Need some advice

RM_guy · Aug 11, 2003

We live in NY and he got the ticket in PA. It was for 83 in a 65. He claimed he was going with the flow of traffic which I believe because I’ve been on the PA turnpike and that’s about the average speed. I’ve told him before that that’s not an excuse. Now he knows. He has always been the type that just has to learn the hard way. It’s not always the best way to learn but the lesson sure does stick.

He said he was hitting the brakes while coming down a hill when the trooper got him. The cop made a point of saying that he was hitting the brakes at the time. Was he implying that he was trying to evade the cop, or was going way faster?? He not a wise ass kind of kid and he treated the cop with respect but still got nailed for 83. I think he got singled out because he was driving his Cobra Mustang at the time and was an easy target. (another, “told ya so” from dad) but again, that’s no excuse.

I’m worried about his insurance. He will be 21 in a few months and his rates will drop but 18 mph over the limit can mess up insurance. Do points get transferred from one state to another? He’s willing to pay his dues ($156 worth) but doesn’t want his insurance messed up. Is it worth calling the DA in PA to try and get the ticket reduced? He’s never gotten a speeding ticked before but was stopped once and warned…I guess he should have just gotten the ticket and put the lesson behind him.

Thanks for any advise. I don’t run on the ragged edge of the law so I don’t always know about these things but I figured you guys would :)

sfc crash · Aug 11, 2003

i'm a ragged edge of the law kinda' guy. back in my day they didn't have these fancy computers, you got a ticket in another state (other than the one which you have your DL)and you LIKED IT! they didn't track ya down. who knows now tho. on the other hand, i would like to think things are so well organized after 9-11 that states have a better interstate como system, but i doubt it. you'r kid has only 1 ticket? how long has he had the nuevo cobra? hey, i wasn't there, but i have been going with the flow and never got pulled over, i've seen groups going faster than the flow and they get pulled over en mass here in the peoples republic of IL. yeh, he got clocked at 83, after hitting his brakes. add another 5-10 mph to that. insurance rates ar a biyatch! might as well let the kid get used to it, my rates go up and down like the stock market, i think i'm still 3 months away from getting my rates dropped back down to sane levels, but that's life. "they call me crash for a reason"

Milk · Aug 11, 2003

Some states report to others, and some don't. I wouldn't rustle any feathers with your insurance people.

My insurance guy told me that the only way they ever find out about a ticket is if they pull a MVR. he said it is rarely done.

I think when the ticket is reported to the other state, it stays with the DMV and isnt reported to the insurance company, but Id do some checking or wait to see if the rates go up.

RM_guy · Aug 11, 2003

Thanks guys.

Yeah this is his first speeding ticket. The thing is, the longer it takes him to get a ticket, the more safe he feels.

BTW, a guy I work with wa stopped going 105 in a 55 to work (late as usual). The thing is, he passed a string of 4 cars and one of them was the cop! He told the cop that he had to take a crap real bad and had to get to a bathroom. He got a ticket for crossing a double yellow line. Go figure.

Milk · Aug 11, 2003

Did he have to poop himself to get out of the speeding ticket?? :)

a454elk · Aug 11, 2003

Bummer, but I agree with Milk, most states don't see other states tickies. The insurance company would have to go out of their way to find it. Have him do a trial by declaration, that's what we call it, which is done through the mail. He can plead his case to the court and they may reduce the fine or do a diversion program for him. States treat things different so not sure if that's one of his options. Good luck!

RM_guy · Aug 11, 2003

I got him the phone number for the county DA office. He is going to call and see what he can do in this particular case. From what I have been hearing that is the best route to take. I guess some DAs won't even talk to you unless you plead not guilty but it's worth a shot.

a454elk · Aug 11, 2003

See if they offer traffic school like they do here. It gets it off your record and you spend a day in school for it. He can go back to the place he got the ticket and spend a day in class.

Treejumper · Aug 11, 2003

PA doesnt even turn in residents tickets to their insurance companies. I've had 6 tickets in the past 14 years in PA. The only way the insurance company will know is if you get another vehicle or change your insurance. Being he will be turning 21 they may run a MVR due to the rate change when you turn 21. They did here in PA when i turned 21 and 25. My insurance company will ask you if you've had a ticket in the past 3 years everytime you do something with them. I lucked out that each vehicle i bought was just after the 3 year mark from the ticket. So i didnt claim it but when they ran a MVR they saw one of them but it was 4 years before. The MVR only goes back 5 years with my insurance company.

sfc crash · Aug 11, 2003

in IL it's court supervision, you pay more than the original fine, but if you stay clean for a period of time, the ticket goes away. it's not like pleading guilty because it won't show up on your record. yes, that is why i still have a crystal clear driving record.

Smit-Dog · Aug 11, 2003

The ticket "conviction" date that goes on your record is the date you pay the fine. If you can somehow delay paying the fine until after his 21st birthday (when there may a possible insurance rate change/DMV lookup), any potential points would be added after the insurance inquisition, and therefore not affect his rate.

RM_guy · Aug 11, 2003

I just remembered something I was told once. If you go ahead and pay the fine but pay more than you owe (by some small amount) they will send a refund check. If you never cash the refund check, the books stay open on your ticket and nothing ever gets logged against you. Anybody else hear or try this?

Chuck, Thanks for the info on when they do an MVR

Smit-Dog · Aug 11, 2003

Originally posted by RM_guy
I just remembered something I was told once. If you go ahead and pay the fine but pay more than you owe (by some small amount) they will send a refund check. If you never cash the refund check, the books stay open on your ticket and nothing ever gets logged against you. Anybody else hear or try this?

For the Snopes take on this tip...

http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/ticket.asp

RM_guy · Aug 11, 2003

Ahhhh, thanks for the heads up. I never wanted to actually try that myself unless I knew for sure it would work.

XRpredator · Aug 11, 2003

Smit-dog, mythbuster!

Smit-Dog · Aug 11, 2003

Just because XRpimpslayer says he ain't wearing a cheetah thong while bangin' out replies doesn't mean he's not...

;)

The internet is too easily just an illusion of the truth...

XRpredator · Aug 11, 2003

Use your illusion, Smit-dog, just don't use it on me!

now I feel all oogie with you fantasizing about me in a cheetah thong :eek:

Treejumper · Aug 11, 2003

Originally posted by RM_guy
Chuck, Thanks for the info on when they do an MVR

That's how my insurance company works so yours maybe different. It makes sense being they (mine) gives you a discount on your rates when you turn 21 and 25 or get married. So they do a check to see if they can snag you for something else to keep your rates higher. I love insurance companies. :think:

rickyd · Aug 12, 2003

A few years ago, i got a ticket in Arizona (Lake Havasu City) got caught doing 91 in a 55.. The fine was about $150 and my insurance didn't go up.. Hope i just didn't jinx myself :scream:

RM_guy · Aug 12, 2003

Well he called the DA and they said he had to send something to them. I helped him with the is letter that he is going to be sending them. What do ya think?

Dear Sirs,

On August 10th, 2003 I received a speeding ticket (# ) in your county. I have submitted a plea of not guilty so I could have a chance to plea my case with you. First of all I want to state that I am not trying to shrug my responsibility. I have never received a speeding ticket before and I am willing to pay any fines that I am due. My concern is with how this will affect my insurance premiums. I am currently working my way through college and higher insurance premiums will greatly hamper my ability to pay my tuition as well as my other bills. My income comes from mowing lawns and holding down 3 part time jobs.

When I was stopped, I was driving with the flow of traffic. It made me nervous that the flow was going as fast as it was but I was always taught to go with the flow so as not to disrupt traffic. I realize that is no excuse. What compounded my anxiety was that I was driving my show car, which is a high performance Mustang, and was concerned that I was driving with a target on me. Not that I feel I was singled out but I just felt that a flashy car is more likely to catch someone’s eye in a group of vehicles. I normally try to keep a low profile so as not to attract attention and not receiving any speeding tickets in my 5 years of driving can attest to that.

I am concerned that the points associated with this violation will raise my insurance premium. As I stated above, I am willing to pay a fine but am requesting that you adjust the violation to one that minimizes the points that I will receive. I deeply regret speeding and accept the penalties but am asking you to take mercy in this case. I currently have no points on my license and am very proud of it. I was raised to respect and abide by the law but I am also human and make mistakes. I do learn from them though and this will be no exception.

Thank you very much for hearing me out. I really do appreciate the opportunity to plea my case with you and hope for an out come that is beneficial to both of us.

Sincerely,
blah, blah, blah

Chili · Aug 12, 2003

You might want to avoid portraying the struggling to make ends meet college student angle followed immediately by pointing out he was driving his "show" car which is a hi performance (Tends to invoke thoughts of High Cost) Mustang.

Just my opinion but it seems to clash in paragraph one you are looking for a break for a good kid who is struggling to make ends meet to educate himself and in paragraph two you reference the show car implying it is one of at least two cars he owns.

I like the letter overall but if it was me I would probably skip the whole section regarding the car he was driving. Best of luck :thumb:

scooter1130 · Aug 12, 2003

I agree with not mention the "show"car, and I would also sign it with something other than "blah, blah, blah" :confused:

Treejumper · Aug 12, 2003

I agree with the others about "What Type" of car it was. An i really dont think he was singled out because out of all the vehicles i've owned and got tickets in, the Trans am was not one of them. My POS S-10, Nissan King Cab, Jimmy, Dakota, etc. The flashiest car was never pulled over except to be looked at by the trooper.

RM_guy · Aug 12, 2003

Good points. I tried to catch him before he mailed it out but we missed each other and it went out as is. I'll let you know how he made out.

Thanks for everyones help.

a454elk · Aug 14, 2003

Oh yeah, forgot to tell you, that letter admitted guilt, quick, stop it before it goes out. Oops, it already went out, well, good luck and may the force be with you. Hope it goes well, let us know the outcome.;)

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