Got a speeding ticket...I'm so upset

[belle&sebastiansmom]

I don't really have a lot to add that you have not already heard. However... I believe there are some very harsh jusgements being thrown around. Someone mentioned the cell phone issue and that was quickly overlooked but there is so much more than that. If every last one of us were honest and thought carefully and sincerely I would highly doubt that not a one could say that they have not driven while using a cell phone, gone over the speed limit even if only 1 mile, driven after having any kind of drink or taking any kind of medication, taken their eyes off the road however briefly to see what the kids are doing, shout out an order or pick something dropped up, played the music a little too loud so that hearing a siren might be difficult, come to a rolling stop, missed a road sign or posted speed limit, changed lanes or turned without using a signal, cut someone off even unintentionally.... by now you should be seeing the picture. We are human...NOT perfect! You all need to own up to that. OP sounds sincere in her remorse and I believe a very valuable lesson has been learned - we should all be that lucky!

I'm honestly shocked that there hasn't been more criticism about being careless, especially from people who's lives have been directly impacted and forever affected by careless drivers.

I do sympathize with the OP. I'm glad that she is showing such remorse, has obviously learned a lesson, and is safe. But I don't have to feel sorry for her actions or the court issues she has to face and I don't have to reserve my judgment.

If the OP simply wanted an answer, the question about the tickets should have been the only thing posted, not the back story. I know she was venting, but she couldn't have expected everyone to sweep those actions under the rug. Like another poster said, it's time to "man up" and deal with the consequences. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, the OP made the decision to put hers out there for thousands of strangers to form an opinion about. I don't understand when people on message boards do that and then get so bothered and upset by differences of opinions.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm honestly shocked that there hasn't been more criticism about being careless, especially from people who's lives have been directly impacted and forever affected by careless drivers.

I do sympathize with the OP. I'm glad that she is showing such remorse, has obviously learned a lesson, and is safe. But I don't have to feel sorry for her actions or the court issues she has to face and I don't have to reserve my judgment.

If the OP simply wanted an answer, the question about the tickets should have been the only thing posted, not the back story. I know she was venting, but she couldn't have expected everyone to sweep those actions under the rug. Like another poster said, it's time to "man up" and deal with the consequences. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, the OP made the decision to put hers out there for thousands of strangers to form an opinion about. I don't understand when people on message boards do that and then get so bothered and upset by differences of opinions.

Maybe it's because every single one of your posts on this thread has been nasty and judgemental??

OP, chill out - it's just a speeding ticket, not an arrest for mass murder. It happens. I once got a ticket in the middle of a deserted residential neighborhood because a neighbor had complained that people were rolling through a stop sign in front of her house. I was making a 90 degree right turn, but apparently when I hit my brakes the car never came to a complete stop. Whatever - I was clearly trying to stop, because otherwise I would have taken that turn on two wheels!!! I paid it - life went on. The same thing will happen for you.

I talk on my cell phone while I'm driving all the time, btw. I've never had an issue with safe driving.

 

[dizcrazy]

to you OP. Some of these posts are a bit harsh, IMHO.

I know just how you feel - I got a speeding ticket once and the police officer made me feel like a criminal. I was worried sick for days about it, but in the end, I paid the fine and life went on. I didnt argue it in court because I was guilty but the suggestions to take pictures and consult a lawyer are good ones.

Let us know how it turns out!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Thank you everyone. I will be calling a lawyer today. Yes, I think one of the reasons I was so upset is I was made to feel like a criminal. I've never been in that position before.

I will take a picture of the sign. It appears on a street that is perpendicular to the one I was on. No sign on the major street.

I'm willing to pay a fine, but I'm just hoping to have the points reduced given my clean record.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

DVCLiz:

Have you ever lost anyone because of a careless or reckless driver?

Nasty and judgmental? No. I'm just not coddling carelessness like other posters in saying "hey no problem, get over it, it happens." Yes it does. And have you had it happen to you with your children in the car? It's funny and absurd how you even dismiss your own faults so non-nonchalantly. This is one reason why there are so many accidents, because people don't care.

Oh, a rolling stop. Big Deal, Right? I talk on my cell phone all the time. Big Deal, Right. I hope that you are safe, for yourself and for everyone on the road that you come in contact with.

 

[Floridagal23]

Thank you everyone. I will be calling a lawyer today. Yes, I think one of the reasons I was so upset is I was made to feel like a criminal. I've never been in that position before.

I will take a picture of the sign. It appears on a street that is perpendicular to the one I was on. No sign on the major street.

I'm willing to pay a fine, but I'm just hoping to have the points reduced given my clean record.

Everything will be fine It is a good move to call a lawyer in this instance (as a graduating law student in 4 weeks I can tell you this). You may also be able to have your points reduced if you attend driving school. BF just had to do this and in NY you can take up to 4 points off within an 18 month period just by attending driving school - his cost maybe $50. In FL, you can even do it online or at a comedy driving school. His insurance did not even go up because of the points because he was only left with 1 on his record.

I know what you feel about feeling like a criminal. The other night, we were driving to a fabulous ice cream place in a bad part of town and we got pulled over for making an illegal left down a side street. We had never gone that way before and I felt awful even though the officer just asked if we were mets or yankees fans before laughing and letting us go.

 

[JenSop]

To the OP - you seem genuinely remorseful, so I would look at this as a learning experience. And I agree with those who say to get pictures of the hard to see sign.

I got a speeding ticket in Jersey a few years ago (I live in eastern PA.) I was on my way to meet a friend in NJ for lunch and being that I was on the interstate, and it was going on a downhill incline, and it was open and smooth sailing, I had no idea how fast I was going. I got pulled over. I had to go to court. I got a big fine, but no points because I had a clean record. Needless to say, I've learned to use my cruise control so I don't make the same mistake!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Everything will be fine It is a good move to call a lawyer in this instance (as a graduating law student in 4 weeks I can tell you this). You may also be able to have your points reduced if you attend driving school..

Thank you for the info. I just spoke on the phone to an Atty. He said his fee to represent me would be $750.00, but he seemed to think I'd be ok on my own. Told me I was very articulate and clear about the incident. He felt I'd get points reduced to 2, which often won't even impact insurance. I'm feeling much better about this. I'll talk to DH later to see if we should go with representation. I'd feel a little better with an Atty, but I was encouraged by his encouragement. He felt my clean record would be a big help to me and also the signage issue.

 

[DVCLiz]

DVCLiz:

Have you ever lost anyone because of a careless or reckless driver?

Nasty and judgmental? No. I'm just not coddling carelessness like other posters in saying "hey no problem, get over it, it happens." Yes it does. And have you had it happen to you with your children in the car? It's funny and absurd how you even dismiss your own faults so non-nonchalantly. This is one reason why there are so many accidents, because people don't care.

Oh, a rolling stop. Big Deal, Right? I talk on my cell phone all the time. Big Deal, Right. I hope that you are safe, for yourself and for everyone on the road that you come in contact with.

No, I haven't lost anyone in a driving accident.

While you say you aren't nasty and judgemental, the tone of your posts is much more strident than any others on this thread. You seem to have a personal agenda that goes far beyond the "crime" of going 41 miles an hour in a car on a road that normally has a 40 mile speed limit. You seem to want to punish the OP for something far beyond what she is guilty of.

I don't think a rolling stop in a residential neighborhood without any other cars in sight is a big safety deal - sorry. And it's perfectly legal to talk on a cell phone while driving in my state, so I'll continue to do it - as safely as I have for the last ten years - regardless of what you might think about it.

 

[missj1975]

Thank you for the info. I just spoke on the phone to an Atty. He said his fee to represent me would be $750.00, but he seemed to think I'd be ok on my own. Told me I was very articulate and clear about the incident. He felt I'd get points reduced to 2, which often won't even impact insurance. I'm feeling much better about this. I'll talk to DH later to see if we should go with representation. I'd feel a little better with an Atty, but I was encouraged by his encouragement. He felt my clean record would be a big help to me and also the signage issue.

\

$750.00. Wow that is a lot. Perhaps you should find a lawyer who specializes in traffic tickets. I got a ticket for failure to yield and only had to pay a lawyer $80.00 to go to court for me and get my ticket changed to a parking violation. My insurance went up but at least I didn't get points on my license and I didn't have to get out of work to go to court. The only reason I suggest and attorney is because you got a ticket in a construction zone. I am not for sure about your state but Courts in Missouri are very harsh on ticketed drivers through construction zones.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

No, I haven't lost anyone in a driving accident.

While you say you aren't nasty and judgemental, the tone of your posts is much more strident than any others on this thread. You seem to have a personal agenda that goes far beyond the "crime" of going 41 miles an hour in a car on a road that normally has a 40 mile speed limit. You seem to want to punish the OP for something far beyond what she is guilty of.

I don't think a rolling stop in a residential neighborhood without any other cars in sight is a big safety deal - sorry. And it's perfectly legal to talk on a cell phone while driving in my state, so I'll continue to do it - as safely as I have for the last ten years - regardless of what you might think about it.

My problem was not simply the speed. It was that she said she was sick, tired, wasn't paying attention, on medication (that may or may not have impaired her). It is all those factors combined that I take issue with. I've said that I sympathize with her feeling awful about the stress of the situation. I was side-swiped on the interstate by a reckless driver that was not paying attention while changing the CD they were listening. I was hit on the side that my newborn son was riding on. So if my comments are more "strident" than others, it's because I've witnessed first hand what not paying attention can do. We were all fine, but there are too many accidents that occur, every day, that people don't walk away from just because someone else wasn't paying attention, was preoccupied (with changing a CD. Or talking on a cell?), or thought they could drive when they really shouldn't be.

OP, I'm glad you're getting it worked out so that you can put some of the stress behind you. Glad that the lawyer believes you'll be able to handle it yourself, and as I've said before (and is this so nasty?) I'm glad that you are safe.

 

[IDoDis]

Try not to beat yourself up over it. You made a mistake and learned from it. Do not pay the ticket. Call and schedule a court date. Bring your proof of insurance with you and that portion will be dropped. If this is your first ticket (in 3 years or more), they will most likely let you sign up for a driver safety class. By attending the class, the ticket will not go on your driving record.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I got my first speeding ticket last summer and it really stinks! Just try to move on and don't let it get you down.

 

[undertheradar]

OP, have you contacted the court to find out what the range of fines might be? The proof of insurance should be just to show your insurance card to the court. The speeding will be applied and you should omit revealing that you were taking medication at the time. Otherwise, you might be facing a fine and a refresher course on driving(defensive driving and correct driving procedures). Calling the court should get you the information that you need.

 

[fakereadhed]

Thank you everyone. I will be calling a lawyer today. Yes, I think one of the reasons I was so upset is I was made to feel like a criminal. I've never been in that position before.

I will take a picture of the sign. It appears on a street that is perpendicular to the one I was on. No sign on the major street.

I'm willing to pay a fine, but I'm just hoping to have the points reduced given my clean record.

Best of luck to you! Please update us and let us know how it works out for you. And ignore any negative comments- I know I am trying to.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Try not to beat yourself up over it. You made a mistake and learned from it. Do not pay the ticket. Call and schedule a court date. Bring your proof of insurance with you and that portion will be dropped. If this is your first ticket (in 3 years or more), they will most likely let you sign up for a driver safety class. By attending the class, the ticket will not go on your driving record.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I got my first speeding ticket last summer and it really stinks! Just try to move on and don't let it get you down.

Thanks for the suggestion. This is my first ticket in 22 years. I have never been in any type of legal trouble, so I hope this helps.

I realized today that I do drive with my lights on during the day, and it really dims my speedometer numbers. I've switched to no lights. Rather make sure I'm aware of my speed then to be extra visible.

 

[Muushka]

OP, don't feel too bad about some of the replies you got. One time I posted about how a mother with a young child in the back seat illegally passed me, sped and almost caused an accident. They got all over me about why I didn't just let her pass me. My fault, right? Nope, a one lane road.

I hope this works out for you.

 

[grumpy&princess]

Oh I am not flaming you. No one out there can say they have NEVER speeded before. Even if it was only by a few mph that you didnt realize you were going. I know all to well of that. I always try to make sure I stay under the speed limit but its not because I was purposely speeding. People need to look at themselves first before flaming someone for something that was not intentional. Hope you dont get flamed anymore over this.

The normal speed is 40. I retraced the route and the "25" mile sign is very hard to spot in the directtion I was going. It was more prevelant in the other direction.

I'm always so sooo very careful when I see workers out. As I mentioned I often slow down even more so so I can wave at them (yes I"m weird).

This was a day with no workers and I just wasn't in my right frame of mind. I did check all my med bottles and none of them warned against driving. But in retrospect I know I was a bit dopey.

Before you flame on me, I'm saying in retrospect. When do we ever know our mental situation until after a situation like this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't think a rolling stop in a residential neighborhood without any other cars in sight is a big safety deal - sorry.

Ah, but until/unless laws are enacted that change the basic definition of "Stop", it IS a big safety deal.

Guy rolls through a stop sign.
Cop pulls him over.
Guy says, "But I slowed down".
Cop starts hitting the guy with his nightstick.
Cop asks, "Would you like me to slow down, or would you like me to stop?"

Stop means STOP.
Red light means STOP.
Absence of a "No turn on red" sign means STOP, then turn.

Poorly-located speed limit sign, on the other hand, means "Take photographs (well, have someone else drive while you do this, especially on a highway ) and go to court".

 

[mom2twinz3]

Around here you will still be fined if you don't have proof of insurance. And if you are driving without your drivers license, then you will also be fined. Yes, you will have to go to court to prove that you have both things, but failure to have them at the time of being pulled over will result in hefty costs. The officer just won't dismiss it and let you go home to find your proper paperwork. Is a big deal when it is monetarily added on to your fines and could be added on to your charges. It's always in our local papers that the state I live in has some of the worst drivers and these issues are frequently discussed.

In Maryland, you aren't asked for proof of insurance if pulled over. All of your insurance info comes up when they run your license. I can't believe they would make you go to court over an insurance card!

Mary

 

[TnTWalter]

You read these kind of stories all the time....

driver was tired, on meds, stressed with life issues, not paying attention and gets in an accident that KILLS someone.

Thankfully OP's story didn't have that ending!

I think this was a good wake up call for all us reading to remember we have so much power when we are behind the wheel that can change everything in an INSTANT.

I have done many stupid things while driving and this really made me take pause.

I'm sorry OP might have points and expense associated with this, but my goodness, it could be sooooo much WORSE.

Thank God there were no workers that day because really would she have noticed them in her state of mind? I probably wouldn't have if all that was going on for me.

I have lost too many friends and family members because of reckless driving on their or on the part of another. So I understand the post that was harsh because of her situation with her newborn. Granted, a little sugar always helps the bitter pill get swallowed.

I'm not being harsh to OP...this could be any of us...it could be me. Just trying to give some perspective.

Peace.

Trish