To all Ferrari owners who have been caught speeding...

There are attorneys in every state who make their primary living defending traffic tickets. Call a few criminal defense attorneys in your area, and ask them who has the best reputation for handling traffic tickets.

In the meantime, I note that you are responding after several people told you to say nothing to anyone other than an attorney. It is highly unlikely that a District Attorney will monitor this site looking for evidence against speeders, but the concept of keeping your mouth shut, and talking to no one except your own attorney in his/her office, is a good discipline that you should start following NOW.

You need someone who knows the ropes to advise you on penalties, risks, chances at trial and so on. Even lawyers on the internet won't have the inside knowledge that your local lawyers who practice in front of the Judges everyday, know which DAs are soft on what, know when DAs are overwhelmed with no waivers on speedy trial, and are willing to deal, etc. etc etc This is not for the internet to advise you on.

 

I asked a policeman friend of mine in Alabama at what speed they automatically arrested you (I presumed it was over 100). He said there is NONE. They take into consideration the conditions. If you're endangering people by driving recklessly 20 mph over the speed limit they might arrest you. If you're doing 110 on a stretch of 70mph open highway with few cars and lots of visibility, you'd likely only get a ticket, though lots of points and a strong talking to.

 

Uh, the original poster was Nick85... he (wisely) hasn't said a word in this thread since he posted the original question.

 

Last month I drove from Vegas to Pheonix and back (in a 360). The tour buses and semi trucks were all doing 100.

 

To be honest I am much more scared of the 18 wheelers on the road than a fellow owner going 100 down the road. I drove to Nashville recently and I had trucks almost run me over. Plus, I saw a very close accident that was almost caused by a truck. He just kept on this guys rear end (in the far right hand lane/Slow lane) and he finally just mashed the gas and he would have rear ended him if he didn't move into the shoulder. That is ridiculous. He actually pushed this guy off of the road. I was following behind and saw the entire thing. The speed limit was 70 and the guy that got pushed off of the road was going around 73 or so. The truck was way out of line.

I also had one on my tail on a 3 lane highway. I was in the slow lane going close to the speed limit and he got very close to my bumper and stayed there. My only option was the middle lane. It was full. So he kept and flashed his lights but wouldn't pass. Finally he did and honked and made loud truck noises.

I was on my way back from an F-car event with a fellow chatter and I saw a truck push him over. The truck wanted to get over and just started coming. He honked the horn but the trunk didn't care. He just kept coming. Pushed him into the shoulder.
So, the trucks IMHO are the most dangerous.

Is there anyway to report the dangerous truck drivers on the road or is it just a waste of time.

 

So that he will learn his lesson, not speed, so that he will not wreck?
Should he have gotten hurt, too?
Sounds a little severe and the logic escapes me.

 

New Yorker...... Virginia you say..... I hear dueling banjos.....

 

Here in Texas, it's a Class B misdemeanor. Cops in the San Antonio area supposedly lock you and consider 30+ over as reckless driving....Although, I did have a 1991 Nissan Sentra at one time that a Cop caught me going 106 in a 60.....He laughed and said he did a double take since he didn't think my car could break 100....lol....He wrote me for 80 so I could do defensive driving(ended up getting dismissed).
Within a month of my wife getting her Srt-4, she got her first speeding ticket for 24 over. I was so proud, j/k. Best of luck with the ticket, I don't think it will be all that big of a deal, just find a traffic lawer and don't show up to court in the Ferrari.

 

Damn!!!!!!!!!!! This has to be one of the most pathetic posts that I have ever read on FCHAT. To spew out crap like this. "SEEK LIFE ELSEWHERE OR JUST GET A LIFE"

 

To all of those with "speed kills" posts:

The majority of the US interstate highway system was designed in the 1950s for sustained speeds of 110 mph. Most US drivers are not trained for this kind of driving (its very easy to get a license in the US as opposed to Germany). Which is the the primary reason that speed limits are imposed (Germans, on average, are much better drivers than Americans). Therefore, the danger in exeeding these speed limits is very situation dependent. If one is zipping in and out of much slower traffic at 115mph, then he is a danger. If one is driving a well maintained car specifically designed for these speeds on an empty dry highway then, in my opinion, he is not.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Put some really large diameter tires / wheels on your car and have the speedometer calibration independantly verified. My brother used to have a Datsun 200SX with big Pirelli P77 tires that made the speedometer read about 55 when he was going 70. That would make your case of actual speed of 115 being read as about 90. Now with the sun in your eyes (or your girlfriend just took your picture and you could not really see the speedometer), you might have thought the speedo was reading 80. Now considering that you had diarreah from some tamales you had about an hour earlier and you really needed to find a bathroom, you knew you were normally driving about 70, and only thought you were going 80 temporarily. We all drive at least 70 around here in a 55 zone, it is for our own safety. If you actually drive 55 you run substantial risk of getting caught up in a road rage incident with some bubba in his jacked up F250. So can you really blame me, I was doing the best i could. We ask that you bear with us during these difficult times...

BT

 

Problem is no one else on public roads is expecting you to drive 110. If you do 70 in a designated 55, you're probably in the faster half of traffic, but it's something people can watch for. But at 110, if any other cars enter the road they're toast.

I'm sure Nick's a good guy, and glad that no one was hurt. However given the level of U.S. drivers' skills (on average), the prevalance of SUVs/trucks and our expectations, 110mph is too fast for a public road. Go to the track.

 

#1 if you were pulled over doing 115 mph most likely you would have been taken directly to jail (wreckless endangerment). #2 most likely your license would be taken until trial. #3 if found guilty, you would loose your license for quite some time. getting caught driving at that speed, even the best lawyer isn't going to be much help, unless he's related to the judge (which in va. is very possible). good luck your going to need it.

 

A lot of times if I do 70 in a 55 I get blown away! They need to raise the speed limit or do a better job of enforcing the rules.

 

Agree with the other person who posted that is the USA we have lackluster training for drivers and US drivers are less apt to experiencing someone going at such extremely high speeds on US roads.

As for US highway roads versus Germany, you are sooo wrong. As i recall, the USA only paves about 12 inches deep of road while Germany does 24 inches. The extra depth not only adds a good lifespan and stability (continued flatness and/or proper angle), but also to the continued good condition of the paved road.

Am sure you are familiar with how it feels to go over, as an example, a normal US road that changes to a bridge and then back to road. In the USA that usual entails bumps UP to get on the bridge and back down after the bridge. Here in New England the conditions of the roads, including highways, is lackluster in some sections and the way they maintain them is lackluster. In Germany the roads appear to be very well maintained. So saying USA highway roads are better than Germany i take as a HUGE error on your part. Did you typo???????

Will admit to being no vestal Virgin years ago, yet have learned my lesson and now i keep it on the track. If you want to TRULY enjoy your car's capabilities, the track is the place. Do not put innocent lives at risk!

NOTE: The above only pertains to highways and does not account for non-highways roads where residential and other shortcomings can quickly occur around a blind bend.

 

100 mph plus only seems excessively fast when you are forced to stop suddenly, like when you impact a concrete wall, or sometimes if you have to make evasive maneuvers, like when dodging some unfortunate deer. Driving on a deserted highway with good visibility 100 mph does not seem very fast, even in my wife's 2005 Honda Odyssey.

BT

 

As of last summer anything over 100mph here in Minnesota is an auto loss of your DL for 6 months period!

 

Some years ago, my wife was nailed along 29 between Gainsville and C'ville (I think it was in Culpeper or Madison County, but I'm not sure) doing roughly twice the limit. She nearly went to jail, but I think the final toll was $500 and being a single point away from suspension. A good lawyer helps. When I came into the picture shortly thereafter I essentially forced her to change her speeding ways. However, it is infuriating that, in this state, you can continue driving (with a restricted license) after your first DUI. There is never a reason to drive after drinking.

 

Thank you for putting that in perspective.

I think its disturbing that so many people are missing the point that YES...your Ferrari can handle 114 easily..and YES most people are traveling at 70-80 MPH...BUT at 114 mph ( which is 40% faster than 80mph) if theres a pothole or an animal or even an unexpected car showing up down the road you are asking for trouble.

Im not saying in my youth I didnt do the same thing..I got a ticket for 140 in a 65 in Florida..thankfully I was friends with a State Trooper and they kept me on the side of the road until he got there and he gave me a lesson in responsibilty that I will never forget and opened my eyes to the fact that its not all about MY driving skills or the quality of my car. There are numerous circumstances you CANT control that can kill you or others.

And for the record just cause someone is a fellow member of F Chat doesnt mean they are above 'responsibility' ...

 

"To all Ferrari owners who have been caught speeding..."

Forgive me but wasn't that the title of this thread? If it had of been "To all a-holes that are looking to give me a lecture...." then I can see how all the do-gooders might want to chime in.

Good luck getting everything sorted out, I'm sure you'll learn something out of it.

 

I think you have gotten some good advice regarding finding the most well connected lawyer in the county you got the ticket and let him do his thing so it goes away. If you are lucky, maybe you will just have to show up in a suit and pretend you are very sorry for your actions, then go to driving school, and get probation for thirty days with no points assessed. Think positive.
Then after, get a readar detector and hide it well so the lights are not visible from the outside.
gary

 

I understand that 115 mph or something over 100 mph is reckless driving in the US. But, I think it's not the same as those guys on TV speeding through town running away from cops... that's reckless driving and criminal. Speeding I do is just to speed it on approprite road condition, wide open road, no other cars around that you can endanger others and for a short period of time. I have been doing it for 15 years now. Best time. So, it doesn't matter if the car can do 200 mph, you can do experience it without worring about jail...
Man, only 115 mph and you are in this deep trouble...

 

You don't speed on a highway "period". Do it at 6 am. on Sunday where most still in bed and on your Freeway with fense to keep animal out and on stright. Make sure you can see empty road in front of you all the way... then and only then, you floor it. If you see one car 1 km in front of you release the gas pedal, that car can decide to change lane with no reason and break is no use at 120+mph. It's so thrilling and it can be safe.

 

The police can detect with their radar guns if you are using a radar detector or not. This has nothing to do with visible lights or not.

 

It also doesn't help when they hit you with their radar and your car dips 5 inches from the braking...

600th post! woo