I was issued a traffic ticket many years ago and was living in San Diego, California at the time. I elected to go to traffic school to rid my record of the infraction I was accused of. This was back in the 80's where you had to physically attend a class. The person teaching the class was a police officer. He always said that the traffics laws written were guidelines. Traffic and moving violations are going to be broken. He told us of a guideline that police officers use...VWSTEW. He said that if any one of these conditions were broken, the officer could give you a ticket.
V=How was the visibility
W=What was the weather like
S=Surface condition of road
T=Time of incident
E=Did you endanger anyone
W=How wide was the road
If none of these factors contributed to the infraction you are accused of, he said you should not get a ticket. However, you would have to remind the officer, subtlely. At the very least you should get a warning. Can anyone validate this reasoning?
2007-11-13 00:07:46 · 6 answers · asked by igolfpro 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Y'Know, the last time I checked... If you don't break the law, you won't get into trouble. The officer may have been explaining his department's guidelines for tolerance, but they certainly don't apply to all jurisdictions or to all incidents.
2007-11-13 02:36:19 · answer #1 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Different officers have different systems. I have never heard of the system you have listed in your question. Also, that system was being taught back in the 1980s, so times have changed drastically.
If someone is speeding, then expect to get pulled over and cited. Let's say someone is speeding. If the weather outside is sunny, 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the road is in perfect condition, then that should not prevent someone from getting a ticket. The motorist is speeding, so that person should expect a ticket. Bottom line.
To me, if you show respect, then you get off with a warning if the speed over the limit is not excessive. Respect goes a very long way, not the VWSTEW system.
2007-11-13 08:49:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Written laws are just that - laws.
That Volkswagen stew you've got up there is entirely something different. It's a list of the prevailing conditions at the time of the infraction.
For example, if the visibility was poor, and the road was icy, the judge is going to slam you harder for speeding.
If you try and convince a police officer you don't deserve a ticket, you just guaranteed yourself one.
2007-11-13 12:37:26 · answer #3 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you look on a ticket, you will see all of the things you mentioned. It is more of a guideline for the judge if you go to court. The ticketing officer will place a check in all boxes applicable. This can give the judge an idea of the severity of the offense. I notice a lot of people on here saying that if the officer does not show up for court, the ticket is thrown out. May be true in some areas, but not all.
2007-11-13 04:01:28 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you were speeding (traveling faster than the limit) you were properly given a ticket. Perfect conditions don't mean you are free to disregard the speed limit. PERIOD.
2007-11-13 08:23:42 · answer #5 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think the answer you are looking for is......YES
2007-11-16 23:54:48 · answer #6 · answered by storm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋