Busted doing +50kms over speed limit. Any advice?

[masterchief]

I believe that's most likely to work in Toronto where cops appear in court on their days off. Members of the OPP, on the other hand, have one court day scheduled per month.

jwm

It won't work in Toronto either, in the last few years the TPS changed its regs, that if an Officer fails to show up for court dates on days off they get penalized.

It's now more of a case of you going to court, meeting with the crown and the officer before trial and making a deal.

 

[oldjones]

I was heading towards Whitby this morning to see a friend for a car.

My speedometer was not really working, and usually I would know what speed I am going at. I was driving along side another car going at the same speed as me and another car behind us who was travelling at the same speed as well.

I saw a speed trap but it was too late to slow down, but they singled me out and I was told to hit the shoulder lane.

Pulled over. Nice looking female cop walked up and spoke to me, I explained to her that I was driving the limit but my speedometer stopped working.

She took my DL/Insurance/Ownership and went off.

Came back with a ticket and my stuff. She told me that she will not give a ticket for expired insurance (expired a week ago) and she gave me a ticket for doing 95KM/hour in an 80km/h zone (this is taunton rd by the way).

I asked her what speed i was going at and she said 117KM/h. I asked to see the reading on the radar, and the male officer that was with her said "You don't need to see it, you can be on your way sir" I asked again, and he told me again to be on my way.

Here's some further details:

-15KM/h over speed limit
-says code "R" on ticket
-License plate # on ticket is incorrect
-I have a prior ticket with no points for 15 over.

Any suggestions? Please help me. I currently can't afford extra insurance, let alone an SP

You were driving a car you know is mechanically defective.

You had no insurance, because you let it lapse.

You had a completely unrealistic idea of the speed you were going.

The cop gave you a break on the ticket speed and on the defective, uninsured car and you now think we should help you avoid the little penalty you do face?

When you start accepting responibilty like an adult, you'll be ready to drive. You're a danger.

 

[pimpin_civic]

You were driving a car you know is mechanically defective.

You had no insurance, because you let it lapse.

You had a completely unrealistic idea of the speed you were going.

The cop gave you a break on the ticket speed and on the defective, uninsured car and you now think we should help you avoid the little penalty you do face?

When you start accepting responibilty like an adult, you'll be ready to drive. You're a danger.

I didn't ask for an opinion that would state the obvious. Sure I'd be willing to take a hit like that, but it's a scam if i never use my insurance.

I asked for advice to fight the ticket not advice to own up to it.

And for you to think I'm a danger, you're wrong.
And if I forgot to mention, i know i was nowhere near 117 for sure. So honestly, unless you have a way to help me fight the ticket, keep your mouth shut. I'm one of the safest drivers out there.

 

[jwmorrice]

Has anyone ever admitted that he's a terrible driver? Let me be the first and probably the only one in the history of TERB. I quit driving for that reason. Oh, that and not making it out of the parking lot on my last driving test.

jwm

 

[pimpin_civic]

Has anyone ever admitted that he's a terrible driver? Let me be the first and probably the only one in the history of TERB. I quit driving for that reason. Oh, that and not making it out of the parking lot on my last driving test.

jwm

LoL

and I never said I was a perfect driver, but I feel that I'm one of the safest and most defensive.

 

[CapitalGuy]

slow down!

Five years on TERB and this is your virgin post!! Welcome.

 

[thompo69]

I was heading towards Whitby this morning to see a friend for a car.

My speedometer was not really working, and usually I would know what speed I am going at. I was driving along side another car going at the same speed as me and another car behind us who was travelling at the same speed as well.

I saw a speed trap but it was too late to slow down, but they singled me out and I was told to hit the shoulder lane.

Pulled over. Nice looking female cop walked up and spoke to me, I explained to her that I was driving the limit but my speedometer stopped working.

She took my DL/Insurance/Ownership and went off.

Came back with a ticket and my stuff. She told me that she will not give a ticket for expired insurance (expired a week ago) and she gave me a ticket for doing 95KM/hour in an 80km/h zone (this is taunton rd by the way).

I asked her what speed i was going at and she said 117KM/h. I asked to see the reading on the radar, and the male officer that was with her said "You don't need to see it, you can be on your way sir" I asked again, and he told me again to be on my way.

Here's some further details:

-15KM/h over speed limit
-says code "R" on ticket
-License plate # on ticket is incorrect
-I have a prior ticket with no points for 15 over.

Any suggestions? Please help me. I currently can't afford extra insurance, let alone an SP

You're pretty much shit out of luck, or actually very lucky. Given everything they could have nailed you for you got off pretty easy. You got a $45 ticket, when they could've easily nailed you for substantially more ($259 for 37 over, and $5,000-25,000 for driving without insurance). Sounds like you already beat the system.

The error in the licence plate # won't be enough to get it tossed. The "R" is a notation to the Crown that the speed was reduced at the time of writing -- essentially saying that you already got a break, so there won't be any more pleading down at trial. You admitted to the officer that your speedometer was not working so you can't credibly suggest what your speed actually was. Your only chance would be if the officer didn't show up, but that's pretty unlikely these days.

Bottom line is you should thank your lucky stars you only have a $45 ticket to worry about, and not tempt fate trying to do any better.

 

[pimpin_civic]

You're pretty much shit out of luck, or actually very lucky. Given everything they could have nailed you for you got off pretty easy. You got a $45 ticket, when they could've easily nailed you for substantially more ($259 for 37 over, and $5,000-25,000 for driving without insurance). Sounds like you already beat the system.

The error in the licence plate # won't be enough to get it tossed. The "R" is a notation to the Crown that the speed was reduced at the time of writing -- essentially saying that you already got a break, so there won't be any more pleading down at trial. You admitted to the officer that your speedometer was not working so you credibly suggest what your speed actually was. Your only chance would be if the officer didn't show up, but that's pretty unlikely these days.

Bottom line is you should thank your lucky stars you only have a $45 ticket to worry about, and not tempt fate trying to do any better.

Well what is the worst that could happen if I attempt to fight it?

Here's how I intend to fight it:
Get a court date, request courtdate change by registered mail, request disclosure and details of the officers notes by mail..etc etc...pester them in every way possible. Lets take for example the officer had no notes of what I did or said, how can they defend themselves as a witness?

What about this radar calibration thing? What are the laws on obtaining records?

 

[Moraff]

Well what is the worst that could happen if I attempt to fight it?

They can reinstate the ticket to the full penalty. Possibly they could add in driving without a valid insurance paper.

Here's how I intend to fight it:
Get a court date, request courtdate change by registered mail, request disclosure and details of the officers notes by mail..etc etc...pester them in every way possible. Lets take for example the officer had no notes of what I did or said, how can they defend themselves as a witness?

It's a fairly simple speeding ticket, how many notes do they really need to make? Unless she has lost her credibility then the court is going to take her word over yours. Especially when you admitted to knowing you were driving a car that wasn't 100%.

What about this radar calibration thing? What are the laws on obtaining records?

From all that I've heard, that's not a defense that's likely to win.

 

[Moraff]

but it's a scam if i never use my insurance.

Yeah, but if you have an accident with another person you are so fucked it'd make you wish you'd never thought to take that gamble.......

 

[Belleville69]

For the original poster, just ignore the perfect law abiding morons on here that NEVER break the speed limit by even one KPH.........then fight it with atleast a place that deals in traffic violations. I have beat /reduced any tickets I have ever got, and a buddy got a 50 over one last year(2 am straight deserted road)and he got it reduced to about 20 over if I remember right. I'll think of you whiners next time i'm cruisin the 401 with my Bel Sti driver.

 

[hunter001]

but it's a scam if i never use my insurance. .

Or the speedometer apparently.

 

[Moraff]

I'll think of you whiners next time i'm cruisin the 401 with my Bel Sti driver.

Okay, we'll be the ones waving when you're sitting at the side of the road chatting with the friendly officers.

 

[JohnC]

Everybody thinks they are a safe river until they hit somebody!! Also riving without insurance should be a major offence, you can easily ruin somebody's life that way.

Never ceases to amaze me the number of people who think laws don't apply to them (until it's too late!!)

 

[Belleville69]

Okay, we'll be the ones waving when you're sitting at the side of the road chatting with the friendly officers.

Don't hold your breath, been years since Ive been stopped, and the STI is undetectable.

 

[pimpin_civic]

Alright.

So say I take the hit for this ticket. Pay it up etc etc.

I have this ticket for 15km over no points plus another one (2 years ago) for 15 over no points, what do you think it'll do to my insurance?

 

[hunter001]

Alright.

So say I take the hit for this ticket. Pay it up etc etc.

I have this ticket for 15km over no points plus another one (2 years ago) for 15 over no points, what do you think it'll do to my insurance?

It would be in your best interest to delay this one as long as possible (i.e. a year) so that the older ticket is off your record. Infractions have a 3 year life as far as insurance companies are concerned. As much as it pains me to give advise. You can work it out with insurance renewal dates, ...

You might also consider getting the speedometer fixed and slowing down but whatever...

 

[dlackdudedick]

Fight it, then go to court and say you were speeding because your afraid of trailers and you had to steer clear of 1. Worked for me and there wasnt a trailer in sight lol

 

[hunter001]

But this is a minor infraction and unless he has 2 already last year (3 minors within 2 years might cause a problem), he can just pay it without repercussions.

As I said, he's got nothing to lose by going to the prosecutor to plea it down as an erroneous plate # but if the only error is one digit, then I doubt he'll be successful.

Based on his record it is like another one is around the corner. (He doesn't believe that he was actually going 117 even though he doesn't have a working speedo...) He would be better to delay this one unless the other one goes off his record before his next renewal. It is a fine line I wouldn't care to walk. Each to his own.

 

[oldjones]

I didn't ask for an opinion that would state the obvious. Sure I'd be willing to take a hit like that, but it's a scam if i never use my insurance.

I asked for advice to fight the ticket not advice to own up to it.

And for you to think I'm a danger, you're wrong.
And if I forgot to mention, i know i was nowhere near 117 for sure. So honestly, unless you have a way to help me fight the ticket, keep your mouth shut. I'm one of the safest drivers out there.

You're not safe if you drive a mechanically deficient car, if you don't have insurance, and if you really believe you just 'know better' than a tested, certified radar gun gun, operated by a team of pros trained and paid to get it right in court.

But if you do. I'm sure it would be very amusing to hear how you know for sure yoiur speed was nowhere near 117 without a speedometer. More gut than brain would be my bet.

What I know for sure is you're an uninsured, irresponsible driver who shouldn't have been on the road. Trying to get out of the ticket that's already way less than it should be shows you're still thinking lke a child, not an adult.

If you were "one of the safest drivers out there", you wouldn't have been caught. Suck it up, grow up, try to learn something from this before you kill someone. And stick the rest of us with the cost.