04-23-2012, 07:29 PM | #1 |
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Speeding Question
So say you are driving along the highway in a 70 mph zone. You then enter a 65 mph zone. How soon do you have to slow down?
I recall in Germany, they actually slam on the brakes when the autobahn goes from unregulated to 60 kmh. What is the reasonable expectation of slowing down when you pass the posted sign of the lower speed limit? Apparently someone came up on a trooper a little too fast (coincidentally right after the speed zone changed). Three lane highway, both cars in the middle lane. He pulls to the left lane and slams his brakes as to let the car behind him pass. His Golden Eagle detection device showed 76 - how accurate is this thing when shooting backwards with both cars moving and what distance is it accurate to? I'm thinking he captured speed in the 70 zone, which would only be 6 over instead of 11. On top of that, he wrote up window tint - at 11p??? Usually they make you roll up or down the window to verify. He never did and the window was all the way down when he approached. Aside from the trooper not showing up for court, what can be reasonably argued?
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04-23-2012, 07:48 PM | #2 |
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Go to court and make your case. Tell them you were in the 70mph zone and they will likely reduce or throw out the ticket. Also, tell them he did nothing to test the tint and that it is legal.
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05-01-2012, 12:14 AM | #3 |
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Anybody else have an experience with these two items?
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05-03-2012, 08:24 PM | #5 |
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I know here they don't need to show up for court anymore, they can just sign an affidavit, so that's not much of a hope anymore
Any type of radar or laser device travels really fast, so it doesn't matter if he was sitting still, moving towards you/away/whatever - it's gonna be pretty darn accurate My guess is that, legally, that sign was visible before you reached it, and you should have been slowing down BEFORE you passed it, not start slowing down after you passed it. |
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05-04-2012, 04:05 PM | #6 |
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In November I had similar happen when traveling back from North Carolina and in Virgina. Highway speed was 65 then dropped to 55 for a small portion. I came over the hill at 88mph, trooper waiting with lights on. Needless to say the limit change the trooper gave me the most benifit of the doubt and wrote for 88 in 65 instead of the 55mph zone that I had just entered. Regardless it was an expensive ticket (Attorney + Court costs + fines).
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05-04-2012, 04:09 PM | #7 |
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The radar is going to be accurate no matter how the cop is driving -- it instantaneously measures the distance between two points, even if they're in motion.
If you have a clean driving record, now's probably the time to brag about it. I know in NJ you can plead "Unsafe Driving" which is a higher court fine but you don't get any points on your license, not sure about Michigan. Hopefully a combination of a clean driving history & a plea bargain you'll be able to leave with less money in your bank account. |
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05-04-2012, 06:13 PM | #8 |
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What if there are two cars in close proximity? Can the laser determine which one it is?
Also, if you see a sign with "X" speed posted, can you not accelerate to that speed until after you pass the actual sign or does it become the speed once it comes within my line of sight?
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05-04-2012, 06:35 PM | #9 |
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The speed posted on a sign refers to the road AFTER the sign. And you need to slow down before reaching the sign, as you need to be at the speed indicated the moment you cross the sign. At least that's how it is in CA (took a driver's class not long ago).
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05-10-2012, 10:59 PM | #11 |
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Any final words of advice... Tue is the big day.
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05-11-2012, 05:31 AM | #12 |
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For some time now I have signs before the speed changes indicating that the speed is changing. This helps in slowing down before entering the new speed zone. I could not verify that it is everywhere here, but I know it is in my area.
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05-11-2012, 09:23 AM | #13 |
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That is more of a courtesy than the requirement. To the OP, if he didn't measure your tint than you will probably win that one however in your state I don't know the law. As for the speed violation don't waste court time to argue the validity of a radar device. You were speeding and got caught, own up to it.
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05-11-2012, 04:47 PM | #14 |
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Michigan has no front tint allowed except 4" down from the top...
Only points would be: two vehicles in close proximity in the 70mph zone when allegedly gunned with the suv being the larger of the two. Also, window tint was never physically verified as window was full down. They usually point to the tint termination point and you are busted. Fingers crossed for next week.
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05-11-2012, 11:23 PM | #17 |
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