I know how these kinds of threads usually go, so I'm going to preface this with the fact that I was speeding and I am in no way trying to make excuses. Now, the cop mentioned that he clocked me at 59 with his radar. This confused me because he was driving in the opposite direction and did a U-Turn to pull me over. The reason I'm confused is because I thought cops operated their radar gun when at a stand still. Do they have a dash radar or something? Just curious, because he was very adamant about how accurate his radar was and how it was calibrated every day. Night ended on a good note though, I won a $35 gift certificate at bar trivia...think I can sign that over to Hennepin County?
Yes, they do have dash radar. No, I don't think you can pay your ticket with a gift certificate from bar trivia.
Congrats on the trivia gift. You unfortunately would be wrong. While I understand why you think this, the only way they can clock you is either at a stand still (with the gun) or while coming at you. He/she can scream all day that their radar gun is calibrated every single day (which it may be) but consider it to be like a rifle scope, any good jaring will throw that calibration off. While I can assume you must have been in a 30-45mph zone, the next statement will not help you much. "MOST" (not all) judges will account 1 mph for the radar gun to be off and 1 mph for your speedometer to be off. That is why most will not pull you over for anything less than 10 over. There are some (the cool ones) that wont bother unless your 15 over. Good luck finding those though. If you did get a ticket, your best bet would be to go to court and ask for a continuance. IF you have a CLEAN record, your more than likely going to be granted this. If not, well then learn to set your cruise more often. Either way, going to court is anything but useless, some judges will grant a continuance all day, no matter your record. This may not even be needed if the officer (or whomever) that gave you the ticket does not show up for court. It will be thrown out due to you having the right to face your accuser. Good luck either way.
Actually, they can get you from the front or rear of the car. There are radar mounts in both the front and rear windshield (look for the small white lenses in the front and rear) and they have modes for the system that will allow it to measure speed from a standstill or while moving. These can be controlled via remote control and they're pretty easy to switch back and forth and there is a fair amount of training (and field time) that ensure the officer gets plenty of practice. I've been on plenty of traffic stops and many of them were cars that passed us going the other way. Your best bet is to go for the continuance. Thanks for starting this off by taking responsibility, it's a welcome change from the usual "The cops pulled me over because they're hatin' on my STI because of the wing" or some other stupid crap. Good luck with everything!
59 in a what MPH zone? radar units can be attached to the dash and can tell speeds from way more directions and situations then most people want to know. it probs was calibrated that day and is most likely is extremely accurate. pay it and move on. or mess around with court, pay it, be on some type of ticket probation, lose a day or a few hours of work, which would have paid for the ticket already, and move on. and dont speed, as much.
continuence is usually the route last time i had a ticket i went with it simple because taking the time off work would have cost me more then the ticket. I did want to fight it too but lost wages at that time wasnt an option plus i would have taken a point for absence at work. I wonder if cops add a faster speed when they ticket you, i notice how many people get tickets for speeding and if they were 2 more mph they would have a stiffer ticket. I have never foughten a ticket that wasnt deserved just simple you have earned them which since you admit you were speeding shows honor. But tickets are designed for you to lose in court word vs word you lose. I have won in court but is because of math that i won and questioning the officer first so the math backs me and what the officer say so to prove the officer wrong. in all situations were the officer was not telling the truth It was always quoting a speed were 2 mph more and it would b worse that the cop was being nice to me. they are suppose to write were they spotted you on the ticket ask for them to put were they pulled you over. as long as you pull over as soon as he comes after you the math will work for you. ( as long as you werent really speeding). So if you are truely wronged then fight it, it will take several hours of your life to build your case so it will only be worth it because you want justice, finacially you never will. ( i believe even time at home is valuable better to be with my kids then writing a case. ) But there is instances were my payoff was the officer learning that he can lose if he is dishonest. I have a great story that i am extremely proud of that i will tell one day.
^^whew, that was tough to read...ever take an English class? Anyway, I tried for court supervision when I got my ticket in MN. However the Hennepin County Clerk of Court (no court date) took one look at the ticket and denied me for two reasons: -I was going more than 15 over (16 over , missed it by one MPH)... -I still had an out of state license (so even if it was 15 over, I still would have gotten denied the court supervision!) Regardless, I normally keep my speed at less than 10 mph over the posted speed limit and don't have any problems. It's that time that I got a little too excited on the on-ramp and was slamming through the gears! My own stupid fault...save it for the race track.
That is as far as I could get. Reminded me of when my 2 1/2 year old just starts talking with no breaks.
Brian is correct - per norm. You can be accurately tagged by radar on approach or departure regardless of whether the squad is moving or parked. The system is wired into the speedometer, and they have tuning forks that officers calibrate their systems against frequently. It detects your outbound speed by the same measure as it does inbound, but many systems indicate outbound with a negative reading. Mounted/fixed radar is not as sensitive as a "rifle scope". They are isolated by their dash mounting assembly and by the suspension and tires of the vehicle. Debating this in court will only be good for either everyone's amusement, or getting a phonebook size list of examples tossed at you on why it has held up in court for decades.
This is correct. You'd be surprised the difference in price of a ticket from 59mph to 60mph (based on a 40mph zone assumption). Also kudos for your personal accountability.
