NYS traffic tickets

[0ni0n]

Right, because 6 1/2 and 7 years is such a big difference.

It certainly makes the difference in say, whether the sex you had with this cute girl you met online is considered statutory rape or not. But I share your sentiment, arbitrary age limit is complete bs.

[jmc]

Right, because 6 1/2 and 7 years is such a big difference.

Its not more so the age limit, but the average height of said 6-7 year olds. Most stats (like mine) do not have age requirements for child seats....we have height limits. If a child is shorter than (insert here) then he/she is required by law to be in a car seat.

Now if you have some 6 year old, who is 5'6" and a future NBA hall of fame player...then I can see the issue here.

[Tyche]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NYC doesn't have a traditional court-style judgment for traffic violations. They have like a bureau or some shit. I'm fairly certain it's next to impossible to beat a ticket in their system.

[Lampoon]

Its not more so the age limit, but the average height of said 6-7 year olds. Most stats (like mine) do not have age requirements for child seats....we have height limits. If a child is shorter than (insert here) then he/she is required by law to be in a car seat.

Now if you have some 6 year old, who is 5'6" and a future NBA hall of fame player...then I can see the issue here.

I just pictured one of those stand-up cutouts of a superhero in a amusement park that states "You must be this tall to get on this ride" standing next to a parent's car when they load their children. Heh

[Elesirdur]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but NYC doesn't have a traditional court-style judgment for traffic violations. They have like a bureau or some shit. I'm fairly certain it's next to impossible to beat a ticket in their system.

Which, as a tax payer (not in NY but the argument still stands) makes me happy. I hate hearing about people who legitimately broke the law when driving, ie. doing 120 kph in a 90 kph zone, then contest the $120 ticket, causing thousands of dollars of taxpayers money to be sucked up paying for the court, the judge, the clerks, the officer's time away from his normal policing duties all so some self-righteous cock can "beat the system."

While I do feel that challenging a ticket in cases like the OP where you did technically break the letter of the law (the actus reus), but it was not intentional (being that there was no mens rea) I think that it is warranted. Similarly in cases where officers of the law overstep their duties and start to encroach on the freedoms of individuals in a pernicious manner though frivilous tickets and charges. But if you knew you were breaking the law and you're trying to cheat the system either pay the ticket or expect to get a proper summons because you didn't pay your fine; don't spend your neighbour's money on your ego.

/rant

[Norellicus]

Which, as a tax payer (not in NY but the argument still stands) makes me happy. I hate hearing about people who legitimately broke the law when driving, ie. doing 120 kph in a 90 kph zone, then contest the $120 ticket, causing thousands of dollars of taxpayers money to be sucked up paying for the court, the judge, the clerks, the officer's time away from his normal policing duties all so some self-righteous cock can "beat the system."

While I do feel that challenging a ticket in cases like the OP where you did technically break the letter of the law (the actus reus), but it was not intentional (being that there was no mens rea) I think that it is warranted. Similarly in cases where officers of the law overstep their duties and start to encroach on the freedoms of individuals in a pernicious manner though frivilous tickets and charges. But if you knew you were breaking the law and you're trying to cheat the system either pay the ticket or expect to get a proper summons because you didn't pay your fine; don't spend your neighbour's money on your ego.

/rant

QFT

I seethe a little every time I hear about these cocks contesting major traffic violations, like doing 110 in a 70 is no big deal and the cop is a jackass for even bothering to pull them over.

80/90/100mph isn't safe for a consumer vehicle, no matter the road's straightness or condition...too many outside variables. Sooner or later somebody gets hurt, and the impact is ALWAYS greater than just your life+car when that accident inevitably occurs. Property damage, civil responders, cleanup, etc...

While there are definitely bored cops who screw with people for entertainment, blatant reckless driving isn't one of those cases, and contesting these cases is a waste of all the otherwise law-abiding citizens' money.

[0ni0n]

QFT

I seethe a little every time I hear about these cocks contesting major traffic violations, like doing 110 in a 70 is no big deal and the cop is a jackass for even bothering to pull them over.

80/90/100mph isn't safe for a consumer vehicle, no matter the road's straightness or condition...too many outside variables. Sooner or later somebody gets hurt, and the impact is ALWAYS greater than just your life+car when that accident inevitably occurs. Property damage, civil responders, cleanup, etc...

While there are definitely bored cops who screw with people for entertainment, blatant reckless driving isn't one of those cases, and contesting these cases is a waste of all the otherwise law-abiding citizens' money.

That's only true in the US. You should check out Autobahn in Germany, which doesn't have a general speed limit. Also, the overall safety record of German autobahns is generally better than other European highways. German autobahn fatality rates are lower than Austria's and higher than Switzerland's rates. Highways are safer than other road types.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobahn

[Norellicus]

I actually lived in Germany for a number of years, and the 'no limit' only applied in a very select number of areas that I saw...more often than not, there were posted limits, usually ranging from 90kph (55ish) to 120kph (75). 130 was pretty rare, and blank (no limit) zones were even rarer.

Regardless of the regulations, there's still a point where consumer vehicle + uncontrolled environment, such as an open freeway, is only asking for trouble. Saying 80 isn't safe is probably incorrect, but my point about people contesting a ticket for 110 in a 70 stands.

[Elesirdur]

That's only true in the US. You should check out Autobahn in Germany, which doesn't have a general speed limit. Also, the overall safety record of German autobahns is generally better than other European highways. German autobahn fatality rates are lower than Austria's and higher than Switzerland's rates. Highways are safer than other road types.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobahn

Bit of an aside, but from my understanding getting a driver's license in Germany requires quite a bit more study and training than it does in either the US or Canada. The driving age is 18 and it costs around 500-2000 Euros (over $2400 USD at the top end) to get trained and licensed, not to mention more stringent fines. The driver's are likely more aware and safer, considering all the mandatory theory and practical courses they must attend to get a license it would be hard not to be, than their North American counterparts.

Things are similar in Japan where getting a driver's license is practically like getting a private pilot's license - but that is a country where having an automobile is not always preferred due to high costs of maintaining, insuring, registering and storing a vehicle.

[QuePsiXI]

Got a $35 for parking at the beginning of a No Standing zone...10 feet away was a legal parking spot, so my bad.

Yesterday I parked for 15 minutes at the University of Rochester at the 15 minutes with flashers parking spot, but I didn't turn in my flashsers. For not pressing the button above my steering wheel, I got charged...$50.

Gooooooo Upstate NY! They better use the money they're raping me for to make Rochester less boring.

[Havent]

California also has another perk, we have the CHP 11-99 Foundation! You basically donate money to the California Highway Patrol to a fund that goes to families who have someone in there family die in the line of duty or some freak accident. You get a license plate frame, membership card, sticker. You normally see people who have really fast cars with the frame. I got caught going 150mph on 101 and didn't even realize I had passed a CHP. He caught he after 15mins cause he had to catch me. First of all, it was a SL65 that belonged to a dealer my friend works at, I could have got arrested and got the car impounded. What I do is stick the membership card to the back of my license and just act like I didn't know. He lectured me and after 20mins of checking my record (which he couldn't find, I have family that works in the Pentagon, it's restricted), he said he never wanted to see me going that fast and let me go, lol! When I think about it, I saved myself around $10,000 for a small fee of $1800.

[aurik]

California also has another perk, we have the CHP 11-99 Foundation! You basically donate money to the California Highway Patrol to a fund that goes to families who have someone in there family die in the line of duty or some freak accident. You get a license plate frame, membership card, sticker. You normally see people who have really fast cars with the frame. I got caught going 150mph on 101 and didn't even realize I had passed a CHP. He caught he after 15mins cause he had to catch me. First of all, it was a SL65 that belonged to a dealer my friend works at, I could have got arrested and got the car impounded. What I do is stick the membership card to the back of my license and just act like I didn't know. He lectured me and after 20mins of checking my record (which he couldn't find, I have family that works in the Pentagon, it's restricted), he said he never wanted to see me going that fast and let me go, lol! When I think about it, I saved myself around $10,000 for a small fee of $1800.

I really don't believe you were going 150 on the 101.

[Zigma]

Got a $35 for parking at the beginning of a No Standing zone...10 feet away was a legal parking spot, so my bad.

Yesterday I parked for 15 minutes at the University of Rochester at the 15 minutes with flashers parking spot, but I didn't turn in my flashsers. For not pressing the button above my steering wheel, I got charged...$50.

Gooooooo Upstate NY! They better use the money they're raping me for to make Rochester less boring.

HAZARDS! THEY ARE CALLED HAZARDS!!!!

Also, I just mailed my ticket in with my credit card number.

[jmc]

California also has another perk, we have the CHP 11-99 Foundation! You basically donate money to the California Highway Patrol to a fund that goes to families who have someone in there family die in the line of duty or some freak accident. You get a license plate frame, membership card, sticker. You normally see people who have really fast cars with the frame. I got caught going 150mph on 101 and didn't even realize I had passed a CHP. He caught he after 15mins cause he had to catch me. First of all, it was a SL65 that belonged to a dealer my friend works at, I could have got arrested and got the car impounded. What I do is stick the membership card to the back of my license and just act like I didn't know. He lectured me and after 20mins of checking my record (which he couldn't find, I have family that works in the Pentagon, it's restricted), he said he never wanted to see me going that fast and let me go, lol! When I think about it, I saved myself around $10,000 for a small fee of $1800.

Complete Bullshit!

Your record, will not be restricted on a mobile data terminal used by law enforcement. Sorry who told you, your driving information will be restricted but it doesnt work like you claim.

[Haiko]

California also has another perk, we have the CHP 11-99 Foundation! You basically donate money to the California Highway Patrol to a fund that goes to families who have someone in there family die in the line of duty or some freak accident. You get a license plate frame, membership card, sticker. You normally see people who have really fast cars with the frame. I got caught going 150mph on 101 and didn't even realize I had passed a CHP. He caught he after 15mins cause he had to catch me. First of all, it was a SL65 that belonged to a dealer my friend works at, I could have got arrested and got the car impounded. What I do is stick the membership card to the back of my license and just act like I didn't know. He lectured me and after 20mins of checking my record (which he couldn't find, I have family that works in the Pentagon, it's restricted), he said he never wanted to see me going that fast and let me go, lol! When I think about it, I saved myself around $10,000 for a small fee of $1800.

Well aren't you special...I got a speeding ticket going 70 on a 65 at Highway 99

[Havent]

If no one really believes it is a 'get out of jail free card' just google it and see how many people get off and for the ridiculous reasons. Ranges from getting out of border line drunks to people racing 120mph+.

[aurik]

Yes I'm sure that a CHP officer chased you down at speeds exceeding 150mph for 15 minutes and didn't call for backup or a helicopter.

[jmc]

If no one really believes it is a 'get out of jail free card' just google it and see how many people get off and for the ridiculous reasons. Ranges from getting out of border line drunks to people racing 120mph+.

And what reason do you have, to be restricted in a law enforcement database? Having a relative in the pentagon doesn't cut it. Just if you try to claim it, i'm a Cop....and I have a cousin who is a Col. in the USAF assigned to the Pentagon. He has restricted acess on his personal information but his wife doesnt.

So like I said, complete bullshit.

[archibaldcrane]

Anyway, I think I'm going to plead "not guilty" by mail, then mail in my "defense" (as per that ticketassassin.com website) for my 80 in a 65 on the 101 at 2 a.m., and just pray that the officer doesn't do the same.

Between the $130 ticket and the 3 years of car insurance increased by $100/yr or more, it's worth a shot I guess.

[Titanss]

to jmc:

here it is that after you show proof of insurance and get tags, if not fines are alot steeper. 10$ each seat belt tho.