Yesterday I was pulled over and told that I was driving 47mph in a 30 zone. I was simply following traffic and it was on my way home from work, same route as always, but there was a speed trap set up. I know this because I was literally waved into a parking lot with 10 other cars already parked and being processed. I didn't look closely at the ticket until today but then I saw this: For "make" it is listed as "CHEV" when my car is actually a Ford and "Style" is listed as "4T" whatever that is, I actually drive a Taurus. So, all other info is correct, but I most definitely am driving a Ford Taurus and not a Chevy 4T, again, whatever that is. I would fight the ticket in court if I thought this was a big enough mistake to help me out of the ticket. But, it's not worth it if I'm going to lose because due to being pulled over in FL while my license is Alabama, I have the ability to pay the fine ($200) and have this ticket not show up on my record, according to the officer. What to do?
2007-09-15 19:32:43 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
For those who answered, thanks, and for those who asked for clarification...
1. I work freelance and frequently have to travel to different places for short periods of time, nothing sketchy about me being licensed in another state.
2. I am not admitting to have been speeding, I really wasn't paying attention. All I know is that I was a safe distance behind other cars and we were all going smoothly.
3. No kids on this street, no houses on the street, actually.
4. If the officer couldn't manage to correctly identify a Ford Taurus, why is it OK to believe that he correctly identified my speed?
5. He told me specifically that no report to Alabama would be made since as a florida non-resident I don't get traffic school option it's like a compensation for that just to get you to pay quicker.
2007-09-15 19:57:29 · update #1
Pay the ticket. Two reasons. First, it won't show up on your state record unless you fight it. Second, I am guessing you live in FLA and work there and keep your car illegally registered in AL for cheaper insurance rates. Don't stir up the hornet's nest, PAY THE TICKET.
2007-09-15 19:51:46 · answer #1 · answered by Songbyrd JPA ✡ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You won't be able to get out of the ticket for the mistake on the Make and Style of the vehicle etc.
Once and for all, it was not a speed trap. Officers need to slow traffic down. They can't possibly get every person that is speeding because they don't have enough manpower. When they stop someone other people slow down. So it is still an effective means of reducing speeds.
The same with quota's there are no quota's. Certain agencies require the officer to make contact with a certain number of people, like the state police they have to make 5 contact during their shift. It can be from anything, a car broken down, a flat tire, speeding. The reason this is required so they officer is working during his shift. We all know that in any given time you can get speeders on the interstate. If they wanted they could spend hours stopping speeders.
2007-09-15 21:04:37 · answer #2 · answered by Jan G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you were driving 47 in a 30mph zone, regardless of what the ticket says you were breaking the law. Pay the ticket and be done with it.
You say you don't live there, but think about it if you did. If you had kids in the neighborhood and people were speeding by all the time. Perhaps the neighbors who live there were concerned about it and asked the police to do something. While it may be a speed trap, I wouldn't call it an unjustified. one.
As for following flow of traffic, if everyone was driving off a cliff would you follow along behind them even knowing it was dangerous? Speeding is dangerous.
2007-09-15 19:44:03 · answer #3 · answered by the_dragyness 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, you could go to court and try to fight it, but you'd probably loose.
I'm not familiar with the Florida traffic citation, but if your vehicle registration (license tag number) is listed on there, chances are they could overlook the mistake on the Make/Model of the vehicle.
Also, since the citation was for speeding (an operator's infraction, not a vehicle/mechanical citation (such as no rear registration, etc.), the question really isn't what vehicle was being driven, but who was operating the vehicle.
Sorry to say, but looks like it'd be easier to pay the fine.
2007-09-15 19:48:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jon 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The violations you have been stated for weren't with regards to using. The officer actually might have not placed the vehicle information down, however the indisputable fact that he did replaced into no longer an blunders and heavily isn't grounds for a dismissal.
2016-10-09 06:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pay the ticket and save your time, the make/model of your car does not make any difference. It would cost you more in time and travel than the ticket costs and since it is not going to show up on your driving record you are better served to pay the $200 and be done with it.
2007-09-15 20:17:02 · answer #6 · answered by justgetitright 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a discrepancy in the citation, you can definately have it thrown out, it is the officer's responsibility to record vehicle information correctly. However, the officer also has the option to ammend (change/correct) the citation prior to your hearing date if you request one.
Were you cited for speeding, or for a "failure to obey" citation? Frequently officer's will actually cut you a break by issuing a Failure to obey, rather than a speeding ticket, this enables you to pay your citation, but not accumulate points or increased insurance.......violations CAN and DO transfer from one state to another, generally.
You will have to decide the lesser of two evils.....either suck it up and pay, or take it to court and risk the officer ammending and possibly adding to your citation. Why are you working in FL and licensed in AL? He may wonder also, LOL. Good luck!
2007-09-15 19:46:22 · answer #7 · answered by Amy 911 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would fight it. You said there was a speed trap, plus he obviously wasnt paying enough attention to right down the correct make and model of your car, which might be a good point to bring up if possible. Plus, when you fight it, theres a chance that the cop wont even show up, in which case, you will get out of the ticket.
2007-09-15 19:42:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
All other details are correct? Your plate number, your name, your driver licence number? Not a hope in Hades they will throw it out. 4T is short code for Ford Taurus in some books by the way.
And if you try the "I was doing the same as everybody else" shtick, any judge will say "but it is you I have in court". They really hate the others-were-speeding-too statement.
2007-09-15 20:17:34 · answer #9 · answered by Fred C 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Did they get the tag number right? If so, the other mistake is mostly irrelevant. If you were speeding, you were speeding. Take your lumps and slow down. I know it seems that " speed traps" and cops with radar are unfair. But slowing down really does save lives and contrary to popular opinion, cops dont have " quotas" and most dont even like writing tickets , they are just doing their jobs.
2007-09-15 19:43:00 · answer #10 · answered by WENDY S 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋