceable ticket for just accelerating quickly as long as you remain under the speed limit and you're not doing anything additional concidered unsafe.

Also, this is a little bit off subject, but I was pulling onto a highway and seen this grand prix fly by, I pull out and quickly get beside a semi to my right when I see a cop behind me lit up. I know he is after this grand prix so I hurry up and get out of his way (he was riding my azz) and turn my signal on and get in front of the semi. Well, guess what, he pulls me over and said he was after the speeding grand prix, but then I cut in front of the semi to close (to get out of his way mind you) so he pulled me over and gives me a warning. I only got a warning because I DID turn my signal on.

[LolatheSlush]

i think its a bad idea even though i'm guilty of it sometimes too. i try and wait a couple seconds after the green light JUST in case some moron decides to run the red light. i've seen it happen (and i'm sure you all have too) you have the right a way and some A-hole speeds through the intersection.
i'd hate for your baby to get trashed because of a couple seconds... food for thought

[1BADLS3]

I have a fair amount of respect for officers--know a bunch of them, and for the most part they're not encouraged to write tickets. It creates paperwork for them, potential court appearances, and sometimes uncomfortable/bitter contact with citizens. However, it IS part of their job. The level of comfort regarding other drivers' actions on the road will always depend on the officer. Some will nail grandma for driving 2mph under the speed limit, and others don't mind if you cruise with them a a paltry 5mph over the limit.

I don't think anyone should be prosecuted for rowing through the gears getting up to a highway speed limit-- think like hitting 3500rpm a couple of times getting to 60mph. Should you do it next to a cop? NO. Match the acceleration of traffic around you, and only stretch your car's legs like that when it's safe to do so. But this IS America where car culture is king. For a country that prides itself on freedom, we're rather stuffy when it comes to the operation of our cars. It's not us that claims ownership of the Autobahn.

Here in Washington, the state just added a dedicated prosecuting attorney for traffic violations. Whereas before, you could almost skate through every time and get your ticket dismissed or thrown out. Now, the governor has mandated a prosecuting attorney be appointed as a revenue capture opportunity -not as a goal to INCREASE state revenue by writing tickets, but to better capture the potential revenue from the majority of citations that are written and go through the court system (i.e. you're not getting off free anymore). No matter how you say it, ticket writing is a revenue generator for the state, and is treated as such. ESPECIALLY in times of budget crisis.

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by Shifty 6

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.

hahah priceless...

This plan is flawless and there is absolutely no way a cop would ever stop you for those actions.

In all seriousness, have you guys realize all traffic laws are rather subjective? As silly as it sounds..a red light is subjective..he says its red, you don't. You lose in court. He says you failed to come to a complete stop a stop sign...and so on. Many citizens are UP IN ARMS about red light cameras and how robots should not be issuing tickets.....but those are not subjective, they don't have emotion. I hate those damn cameras because I am sure I will get tagged for making a right turn on red one day or sliding 6 inches past the stop bar...but, I cannot argue, I was at fault.

That is why I had to go to college, after college spend another 4k dollars to go to an academy for 8 months so I could be taken seriously in court and my "subjective" observations were honored by a judge. Also realize, we have hundreds of thousands of cars that come through a moderate to high populated city...I can find something better to stop besides you, so with a certain level of respect is all we ask..I will show people the same with a warning and a goofy ass looking smile.

[scythezo6]

I would think you would definetly get pulled over. Getting a ticket is up to the officer. The ticket can easily be justified in court by the simple fact that quick acceleration is unsafe and speed is usually a factor in most traffic accidents. Taking off quickly also puts you at risk of say, getting hit my somone who ran a red light. Quick accel also puts you at risk of not seeing things in the road like pot holes, animals or people. If something darted across the road while you were getting to 50 mph quickly you either hit it and hope it was a small animal or swerve and possibly kill yourself or someone else.

Don't get me wrong I take of quickly too sometimes but I would not do it if I knew the law was near. Its just not worth the hassle or the waste of time.

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by 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 .

How many times have you been cited for this and how many times have you won in court. Serious question...if you told the cop your brother was a cop to sway the decision then do not answer.

However, I do have to commend the posters on this thread, this thread has remained rather respectable for once....silly dan is a rebel who flirts with danger and crazy threads.

[nasty2ss]

Originally Posted by 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.

Well said and very true

[Justification]

Even if it is legal and you will get off in court is it worth your time wasted to go and fight it? How about the time sitting on the side of the road while the cop just wants to cause you an inconvenience and give you a verbal warning?
Sometimes I think that is what some pull overs are all about, kind of like a "time out" for your kids when they are messing up. The cops know you are within the "letter of the law", but pushing the intent.
What you are doing is a Jackrabbit start and is makes you look like a fool. Sure it's fun and every now and then you make a light that someone who accellerates "normally" won't make, but heavy throttle starts are wasteful. My wife drives like that and gets at least 2 mpg less than I do driving her tahoe. I'm not talking prius max mileage driving style either... that drives me nuts.
You will continue to drive the way you want, and will probably get pulled over (even if just for a warning) while people drive by laughing at your self imposed "misfortune"
As for being at fault in a wreck because some fool ran a red light while you jackrabbit the start, you may not be at fault, but I'd rather be wrong than dead right.

[Fogey]

Got off with a warning but I have no doubt he could have ticketed me if he wanted to.