[Enkur]

Damn... After helping my mother-in-law pickup her new BMW 328i sedan, I got a ticket in my coupe on the way home!!! The cop said I was going 90 in 65, the thing was that my radar detecter didnt go off. I was sitting in the car cursing at the damn thing for not going off. Then the cop hands me the ticket and leaves, I was going to ask him how he clocked me but in my confused state of mind I forgot. I then read the darn thing and it has a check mark on "paced". What the hell is that?? Does it mean he followed me and guessed how fast I was going.

I honestly dont know how fast I was going but by the time I saw the cop with the lights in the rear view mirror and look down I was going about 75.

I am wondering if I should fight the ticket in court. I cant take defensive driving as I got a ticket earlier (I got a ticket going to the airport for my ED!).


Any ideas or suggestions?

PS: all you conspiracy theorist are welcome to jump on the "red = ticket magnet"

[wj4]

Yes, it means that he followed you. IE he can be doing 80MPH and still not be able to catch up to you so he had to go a bit faster until he is at your bumper, at around that speed is what he put down on the ticket as your speed.

[PshhhhhMW]

there's definitely ways you can get out of this ticket. one quick way is to see if his certification is current. yea, cops need to be certified to "pace" you. if it is, then basically your hope is to have him prove or show the judge how he calculated your speed. this is pretty much a pain in the ass to discredit and would be easier to just pay the fine and take traffic school.

[nusevad]

Paced means they were basically following you, if you try to go to court you will lose. Ive been to traffic court numerous times (three times in the past 2 years) and the judge is always biased, he will take the cops word over yours, if your lucky he might lower your fine a little bit if you are a first offender. Id just pay the fine, save yourself the hassle and try to drive slower next time.

[Enkur]

Thanks for the support guys. I have a few days before I have to respond to the ticket and wil research to see what my options are.

One thing that continues to bother me was why he didnt use his radar? Just after giving me the ticket and leaving, he turns it on and boom my radar detector is showing me full signal and going haywire. I wonder if he saw my radar detector after he pulled me over and put down "paced". He probably didnt even pace me correctly and just guessed as I blew by him.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by Enkur

Thanks for the support guys. I have a few days before I have to respond to the ticket and wil research to see what my options are.

One thing that continues to bother me was why he didnt use his radar? Just after giving me the ticket and leaving, he turns it on and boom my radar detector is showing me full signal and going haywire. I wonder if he saw my radar detector after he pulled me over and put down "paced". He probably didnt even pace me correctly and just guessed as I blew by him.

Good luck to ya,

He could have been driving onto the road and you happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Seeing that you zoomed passed him he probably tried to catch up and saw you were def. going past speed limit. After giving you a ticket he decided to turn on his radar in case anyone else speeding in that area.

[chbrules]

Should have gotten a 335i with procede and just run from the cops next time.

[RaptorKTM]

well i believe by law in California a Police officer needs two forms of proof that you where speeding, which is why many police clock you then pace you. Or of course if they dont have that they can add, no front plate, tint, etc.

[RANJHA]

Talk to the prosecution, i.e. city attorney, state's attorney, etc.

Explain the ticket to them, tell them it is bullshit, then work out a deal where you can take a class or supervision or something where it doesn't go on your record. You definitely have more than a chance of getting out of this ticket.

What a dumbass cop tho! Prolly jealous of ur car

[BLUE LABEL]

e92 hatred is wide spread... chi town is no different.

[ettil]

Sorry to hear.

While it's possible to get out of pacing tickets from my experience it's challenging (at least in VA).

The last time I had to go to court I was one of 3 (all female) one county cop had paced in the same exact area (1-2 mile stretch of road). He'd come down the exit ramp and on to the road right behind. No way he was at a complete stop on the ramp but more of right place right time merging on the road behind cars going fast enough to care about.

Why use radar when pacing is acceptable? In VA they have to be a set distance for a set period of time and the only calibration they need to prove is speedometer.

My other 1/2 was caught by pacing where it was very clear the cop was lying (from dead stop to allegedly 90 & pace in 1/4 mile w/traffic and having to merge off a restricted road) and a high priced lawyer only got him a restricted license.

And I was driving a ford escape not my car

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by Enkur

"red = ticket magnet"

I do know of someone who had a pair of 911s, one red and one silver.

The "issues" were invariably wih the red car, no matter who was driving it.

[LEDZEP]

Absolutely amazing!

Every speeding ticket is bullshit?
Cops are pissed because you're going faster than them?
Judges are biased and take the cops word?


I've only had a couple speeding tickets, and I was annoyed both times... but both times I was SPEEDING.

Grow up, accept some responsibility in life and stop sniveling. If you drive fast in a BMW you're going to get tickets.

[Ninjaneer]

How about a traffic lawyer who can fight it on your behalf? Dunno how it is in TX but in FL usually if they can't get the case dismissed, they'll fight to get you out of having to take the driving school and not getting any points added but you'd still end up paying the ticket's price if he couldn't get the whole thing dismissed, on top of the lawyer's fee. Around here it's anywhere from $100-200 for the lawyer.

[MikeCCrutchfield]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

If you drive fast in a BMW you're going to get tickets.

Unless you are in an unrestricted zone on the autobahn and driving in a safe manor. :rocks:

[THE JEDI]

FIGHT IT MAN...make him prove it...

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by THE JEDI

FIGHT IT MAN...make him prove it...

He DID prove it. "Paced" means that the officer was driving behind the speeding vehicle and noting the speed. That is about the best proof there is.

If he was doing 90 then he has no right to whine about a ticket. If you want to drive 90 MPH then be a man and take your lumps.

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by Enkur

Thanks for the support guys. I have a few days before I have to respond to the ticket and wil research to see what my options are.

One thing that continues to bother me was why he didnt use his radar? Just after giving me the ticket and leaving, he turns it on and boom my radar detector is showing me full signal and going haywire. I wonder if he saw my radar detector after he pulled me over and put down "paced". He probably didnt even pace me correctly and just guessed as I blew by him.

In most states, there is no requirement that anyone use radar for traffic enforcement. In fact, in many states, a visual speed estimate is required to support a traffic violation, and radar/lidar can only be used to "confirm" the visual estimate.

[jetblk328i]

yea this happened to me before, cop behind you matching your speed. make him prove that you were goin 90, if you really were than just learn your lesson , pay the fine, and watch behind you occasionally! i got out of mine because he couldnt prove it.

[F30Toad]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Absolutely amazing!

Every speeding ticket is bullshit?
Cops are pissed because you're going faster than them?
Judges are biased and take the cops word?


I've only had a couple speeding tickets, and I was annoyed both times... but both times I was SPEEDING.

Grow up, accept some responsibility in life and stop sniveling. If you drive fast in a BMW you're going to get tickets.

+1

You already said you have no idea how fast you were going. What makes you think the cop made it up, besides the fact that you are better than the rest of the driving population? I know if I'm not paying attention I can be going 90 without even thinking about it. Unfortunately we all don't have an Autobahn like Mr Crutch so we have to deal with speed limits.

I can even understand trying to get out of it, that is part of the game. But there is no evidence the cop was out to get you, show some .

As a bit of advice, use your cruise control on the highway, then you know for sure how fast your going.

[PMP]

Personally, I think pacing is more accurate than radar. There is a big bridge in Tampa that crosses over the bay. The highway patrol always uses pacing at night. They just drive behind the speeder and pop him at the mid-way point. Many drivers are just plain stupid on that bridge. I've been driving it late at night, cruising along at 75 or so (speed limit is 65, which frankly is too slow most of the times but there are others when you come over the apex of the bridge to find traffic stopped on the other side, so it's a compromise) and I'll have people flat out blow by me - clearly going 90+. How stupid can you be? Do that on a regular basis and you ARE going to get a ticket. 90 - 65 = 25 over the limit. That's a BIG ticket and a lot of points on your license. To go 90 mph?!? If you are going to speed, plop down $300 for a helmet and drive over the Sebring and they'll let you drive as fast as your heart desires. But paying that much to drive 90 mph seems retarded to me.

[Insider]

If speed limits were not set artificially low is the first place, people would be able to drive at a reasonable speed with out worrying about constantly getting tickets.