Speeding Ticket

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I try and go to the Justice of the Peace whenever I can for my speeding tickets. You used to be able to plead guilty as the registered owner of the vehicle and it would turn the ticket into something like a photoradar (no demerits). You can't really do that any more but EVERY time i have gone in the Crown Prosecutor reduces my fine/demerits.

It is worth it if you have a morning free during the week, if you would have to take time off work, don't bother. Especially for a ticket of only 11 over.

How many tickets do you have?! Is your insurance worse because of it?

I got one like 7 years ago (that was total BS, if you must know), and pulled over again recently but they let me go. I didn't know I was such a conservative driver! I usually go 10-15km/h over the limit as long as it's not icy.

Anyways... back on topic.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by MJM

Where did you get that in retaliation I was going to fight the ticket to force the cop to come in? I said I had no intentions of that. I said I intended on pleading guilty but if there was some mechanism to reduce the ticket through the justice of the peace (not bringing the officer in) I would based on my belief that having a cop hiding in the bushes was a waste of resouce (never once blamed the cop becuase they are just following their superiors orders).

In regards to what I expect the cops to do in regards to your scenarios, I see it like this. The same drug deals go on night after night in the same location. Why aren't the cops lurking around in the shadows there trying to catch someone rather than lurking in the bushes in the deep south catching peoe accidentally going 40 km/h.


Ps I fully support cops setting up radar. People need to adhere to the speed for their safety and the safety of other. What fires me up about this one was it was fully designed to be a cash grab and had little to do with safety in my opinion.

But... whenever they set-up the radar, it's kind of a cash grab. They have all the best locations staked out for a reason... bottom of hills, 50 feet away from a speed limit change, etc.

I don't really see them out in the obvious locations where "safety" might be an issue. They go where they know they'll be able to catch a lot of people.

And I support the cops too, and people driving dangerously really piss me off, don't get me wrong. But the radar is still a cash grab IMO.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Peanut

How many tickets do you have?! Is your insurance worse because of it?

I got one like 7 years ago (that was total BS, if you must know), and pulled over again recently but they let me go. I didn't know I was such a conservative driver! I usually go 10-15km/h over the limit as long as it's not icy.

Anyways... back on topic.

It was more when I was younger. Right now I have one ticket on my drivers abstract and it was from 2 years ago. The Mrs. recently got one and we down to the courthouse and saved her $100 and one demerit. Well worth it imo.

When I was younger I was down there once or twice a year pleading guilty as the registered owner. I am sure if I hadn't gone down and gotten these tickets changes to the type where my insurance doesn't see them my rates would be ######ed.

I have NEVER plead not guilty and hoped that the cop wouldn't show up for the record. As far as time vs money saved I have had a job where I have had a few fridays off a month for about 5 years and taking 2 hours of my time, parking at my buddies downtown and saving 100-200 dollars or 1 or 2 demerits is will worth my time.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by Peanut

But... whenever they set-up the radar, it's kind of a cash grab. They have all the best locations staked out for a reason... bottom of hills, 50 feet away from a speed limit change, etc.

I don't really see them out in the obvious locations where "safety" might be an issue. They go where they know they'll be able to catch a lot of people.

And I support the cops too, and people driving dangerously really piss me off, don't get me wrong. But the radar is still a cash grab IMO.

Setting up radar in places like the Deerfoot, MacLeod, 17th Avenue, etc. are not cash grabs in my opinion. People drive like idiots, especially on the Deerfoot, and something should be done about for the public's safety. I have people passing me on the Deerfoot constantly going at speed's I'd estimate were well above 160 KM an hour.

Setting up radar in a suburb in the evening at the very beginning of a poorly marked playground/school zone, and actually ticketing people for being a few KM's over the speed limit, now that is a cash grab and a ridiculous waste of resources that are desperately needed in other areas.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Peanut

I don't really see them out in the obvious locations where "safety" might be an issue. They go where they know they'll be able to catch a lot of people.

That is my major issue with those speed on green cameras. If they are not able to prove that these cameras make these intersections 'safer' and they don't take them down then that proves this is ONLY a revenue generator.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by MJM

Setting up radar in places like the Deerfoot, MacLeod, 17th Avenue, etc. are not cash grabs in my opinion. People drive like idiots, especially on the Deerfoot, and something should be done about for the public's safety. I have people passing me on the Deerfoot constantly going at speed's I'd estimate were well above 160 KM an hour.

Setting up radar in a superb in the evening at the very beginning of a poorly marked playground/school zone, and actually ticketing people for being a few KM's over the speed limit, now that is a cash grab and a ridiculous waste of resources that are desperately needed in other areas.

I've never seen them set-up radar on the Deerfoot? Living here for 20 years and driving for 11 of them. I actually remember reading something awhile ago about how they were no longer going to pull people over on Deerfoot even - too dangerous for the cops (I agree).

They set-up photo radar on Deerfoot, I have seen that.

EDIT: Oh, and I actually disagree about the playground & school zones - those areas to me are clear safety/community issues and I support the radar in there. I think the 1hr after sunset rule for playground zones is bunk though, and it sounds like you got caught on that one. So, I think we agree about that at least.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by MJM

Maybe they should put some resources into that instead of waiting behind bushes at ten o'clock at night trying to stop the evil tax paying citizens of going 41 KM in a dark area at 10 pm at night with cars parked on both sides of the street blocking your ability to see a sign in the dark.

In other words, there was a pretty good reason for the speed limit in that area to still be 30? With that many visual impairments, I wonder how you could possibly stop in time if anyone did jump out from the bushes, cars and other visual impairments?

I would also suggest that the cops are only there because of complaints about speeders creating a dangerous situation for the people in the neighbourhood. They have more right to safely walk their streets than you to do speed home.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

In other words, there was a pretty good reason for the speed limit in that area to still be 30? With that many visual impairments, I wonder how you could possibly stop in time if anyone did jump out from the bushes, cars and other visual impairments?

I would also suggest that the cops are only there because of complaints about speeders creating a dangerous situation for the people in the neighbourhood. They have more right to safely walk their streets than you to do speed home.

if someone jumps out in front of my truck from behind a bush or parked car and I am going 30 or 41 they are effed. If someone is dumb enough to jump out in front of my truck at 10PM (in the dark) they deserve to be effed.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

That is my major issue with those speed on green cameras. If they are not able to prove that these cameras make these intersections 'safer' and they don't take them down then that proves this is ONLY a revenue generator.

They said on the news this morning that the average speeding ticket on these cameras has been 30 over the limit. That's 90 in a 60.

Is it a cash cow? Yup.
Does it make people drive safer? Debatable, but I will admit that a couple of quick photo radar tickets slowed me the hell down.

Even if it has no real impact on road safety, it is a tax on the stupid. And every dollar that some idiot ripping through major intersections at unsafe speeds pays is one less dollar the rest of us have to pay in taxes.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

if someone jumps out in front of my truck from behind a bush or parked car and I am going 30 or 41 they are effed. If someone is dumb enough to jump out in front of my truck at 10PM (in the dark) they deserve to be effed.

And if you are driving 41 in a 30 in the dark with that many visual impairments around, you deserve to be effed too. A fine is a much smaller price to pay than the alternative.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

They said on the news this morning that the average speeding ticket on these cameras has been 30 over the limit. That's 90 in a 60.

Is it a cash cow? Yup.
Does it make people drive safer? Debatable, but I will admit that a couple of quick photo radar tickets slowed me the hell down.

Even if it has no real impact on road safety, it is a tax on the stupid. And every dollar that some idiot ripping through major intersections at unsafe speeds pays is one less dollar the rest of us have to pay in taxes.

Meh, I just slow down at those intersections. It isnt very hard, they are clearly marked.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Meh, I just slow down at those intersections. It isnt very hard, they are clearly marked.

Evidently you are smarter than 850 other drivers in this city.

[jar_e]

FWIW, most of these speed traps are usually set up either after a)there's been a fatality or serious injury accident in the area of the trap, or b)there have been numerous complaints from people in the community about the area.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by jar_e

FWIW, most of these speed traps are usually set up either after a)there's been a fatality or serious injury accident in the area of the trap, or b)there have been numerous complaints from people in the community about the area.

or c) there are bushes, a fence, tree, or some kind of obstruction so a cop car can be conveniently hidden behind

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by jar_e

FWIW, most of these speed traps are usually set up either after a)there's been a fatality or serious injury accident in the area of the trap, or b)there have been numerous complaints from people in the community about the area.

What about on crowchild (either direction) under shaganappi? Cops work there because they can hide really well. I have lived in the NW for 8 years and never seen a serious accident at that location.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What about on crowchild (either direction) under shaganappi? Cops work there because they can hide really well. I have lived in the NW for 8 years and never seen a serious accident at that location.

Is there still construction down near shaganappi? Or have they moved up further north? I know construction companies put in quite a few complaints because of speeders through construction zones.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

If a kid is jumping out at you from behind bushes at 10pm at night then I seriously question his motives.

What? You are going to question the motives of a 10 year old who is running after his ball?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by MJM

I must be too stupid to see a sign over a puny 500 metre stretch with multiple cars parked in front when it's dark out.

I'll man up and pay my ticket when CPS responds to the multiple calls myself and my neighbors in Mount Royal put in about blatant drugs deals blocks away from our property and two schools (which happened on a nightly basis with no threat of response from the police). My wife was walking to work in the morning a couple of months ago while it was still dark, some guy followed her down a side street, she noticed and turned around to go back to the main street and the guy bumped right into her and told her she " was very lucky that she made that choice ". We called the police and we were told there was nothing they could do. And get this...... If it happens again to call them back!

Maybe they should put some resources into that instead of waiting behind bushes at ten o'clock at night trying to stop the evil tax paying citizens of going 41 KM in a dark area at 10 pm at night with cars parked on both sides of the street blocking your ability to see a sign in the dark.

Do you realize that Calgary has a specific taffic enforcement unit that deals almost only with traffic related violations and does not deal with criminal matters? Someone in a traffic unit does not go out and do pro-active policing for criminal matters. They are two seperate units and you cannot compare the two.

As for the incident with your wife? What would you want them to do? It doesn't appear the person commited a crime. Probably would have if your wife went into a secluded area, but he didn't. It's good that you called them so they can track this pattern incase a crime is commited. And if it happened again, yes you should call them, then they can make an arguement that this was not a one time event and they should use some resources to patrol the area.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What about on crowchild (either direction) under shaganappi? Cops work there because they can hide really well. I have lived in the NW for 8 years and never seen a serious accident at that location.

Thus proving that speed traps work!

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

What? You are going to question the motives of a 10 year old who is running after his ball?

Yes, at 10pm on a sunday the only kids out chasing balls are looking for trouble. I'd bet you that 9 times out of 10 he'll also have a stolen extension cord streaming in the wind behind him.