Speeding Ticket

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Hey so I finally let my speeding catch up to me.

I received one photo-radar ticket for going 48 KM/Hr in a School Zone (30KM/Hr).

And then later this past summer I was pulled over and was issued a ticket for going 106KM/Hr in a 80KM/Hr zone.

Anyway a couple of questions, as a student I'd love very much to avoid paying the full fees.

So any tips on if I can get he reduced or how to do so? I have no prior tickets or accidents. Only one parking ticket.

Also I have no demerits, I'm wondering nothing was listed on the tickets about demerits I received for these tickets but would I get some automatically as well? And how I could get rid of those if at all possible?

Thanks everyone!

[4X4]

When did you get the photo radar ticket? Is it too late to plead not guilty? If not, then plead not guilty and fight it. Photo radar is bullshiz.

[Resolute 14]

The photo radar ticket carries no demerits as they can't prove you were the driver - the fine is simply levied against the registered owner of the car. The one you were pulled over on would be, iirc, 3 points that will be applied when you pay the ticket (i.e.: plead guilty).

As to the other questions, just pay the fines and move on. If you can't afford the speeding fines, don't speed so much. /obligatory

[Tron_fdc]

Before giving you any information, I demand to know the particulars of the tickets. That way we can determine if you are at fault, or if you're a lead foot hooligan that shouldn't have a license and therefore not worthy of our advice.

Don't worry, CP judgement is swift in cases like this.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Well my "hearing" is Wednesday so I could plead then? Would that be beneficial? I mean how could I get out of that even?

[bomber317]

you don't get demerits on photo radar.

You really shouldn't speed in a school zone at this time of the year. They normally have crackdowns at the beginning of the school year.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Before giving you any information, I demand to know the particulars of the tickets. That way we can determine if you are at fault, or if you're a lead foot hooligan that shouldn't have a license and therefore not worthy of our advice.

Don't worry, CP judgement is swift in cases like this.

Haha alright well in the first case I was driving in a district where I had NO idea was a school zone, not familiar with that area and that was just carelessness on my part I should have been paying attention because honestly I NEVER speed at school/playground zones.

In general I speed on major roads about 10KM/Hr but this time I suppose I lost my better judgement and was going faster on Crowchild when there was almost no traffic, hence my faster speed.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by bomber317

you don't get demerits on photo radar.

You really shouldn't speed in a school zone at this time of the year. They normally have crackdowns at the beginning of the school year.

This was in July.

[Boblobla]

If you go downtown and ask to get the fine reduced, that will reduce it for you. They will also give you time to pay if you need that.

[getbak]

No demerits for the photo radar since they have no way to prove who was actually driving. 106 in an 80 is 3 demerits, I believe.

Here's how the demerit system works: http://transportation.alberta.ca/2172.htm

It looks like you're allowed up to 15 demerits before your licence is suspended, and the demerits come off your record after 2 years (from the date of conviction, not the date of the offense).


If you go to the court house and talk to the Crown Prosecutor (follow the signs to the Traffic Court windows, and be prepared to wait for a couple of hours for a 1 minute meeting), you'll pretty much be offered a reduced fine/demerit reduction just for showing up.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

If you go downtown and ask to get the fine reduced, that will reduce it for you. They will also give you time to pay if you need that.

Hmm, okay...I'll probably do that then.

In honesty I have no real problem having to pay for the tickets, it sucks but it is what it is. I just want to pay as little as possible honestly.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

Haha alright well in the first case I was driving in a district where I had NO idea was a school zone, not familiar with that area and that was just carelessness on my part I should have been paying attention because honestly I NEVER speed at school/playground zones.

In general I speed on major roads about 10KM/Hr but this time I suppose I lost my better judgement and was going faster on Crowchild when there was almost no traffic, hence my faster speed.

Huh. Well in that case, I'm gonna have to let this thread run at least 3 pages, in which the CP CSI will prove/disprove your guilt, before I give you advice like:

- go down on the court date indicated, make up a plausible story to the crown prosecutor, and tell him you have no problem with the fine, but if at all possible you would like to avoid the demerits. This happens before you go in front of the judge, and in most cases, you pay the fine and walk out sans demerits.
- If he disagrees, seeing as you're there already, sit in the courtroom, wait your turn, and plead your case in front of the judge. Hope for the best, as the worst that can happen is you are stuck with the tickets and demerits.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

This was in July.

I'm sure someone will jump all over me for not knowing the rules of the road, but I thought you only had to follow school zone rules on school days.

I don't think any school has an official school day in July, unless it was marked as an all-year school.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by Regorium

I'm sure someone will jump all over me for not knowing the rules of the road, but I thought you only had to follow school zone rules on school days.

I don't think any school has an official school day in July, unless it was marked as an all-year school.

Mmm, this may of been my own bad. It was actually a playground zone that I didn't notice.

And it was well during the hours I should be abiding the rules, at like 5:00PM.

[MJM]

Just go to the court house, see one of the ministers/JPs and say you've learned your lesson, and am a student and was hoping something could be done about the fines. They will cut them in half if you admit you were wrong, and seem legitimately sorry.

They may do nothing though, so you could be wasting your time. It all depends on how much your time is worth to you.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Well I have virtually no classes on the said day so it won't be of too much waste to me.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

Well I have virtually no classes on the said day so it won't be of too much waste to me.

You don't have to go on your date. I believe you can go down any day and lineup to see one.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

Well I have virtually no classes on the said day so it won't be of too much waste to me.

It doesn't need to be on the day of your ticket, you can go down and talk to them before the day.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

Well I have virtually no classes on the said day so it won't be of too much waste to me.

Have you considered the amount of taxpayer money you're wasting by tying up the courthouse?

I suggest you think long and hard about that, before going anyways, and taking advantage of a system that is there to use.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Have you considered the amount of taxpayer money you're wasting by tying up the courthouse?

I suggest you think long and hard about that, before going anyways, and taking advantage of a system that is there to use.

Give me a break. Get off your soap box. I pay more taxes in 1 day of work than most of the welfare cases lining up down there to fight their tickets and the drunks trying to get their license back. Given this guy is in university he likely will be paying someday to. We have every right to use that system, we friggen pay for it.