NEAR DISASTER!!!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
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From:
NEAR DISASTER!!!
TODAY IN CALIFORNIA I WAS NEARLY PUSHED INTO A WALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY...COMING OUT OF A TURN FROM ONE FREEWAY ONTO ANOTHER I CHANGED LANES SAFELY AFTER SIGNALING, LOOKING LEFT, THEN CHANGING LANES AND PROCEEDING AT ABOUT 50 MPHONLY TO HAVE A LIFTED 4X4 TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME NOT SIGNAL AND ATTEMPT TO CHANGE LANES SHORTLY THEREAFTER THUSFORCING ME TO THE LEFT WALL...I DID WHAT I BELIEVE WAS THE BEST POSSIBLE REACTION IN THIS SITUATION...HIT IT HARD (ACCELERATED) WHILE BLOWING MY HORN TO GET AWAY FROM THE SITUATION WITHOUT CAUSING INJURY OR WORSE (DEATH)...IN DOING SO I CAME UP QUICKLY ON A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME NOT YET GOING THE SPEED LIMIT STILL ONLY AROUND 60 MPH (HIM NOT ME-I WAS 75MPH BY THEN) WHICH CAUSED ME TO CHANGE BACK TO THE RIGHT LANE AFTER LOOKING, SIGNALING, THEN CHANGING AND PROCEEDING AT 75 MPH TILL I WAS COMPLETELY CLEAR OF THE ENTIRE SITUATION FOR JUST A SHORT TIME...A HIGHWAY PATROL GETS RIGHT UP ON MY ***, FLASHES RED AND PULLS ME OVER FOR SPEEDING...STILL EXCITED (HEART RACING, ADRENALINE PUMPING) I EXPLAIN TO HIM WHY I ACCELERATED FOR A SHORT TIME TO AVOID DISASTER ( MY LIFE, SAFETY)...HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND THOUGHT I DID WHAT I SHOULD HAVE IN THE SITUATION TO AVOID INJURY ETC. BUT SAID I ACCELERATED UP TO 90MPH AND CONTINUED THAT SPEED TOO LONG AFTER CLEARING...I NEVER ACCELERATED TO 90MPH FROM 50MPH AS HE STATED BUT WAS ADAMENT ABOUT MY SPEED AND WROTE ME A TICKET FOR THE 90MPH...NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM NOT HAPPY...I'LL GO TO COURT ON THIS ONE
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Northwest TN
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
Officer has probably never had a near death on a bike. Guess its ok to make an illegal lane change nearly causing an accident as long as you don't exceed the speed limit. Typical!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
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RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
sorry everyone...i didnt intend to offend anyone by typing in all caps...sorry if i did...im still new at this posting...i just read the thread about how typing in caps is considered rude to the reader...thanks with respect, don
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
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From: TX
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
The ticket is cheap (and sux) but it's nothing compared to what "may have happened". Heck, take defensive driving to dismiss the ticket and submit the certificate to your insruance company(s).
Glad to hear it worked out well for ya!
Glad to hear it worked out well for ya!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
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RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
Having been on the other side of the law, I can see the cops point of view. Unfortunately there are so many riders out there who "hot dog" that you eventually catch the good guy who has a legitimate excuse.
Glad to hear that your riding skills were able to get you out of a potentially fatal situation. Take it it court and fight it, but just remember, regardless of the outcome, you avoided an accident and it will still be cheaper than the medical costs!
It's been saidbefroe, but I'll say it again, "ride like you are invisible, and yet they are still out to get you"
Glad to hear that your riding skills were able to get you out of a potentially fatal situation. Take it it court and fight it, but just remember, regardless of the outcome, you avoided an accident and it will still be cheaper than the medical costs!
It's been saidbefroe, but I'll say it again, "ride like you are invisible, and yet they are still out to get you"
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
If he saw what happened, why didn't he pull over the truck? He is the one that endangered everyone.Is it so easy to give a ticket for speeding that he ignores the truly dangerous?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Hoboken, New Jersey
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
First if you do go to court, it may be a good idea to get a lawyer who specializes in MV cases. Chances are the cop didnt get you on RADAR or LASER, but only "paced" you to mark your speed. The cases where the LEO's use pacing as a indicator of another vehicles speed are not as hard to beat as when they get you with a calibrated and tested device like a RADAR, or LASERgun. You would have to find out when the last time the speedo on the police car was checked for accuracy and calibrated.....and certified. It could be out of date, in which case you will win right off the bat.
You could also explore the possibility of downgrading the ticket to a "non-point" offense where you may pay a higher fine, but not get any points on your licence....or even worse "insurance points". Your best bet would be talking to a lawyer ASAP....for the few hundredit may cost for a lawyer, you could come out way ahead of the game in the final tally.
You could also explore the possibility of downgrading the ticket to a "non-point" offense where you may pay a higher fine, but not get any points on your licence....or even worse "insurance points". Your best bet would be talking to a lawyer ASAP....for the few hundredit may cost for a lawyer, you could come out way ahead of the game in the final tally.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
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From:
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
thanks for the replies...i want to express to all that i am truly thankful that i was not injured nor killed as a result of this incident...i keep replaying the whole situation in my mind and i am convinced that my attentiveness, reaction time, judgement, and more importantly my riding skills saved my life this day...im all for enforcement of the law when needed so i do not find fault with the officer in that respect...he too used his experience andresponsibilty no doubt in his decision...its a lesson for me and i hope to anyone else that we riders are at risk everyday for all sorts of reasons and must continually assess ourselves when riding along with everyone else who operates a motor vehicle on our highways...there is not much room at all for error in these situations...thanks again...ride on and ride safe
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 438
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From: Euless, TX
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
Does not sound like he could have been using radar, so I'm guessing he paced you. If that was the case I'm sure you could argue your case, and it does not sound like there was enough distance covered for the Chip to adiquatly pace you for an accurate speed. Take it to court! Honestly, being an Cali ex-cop, if you show up with detailed information and facts about the situation, the DA you will visit with before any trail will probably cut you a lot of slack. Show up with a diagram of the event and approx distances covered from start to when you first where hit with lights including times, traffic and road conditions. This way the DA will have a visual understanding ofthe case you could present in court and it his job to mediate cases.I have not met a DA that wants to present his case in court knowing you would have a good chance of winning if heard by the judge.A good and respectfull attitude and appearance along witha detailed(diagram) account will go a long way in swaying the DA to cut you a break. Having a clean driving record is a big plus. Many deals are cut by the DA that never make itto the judge.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
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From:
RE: NEAR DISASTER!!!
Yes always plead not guilty. win or lose make them earn their money.
sometimes they will deal with you on the speed and fine.
You were there we weren't. But would it have been just as safe to slow down and let the truck in front of you, and then passed safely later? And not had to of accelerated so hard?
And if the cop admits to seeing the ILLEGAL NO TURN SIGNAL LANE CHANGE why didn't he pull the truck over!!
I guess you can ask the cop that question in court!! could be your out...
sometimes they will deal with you on the speed and fine.
You were there we weren't. But would it have been just as safe to slow down and let the truck in front of you, and then passed safely later? And not had to of accelerated so hard?
And if the cop admits to seeing the ILLEGAL NO TURN SIGNAL LANE CHANGE why didn't he pull the truck over!!
I guess you can ask the cop that question in court!! could be your out...