I got a first speeding ticket on my ferrari | FerrariChat

I got a first speeding ticket on my ferrari

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by razr01, Oct 15, 2015.

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  1. razr01

    razr01 Karting

    Feb 26, 2015
    66
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    John
    As stated on the title, i got my first speeding ticket

    first off, i really REALLY try not to speed on the ferrari or do anything stupid, because i dont want to be the cover article of some bloggers' "another stupid ferrari driver blah blah blah"

    it was @ sunset blvd in beverly hills, going towards west hollywood.

    i was driving behind a suv going extremely slow (maybe 20mph?) on the 2nd lane.

    so i moved to the first lane and stepped on the gas.

    anyway, just right after i passed the suv, i saw a cop about 100ft front of me.

    i was like "shoot" and i stepped on the brake, by the time i past him, i was going around 25~30mph

    anyway, cop instantly followed me and pulled me over, asked me how fast i was going, with a little bit of disrespectful tone to his voice.

    "officer, i know what my car can do, and it makes a lot of noise as well, it probably looked like i was going fast, but i really wasnt going fast"

    he said he got every on the radar and his radar doesnt lie. (though im not sure if he actually got anything on the radar cuz like i said, i stepped on the brake as soon as i passed the suv, 100ft prior to passing him)

    he told me i was going 48mph @ 35mph limit zone (average traffic speed on sunset blvd beverly hills is around 40~45mph). i was going to defend myself, but i was sensing that no matter what i said, he is going to give me a ticket no matter what.

    so in conclusion, i got a ticket for speeding, going over 3~8 miles over the average traffic speed. it would have been more acceptable if i got a speeding ticket on the freeway or something, for actually "speeding"

    i think it's due to the fact that i was driving a loud, red, ferrari.

    anyway, i feel good, it feels like as if i got one of my achievement done in life.

    [**getting a speeding ticket in a red Ferrari**]

    good thing i can do the traffic school and get rid of this, i can see how much advantage the insurance company will take over this ticket. haha
     
  2. F456 V12

    F456 V12 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 13, 2004
    5,204
    Coto de Caza
    Full Name:
    Christian
    Pay up or go to driving school, local police and CHiPs have become tax collectors for the governor, no way out.

    If you want to avoid 8hours, I can recommend a school, compressed schedule, all the material in 4 hours or less.

    MB
     
  3. Jana

    Jana F1 Veteran

    Mar 4, 2015
    9,872
    In the future, ask to see his radar. If he really got you, he could show you.
     
  4. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 22, 2007
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    Gregg
    Congrats John, one off the bucket list! Now I need one.
     
  5. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2009
    16,488
    Charleston, SC
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    Curt
    Yup. Had mine a few months back as well. Go to court and ask for a higher fine with no points. This worked for me really well. Officer was very nice. It's revenue pure and simple.
     
  6. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
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    Rick
    Do one of the online schools. You should be able to plow through the material and tests < 3 hours without leaving your sofa. Seriously, it's that easy.
     
  7. skullyspice

    skullyspice Formula Junior
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    Jun 18, 2013
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    erik
    suitable for framing!
     
  8. PFG

    PFG Rookie

    Dec 20, 2008
    16
    Hammond, LA
    Not necessarily - not all radar units do this, and good luck getting him to let you sit in his unit to view if its mounted in the dashboard... Besides, either you were caught or you weren't - checking the radar isn't going to turn into some "gotcha" moment where you magically get yourself out of a ticket.
     
  9. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    16,400
    Menlo Park, CA
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    Paul Chua
    Woot!
     
  10. Knightrider

    Knightrider Formula Junior

    Jun 4, 2013
    432
    United States
    That's not true. Radar guns do not hold speeds in memory. I have a friend that is a Trooper and he'll tell you that people ask him that on occasion. And questioning his integrity will just piss him off further.
     
  11. Stevenb

    Stevenb F1 Rookie

    Aug 5, 2012
    2,799
    Los Angeles
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    Steven
    Reminds me of the time I was driving in the canyons at regular speed not crossing double yellow line. got a ticket for that. Red 458
     
  12. DK308

    DK308 F1 Rookie

    Aug 13, 2013
    2,738
    Europe, way north.
    Full Name:
    AB
    Let me get this straight.

    So he gets pissed off because people want to see evidence of what they are being fined for? Integrity has nothing to do with trusting some random stranger, just because he's wearing a uniform. If there weren't so many rotten apples among police officers, people might be more trusting. There's nothing wrong with questioning the authority a little when the situation is as it is. If I get pulled over and the officer does not present any evidence, the thing goes to court. Luckily in my country, you can't charge or fine people without evidence, and the radars used here does hold speeds. Can you find out which make and model of radar gun he uses? Seems incredibly strange that it won't hold the speed so that one can't see the result.
     
  13. Jana

    Jana F1 Veteran

    Mar 4, 2015
    9,872
    +1

    The last time I was pulled over for speeding, and I was certain I was not, I asked and he blustered, then gave me a verbal warning to slow down and left. Cops do not get my respect more than any other stranger, until it's earned. There are far too many out there that have authority complexes and get off on it. I will be polite, because that's how I was raised, but I have no intention of pretending I am lessor, because that is not the case. And I certainly have no intention of meekly accepting a ticket for something I wasn't doing because another person has a chip on their shoulder about whatever.
     
  14. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,207
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    I have been extremely fortunate to have never been caught speeding in my Ferrari.

    Eerrr, that's because I don't speed officer.
     
  15. Conchyjodyoos

    Conchyjodyoos Formula Junior
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    Aug 29, 2013
    263
    FL450
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Years ago I received a speeding ticket and for kicks I tried one of those '$75 and we'll take care of it' deals. After a couple months I started to get nervous as I didn't pay, attend school, or arrange court and then I get a letter from the law outfit along with the case dismissed paperwork. I have a spotless driving record which I'm sure helped and I'm in Florida but this might be an option.
     
  16. Yes they do. I know first hand. He offered to display it & I went ahead and saw it. As far as integrity, well at that point chances are your getting a ticket. If your questioning anything, it might be your speedometer.
     
  17. Ron328

    Ron328 F1 Rookie
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    Mar 10, 2003
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  18. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    Unfortunately, in the U.S. we are guilty until proven innocent when it comes to speeding fines. That's not the way our Constitution is written, but the courts are part of the system that wants our money so there is no recourse.

    As for asking to see the display on the radar unit, I've done that in the past and may do so again if the situation warrants. But I'm not sure how much it really tells you since there's no proof that the speed indicated on the display was actually taken from your car. I've long wondered how many lazy, crooked cops just capture one speed and use it to pull over several cars. Or worse yet, how many indications of speeding violations are generated with radar unit test tuning forks.

    As I said, our legal system pretty much gives the police absolute power when it comes to traffic tickets, and most of us remember what Lord Acton said about absolute power. If traffic cops were truly interested in safety, instead of just generating revenue, they cold easily spend all of their time stopping drivers doing blatantly unsafe things or who are driving obviously unsafe cars. But speeding tickets are lucrative and the courts seldom find for the defendant, so that's what cops write. In this country you have more legal protections as a murder suspect that you do as the recipient of a traffic ticket. It's literal highway robbery, sanctioned by the state.
     
  19. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,501
    last time I got pulled over was on that exact stretch of Sunset in BH, going the opposite direction. 50 in a 35. cop gave me a verbal warning.

    moral of the story: buy a silver Porsche :eek:
     
  20. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    My BIL is a retired NYSP . We've had various BS sessions with him and his trooper bud's which still are on the job. Based on some of these chats over a few beers it is interesting to see what triggers them into writing a ticket. Here all laser or radar hits over the set limit can be recorded and printed for court purposes. As far as the stop is concerned they like to see someone with both hands on the top of the steering wheel. If at night they would like to see interior lights on. Roll down the window before the trooper comes to the door. Be polite and if asked a question give a short answer. If/when asked for licence and registration tell them it is in the glove box before you get it. Always answer , yes trooper or no trooper. Do not give them the excuse as they have heard them all and usually joke about them back at the barracks. If you disagree with the ticket don't argue with them save it for court. They will write the ticket based on the law that you broke not what the rest of the traffic was doing. Most of the troopers around here enjoy seeing exotic cars and pretty much give them a little leeway unless you are way out of line.
    It sounds like the OP caught the cops attention when he passed on the right which in some states is illegal. Also if you check statistics red cars are not high on the ticket list. Also Ferrari's don't even hit the top 20 cars that get the most tickets but I suspet it also has something to do with the number of them on the road.
     
  21. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2013
    11,522
    You echo my experience with friends who are active and former law enforcement.

    You can do the different fine for more money and no points in jurisdictions that allow plea bargaining which happens before trial but in jurisdictions that don't allow this you won't be able to do it.

    John, I don't know the law in LA/CA but you might want to see how many points your ticket will get you and also see what the margin of error on their radar system is. Most systems have a margin of error. Say its 3 MPH you could say you are certain you were not doing the speed the officer says his radar reported but you would be willing to agree to 3MPH lower and you're really sorry about it, you just got carried away and it won't happen again. Often times they will go for the deal. Now you've lowered the amount of points on your license and then you can do the classes to reduce the points.
     
  22. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    On the topic of red cars, in my youth I had a red sports car and a metallic black sports car. The black car was quite a bit faster. I flaunted the law in both cars and almost never got tickets in the black car, but I got tons of tickets in the red one.
     
  23. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,035
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    I feel the pain... back in 1996 I got two tickets in one day in my Ferrari... both for going no more than 8-12 Mph over the limit.... but just bad luck and more $$$
     
  24. Super_Dave

    Super_Dave Formula Junior

    Oct 6, 2014
    710
    USA
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Never owned a red car.

    Have never received a speeding ticket.

    Have owned a few "fast" cars.

    Don't know if the lack of red matters, or just driving style? Luck?
     
  25. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    16,400
    Menlo Park, CA
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    Paul Chua
    That's awesome! I sincerely have never met someone (not young) that has never received a speeding ticket at least once

    How long have you been driving if you don't mind me asking? It's actually an amazing feat - I commend you sir! I know you have several Ivy League grad school degrees and are friends with Billionaires, so I assumed you were older than a teenager or a early twenty something...

    Red doesn't matter
    Do Red Cars Get More Speeding Tickets? : snopes.com

    I argue even driving style itself can't be the culprit 100% since there are speed traps..
     

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