Posted on: 18-07-05 11:48:49
While driving in the US last week (on the small stretch of I190 connecting the Buffalo border and I90), I got a traffic ticket for speeding, since I did not realize that this small stretch, though a interstate highway, was zoned at 55mph.
I now need advice/suggestions from ‘Experienced’ CDs in this matter! The various alternatives I could think of as of now are;
1. Most obvious – make a cheque and mail it to them, pleading guilty (but then that is the last choice)
2. Write to them pleading not guilty and wanting a court hearing – but going to Albany/Buffalo is too far, specially if it is Albany (since the traffic ticket gives Albany address which is about 400 odd kms from my house)
3. Write to them for reducing the fine giving some acceptable reason. Infact, I have a strong feeling that though I WAS driving at above 55mph, the officer was actually targeting the guy just in front of me who I think had overtaken me – and was in similar, though not same, coloured Camry too. Both of us had stopped – but just as that guy realized that I had stopped too, he flew away! And though clocked at 72mph, I have a strong feeling that I was between 65-70 which is quite acceptable at 65 mph – the regular limit on interstate highways.
4. Just sit at home not quite bothering till they send me a new notice/summons and avoiding that too. Now that might affect my future visits to US – either by car or any other modes of transport. I am now a CANADIAN – not Indian national anymore.
So guys, what is the best thing in your view? Do these authorities reduce fines if requested in a nice manner? (The officer told me that they don’t). Does this offence go in my records in Canada? If it does, 17mph over is 27 kms over limit and that might affect my insurance real bad.
I am not able to find any phone no on the ticket on which I can talk to them, nor do I find any fax no where I can send a fax requesting them to reduce fine.
One more thing – what do they do if instead of sending them funds in US$, I send them a cheque for C$ (same amount).
Some people tell me that a resident of one state when issued a ticket in another state does not care for the ticket since the states do not have any friendly arrangements to take actions on tickets issued by a different state. How would that be with Canada?
Chandresh
PS How can they prove that it was my car which was lasered at 72mph??
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
Hi Chandresh --
My replies inline
Quote:It was a deliberate speed trap - quite common in the US.
Orginally posted by chandresh
I did not realize that this small stretch, though a interstate highway, was zoned at 55mph.
Live and learn I guess !
Quote:I think you should take this option and dispute it.
3. Write to them for reducing the fine giving some acceptable reason. Infact, I have a strong feeling that though I WAS driving at above 55mph, the officer was actually targeting the guy just in front of me who I think had overtaken me – and was in similar, though not same, coloured Camry too. Both of us had stopped – but just as that guy realized that I had stopped too, he flew away! And though clocked at 72mph, I have a strong feeling that I was between 65-70 which is quite acceptable at 65 mph – the regular limit on interstate highways.
You should not give in so easily, especially since you believe that (1) you may not have been driving at that speed and (2) the officer clocked the car in front of you, and not you.
You should go to court and fight the ticket.
Quote:No - don't ignore this.
4. Just sit at home not quite bothering till they send me a new notice/summons and avoiding that too. Now that might affect my future visits to US – either by car or any other modes of transport. I am now a CANADIAN – not Indian national anymore.
They are getting more and more strict about enforcing these things on both sides of the border.
You never know when what might come back to bite you.
Say in a few years time, you move to the US for a job or contract and exchange your driving license.
You can bet that this ticket will come back to bite you then and cause huge problems.
Quote:Check out the NMA website at -
So guys, what is the best thing in your view? Do these authorities reduce fines if requested in a nice manner? (The officer told me that they don’t). Does this offence go in my records in Canada? If it does, 17mph over is 27 kms over limit and that might affect my insurance real bad.
http://www.motorists.org/
The website has information on contesting a ticket.
If you think reasonable, become a member of the NMA and they will provide you a lot of information about fighting unjustified traffic tickets, especially in deliberate speed traps.
Secondly, browse the newsgroup rec.autos.driving
There are several people there who have successfuly fought speeding tickets, and you if ask nicely, people do share tips.
Searching the archives via Deja will also help.
When you go to court, the following may happen -
(1) the officer doesn't show up and the ticket will get thrown out.
(2) the officer shows up, and you challenge saying that it was the car in front of you that he clocked, and not you.
Especially since both the cars were the same make/model/colour.
This will create doubt in the judge's mind and he/she may rule in your favour.
(3) If push comes to shove, you can plead that this is your first time and you've had x number of years of driving without ever speeding and request them to reduce the charge - sometimes they will.
(4) if nothing works, you can always pay - after all, you tried your best !
Quote:They can't - which is why you should fight the ticket.
PS How can they prove that it was my car which was lasered at 72mph??
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
http://www.nysdmv.com/dmvfaqs.htm#tickets
http://www.nysdmv.com/broch/c49.htm
and this from mto site
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/demerit.htm
Quote:
Drivers convicted of a driving related offence in the State of New York, the State of Michigan or any Canadian province or territory, will have home jurisdictional penalties such as demerit points and/or suspensions applied to their Ontario driver record as if the offence occurred in Ontario.
Chandresh!
Any updates?
I vaguely remember seeing a TV program in the US, where one guy,though speeds always, contests all the tickets, by proving that the Radar Gun used for testing the speed was not an approved one.
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HOPE
