F%!#$ speeding ticket!

VINMAN · 04-07-2008, 04:28 AM

Well, it finally happened. After 26 yrs of driving , I finally got my first speeding ticket. Cop got me coming off a freeway ramp. 50 in a 35. Had no radar in his car, so I have no idea how he clocked me. The two things that really pissed me off where the fact that he ignored the SUV that blew by me like I was standing still. Plus the fact that he looked at my Fire dept badge and ID. So much for professional courtesy!

stomachmonkey · 04-07-2008, 04:31 AM

Timed you or aircraft.

livi · 04-07-2008, 04:31 AM

Sorry to hear that. A typical case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time at the wrong speed. It all adds up.

VINMAN · 04-07-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Timed you or aircraft.

Definately no aircraft. Maybe timed me? It was a regular NYPD cop not Highway

Joeaksa · 04-07-2008, 04:50 AM

Boy, really surprised that he did not give you a freebie with your badge!

Dave L · 04-07-2008, 04:54 AM

I just dont understand that, was Vinman responding to a fire call? Why would he or anyone get a break because of a badge?

It sucks to get a ticket, but if you were speeding you were speeding.

The Gaijin · 04-07-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Definately no aircraft. Maybe timed me? It was a regular NYPD cop not Highway

The last time the issue of crappy tickets came up I mentioned this. The actual highway is like "Deathrace 2000" with a 50 or 55MPH speed limit. Very little enforcement of any kind..

But now the NYPD is trolling the ramps. It is easier to get you on the ramp - that has the same limit as the street - 35MPH.

Quota filling, money raising, BS tickets.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

he ignored the SUV that blew by me like I was standing still.

If he had a radar/laser gun it will default to the largest and fastest moving object.

A similar thing happened to me but I paid the ticket before finding out this fact.

DavidB911 · 04-07-2008, 05:39 AM

If the ramps are the same speed as the street, then how are you supposed to get up/down to speed of traffic?? I have never heard of this, but I will keep in the memory banks. I'm sure your bad luck will help others out.

Hawktel · 04-07-2008, 05:54 AM

Well it is coming up on april 15th. Time for you to pay your part!

varmint · 04-07-2008, 06:02 AM

don't think i've ever gone a year without a speeding ticket.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

The government's insatiable lust for money knows no limits. Welcome to the world of revenue generation.

berettafan · 04-07-2008, 06:30 AM

the only thing better than an off duty traffic cop is a retired traffic cop.

bastards.

cairns · 04-07-2008, 06:48 AM

While our illustrious Maryland governor is signing a bill to to allow speed cameras all over Maryland (and not just here in Montgomery County) it seems the Montgomery County police are actually giving the cameras the finger- and refusing to pay either the speeding or stoplight tickets. Of course their union is supporting them.

"Professional Courtesy" shouldn't get you off. You broke the law you should pay like the rest of us. I want to believe that these arcane revenue sucking laws would change if the politicians and cops had to pay like we commoners.

Jeff Higgins · 04-07-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Plus the fact that he looked at my Fire dept badge and ID. So much for professional courtesy!

O.k., I have to be completely frank with you on this one. This kind of "professional courtesy" just flat pisses me off. So you think you get to speed, and that you should have gotten off because you are a fireman? Kudos to the cop for having the integrity to deny your request. You should be ashamed of yourself for even asking.

CRH911S · 04-07-2008, 06:50 AM

I would fight the ticket arguing, based on the information provided, that I was using the off-ramp in the manner it was intended and that the officer used poor judgement in failing to take this into consideration.
With respect to the other suggestions that ticketing is some sort of revenue generating device I'm not too sure. I say this because certain types of enforcement and proof thereof is needed to recieve certain federal highway funds and this, more often then not, is the culprit. Stepped-up enforcement on on/off ramps seems odd to me though. While it's been years since I took the written test doesn't the manual address using the on-ramp to merge onto the highway at highway speeds? And if so, an off-ramp is used in the same manner but to slow down to the collector speed limit?

VINMAN · 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

O.k., I have to be completely frank with you on this one. This kind of "professional courtesy" just flat pisses me off. So you think you get to speed, and that you should have gotten off because you are a fireman? Kudos to the cop for having the integrity to deny your request. You should be ashamed of yourself for even asking.

First of all, I did not ASK. So I have nothing to be ashamed of. He saw my turnout gear on my seat., and my fire-fighters plate. HE ASKED to see my ID.
NOWHERE did I incinuate that I had a right to speed and expected to get off.

As far as integrity goes. Ive seen many, many, cops using their lights and sirens for no reason at all, just so they can drive through red lights so they dont have to sit there waiting.

berettafan · 04-07-2008, 07:39 AM

CRH911S have you ever been to traffic court?

Jeff i can't believe you used the world 'integrity' in connection with a traffic cop.

berettafan · 04-07-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cairns

While our illustrious Maryland governor is signing a bill to to allow speed cameras all over Maryland (and not just here in Montgomery County) it seems the Montgomery County police are actually giving the cameras the finger- and refusing to pay either the speeding or stoplight tickets. Of course their union is supporting them.

"Professional Courtesy" shouldn't get you off. You broke the law you should pay like the rest of us. I want to believe that these arcane revenue sucking laws would change if the politicians and cops had to pay like we commoners.

Jeez, i didn't know this was coming already!

Maryland really is going down the *****ter led by a greedy gov't. Holding us hostage with slots and now speed cameras. ****ing dirtbags.

vash · vash's Garage

first ticket in 26 years of driving? wow, very impressive. your time was due.

now in regard to this professional courtesy thing. it isnt right, but damn it happens alot. i am stunned you didnt get a pass when he saw your gear and badge. in el paso, i got pulled over regularly. i look like my brother who is a very well known cop there. a quick look at the same last name, and i get let go everytime. they typically dont even say a thing. just had me back my card, and walk away. one time i did get written up by a very ethical cop. i wasnt pissed but he got a rash of **** at work. he didnt show up to court. i got a free walk. anyways, not a single one of you guys that find it hard to swallow will ever say, "no! i know i am a cop, but i was speeding,,,I DEMAND MY CITATION!". nobody would say it.