Fines or Points

[nissangirl74]

A new bill proposed in the SC House would enable police to write $150 tickets for those going less than 10 mph over the speed limit—and these special tickets wouldn't be reported to insurance companies, or carry dreaded driving-record points


What would you do? Pay a heavy fine or take the points?

http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-b ... ng-tickets

[GrilledCheese33]

I'd pay a fine way before I took points that would haunt my insurance bill for 3 years!

[PEZi]

Fine should be cheaper in the end, no?

[dre1507]

so let me get this straight. they're going to be ticketing people for doing less than 10mph OVER the speed limit? Why would they want to ticket people for supposedly lawful speed?

[nissangirl74]

so let me get this straight. they're going to be ticketing people for doing less than 10mph OVER the speed limit? Why would they want to ticket people for supposedly lawful speed?

10mph over ISN'T lawful, it's just that most cops have ignored that minor of an infraction

[dre1507]

you know what i retract that last post. ticket all those darn slow pokes on the road. TICKET THEM ALLLLLL!!!!!!!!

[Bubba1]

so let me get this straight. they're going to be ticketing people for doing less than 10mph OVER the speed limit? Why would they want to ticket people for supposedly lawful speed?

It's more of a plea bargain negotiating tool than anything else. It keeps the revenue from the ticket coming in without a fight in court. Since more and more insurance policies charge premiums (or cancel discounts) totalling far more than $150 for points offenses, it would seem shortsighted not to choose the fine over points.

[frapjap]

It's more of a plea bargain negotiating tool than anything else. It keeps the revenue from the ticket coming in without a fight in court. Since more and more insurance policies charge premiums (or cancel discounts) totalling far more than $150 for points offenses, it would seem shortsighted not to choose the fine over points.

DING DING DING!

While we're at it, how about we propose a higher speed limit on certain streches of assigned highways?

Or- just a thought- would you pay for a special designated lane and license that would enable you to drive 80-90mph vs the standard speed limit on the highway?

[Bubba1]

Or- just a thought- would you pay for a special designated lane and license that would enable you to drive 80-90mph vs the standard speed limit on the highway?

I might, depending on the cost, but I think it would be too difficult/expensive to implement and enforce a special lane like that.

[Dittoz7]

It's more of a plea bargain negotiating tool than anything else. It keeps the revenue from the ticket coming in without a fight in court. Since more and more insurance policies charge premiums (or cancel discounts) totalling far more than $150 for points offenses, it would seem shortsighted not to choose the fine over points.

Agreed

I'm guessing if they get you going like 15 over which around a $269 fine here, they probably give you a "break" put you down for 10 over. That way it's cheap enough for you to pay and not take them to court and possible get it thrown out. Plus thats what most ticket layers charge, so it just seems like the better choice.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Or- just a thought- would you pay for a special designated lane and license that would enable you to drive 80-90mph vs the standard speed limit on the highway?

HOV lanes don't work, and neither would that. The last thing we need is another "special" lane wasting space that could go to a volume bearing normal lane. Specialized lanes depend on their occupants using them correctly, which will NEVER happen.

I have never understood US highway patrol's insane focus on speed enforcement. We wouldn't NEED 85mph speed limits if HP would enforce responsible and courteous driving instead of parking and waiting for that one speeder at the cost of a hundred missed wrong-lane citations.

[breadbox]

10mph over ISN'T lawful, it's just that most cops have ignored that minor of an infraction

Okay no. Around here highway speed is 55mph. Almost everyone drives 65-70. So no matter what, as is they can ticket whoever they want around here.

They say they will not pull you even in strict places unless you are 4 or more mph over the limit. if you are 3 over you should be good in general.

So either dont ticket speeders or raise the damn speed limit. I hate that everyone around is a criminal for most part because the system is dumb and MADD thinks going 55 will save everyone from drunk drivers.

Bring back legal 70 mph highways speeds.

[MinisterofDOOM]

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/29/2941.asp

[breadbox]

I have never understood US highway patrol's insane focus on speed enforcement. We wouldn't NEED 85mph speed limits if HP would enforce responsible and courteous driving instead of parking and waiting for that one speeder at the cost of a hundred missed wrong-lane citations.

I was going a constant 67mph when a state trooper got on the highway next to me.

Instead of letting me just go about my business, he gets on the megaphone and yells at me to go 55, then he proceeds to drive up an enbankment to get on HOV in a very shady/ unsafe manner.

What's the point of yelling at me? oh that's right "he's doing his job".

[breadbox]

Nice find MoD

[RED_DET]

Our fines here have been that amount for years.

[Dittoz7]

Speed limit 70, I'm usually in the 70-78 range. Doesn't really matter what speed I'm going cops usually pass me like I'm standing still. >:|

[Zydeco]

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/29/2941.asp

damn it I wanted to posted this.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Don't think they will be raising the speed limit any time soon in this green-centric economy...Wastes a s*** of gas to go that extra 5mph.
Personally I'd really hate a speed limit increase to 70...We, as in America in general, simply aren't trained well enough to handle that kind of speed.
Our habits to drive POS's held together by hope and ducktape would be exacerbated .

[nissangirl74]

Don't think they will be raising the speed limit any time soon in this green-centric economy...Wastes a s*** of gas to go that extra 5mph.
Personally I'd really hate a speed limit increase to 70...We, as in America in general, simply aren't trained well enough to handle that kind of speed.
Our habits to drive POS's held together by hope and ducktape would be exacerbated .

There are stretches of middle-of-nowhere-nothing-around-for-miles New Mexico interstate with a posted 80 mph speed limit. Freaked me out the first time I saw it. Speed limits here are between 65 and 75. I personally like the extra allowance, especially on the I-10 headed across the desert to California. HOWEVER, there are a lot of drivers out there that shouldn't be driving at a higher rate of speed. There are a lot of accidents on our freeways. I'm honestly surprised the laws have not been changed.

[IBCoupe]

Always be the second-fastest person on the road.

Also, sitting in the right lane whenever possible helps. Two cars speeding in otherwise identical manners, what are the odds that the cop's gonna nab the guy on the right?

And if you're following a stranger on the highway doing far over the speed limit, you're probably safe to match his speed, if you keep about a 1/4 mile between you to give yourself time to brake. One of you's going to be surprised by a radar gun, and you should aim for it not to be you.

[sbird1]

Speed limit 70, I'm usually in the 70-78 range. Doesn't really matter what speed I'm going cops usually pass me like I'm standing still. >:|

That s*** pisses me off SOO bad.