Anyone From Roanoke VA Area Know a Good Traffic Lawyer

[gunjunkie45]

I test drove a Fiesta ST and it was a stunning car. Unfortunately the driving position sucked balls for me. The Focus ST is incredible and the RS is an absolute monster.

Ford lost me as a potential customer when they decided they were too stupid to figure out how to sell us interesting cars and instead settled for SUVs and trucks.

I love my ST but really kick myself for not stepping up to the RS. I figured I'd drive the ST for a year or two and then trade up. Of course Ford discontinued both the following year. The only thing I might have any interest in from them is the new Bronco if they manage to not fuck it up. Odds are they'll mess that up terribly though.

 

[TxWelder35]

That’s exactly what the OP was asking. He wants a lawyer to get his kid off for fucking up.

It’s in the first post... ?

No he Wants a lawyer to keep his kid from getting thrown in jail and pay an extortion amount of money for a a purely revenue gathering scheme.

Personal experience, a driver Fell asleep and ran into the back of our boat trailer while we were changing a tire on the side of the road. Ran over and killed my friend. Guy never even saw a pair of handcuffs.

If my kid went to jail for speeding I’d be fucking irate.

Our traffic laws are beyond fucked up when that’s even possible.

 

[Geno C.]

Keep telling yourself that

 

[Ravenworks]

Do you receive points for traffic violations in your state? I got pulled over for 139 in a 55 construction zone on my GSXR 750 years ago. I received a 20 point ticket. For reference you lose your license after 8 points.

Long story short I got a lawyer. Paid 2800 bucks all said and done. Ticket was reduced down to 2 points. I took an "Alive at 25" class BEFORE I went to court and just pretty much said to the judge that I take responsibility for my actions. I did not realize the other lives I put at risk other then my own going that fast. I was selfish. And I am changing that.

Judge said thank you for your honesty and being proactive in taking the class "pre court date". Reduced down to 2 point speeding ticket and paid the fine. The reason I got the lawyer is that at the time, without a drivers license I would have lost my job.


If your state just gives out fines and no points against your license, just pay the ticket and be done with it.

You're real lucky that you didn't hit a truck comming out of the zone.
The construction crew would have shoveled you off the road

 

[LawnMM]

Tell her to take the reduced points and pay the fine.

She doesn't need a lawyer, assuming this isn't a chronic thing with her.

Or you could spend a few grand and lose anyway, up to you.

 

[Redmanss]

Tell her to take the reduced points and pay the fine.

She doesn't need a lawyer, assuming this isn't a chronic thing with her.

Or you could spend a few grand and lose anyway, up to you.

As much as I hate speeders as well as say folks who break the law should accept their own failures, I would never recommend going in front of a judge when facing up to a year in jail without an attorney. Reckless driving isn’t regular traffic court, it’s a criminal case.

 

[MtnCreek]

If it's small town VA, get a local attorney. He will know the prosecutor and may be able to arrange a deal before court. I'd tell the attorney we're wanting to pay, but don't want this haunting this young little girl for years, blablabla... In some towns that's code for what will it cost?

Outsider attorneys don't go over well in some places.

 

[E. Bryant]

I've done that to all my cars except the Dodge Dakota I owned. IME 4WD trucks get scary loose above 90 mph.

• 1986 Porsche 944: 135
• 1989 VW Golf GTI 16V: 122
• 2010 Honda Fit: 115
• 2019 Honda Accord Sport (1.5 liter turbo): 129

All but the Accord where thrust = drag. The Accord has more in it but I need to disable the limiter......Hondata here I come.

I can honestly say that I've never explored the top speed of any of my personal vehicles on a public road. But frankly my vehicles have generally fallen into two categories:

1) Big clumsy stuff that really shouldn't be run much more than 10-15 over the posted limit;
2) Stupid fast stuff that only have its legs stretched on a closed course.

As such, my traffic violations haven't typically been for speeding, but rather things like "unsafe start"

I will say that as I get older, I've become far less tolerant of young kids doing dumb stuff on public roads. It'd be different if we had proper training and safe equipment, but we all know damn well that the kid doing 105 on a back-country road in a 2004 Grand Am is a blown tire or separated ball joint away from making life very miserable for himself, or his family, or some innocent due in the oncoming lane.

 

[MtnCreek]

What ever happened to just gassing it when the blue lights come up on you?

Kept me from getting a ticket every time I tried it.

 

[E. Bryant]

What ever happened to just gassing it when the blue lights come up on you?

There may have been some of that behavior when I was younger, or so I've heard. But it wasn't long into my driving career that the state made "fleeing and eluding" into a felony, and those are high stakes for avoiding a speeding ticket. However, as someone once pointed out to me, any acceleration between the time that you see the officer and he flips on the lights is simply additional speeding, and if you're on a sportbike on a curvy road, a lot of distance can be created in the amount of time that it takes to perform a U-turn.

 

[MtnCreek]

There may have been some of that behavior when I was younger, or so I've heard. But it wasn't long into my driving career that the state made "fleeing and eluding" into a felony, and those are high stakes for avoiding a speeding ticket. However, as someone once pointed out to me, any acceleration between the time that you see the officer and he flips on the lights is simply additional speeding, and if you're on a sportbike on a curvy road, a lot of distance can be created in the amount of time that it takes to perform a U-turn.

I will say I have respect for the way a trooper can turn a car around. Impressive thing to see.

 

[D1gger]

The lawyer will most likely get the reckless removed or reduced, but in most cases the ticket will stay on her record.
Be prepared for your insurance to be non-renewed if she is on your policy

 

[E. Bryant]

I will say I have respect for the way a trooper can turn a car around. Impressive thing to see.

Oh yeah. Definitely better to observe this from a third-party perspective than to see it in the rear-view mirror.

 

[Maggot]

There may have been some of that behavior when I was younger, or so I've heard. But it wasn't long into my driving career that the state made "fleeing and eluding" into a felony, and those are high stakes for avoiding a speeding ticket. However, as someone once pointed out to me, any acceleration between the time that you see the officer and he flips on the lights is simply additional speeding, and if you're on a sportbike on a curvy road, a lot of distance can be created in the amount of time that it takes to perform a U-turn.

Thats the only time Ive out run a cop. Kawasaki 750 on a curvy country road. I finally got far enoughahead to take a little side trail and watched him go by at about 80. I bet he was one pissed Popo.

 

[DarnYankeeUSMC]

I watched one, I my mirror, do the u turn in the medium and it rained heavy the day before. It was more of a slide into 3rd base than a turn. He was stuck in the mud. My wife passed by when they were dragging him out with the winch from a flatbed.

Oh yeah. Definitely better to observe this from a third-party perspective than to see it in the rear-view mirror.

 

[MtnCreek]

I watched one, I my mirror, do the u turn in the medium and it rained heavy the day before. It was more of a slide into 3rd base than a turn. He was stuck in the mud. My wife passed by when they were dragging him out with the winch from a flatbed.

I've seen one that came out the other side like he was shot from a gun. Would have made Bo Duke blush. I didn't stop to shake his hand.

 

[fdkay]

There's nothing irresponsible, prima facie, about driving 100 mph on a freeway.

If that were the case, there would be carnage on the freeways of Germany. But the Autobahn's fatality rate is almost always lower than that of the US Interstate system.

I believe that getting a drivers license in Germany is a bit more involved than getting one in the states.
For example, if you test on an automatic transmission, you are only licensed for automatics.
German roads are likely built and maintained to a higher standard than the ones in the States.

When considering prima facie, would you not also have to consider the skill set of the driver?
Driving at a high rate of speed in an emotionally compromised state would also have to be considered.

Interesting, I found the following, while Virginia is tied for 8th in regards to how strict they are, they are number 1 in enforcement.

Strictest And Most Lenient States on Speeding and Reckless Driving

wallethub.com

 

[jumpermed]

I have fond memories of finding the speed limiter of various rental cars on the trip between Minden and Ingolstadt.

Giebelstadt Army Airfield to Nuremberg PX in 37 minutes...

 

[jumpermed]

I've done that to all my cars except the Dodge Dakota I owned. IME 4WD trucks get scary loose above 90 mph.

• 1986 Porsche 944: 135
• 1989 VW Golf GTI 16V: 122
• 2010 Honda Fit: 115
• 2019 Honda Accord Sport (1.5 liter turbo): 129

All but the Accord where thrust = drag. The Accord has more in it but I need to disable the limiter......Hondata here I come.

Dodge Grand Caravan gets loose about 95 on the autostrada around Vicenzia....

 

[308pirate]

I believe that getting a drivers license in Germany is a bit more involved than getting one in the states.
For example, if you test on an automatic transmission, you are only licensed for automatics.
German roads are likely built and maintained to a higher standard than the ones in the States.

When considering prima facie, would you not also have to consider the skill set of the driver?
Driving at a high rate of speed in an emotionally compromised state would also have to be considered.

While it's true that German drivers go through a more rigorous process for getting a license, that's a minor red herring IMO.

German roads are in very good condition for the most part, and while some of our states have deplorable interstates, others do not. The interstates in my part of OH are in very good condition and can safely support speeds significantly higher than the current maximum of 70 mph. An 85 mph limit on much of Ohio's interstates would not be inappropriate, and those that can't support speeds that high are still grossly underposted at 55 - 60.

You can't bring driver skill into any consideration of what's prima facie dangerous in any way other than your observations about their ability to control their vehicle. In other words, how can you assume anything beyond what you can observe from your patrol car? If an emotionally distraught person is driving safely at 100 mph (maintaining lane discipline and following distance, not distracted, etc) what do his or her emotions have to do with anything?

I'm not advocating for lawlessness. Anyone who's driven in Germany knows that their limited access highways are anything but lawless. What I would like to see is the majority of effort spent on policing road speed on limited access highways be shifted to education and enforcement of passing on the left/driving on the right, not obstructing the passing lane, not tailgating, not fucking around with phones or other distractions, and general fuckery from stupid/distracted/asshole drivers.

Like this

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Did you read what I wrote?

Evidently not. It's clear that you're not interested in a rational discussion of the subject and are simply stuck in the emotional/irrational side of it.

But since you insist, I do happen to pass an elementary school every day to and from work. It's on a state highway with a 55 mph speed limit (which is inappropriate in itself), except during the times when it's congested with people dropping off or picking up pupils. Then a light signal changes the limit to 20 mph.

When those yellow lights are off I pass right by that school at 60 mph, unless traffic at the intersection dictates otherwise.

You should go educate yourself on how speed limits are set based on engineering surveys.

Dude if you really believe that everyone should be able to drive whatever speed they want you are very wrong. Most drivers AND vehicles are not capable of driving at high speeds. Most drivers are fucking idiots, a lot of people are driving around in hoopdy's that are often barely safe (or not safe) at posted speed limits, and there is no production cars out there that are safe in a crash at 100+. I don't give a crap about germany and the autobahn because there are also a shit load of accidents and deaths on there due to speed. Cars blow apart when they crash at those speeds.

Where I live now the speed limits are generally 10-20mph higher on most roads as they would be on similar roads in VA. Have you seen what happens when a vehicle running 70 in a 55 T-bones another vehicle? I hadn't seen it until I moved down here and now I've seen it numerous times and it's fucking nasty.

Higher speed absolutely 100% creates accidents that could be avoidable at lower speeds, and higher speeds absolutely decreases the chances of survivability in a accident.

I love going fast and I know a lot of municipalities (especially northern VA) use it for revenue and are cocksuckers about it, but I also know that speeds limits should not be unlimited for anyone to drive as fast as they deem fit.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I don’t see it as not taking responsibility for the ticket and the actions. I just see it as trying to lessen the overall impact for something that isn’t a huge deal in life comparatively.

I bet anyone complaining takes any shortcut they can on their taxes and doesn’t pay every penny the gov’t tells them.

The process of having to get an attorney and deal with all this is more of a life lesson that just paying the fine.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I bet anyone complaining takes any shortcut they can on their taxes and doesn’t pay every penny the gov’t tells them.

Good burn.

 

[E. Bryant]

A lot of factors play into what is a "safe" speed. The driver is the largest factor, but it's also important to note that Germany has (or at least had) some rather strict safety inspection measures that generally keeps shitboxes off the road. I don't mind getting passed by a component driver in good equipment, but those times where a crapcan comes flying by at 90+ in the right lane do tend to curb my libertarian philosophies about proper use of public motorways.

I've got a small amount of experience piloting reasonably fast machinery around a racetrack, and that's generally the environment in which I prefer to flirt with the limitations of physics.

 

[LawnMM]

I missed the reckless part, either way, unless she's a habitual problem behind the wheel they aren't going to jail her for a year.

 

[308pirate]

Dude if you really believe that everyone should be able to drive whatever speed they want you are very wrong. Most drivers AND vehicles are not capable of driving at high speeds. Most drivers are fucking idiots, a lot of people are driving around in hoopdy's that are often barely safe (or not safe) at posted speed limits, and there is no production cars out there that are safe in a crash at 100+. I don't give a crap about germany and the autobahn because there are also a shit load of accidents and deaths on there due to speed. Cars blow apart when they crash at those speeds.

Where I live now the speed limits are generally 10-20mph higher on most roads as they would be on similar roads in VA. Have you seen what happens when a vehicle running 70 in a 55 T-bones another vehicle? I hadn't seen it until I moved down here and now I've seen it numerous times and it's fucking nasty.

Higher speed absolutely 100% creates accidents that could be avoidable at lower speeds, and higher speeds absolutely decreases the chances of survivability in a accident.

I love going fast and I know a lot of municipalities (especially northern VA) use it for revenue and are cocksuckers about it, but I also know that speeds limits should not be unlimited for anyone to drive as fast as they deem fit.

Cool, an emotional response

Ignored

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I missed the reckless part, either way, unless she's a habitual problem behind the wheel they aren't going to jail her for a year.

No but judges hear every excuse and a girl saying she was upset because her BF fought with her isn't going to win their sympathy for a 100mph ticket. They aren't going to jail her for a year but unless she gets it reduced then she will spend at minimum 5 days behind bards assuming the judge suspends half of the 10 days like they would be allowed to. Over 90 in VA is 2 days in jail per MPH over. Over 100 is supposed to be 30 days in jail and I think the judge can suspend half of that as well.

I was sitting in a bumfuck (similar to Roanoke) VA court room one morning last year waiting to testify and the judge was hearing traffic cases from a VA trooper when they led a guy from a side door in a county jump suit and shackles and I'm thinking he must have popped this dude with some schedule 1 drugs or something... NOPE... Speeding, and he was already being held for it and was a out of state resident (PA IIRC). 120 in a 70 on I66. He had TWO attorney's, his attorney from wherever (you know that wasn't cheap) and also a local attorney. He was a model citizen, ZERO previous infractions or criminal history, owned a business which the attorneys quoted 30 some people work for his company and depends on it for their families and was already suffering from his absence, looked like the most straight edge virgin you could imagine. The judge did not care, said there was no way you couldn't have known you were going that fast and sentenced him to 6 months with 4 months suspended and the time he was being held considered part time served. I think the attorneys said he had been held for 3 weeks at that point so he did another month+ over a fucking speeding ticket. The judge also suspended his driving privileges in VA therefor he could no longer travel back and forth to DC for work which his attorneys argued that it's imperative for his business that he keeps his driving privileges and asked for higher fine instead to no avail. So this guys word got turned upside down, possibly lost his business which would put many people out of a job, probably lost his driving privileges in his state as well, spent thousands and thousands on attorneys, and probably got his outie turned into an innie for 2 months all because he was driving fast and was a 100% non violent victimless crime.

This isn't a rare example of what happens in these hi speed tickets, it's the norm. I have been down this road myself and I know a crap load of people who have gotten hit with it too and no fucking way is the judge just going to cut her loose on 100mph for saying sorry. Not going to fucking happen. Also your previous advice of not getting an attorney is horrible fucking advice. I suggested how the OP can beat the ticket in my original post here and it works and it works in VA. He also still needs to get an attorney and have the attorney present it to the DA before hand and try to plea it before it gets to the judge, it's a little easier to persuade them than the judge and a fellow attorney is going to make much more progress negotiating a reduced plea than you will because they're all fucking buddies.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You also missed my point entirely.

BTW, speed limits do not change driver behavior.

Your point seemed to be that speed limits serve no purpose other than generating revenue, one of your posts even said that although not exact wording. So if that's not your point then what is it?

 

[308pirate]

I can honestly say that I've never explored the top speed of any of my personal vehicles on a public road. But frankly my vehicles have generally fallen into two categories:

Every single one of those instances where done when road conditions were extremely favorable.

 

[E. Bryant]

FWIW, the position of the state police in my state is to set speed limits at the 85th percentile. I don't know exactly what the shape of that distribution looks like, but it certainly ain't a symmetric bell curve, and the 10-over crowd ends up finding themselves a few sigma to the right of the mean value.

 

[308pirate]

Your point seemed to be that speed limits serve no purpose other than generating revenue, one of your posts even said that although not exact wording. So if that's not your point then what is it?

Speed limits, as they are set and determined in this country, are almost without fail all about revenue generation.

If they weren't they would be set using the 85th percentile rule as the principal criteria. But that's not how they're set.

 

[308pirate]

FWIW, the position of the state police in my state is to set speed limits at the 85th percentile.

What state do you live in? Because I'm pretty sure there is no longer a state in the US without a statutory maximum speed and that statutory limit is definitely set by politicians not traffic engineers.

 

[E. Bryant]

Every single one of those instances where done when road conditions were extremely favorable.

Glad to hear, and I'm not being judgemental because I don't know your skill level or the area in which you are operating.

 

[308pirate]

Glad to hear, and I'm not being judgemental because I don't know your skill level or the area in which you are operating.

It's also a once and done thing to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[E. Bryant]

What state do you live in? Because I'm pretty sure there is no longer a state in the US without a statutory maximum speed and that statutory limit is definitely set by politicians not traffic engineers.

Michigan still indeed sets the statutory limit by legislation. During our last revision, the Michigan State Police were pushing for an 80 MPH limit. We eventually got 75 MPH, which is right around the 50th percentile if I recall correctly.

 

[Arc Light]

"Speed Kills" was a popular saying back in the 70s/80s, it was and is bullshit. Propagated by the nanny state that didn't think Americans could assess risk and make their own decisions.

I moved from draconian VA to MT. About the most radical change you could make in terms of traffic laws. MT did not even have a speed limit on the interstates until 20 years ago. Even today people drive at whatever speed they feel comfortable with. It is not at all unusual for me to see 100 mph on a weekly basis when passing a slow moving vehicle, for example. Interstate speeds are 80-100 mph I would say on average. Big fucking deal. No one cares. Not even most cops. And I feel a hell of a lot safer driving here than I ever did in VA. With its Gestapo like police forces.

 

[Maggot]

Dude if you really believe that everyone should be able to drive whatever speed they want you are very wrong. Most drivers AND vehicles are not capable of driving at high speeds. Most drivers are fucking idiots, a lot of people are driving around in hoopdy's that are often barely safe (or not safe) at posted speed limits, and there is no production cars out there that are safe in a crash at 100+. I don't give a crap about germany and the autobahn because there are also a shit load of accidents and deaths on there due to speed. Cars blow apart when they crash at those speeds.

Where I live now the speed limits are generally 10-20mph higher on most roads as they would be on similar roads in VA. Have you seen what happens when a vehicle running 70 in a 55 T-bones another vehicle? I hadn't seen it until I moved down here and now I've seen it numerous times and it's fucking nasty.

Higher speed absolutely 100% creates accidents that could be avoidable at lower speeds, and higher speeds absolutely decreases the chances of survivability in a accident.

I love going fast and I know a lot of municipalities (especially northern VA) use it for revenue and are cocksuckers about it, but I also know that speeds limits should not be unlimited for anyone to drive as fast as they deem fit.

This. While I may be able to drive at 100 on an open interstate the law has to be written to take into consideration Grandma Moses who cant see or hear worth shit and who's 1974 rattletrap shouldn't really be on the road.

Last fall I was driving 55 on a country road (the posted limit) and spotted a dump truck about 200 yes in front of me waiting to pull inot the road from the right. Something just told me he's not going to wait so I eased oof the gas. Sure enough he looked right at me and pulled out. If I had been going 70 and not alert it would have been a fatal collision.

Death and destruction increases exponentially with an increase of speed. While the limits may seem arbitrarily they do serve a valid purpose.

Safety engineering has improved drastically in the lsat 50 years but stupid will still kill you.



Think youre saving money by buying a cheap Asian car...LOL

 

[E. Bryant]

"Speed Kills" was a popular saying back in the 70s/80s, it was and is bullshit. Propagated by the nanny state that didn't think Americans could assess risk and make their own decisions.

I certainly do not buy into that reductionist crap, but I also know enough of physics and traffic behavior to say that both the absolute speed and the relative speed between travelers both have influence on traffic safety. If limits are set too low, then the relative speeds will be too high and the accident rate increases. An increase in absolute speed increases the severity of an accident. Good traffic policy involves managing both aspects.

 

[Rthur]

Better call Saul...

R

 

[308pirate]

Michigan still indeed sets the statutory limit by legislation. During our last revision, the Michigan State Police were pushing for an 80 MPH limit.

I'm impressed. They must be the only agency who thinks that way.

I can tell you the Ohio Highway Patrol is run by retards.

 

[acudaowner]

lol good luck

 

[Arc Light]

This is the best response to the VA State Police (even the cop is heard laughing, LOL).

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Speed limits, as they are set and determined in this country, are almost without fail all about revenue generation.

If they weren't they would be set using the 85th percentile rule as the principal criteria. But that's not how they're set.

I disagree entirely. Have you driven around NOVA? There are a lot of shitty fucking drivers and aside from the speed traps on FFX co parkway and the like where that agency will have a cop shooting radar on a overpass and 10 cops lined up on the on ramp in each direction to run get them and they will pull you over for 1mph over when they do that. Yes, 1mph. Got pulled for 51 in a 50, beat it easily but was still horse shit.

That's the ONLY place I have seen that activity though. I'm sure it goes on other places too, but it's not normal. It's also not the normal there unless it's during a sting and they make those well known. Of my 15 years of driving in VA I drove 1mph under reckless if traffic permitted on the interstates and passed many state troopers in the median that never budged. Secondary roads I usually ran 10-15 over, neighborhoods was where I drove the speed limit. NEVER did I get pulled over for any of that. Every time I did get popped I was always going WAAAAAAY over the limit or doing something stupid. About half the times I did get stopped and an officer could have written me up for a laundry list of violations I was let go.

Once I got popped on the beltway racing another Cobra in my 04 Cobra mid day from a REAAAALLLY unmarked officer that was right behind us (silver unmarked late 90's earl 00's Camaro SS). We were street racing, everything about my car was illegal, and I was going about 170 on the top end. The cop could have thrown the book at me, arrested me, and even impounded my car. The result "Here's your ticket for 78 in a 55 because thats all I could get up to from the time you guys took off from 30 and I caught back up to you, the beltway is not a race track, have a nice day". Cops are allowed to estimate speed in VA and write tickets based on that and he knew damn well how fast I was going and even told me after he wrote the ticket that he estimated I was in excess of 150 to which I'm sure I had the biggest shit eating grin in the world.

Another time I got popped in the exact same spot on the beltway in the same car when @heytonyman and I were heading up to a meet up in MD. VA state trooper this time though. Popped me probably because I was the bright red car and he was silver. Pulled me over for speeding, modified exhaust, tinted tail lights, and a 6 month dead inspection. He could have easily written me up for $500+ in fines and I left with a verbal warning to fix the tail lights and get it inspected. He didn't even warn me about the speed, he was more concerned about the safety aspect of the tinted tails and overall safety of the car passing inspection.

Another time I got popped on the FFX co pkwy in my 03 Cobra... Marked officer two cars back (I'm an idiot), another buddy beside me at the front of the light in his stock redfire 03 cobra so it was on like donkey kong. I guess he noticed the cop before me and didn't warn me, but I left the light in it to win it, sideways, laying rubber through 3rd gear. There was 200 yards of black marks, lots of smoke, and the long dick of the law coming in hot. That officer could have also taken me to jail, impounded my car and hit me with a shitload of violations. I left with one ticket for "failure to maintain proper control of vehicle" which was non reckless and I don't think was even a moving violation at the time.

I've also been pulled over by cops in VA for dead inspections, a tail lights out, and so forth and it was always just to let me know. If those times only once did an officer even ask me for my ID or registration.

So if these traffic laws are just of generating revenue why did none of these cops write me up for everything they could? Why did they usually just cut me loose with a warning? I've been pulled over no less than 50 times in VA and I've received exactly three tickets, the two mentioned here as well as a ticket for modified suspension after I got in an at shared fault accident in my lifted F250 where I practically ran over a S2000 at a light after it coasted back against my bumper while the light was red and I could no longer see it. All of these times I could have been jailed, had my car impounded, multiple citations, etc and received one or none.

I'm not that fucking lucky and based on my own experiences in some areas that are regarded as nazi like for speed enforcement, it does not support your theory.

 

[308pirate]

I disagree entirely. Have you driven around NOVA? There are a lot of shitty fucking drivers and aside from the speed traps on FFX co parkway and the like where that agency will have a cop shooting radar on a overpass and 10 cops lined up on the on ramp in each direction to run get them and they will pull you over for 1mph over when they do that. Yes, 1mph. Got pulled for 51 in a 50, beat it easily but was still horse shit.

That's the ONLY place I have seen that activity though. I'm sure it goes on other places too, but it's not normal. It's also not the normal there unless it's during a sting and they make those well known. Of my 15 years of driving in VA I drove 1mph under reckless if traffic permitted on the interstates and passed many state troopers in the median that never budged. Secondary roads I usually ran 10-15 over, neighborhoods was where I drove the speed limit. NEVER did I get pulled over for any of that. Every time I did get popped I was always going WAAAAAAY over the limit or doing something stupid. About half the times I did get stopped and an officer could have written me up for a laundry list of violations I was let go.

Once I got popped on the beltway racing another Cobra in my 04 Cobra mid day from a REAAAALLLY unmarked officer that was right behind us (silver unmarked late 90's earl 00's Camaro SS). We were street racing, everything about my car was illegal, and I was going about 170 on the top end. The cop could have thrown the book at me, arrested me, and even impounded my car. The result "Here's your ticket for 78 in a 55 because thats all I could get up to from the time you guys took off from 30 and I caught back up to you, the beltway is not a race track, have a nice day". Cops are allowed to estimate speed in VA and write tickets based on that and he knew damn well how fast I was going and even told me after he wrote the ticket that he estimated I was in excess of 150 to which I'm sure I had the biggest shit eating grin in the world.

Another time I got popped in the exact same spot on the beltway in the same car when @heytonyman and I were heading up to a meet up in MD. VA state trooper this time though. Popped me probably because I was the bright red car and he was silver. Pulled me over for speeding, modified exhaust, tinted tail lights, and a 6 month dead inspection. He could have easily written me up for $500+ in fines and I left with a verbal warning to fix the tail lights and get it inspected. He didn't even warn me about the speed, he was more concerned about the safety aspect of the tinted tails and overall safety of the car passing inspection.

Another time I got popped on the FFX co pkwy in my 03 Cobra... Marked officer two cars back (I'm an idiot), another buddy beside me at the front of the light in his stock redfire 03 cobra so it was on like donkey kong. I guess he noticed the cop before me and didn't warn me, but I left the light in it to win it, sideways, laying rubber through 3rd gear. There was 200 yards of black marks, lots of smoke, and the long dick of the law coming in hot. That officer could have also taken me to jail, impounded my car and hit me with a shitload of violations. I left with one ticket for "failure to maintain proper control of vehicle" which was non reckless and I don't think was even a moving violation at the time.

I've also been pulled over by cops in VA for dead inspections, a tail lights out, and so forth and it was always just to let me know. If those times only once did an officer even ask me for my ID or registration.

So if these traffic laws are just of generating revenue why did none of these cops write me up for everything they could? Why did they usually just cut me loose with a warning? I've been pulled over no less than 50 times in VA and I've received exactly three tickets, the two mentioned here as well as a ticket for modified suspension after I got in an at shared fault accident in my lifted F250 where I practically ran over a S2000 at a light after it coasted back against my bumper while the light was red and I could no longer see it. All of these times I could have been jailed, had my car impounded, multiple citations, etc and received one or none.

I'm not that fucking lucky and based on my own experiences in some areas that are regarded as nazi like for speed enforcement, it does not support your theory.

You're entitled to your opinion.

Do you have any technical knowledge, even at a rudimentary level, of how speed limits are supposed to be set?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

This. While I may be able to drive at 100 on an open interstate the law has to be written to take into consideration Grandma Moses who cant see or hear worth shit and who's 1974 rattletrap shouldn't really be on the road.

Last fall I was driving 55 on a country road (the posted limit) and spotted a dump truck about 200 yes in front of me waiting to pull inot the road from the right. Something just told me he's not going to wait so I eased oof the gas. Sure enough he looked right at me and pulled out. If I had been going 70 and not alert it would have been a fatal collision.

Death and destruction increases exponentially with an increase of speed. While the limits may seem arbitrarily they do serve a valid purpose.

Safety engineering has improved drastically in the lsat 50 years but stupid will still kill you.



Think youre saving money by buying a cheap Asian car...LOL

Exactly. Until we equip all cars with rolls cages and give all drivers race car training, certify cars as race cars, get all the geezers off the road, and the trucks, none of which is even remotely plausible then I'd say that with very few exceptions the speed laws that are in place are justified. I don't want to get rear (or worse) because some faggot in his civic si with shot brakes and suspension thinks he should be able to do 100 in a 45 weaving through traffic. Enough of those morons already do that.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You're entitled to your opinion.

Do you have any technical knowledge, even at a rudimentary level, of how speed limits are supposed to be set?

Well common sense would set them to a speed where an average driver in an average vehicle can safely maintain it. For the most part I think they've done a pretty good job of that too.

It doesn't take a smart person to realize that higher speeds delay your brakeing time and ability to react to a situation. THAT is why we have speed limits, NOT for revenue. There are facts, not opinion. If it was for revenue nobody would get a slap on the wrist, everybody would be paying those maximum fines for reckless instead of the few hundred $$ they usually fine those found guilty, and prosecutors and judges wouldn't reduce violations. Your theory is full of holes bro.

 

[308pirate]

Well common sense would set them to a speed where an average driver in an average vehicle can safely maintain it. For the most part I think they've done a pretty good job of that too.

It doesn't take a smart person to realize that higher speeds delay your brakeing time and ability to react to a situation. THAT is why we have speed limits, NOT for revenue. There are facts, not opinion. If it was for revenue nobody would get a slap on the wrist, everybody would be paying those maximum fines for reckless instead of the few hundred $$ they usually fine those found guilty, and prosecutors and judges wouldn't reduce violations. Your theory is full of holes bro.

In other words, all you have is anecdotal evidence and opinions. Zero fucking knowledge of the topic.

Bye felicia

 

[Maggot]

In other words, all you have is anecdotal evidence and opinions. Zero fucking knowledge of the topic.

Bye felicia

In this case, he's right, youre wrong. He's got facts that can be backed up, youve got attitude.

 

[Arc Light]

@308pirate is correct. Speeds are not the issue. Drivers texting, talking on their phones, not paying attention, etc. are the problem. I feel much more alert and in control driving 85 mph than I do crawling along at 60 mph bored to death.

If speeds were the problem, why are their fewer traffic fatalities per mile driven in Germany and other countries with much higher or even no speed limits? Why were speed limits in this country HIGHER 50+ years ago than now? Because states realized they could supplement their budgets nicely without raising taxes and few would complain.

 

[Maggot]

@308pirate is correct. Speeds are not the issue. Drivers texting, talking on their phones, not paying attention, etc. are the problem. I feel much more alert and in control driving 85 mph than I do crawling along at 60 mph bored to death.

If speeds were the problem, why are their fewer traffic fatalities per mile driven in Germany and other countries with much higher or even no speed limits? Why were speed limits in this country HIGHER 50+ years ago than now? Because states realized they could supplement their budgets nicely without raising taxes and few would complain.

BS.