Got My First Ticket

from JoeUser Forums

I'm 37 yrs old and just got my first ticket.  Was it for doing 100mph down the highway in a sports car?  No, it was for going 35mph in a 30mph zone in my mini van.

The officer was very nice and looked to be about 10yrs my junior.  He asked me if I knew why he pulled me over and I honestly told him I unfortunately did not.  He told me I was going 5mph over the limit and asked if I had any tickets on my record.  I told him I had a very clean record and then he took my license and spent what seemed like a very long time in his car with it.

While officer nice young man (and I mean that sincerely) was checking out my license, I fielded a million questions from my kids.  I told them that I was driving too fast and should have been paying attention.  It was my fault and the officer was just doing his job.  The little one was worried I'd go to jail and the older one just wondered how much the ticket would cost.

When the officer returned, he handed me my ticket and explained that although it was normally a 45mph zone, the school zone sign was lit (even though school had beed dismissed for an hour by then) and that he was giving me a break by not noting that it was 5 over in a school zone.  He appreciated my clean record and said otherwise it would have doubled the $115 fine. 

The officer then explained the ticket, how to pay it and offered to give me the information in order to contest it in court.  I told him that wouldn't be necessary since I was at fault.  I told him I was obviously a mother and should have been paying more attention.  He then surprised me by saying "Hey, even I've done the same.  But I have to enforce the law for safety sake."

I quickly had thoughts of how it seems the cops never catch the drivers that are truly driving dangerously but just as quickly appreciated the wake up call.  I'm mad whenever I see someone speed through a neighborhood or school zone.  I was at fault and got a ticket.  21 yrs of driving was a good run.  How long do points stay on your record?

3,780 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well, sucks that you got the ticket. It's the worst.

But at least it could've been a bigger one . . . and think how clean your record was! *sniff*
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Actually, the officer was being a jerk by doing that.  5 over?  Please.  And, typically, if you have a clean record they just give you a warning.

Yet people drive 70 mph past my house and you never see a cop out here....

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
It would have been nicer if he just gave you a warning. Still not a bad driving record at all.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

It would have been nicer if he just gave you a warning.
It sure would have!

Actually, the officer was being a jerk by doing that. 5 over? Please.
I'm really not sure why he picked me since other cars were flying by me.  That's why I had no idea I was "speeding".  I truly thought I had a light out or something else wrong with the vehicle that I was unaware of.

Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Well, sucks that you got the ticket. It's the worst.

But at least it could've been a bigger one . . . and think how clean your record was! *sniff*
Yeah, I'm a bit bummed about it.  But I'm trying to cheer myself up by telling myself I was well behaved in front of my children.

 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Ouch.

I usually go right at 5 mph over the posted limit.  I can't believe you were stopped for that....wow.  Those Michigan coppers are hard core.

Sorry you got the ticket.  Even though you were speeding (barely) it always feels crappy to be slapped on the wrist, even if we "deserve" it.

 

 

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't know about Michigan, but here you can get your first ticket dismissed for 'good driving record.' It still costs $25 in court fees, and the time to go to court, but it's as if you never even got the ticket.

I guess they're just serious about school-zone safety?
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I guess they're just serious about school-zone safety?
End of quote


Probably and I'm okay with that. Thanks for the info about getting it dismissed. I think by the time I got the kids squared away with a sitter went through the hassle of going to court, it would end up not worth it.

One thing that irks me is that pretty much all of the other violations that carry the same fine and points were way more dangerous than going 5 over the limit. Oh well, I'll chalk it up as one of life's lessons.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

I've tried to warn you about your excessive speeding for years. Maybe now you'll listen to me and use my long clean record as an example to try to emulate.

It's about driving responsibly.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

I think it stays on the record for 3years.  And although 5 over is speeding, most cops give you that since spedometers are not more accurate than that.  Still, with the children in the car, you did everything right.

But $115?  Been awhile for me, but that seems kind of expensive!

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've tried to warn you about your excessive speeding for years. Maybe now you'll listen to me and use my long clean record as an example to try to emulate.
End of quote


How clean is that record, Brad?

You'd never get pulled over in that Jag (or the new Porsche), would you? ;)
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I've tried to warn you about your excessive speeding for years. Maybe now you'll listen to me and use my long clean record as an example to try to emulate.
It's about driving responsibly.
End of quote

It really won't be a shock to anyone when she gets put in jail for killing you.  ;p

/me smacks Frogboy with the Insurance Policy

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top

It really won't be a shock to anyone when she gets put in jail for killing you.
He incriminates himself all the time.  I have an army of people who would take the stand in my defense

Still, with the children in the car, you did everything right
I hope so.  Thanks.

I've tried to warn you about your excessive speeding for years.
Yeah, I'm a menace in a mini van.

 

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
My Mom got stopped for speeding once. We lived in a small town, and the cop said, "Oh, if I'd have known it was you, I wouldn't have pulled you over!"

Ah, small towns.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey...21 years without a ticket is an awesome feat. :)
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
That really, really sucks.

I know that you set a great example for your kids and they learned something from the experience, but you know what would have been better?

If he hadn't pulled you over and gone after people who were REALLY REALLY speeding.

I don't have a ticket on my record right now, but I don't drive that much. And since I said that, I am pretty much guaranteed to get one in the near future. :p
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hey...21 years without a ticket is an awesome feat.
Thanks.  And that wasn't because I didn't drive much.  I drive pretty much every single day.  I just had bad luck catch up with me I guess.  At least it wasn't a car accident.

I don't have a ticket on my record right now, but I don't drive that much. And since I said that, I am pretty much guaranteed to get one in the near future.
Yep, that's usually the kiss of death

Yeah, looking back on it, especially after talking to my friend who's a state cop, the guy was being a wanker.  The general concensus is that he was a new cop all stoked about getting a bunch of tickets under his belt.  He certainly could have just given me a warning considering my excellent record.  Oh well.

 

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey, for all he knows you have that excellent record due to other cops letting you off with a warning. :D
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey, for all he knows you have that excellent record due to other cops letting you off with a warning.
End of quote


I told him it was only the 2nd time in my life I had been pulled over. Whether he believed me or not is another thing. I was very respectful, genuine and made a very minor violation. I didn't cry or make excuses. I sure got rewarded! If it ever happens again I'm going to bawl my eyes out ;)
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
oh man... for 5 over!  I usuallly drive at the 5 over limit.  Except in my neighborhood, as I don't have sidewalks and you'll often find the kids riding or walking in the streets.  You know... you could go to court and just get the points removed.  Tell them the same thing you've told us, "you're sorry, you were wrong", but because you have such a clean record you were hoping to pay the fine, and have the points removed.  A friend of mine did that once, and it she was able to have the points removed.  A cop told me once that if you've had a clean record for at least 7 years, you could go to court and have the points dismissed pretty easily. (that was in Brownstown though).  Oh... points for speeding stay on for about 3 years, and insurance will go up on next renewal.  It's a pain really.  I believe accidents stay on longer.
~Nickie
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
/me is laughing.  Just after I posted the above, I looked to the right where the google ads are.  The first one said "First time traffic offenders  Get your ticket dismissed in court now".  LOL!