Just a warning

[Bob Penn]

I just got back from Daytona last night. I should have known better then to travel through the state of South Carolina but I had no choice wanting to go to the FL. rally.
I was traveling north up I-95. The traffic was moving along at about 75 mph. 5 mph over the posted speed limit and I had my new Breakaway throttle lock set to the traffic speed. Most of the road is flat and my speed was constant. Unfortunately, for me there are a few dips in the road were the road goes down hill into the swamps and the bike sped up to 79 mph. Don't you know that's where the wonderful SC state police set up their radar. I'm sure that's not the reason they set up there but I wonder!
I have an alarm set up on my GPS that goes off when you exceed a set speed limit which I had set at 79 mph. Before I could react I hit the trap at the bottom of the hill. I tried to explain to the officer what happened but he didn't want to hear any of it. He took my information back to his car and came back presenting me with an $81 ticket for 9 mph over the limit and a card explaining how I could pay it via internet. The new electronics age is wonderful.
You would think a warning ticket would have been sufficient especially after looking up my record and finding I haven't had a violation in over 20 years. But I guess writing a tickets is easier then then picking cotton.

That's why I won't go or spend my money at the Myrtle Beech rally anymore.

[Hornblower]

So sorry to hear about your experience, Bob. Based on your great record, a warning ticket would have been more appropriate. I, too, have been the unfortunate recipient of what I call "cheap" speeding tickets. No, not cheap in the sense of cost but cheap in the sense of penalizing you for a minor and inconsequential offense. Traps, like the one you just experienced, are set up mainly to generate revenue. That is my own opinion, of course, and if you detect a note of disgust, you are quite perceptive. Traps like this have cost me plenty over the years, so much so that I spent quite a lot on lawyers and radar detectors. Still, my detectors don't totally protect but they do help. My last ticket was the result of a laser trap where, similar to you, everybody was doing 75+ on a straight, dual-lane highway (speed limit 65) and they were pulling folks over left and right. As you may know, no radar detector can protect you from laser so when your laser alert goes off, that's to let you know you just got a ticket. Some might say, well, just don't speed and you don't have to worry about getting tickets. What's the fun in that? Seriously though, especially on a bike, I believe the safest speed is to match the speed of surrounding traffic. I really don't want to get hit from behind. To each his own...

[stroguy]

As I told my kids when they began driving.....as long as you are economically viable you are welcome to speed, receive speeding tickets, pay the fines and pay the higher insurance rates. I drive with the same mentality. I don't fault the officer when I am speeding and I am nailed. Yes it hurts, yes it would have been nice to get the warning like I have received in the past (I get a lot of warnings). But, there is no defense, I was speeding. With your record you will easily receive deferred adjudication, pay a fee and there will be no mar against your record. I don't see the big deal with fretting over this. $81 for more than 10% over the limit. You got off easy. I just paid my 54 in a 45 ticket two weeks ago. Would have cost $222, but with defensive driving and 90 days promise to be a good boy it was reduced to $109. Myrtle Beach did nothing to you, it's an awesome place to have fun.

[shooter]

Sucks Bob. Unlike my stepcousin Stro I'm not gonna blow smoke up your azz. I would be POed also. I haven't had a ticket in 27 years. I don't know why. Just lucky I guess. I work on the local police and county police cars so maybe that helps. And you are right. They had that speed trap there for a reason. Cruise control always speeds up on a downhill and most have theirs set at the upper limit.

[MisterB]

I believe the safest speed is to match the speed of surrounding traffic. I really don't want to get hit from behind. To each his own...
+1
I haven't had a ticket for 30+ years because most of that has been in the cage and I drive the speed limit. Prior to 30 years ago I got a bunch of tickets and after a $200 fine (1980s dollars!) I decided to just go the limit. Forever.
That worked great for me until 2008 when I decided to start riding again. Traffic in St Louis has changed drastically since I was a teenager and I found out instantly that motorcycles don't have the luxury of going the speed limit if the local driving culture dictates that the minimum speed is over the limit. You risk getting mowed over.

When driving I stick to the limit like glue, if people want to risk a ticket they can go around me, I'll be in the right-hand lane.
When riding I go with the flow, which means risking a ticket but not risking getting rear-ended. I've been lucky enough to have avoided both.

I never knew how fast those other drivers were going until I got back on a bike. 90 in a 60 happens around here every day.

[stroguy]

Sucks Bob. Unlike my stepcousin Stro I'm not gonna blow smoke up your azz. I would be POed also. I haven't had a ticket in 27 years. I don't know why. Just lucky I guess. I work on the local police and county police cars so maybe that helps. And you are right. They had that speed trap there for a reason. Cruise control always speeds up on a downhill and most have theirs set at the upper limit.

stepcousin? LOL!

[wjduke]

My last ticket was in my own city for $200. I contested and won based on my past record. In your case, being out of state, contesting it isn't worth the trouble, and that's where they get you. The great state of Maryland busted me when I went to see my uncle get buried at Arlington. I was visiting, and was always warned. I came home, and a week or so later in the mail I was presented with a photo of my car speeding, along with a note that said..." pay the fine and all is forgotten". $40 was worth it. In your case, sounds like the same thing. Hope all is forgotten!

[Bob Penn]

Thanks for all support and understanding. The $81 dollars really doesn't mean anything to me. I'll pay it and never miss it. Heck, I spent more money then that during the week watching girls wrestling in a cabbage patch. It's just the point that the police are being used as a profit generator rather than a safety protector.
The shame is on me! I should have known better, SC. has a long history of these speed traps. Hence the warning here nothing has changed down there!
But my planned trip to Myrtle Beech is off!! I'll save my money and take it to Americade a true Gold Wing rally where the people appreciate my business. The cops are there but they are reasonable and only bust on people doing really illegal or stupid things. Like good thinking cops do!

[stroguy]

Understood, but do check the deferred adjudication with the local DA to defer the ticket. I was hauling ass through VA, another known speed trap state. I got pulled over and they gave me a warning. My brother was so pissed because he has been hammered time and time again in VA. Some police never let anyone go, some flip a coin, some give more warnings than tickets. You never know that you may have come through a known young kids race area and the police have had enough. Maybe they had a rash of accidents on that stretch the last year. Hilly terrain is known for higher accident rate than flat unobscured terrain. Good luck Bob.

[SimonTemplar]

.........The new electronics age is wonderful.
You would think a warning ticket would have been sufficient especially after looking up my record and finding I haven't had a violation in over 20 years. But I guess writing a tickets is easier then then picking cotton........

It's not about speed, safety, or any of the other histrionics that I am sure he preached at you while giving you the ticket.


It's all about the revenue. Nothing more...nothing less.

Many years ago, I used to live in the Cleveland area. There is an inner city neighbourhood there called Lindale. Lindale's city limits overlap barely 70 yards of I-71. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, there is a Lindale city cruiser sitting on the side of the road at the city limit...next to the speed limit sign which reduces the limit for those 70 yards by 10 mph (down to 45...yes, 45mph on an interstate). They routinely pull anyone who comes down the interstate at 47mph or above.

It's how the city makes their money. What they do with it, however, is beyond me. It's an inner city neighbourhood....basically, it's the projects. And even though they rake in thousands in speeding fines every night....the place still looks like a war zone.

It's just about revenue and nothing more. There was no chance in hell you were ever going to get a Warning. More likely...you would get a thank you note.




....sT

[Spanky]

Once was passing 2 cars doing 40 in a 45. Jumped to 47 and passed on a long flat road. All was well until the lead ford explorer sped up and was 3 feet off my bumper. Being clear of traffic and not taking any crap, I dropped a gear and pulled away in a flash. Uphill. His lights came on as I reached 112 and I pulled over. He jumped out and said what the hell are you doing? I explained that I assumed he wanted to make me a hood ornament and I was not having it. He giggled and asked what kind of bike this was anyway? I said " fast" and tossed him the keys. We bs'd for a few and he said be safe.

Half hour later I was ticketed for 28 in 25..... shit happens. Good news is walked away from a 112 in 45. Got out of the other during court, I asked him the last date of radar calibration. 2 years ago it turned out.

[stroguy]

112 in a 45, wow! It must not always be about revenue. You would have been a gold mine.

[GaTeach]

tears....lots of tears.....

[oldguy2]

Tried the tears before but if cop has Napoleon complex and only comes up to my shirt pocket I usually received ticket; must be missing equally in sincerity and cuteness factor since I am large old male.

[bob109]

Thanks for all support and understanding. The $81 dollars really doesn't mean anything to me. I'll pay it and never miss it. Heck, I spent more money then that during the week watching girls wrestling in a cabbage patch. It's just the point that the police are being used as a profit generator rather than a safety protector.
The shame is on me! I should have known better, SC. has a long history of these speed traps. Hence the warning here nothing has changed down there!
But my planned trip to Myrtle Beech is off!! I'll save my money and take it to Americade a true Gold Wing rally where the people appreciate my business. The cops are there but they are reasonable and only bust on people doing really illegal or stupid things. Like good thinking cops do!

Feel you pain Bob! A little slack is always nice and appreciated when a Officer/Trooper gives it! A once notorious and infamous "Speed Trap" was in Waldo Florida (now shut down)! The Police of that small town actually generated enough revenue through speeding fines to fully fund their department of several officers. The were warning signs posted both sides of Waldo on RTE 301 warning all of the tactics. Unfortunately the ever changing speed reduction through that small town took many by surprise and they paid. According to some, once the officer had you stopped he would do a quick vehicle inspection of lights etc. and tack those infractions onto the ticket. Finally the outrage by the public caught up with Waldo and shut them down because of "Ticket Quotas" by their officers.

Regards from warm Florida!

See ya at Bill's Market in mid April:icon_biggrin:

bob109

[valkmc]

My brother got a ticket in Waldo many years ago for 3 miles over. It was done a lot there. I think it is the reason 0-4 over is a warning now in Florida.

[adventurous1]

In the Socialist State of California, approximately 80 to 85 % of all state income tax, fines, fees, sales tax, etc., etc. goes directly to gov't worker wages, gov't worker beni's, and their ridiculously insane gov't worker pension plans. Most parking meters where I'm located, the hours of infractions have risen from a previous 8 to 6, to now 8 to 8 with yet another increase from 8 a.m. to Midnight. Whereas it used to be a quarter an hour, it's now a quarter for 15 minutes ---- and the parking meters fines are now about $ 60. The meters around all the movie theaters are an 'hour'. lol

All 'motor vehicle' fines and fees have always been about REVENUE and never about safety. I understand a 'motor vehicle' being registered every year; however, the state gov't workers (including those wearing costumes, badges and automatic weapons - and unfortunately most Americans' do not know the difference between a 'motor vehicle' and a car or automobile. Nor 'Traffic', 'Passenger", and traveler.

Believe G. Washington was correct when he indicated, gov't workers are a necessary evil.

[VaBob]

Newromesuck.com

Same as the Waldo Fl story. That whole town was probably no larger than a few acres. But they crossed a major road in ohio outside of columbus. (Highway 40) and they made so much money from speeding and dirty license plates it was unreal. Their court house was a double wide, so I have no idea where the money went. They too got shut down, thank the lord.

[shooter]

tears....lots of tears.....

A friend of mine says that tears is gods greatest gift to women. Teach I did not make that up. It wasn't me. The guy is in his seventies. I try to be more sensitive!!

[ReserveBum]

I just got back from Daytona last night. I should have known better then to travel through the state of South Carolina but I had no choice wanting to go to the FL. rally.
I was traveling north up I-95. The traffic was moving along at about 75 mph. 5 mph over the posted speed limit and I had my new Breakaway throttle lock set to the traffic speed. Most of the road is flat and my speed was constant. Unfortunately, for me there are a few dips in the road were the road goes down hill into the swamps and the bike sped up to 79 mph. Don't you know that's where the wonderful SC state police set up their radar. I'm sure that's not the reason they set up there but I wonder!
I have an alarm set up on my GPS that goes off when you exceed a set speed limit which I had set at 79 mph. Before I could react I hit the trap at the bottom of the hill. I tried to explain to the officer what happened but he didn't want to hear any of it. He took my information back to his car and came back presenting me with an $81 ticket for 9 mph over the limit and a card explaining how I could pay it via internet. The new electronics age is wonderful.
You would think a warning ticket would have been sufficient especially after looking up my record and finding I haven't had a violation in over 20 years. But I guess writing a tickets is easier then then picking cotton.

That's why I won't go or spend my money at the Myrtle Beech rally anymore.

Bob I got a ticket years ago in Sumter SC for 56 in a 55, but I was running a fire engine red Olds 442 and had a NY license. But yesterday was karma...I was in Myrtle Beach this weekend and was leaving town on the by pass. Sunday morning calm, clear and no traffic. Was doing @ 75 and he was behind a grove of trees. I glimpsed as I went by and he was Bo Dukeing out of his spot. I slowed, he came roaring up behind me flashed his lights once and promptly did a 180.....dont know if it was my veteran plate or he got a more urgent call. I'll take it either way

[SimonTemplar]

......There were warning signs posted both sides of Waldo on RTE 301 warning all of the tactics. Unfortunately the ever changing speed reduction through that small town took many by surprise and they paid. According to some, once the officer had you stopped he would do a quick vehicle inspection of lights etc. and tack those infractions onto the ticket. Finally the outrage by the public caught up with Waldo and shut them down because of "Ticket Quotas" by their officers.


Yep....I was about to purchase a house at Spruce Creek once upon a time. Nearly at the very last moment I saw these sort of shenanigans out of several FL municipalities. Backed out of the house..and am happily living where I don't have to even drive through Florida.

No doubt, I am not the only one who refuses to play those games.



...sT

[BEIST]

"Ride It Like You Stole It!" "fireybat"

You have to admit it - nobody gets tickets when they are consciously speeding. It only happens when you are day dreaming. "Where did he come from!" If you're out there "getting busy" and you have your Spidey Scenses turned on high we never get stopped. You just have to know they are trying to catch you riding dirty. The fact is: I'm rolling - they're patrolling! I live in Pennsyltuckie PA where the Smokie Bears hide around every bend, with twigs and branches thrown over their cars, waiting in ambush. Out here we have toll roads and when you get caught speeding = you pay the toll. I've got three "wicked fast" bikes and drive a Dodge Challenger with a Hemi. When I do get "pulled" - my first response is: "Officer, am I pulled over far enough that you feel safe?" That starts the conversation off in a good tone. I never admit to speeding and we usually discuss manly stuff about how bada$$ my rides are. I can boldly state that I hold the all time record for "warnings." Something everybody I know Hates because we live in an age when the police are now forced to earn their own keep by soliciting fines. It's a war out there. Prepare to battle. The Mine Fields are Speed Traps watch for them. When the speed limit goes from 55 to 45 to 35 to 25, in a quarter mile, you can be guaranteed there will be a trap waiting for you behind the bend. And if you don't know to hit your brakes when you see brake lights in front of you = you deserve a ticket.

Every time I go out riding my mind set is; the cagers are going to try and kill me today and the cops are going to try and arrest me. FYI = I'm probably the guy that blew by you right before the last cop pulled you over and made you cuss at yourself.

I will end it there and let the haters "Flame On!"

[willtill]

Better watch out for the evil twin sister state of North Carolina:

http://www.livetrucking.com/this-state-will-ticket-anyone-going-one-mile-per-hour-over-the-speed-limit/

and more:

http://myfox8.com/2016/03/23/speeding-enforcement-crackdown-in-nc-to-target-anyone-going-above-posted-limit/


The governor's highway safety program is ramping up what's being called "Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine" speeding enforcement crackdown.

Apparently, there's a belief out there that if the speed limit is 65, officers or troopers won't pull you over if you're doing 1 to 9 miles per hour over the limit - a so-called buffer zone.

The DOT says that's not the case. Law enforcement says beginning Thursday, they'll target and ticket anyone driving above the posted speed limit.

:shock:

[Steve 0080]

Yep....I was about to purchase a house at Spruce Creek once upon a time. Nearly at the very last moment I saw these sort of shenanigans out of several FL municipalities. Backed out of the house..and am happily living where I don't have to even drive through Florida.

No doubt, I am not the only one who refuses to play those games.



...sT


So, you did not buy a house in FLA because you would/might get a speeding ticket??? Did you ever think if you were not speeding you would not get one? I get a kick out of folks who think the PoPo is out lurking for them! Yes, there are towns that have nothing else to do and it seems as though that is all they do. For example Lake Mary, FL. A very wealthy town with nothing else to do as there is not crime to speak of except speeding. Do I think it tarnishes the towns reputation, absolutely ! Are they going to change, probably not. Not sure about most, but for me if I get one ticket, I got away with a thousand !

[Bob Penn]

Will, I don't know how they can legally do that! First their unites, I've been told by my attorney, can be up to 10% off in their accuracy. And even then they have to be checked and calibrated every month to be legal.
The attorney offered to go down and fight the ticket and he's pretty sure he could win. The only problem is it would cost me a lot more then the $81 ticket.
Knowing this cost, don't you think that isn't part of the plan and why they lurk out at the bottom of a hill.

[willtill]

Will, I don't know how they can legally do that! First their unites, I've been told by my attorney, can be up to 10% off in their accuracy. And even then they have to be checked and calibrated every month to be legal.
The attorney offered to go down and fight the ticket and he's pretty sure he could win. The only problem is it would cost me a lot more then the $81 ticket.
Knowing this cost, don't you think that isn't part of the plan and why they lurk out at the bottom of a hill.

Bob, they are probably counting on the fact that most "out of state" offenders will not return to fight the ticket. They will just pay and move on; forget about it...

It's nothing but a pure revenue stream for them... and also it seems that they have lost their sense of "southern hospitality".

[Cobraguy]

All I can say is you got off cheap. Seems any moving violation here in SoCal starts at $431.00 and goes up.