Trigger Happy Sherriff
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
OK, got your message. The LEO was really a nice guy. I didn't argue or say a think to him about any trap, or that I wasn't in fault. In fact I apologized. I didn't suggest otherwise. Of course I was kicking myself for speeding. But one thing that made me so mad was that I had made sure I didn't go over 20 completely through town, didn't see any 35 mph post, and as I was leaving town, at least 2 miles behind me, without a car, building, house, or anything else, I thought it was safe to resume speed. Is it my fault? Of course! It was a joke about the "Trigger Happy Sheriff"... It's been at least 15-18 years since I've had any kind of citation. But I wrote the letter to the judge, and sent a copy of my driving record, and the Admin Officer that I talked to indicated she was sure things would be reduced. Was I mad? Sure... wouldn't you be? At myself, certainly, not the Sheriff for raising funds for the HS Teams. This wasn't a case of saving lives, or reducing accidents. It was a case of RAISING REVENUE!! There was absolutely NO ONE on this road but me, and obviously the Sheriff, parked on the other side of the road pointing the gun at the turn you come around with the 55mph sign within visibility less than 100 yards away. So to all those that think I'm whining about this, touche! I'm angry at myself for being dumb enough to get caught doing this, but gimme a break here, have you ever received a ticket and been happy about it?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Society Hill, NC- speed trap. No warning - 55mph then around a curve a 35mph sign 50 yrds beyond that is the radar. Gotcha! When you go back out, slow ez down hill grade NO speed limit sign when you leave on a left hand turn - 50 yrds from the 55 - he is still there - nailed a semi last time I went thru - and to be honest hard to blame the trucker - just "coasting" down hill - I was behind him - watched it all. Yea that one is a speed trap. Well, maybe not a speed trap - more like a "revenue enhancer" 
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
From: Columbus,Indiana/ Arecibo,Puerto Rico
TideRDC, Don't laugh, back in the early 60's my dad DID get a citation in Cincinnati, for going too slow! They called it obstructing the flow of traffic. And I wasn't joking about the speed limit thing based on driving ability. I was alluding to the fact that a young inexperienced driver with all the distractions around them in a car going the posted speed someone set is dangerous, when in fact they are incapable of safely driving half that speed. Yes, I've had my fair share of speeding citations. Accidents .... 0
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Melissa, TX
Sorry, no sympathy here. I just paid a ticket for 47 in a 35, only 12 miles over, and a whoppin $217 for the fine. Was on an unfamiliar road and didn't know the limit. I just smiled, apologized, "took my medicine", and went on my merry little way with a lesson learned under my belt.
Speeding less then you were, but received a higher fine.
Nope, no sympathy at all.
Speeding less then you were, but received a higher fine.
Nope, no sympathy at all.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: DFW Area, TX
I live in a small suburb of Dallas. Our LEO's are notoriously absent during any rush hour. But I know I can always count on them to be hiding behind the hedge, or in an oncoming turn lane, or just past a tight turn . . . early on Sunday mornings. There is no way you can convince me that they are there for traffic safety if they ignore the roads during rush hour but lay in wait for the unsuspecting on Sunday morning. I was born . . . but it wasn't yesterday.
The good thing we have going for us in Texas is that the posted speed limit, by law, is only the "presumed safe driving speed limit". The presumption can sway things both ways. If there is heavy rain or ice on the roadways the safe limit can be much lower. On a bright, dry Sunday morning with no other traffic present, one could sucessfully argue that the presumed safe driving speed is higher than the posted limit. Not that I'd like to go to the hassle of testing that argument mind you.
The good thing we have going for us in Texas is that the posted speed limit, by law, is only the "presumed safe driving speed limit". The presumption can sway things both ways. If there is heavy rain or ice on the roadways the safe limit can be much lower. On a bright, dry Sunday morning with no other traffic present, one could sucessfully argue that the presumed safe driving speed is higher than the posted limit. Not that I'd like to go to the hassle of testing that argument mind you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
Forget the lectures. I grew up in Iowa, driving and riding a lot of roads that run through small towns and we always obeyed those lowered speed limits, and I still do. Here in GA, I get quite a few friendly waves from small town cops/sheriffs when I ride through their town at the legal limit.
Good information on Atlanta. I am over there a lot and drive the speed limit on the surface streets and keep with the flow on the freeways.
Good information on Atlanta. I am over there a lot and drive the speed limit on the surface streets and keep with the flow on the freeways.
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From:
I am with most on this one. Take the ticket, if you can get out of it legally do so if not pay it. Just don't be angry at the LEO. (yes I read your post and you do not blame the LEO)
AS for the guy that wants speed limits set by peoples ability, it already is. It is set by the worst of the drivers and not the best. The limits are set by the risks envolved with that section of road. Is there small children likely to jump into the road? If you have to make an evasive manuever, how much warning will you get? This is why freeways have higher speed limits than city streets.
We all appreciate it when people obey the speed limit in small towns as they drive through, Thanks.
AS for the guy that wants speed limits set by peoples ability, it already is. It is set by the worst of the drivers and not the best. The limits are set by the risks envolved with that section of road. Is there small children likely to jump into the road? If you have to make an evasive manuever, how much warning will you get? This is why freeways have higher speed limits than city streets.
We all appreciate it when people obey the speed limit in small towns as they drive through, Thanks.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)