Tickets: Less chance of escape?

[drw916]

I've gotten two tickets in the last two weeks.  Neither time did I feel I had even a chance of a warning.
First one was for 65 in a 55 on a back road with almost no traffic.
Second was for 62 in a 50 going over Lolo Pass while passing in a passing zone.

Both were pretty marginal in my opinion, especially the one in the passing zone.  No other way to get past the car in the short distance of the lane.

So, my question is:  Are the Police not giving warnings anymore?  Is revenue generation such a priority that they no longer have the option?

As an aside, I have found that if you send a letter to the Prosecuting Attorney of the county the ticket is issued in, and ask to have the ticket changed to a non moving violation, there is a good chance they will do it.  I told them I didn't mind paying the fine, but didn't want to get hit again with insurance increase.  They must feel the same as it has worked the past couple times

[oldbike54]

 This is probably all just a run of bad luck . In 48 years of spirited riding I have never had anything more than a warning ticket .

 Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

Warning are still pretty common in many areas of Kansas. The highway patrol seems to be giving less warnings and more tickets but then our state is in terrible fiscal shape.
I have been riding since 79 and have received two tickets. One in a speed trap setting and one when I just totally blew a school zone, but never when I have been on a "spirited" ride. I have had several gestures from passing officers to slow down however, but not stopped.
GliderJohn

[SmithSwede]

I've been stopped twice in the last couple of months.  Indeed, was stopped just yesterday morning on my way to work.   I got warnings both times; no tickets.

First was 55 in a 45, approaching a small town.   Nobody ever goes 45 that far out of town, so it was kinda a penny-ante stop. 

Yesterday was two cops seeing me lane split through horribly backed up traffic.  I told them I can wear all this safety gear as long as I'm moving, but I tend to overheat when I'm motionless.   They checked out my license, then gave it back saying that I'm really not supposed to be doing that.   

They also told me that some motorist narc-ed on me.  Called in on a cell phone that there was a motorcycle moving while their cars were stuck, so the cops were basically waiting for me at an intersection way up the line.

I don't get that  mentality.   I wasn't speeding, I wasn't rude, I didn't cut anyone off.   But I guess they feel I'm "cutting in line" or something. 

Cops also said they had already had to work one accident *within* that traffic back-up.  A rear-ender, because people get bored waiting in line and start playing with their cell phones.   Yes, I agree.   That's why I'd prefer to keep moving and stay away from the bored people. 

[Kent in Upstate NY]

A lot depends on your attitude.

[PJPR01]

This reminds me of the thread recently about radar detectors...a small investment to have one mounted can be equivalent to 1 or 2 tickets...

[charlie b]

Knock on wood.

Have received a total of 5 speeding tickets in over 40 years (one of these was from a red light camera).  10-15 warnings (yes, I lost count).  I am pretty careful about where I speed in excess of 10mph over the limit.  But, a lot of this has just been luck.  Like when riding near 100mph in CO and had to slow behind another car, cop is around the corner with a laser (no radar or laser detector help there :)  ).  Or when I had to slow down for some cows near the road and a cop was just over the hill.  Or he already has someone pulled over, etc, etc.

Around here (NM, TX, and AZ state patrol) it has been warnings for me.  When I have been stopped the wife has been in the car and she is laughing at me when the cop comes to the door.  I think he feels sorry for me :) 

And, I have felt the need to speed less compelling the last few years.  I also think my luck may run out pretty soon.  I've pushed the limits for a lot of years and not had to pay for it.  So, I keep it for those times when I have an empty road in front of me for miles.

[Cross-tie Walker]

I've had 2 tickets in the last 8 years on the bike and despite friendly positive attitude on my part, both cops were into their power trip and received tickets on both occasions. (very minorly over the limit in both cases) So I'd have to say,. no, they don't issues "warnings" any longer.

[Two Checks]

Most cops I have known will allow 5 over but 10 over gets you an award.

And with the emphesis on revenue cops are probably told "no more warnings".

[Triple Jim]

As an aside, I have found that if you send a letter to the Prosecuting Attorney of the county the ticket is issued in, and ask to have the ticket changed to a non moving violation, there is a good chance they will do it.  I told them I didn't mind paying the fine, but didn't want to get hit again with insurance increase.  They must feel the same as it has worked the past couple times

I'd be interested in knowing what state this happened in (maybe add a rough location to your profile).

My limited ticket experience was in MD many years ago, but at that time, if I appeared in court, plead guilty, apologized for the infraction, and told the judge that I was there because I would very much appreciate the chance to not have points on my license, he would eliminate the points and fine and charge me court costs in the amount of the original fine.  That worked twice that I remember.

Since then I've avoided tickets by keeping it down to 5 over the limit 99% of the time.  But passing is always a concern.  If you follow the law when passing, you'll rarely pass.  When you do, it will be to pass vehicles going way under the limit, as opposed to a couple mph under.

I was talking to my dentist about motorcycling, back roads, and driving in general a couple years ago, and he told me that he has gotten to where if he's driving on a road with a 55 mph limit and someone in front of him is going 45, he goes 45.  If someone is going 35, he goes 35.  He explained that his blood pressure and mood are much improved with that policy.  The only problem I see with that is it's really hard to go below the speed limit on a nice twisty road I've been looking forward to riding on.

[oldbike54]

Most cops I have known will allow 5 over but 10 over gets you an award.

And with the emphesis on revenue cops are probably told "no more warnings".

 Don't know about other states , but in Oklahoma there is no edict re warnings VS hard tickets .

 Here is my strategy when dealing with a po po , especially when outside of my county .

 1. Remember that most cops are type A personalities , a bit aggressive by nature , so the "roll over and show them my belly" method employed by a friendly dog to defuse a tense situation seems to work .

 2. Never ever ask "why did you pull me over" , the po po knows why he did so , even if it is bogus.

 3. Never ever give a smart alec answer .

 4. Get them laughing if possible , or find some common ground , they are human and mostly respond to being put at ease .

 
  Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

I have found in small towns, don't push your luck.  Different parts of the nation have different needs of revenue.   In Calif. if you don't go more than 10 over the speed limit you will be left alone(generally speaking) except in Plumas County(no mfg.).

While riding back to Calif. from the `97 Iowa Guzzi National right after having lunch on a 2 lane road going 10 over in Iowa an oncoming cop does a u-turn and pulls us over for speeding.    I tell him in Calif. you don't get a ticket for 10 over.  He tells me we ain't in Calif. now.    Somehow my wife sweet talks to him and he let's us go. 

[Red Dog]

It's not city, county or state it is the individual LEO.  I'm in the city of Gainesville, in the county of Alachua in the State of Florida.

I have had cops coming from the opposite direction who flashed headlights or put on the "bubble gums" as a warning when I was clipping along at 85 mph.

The last ticket I got was by a city cop who clocked me at 28 over but wrote me for 9.

A few years before that a state cop stopped me on a deserted back road for 10 over & wrote me up & gave me a lecture, I had to really bite my tongue. 

About a week ago I was pulled over by a state when I was running about 70 in a 55 on a back country road.  No ticket just a warning telling me that the area was starting to build up & they were increasing their patrols.  Cool Dude he rode a Harley as a personal bike.

My area of Florida tends to be lenient but we also have a large population of riders especially south of Gainesville.

[Arizona Wayne]

To Kirby...........Now that is CS!!   You should fight it.  He provoked you to do what you did.   Did you get his name?  I'd write a letter complaining about the whole episode.

[Rusnak_322]

always ask for a warning vs a ticket. ask nice, all they can say is no.
it works, I was pulled over going 20 over pulling a trailer on the highway and when the police office was at my window, my wife leaned over and asked if he could just give us a warning. it worked.

and has worked several times since (even without the wife's help).

[PJPR01]

As an aside, I have found that if you send a letter to the Prosecuting Attorney of the county the ticket is issued in, and ask to have the ticket changed to a non moving violation, there is a good chance they will do it.  I told them I didn't mind paying the fine, but didn't want to get hit again with insurance increase.  They must feel the same as it has worked the past couple times

You can also check to see if Deferred Adjudication is available in this situation...you'll still pay the fine, but depending on the county, you'll have either 30 or 90 days to go w/o another ticket and then the ticket just received will not show up on your record.  Worthwhile to check into...financially still the same, but at least your record is clean.

[charlie b]

Agressive or not, the 'proper' thing to do was to get in front of the truck and pull over, not do a WFO stunt.

I tell him in Calif. you don't get a ticket for 10 over.  He tells me we ain't in Calif. now.

You're lucky he didn't add 10mph just for being from CA.  :)

The proper thing to do is answer questions accurately and without a scowl or rolling eyes or any other non-friendly gesture.

Remember, the LEO has had a full day of angry people making rude comments to him.  He is just doing his job.  You were caught breaking the law, no matter how stupid you think the law, you are guilty (at least no one has complained about being pulled over for being under the speed limit).  Act like an adult and take the ticket without being an a$$.

[Rusnak_322]

To Kirby...........Now that is CS!!   You should fight it.  He provoked you to do what you did.   Did you get his name?  I'd write a letter complaining about the whole episode.

will do zero good. your word against a police officer, the police officer wins every time.

[Waterbottle]

The traffic police here , Queensland Australia, are all about cost recovery / Revenue raising. Our roads are very old and haven't been upgraded to keep up with the times and increasing coastal population. It can be very frustrating when your caught up in traffic and the safest place to overtake the slow vehicles they place a (Flash for Cash) mobile radar unit. Nothing to do with road safety there 

[atavar]

I got pulled over on the way to the MN rally for 62+ in a 50 construction zone.  Yeah, I was daydreaming and let it creep up.  The HiPo was somewhat annoyed because it took him 40 miles of construction zone to catch me and pull me over. 
I of course went to flashers as soon as I saw his lights and pulled over at the first wide spot.   
I shut off the bike, put both feet on the ground and took off my gloves then put my hands back on the grips. 
He stomped up behind me with bad body language and his right hand on right hip. 
When he got up to me he glanced over my shoulder, saw my little dog in the tank bag in her pink helmet and pink leather jacket and cracked up so hard I thought he was going to sit on the highway.  I laughed along with him and when he was done he went back to get his phone to take a picture, then proceeded to give me a warning.
The pooch saved the day, that would have been an expensive MN ticket.

[Rough Edge racing]

 45 years of bikes and only got one ticket for an overdue safety inspection... To be honest ,years ago I would outrun the police if conditions were right....I don't do that now but I ride less so there's less chance of being caught.. I often accelerate well beyond the limit but always slow down and ride within 10 MPH of the posted limit..

[kirby1923]

Agressive or not, the 'proper' thing to do was to get in front of the truck and pull over, not do a WFO stunt.

You're lucky he didn't add 10mph just for being from CA.  :)

The proper thing to do is answer questions accurately and without a scowl or rolling eyes or any other non-friendly gesture.

Remember, the LEO has had a full day of angry people making rude comments to him.  He is just doing his job.  You were caught breaking the law, no matter how stupid you think the law, you are guilty (at least no one has complained about being pulled over for being under the speed limit).  Act like an adult and take the ticket without being an a$$.

Hey, thanks for informing me of the "proper" thing to do!!
a$$!!.. very creative as well. What part of my post does it look like am an a$$?

:-)

[oldbike54]

 Yo Kirbster , you should have flashed him a pilot's certificate  Seriously , an old GF's dad was a retired OK Trooper . He told me a story about pulling a Jaguar over in the panhandle of OK circa 1956 . He was fresh out of the academy , and very cocky . After approaching the Jag , he said , "Flyin' kinda low there fellas , can I see a pilot's license?"  The guy driving very calmly pulled something from his wallet , sure enough , it was a pilot's license . GF's dad tucked his tail and asked the driver to slow down a bit 

 Dusty

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Quick answer to paragraph 3 is Yes.
paragraph 3
 So, my question is:  Are the Police not giving warnings anymore?  Is revenue generation such a priority that they no longer have the option?

[kirby1923]

Ha! That's funny! Ya gotta drive an E type at least 80 to keep it from over heating 'cause the radiator is so small.

Well I went to court and told the judge my story but never admitted to going 125 mph. I never even
looked at the speedo.  The judge asked the officer why he didn't turn on his lights to ID himself as a trooper. He offered no explanation. (he said he was aggressive because he was trying to chase down a speeder ahead).

Actually  his (trooper) last comment to me was a laugh and he said "this is going to cost you".
The trooper told the judge exactly what happen as did I.

Judge charged me $48 for 10 over as he didn't believe that the trooper could have clocked my speed on his speedometer .The Judge asked if it was possible that we  may have not been at the same speed at the same time. He answered yes. He may have got up to that speed but by the time he did I was already slowing and changing lanes.
If at any time from the beginning to the end of this incident he had turned on his light and IDd himself as a LEO in pursuit this would have never happened.
I'm lucky 'cause they told me when I got to the court in Conway that this was the "hanging" judge.

:-)

[oldbike54]

 Kirbster , after a bit of thought , that incident probably occurred in 1950 , and not in '56 . He was already retired in 1970 , so minus 20 years ... Probably an XK 100 . The speed limits were nonexistent in Western OK back then , the signs read "do not exceed safe speed" . GF's dad must have thought the Jag was exceeding safe speed  He never asked for a pilot's license after that 

 What is your relationship to GMT ?

 Dusty

[Tom]

To answer the question of warnings.  They still give them out.    The money for the tickets here go into the state coffers not the county.  The patrol officers are county.  There is no state highway patrol here in Hawaii. 

[bigbikerrick]

Out here in rural Arizona, especially on a motorcycle, you have to be well past the speed limit, for the sheriffs to even take a second look at you. I have on a few occasions  shot by one going the other way , and they all have radar, travelling 10-15 mph over the limit, and they just hit the overhead lights for a couple seconds,  as a warning. I think it makes a difference that our county, Cochise County is bigger than some states, and the LEO's have huge areas to cover.......as in maybe he was headed to a "call", or something,but it does happen more than you would think.
Rick.

[antmanbee]

Protect and serve is a joke. In reality it is harass and collect revenue.
This policy is endemic an usually comes from the top down. Some officers don't like this policy but are essentially forced to by an implied quota. They may lose their job if they consistently don't write tickets. I'm sure the police departments have little problem finding officers that enjoy this bit of power.
And they wonder why there is animosity towards the police in most communities.

[Triple Jim]

And they wonder why there is animosity towards the police in most communities.

I don't have any here, or back where I used to live in the Washington, DC suburbs.  I always found that being courteous and respectful to cops got me the same in return.