traffic tickets for traveling techs

[KenB]

With all the new radar cameras on poles and in vehicles, I'm beginning to think that even the best radar detectors are slowly becoming obsolete -other than on the open highway, of course - unless you count aircraft.

Which brings up another question: Are there radar cameras in the area that you cover?

I've been ticket free for just over 8 years now (I know, another jinx...), but I did get nailed for 37 in a 25 a year ago, by a camera in a van, "innocently" parked in a lot. It cost me $90. The only good news is that it doesn't go on your license; kind of a moving parking ticket, if you will. There is no way to positively identify who is driving.

A little web research revealed countless complaints about the city, which uses traffic citations for their main source of income - the numbers were staggering.

I've heard ugly rumors that future versions of OBD (On Board Diagnostics) in your car, coupled with GPS, may produce violations for serious offenses.
(OBD3, the current version, can already report serious emission problems.)

It's true - Big Brother really IS watching!!

[fixthecopier]

We do not have hidden speed cameras and they took away the red light cameras in town. On base, I have a lot of MP's and not a lot of crime. They set everywhere and shoot radar. One new spot is to have one on foot stand on an overpass and shoot radar at the traffic going under. There will be 4 or 5 MP's waiting on the other side of the overpass and he will radio down which car to stop.

[Morlock49]

Don't work in the UK then. You don't even have to be stopped by police anymore to get a speeding ticket. There are cameras on almost every traffic light, at every entrance and exit from the motorways, and now on almost all bridges over highways. The police now monitor your vehicle over set distances and if you are over the speed limit you will get a speed ticket for each point you are speeding at. Therefore you could lose your license on one trip.

And if you goto central london, without paying the visit london tax online, you will get a massive fine.

The british government make billions from these fines, but none of it is returned towards road improvements, safety.

This is why some drivers, concerned citizens, use JCB's and tire ringing to destroy speed cameras. more power to them.

[Setright]

Well, staying off topic here:

When are lawmakers and the press (!) going to understand that speeding doesn't cause accidents? When will they focus on the factors that really matter?


Lack of attention is the most common.

Poor judgement. Many people just aren't bright enough to accurately judge other cars speed and proximity.

Poor lane discipline.

Failing to keep a safe distance! When are they going to get the cameras to catch people for that?

Driving too slow. YES, you know it's true. Someone doing 20% below the limit on a fine day, provokes other drivers to overtake, sometimes in a hazardous manner. I don't condone either action, but we must understand how the human mind works.

Accelerating when someone is trying to overtake. I get this A LOT. Someone pootling along doing 60km/h on a 80km/h single lane main road. As soon as they see me beginning to pass them, they speed up. I understand that my electric blue Subaru Impreza awakens their inner agression, but they are turning a simple overtaking manouvre into a dangerous situation.


Do I need to go on?

[Koosie]

I have had 1 speeding fine for doing 107km/h in a 80 zone. And thats after I braked a bit. I forgot to pay the ticket witch was a lot, and a few months later the police came to arrest me at work for not paying the fine and not showing up in court. Luckily I was at a customer 150 km away! I went to pay at the magistrate office later that day.

[mjarbar]

Don't work in the UK then. You don't even have to be stopped by police anymore to get a speeding ticket. There are cameras on almost every traffic light, at every entrance and exit from the motorways, and now on almost all bridges over highways. The police now monitor your vehicle over set distances and if you are over the speed limit you will get a speed ticket for each point you are speeding at. Therefore you could lose your license on one trip.

And if you goto central london, without paying the visit london tax online, you will get a massive fine.

The british government make billions from these fines, but none of it is returned towards road improvements, safety.

This is why some drivers, concerned citizens, use JCB's and tire ringing to destroy speed cameras. more power to them.

The latest is that they are now using the local forces helicopter to monitor for speeders, the cameras can see a number plate from a mile away and you don't know you've been done till the fine lands on your door mat

[pacman]

In the 12 years I've been in the industry doing sales or service, I've never gotten a work related ticket. Here in Arizona, we have speeding cameras on the freeways and some side streets. Even before then, I never got any.

Guess I'm lucky!

[Dark Helmet]

Been driving 10 years, got all my merits that i can get and i hope to keep it that way. I don't speed in company vehicles. I set the cruise at the speed limit in the city and on the highway i put it about 8km over to keep with traffic and the police leave you alone. Few parking tickets which my former employer would not cover. My new service van has big Sharp and Ricoh lables on it. I park in loading zones all day with no problems.

One of the guys in the city next to me got towed once. He had a shitty day, had to tear apart a big finisher on a 55 ppm Sharp color, got delayed and his car went bye bye. Pricks wait to give you the parking ticket and then tow you after it's under the wiper!

What about parking meters and underground parking? Does that come out of your pocket or does the company pay for it? In my city it's not such a big issue but in some places i can see it turning into a major expense.

[Jules Winfield]

Those of you saying that speed doesn't cause accidents are out of your minds (no offense). Not everyone on the road is a good driver. Not even the majority of people on the road are good drivers. All it takes is one moron to pull out in front of someone driving way too fast and bam! I don't care how good of a driver you think you are, you aren't so good that you can break the laws of physics. It takes way longer to stop if you're traveling at 120 mph than it does if your only doing 60 mph. And I'm sure some will say "It's not the speeder's fault, it's the moron's fault for pulling out in front and not looking first". Ok, fair enough. But does it really matter who's technically at fault when your head's going through the windshield? Common sense, guys...

[Morlock49]

Those of you saying that speed doesn't cause accidents are out of your minds (no offense). Not everyone on the road is a good driver. Not even the majority of people on the road are good drivers. All it takes is one moron to pull out in front of someone driving way too fast and bam! I don't care how good of a driver you think you are, you aren't so good that you can break the laws of physics. It takes way longer to stop if you're traveling at 120 mph than it does if your only doing 60 mph. And I'm sure some will say "It's not the speeder's fault, it's the moron's fault for pulling out in front and not looking first". Ok, fair enough. But does it really matter who's technically at fault when your head's going through the windshield? Common sense, guys...

If you head has gone through the widshield.....you should have been wearing a belt. I know from experience. I drove a corolla head on into eighteen wheeler at 70mph and lived....i think ( not sure, as i'm still a copier tech)

[Setright]

Jules!

I am not trying to say that driving as fast as you can everywhere, all the time isn't dangerous. Only stupid/agressive people do that.

HOWEVER, in many places and at many time it is perfectly safe to drive with moderate disregard for the limits.

It's early morning here, and I need to have a shower and get dressed....but I will be back to qualify my views.

[YouthAttack]

dont really get any traffic tickets but i do get a fair share of parking tickets. my area is downtown los angeles so its between 50 to 65 dollars per ticket. it sucks!

[RRodgers]

I got one recently, but it wasn't in the company car. It was in my Benz on my way to a customer (had to show it off to them) needless to say, I was popped going 84 mph in like a 65. About $400 in all.... sooo... don't do it.

[KenB]

I got one recently, but it wasn't in the company car. It was in my Benz on my way to a customer (had to show it off to them) needless to say, I was popped going 84 mph in like a 65. About $400 in all.... sooo... don't do it.

400 clams for 19 mph over? OUCH!!

[Shadow1]

My wife had on that was about $275 for 11 over. Wasn't really her fault - speedometer quit while going down the road. Old car, loose connection - but that cuts zero ice, your responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle