speeding ticket

[dmbwest]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpilaud/459659505/


nuff said
pog

[Midnight Rambler]

quote:

---

Originally posted by PaulW

Why is the concept of a speed limit so hard for some people to grasp?

---

Because the limits that are set are f*cking idiotic. Almost all the speed limits in the state are at least 10 mph below the safe speed and the prevailing traffic speed. The long straight stretch of the Puainako extension is 45. Most of Highway 11 from Hilo to Mountain View is 45, and the Keaau intersection is 35. It just gives an excuse to hand out tickets. Moreover, the police never ticket anyone who is actually driving dangerously during high-traffic times, only those who are going the usual speed early in the morning or late at night when there are few cars on the road.

[rbrgs]

I saw a speed trap (and two stopped cars in Mt View where all the road work is happening during the morning rush hour. The speed limit through the construction zone is 25; take it seriously.

[JerryCarr]

I know someone who was ticketed for going 75+ on the Kea'au Bypass. In his case, the judge was adamant about the 30-day DL suspension, despite his having a supposedly good attorney. What I don't know is his previous ticket history, so that may have been a factor . . . or not. There was no jail time, though, so I guess he was thankful for that.

[rusty h]

in my opinion its always best just to be honest....why lie? man up, be straight forward and pay the price for admission. i always have and have been let off more than given a ticket (in Alaska). my last ticket was on Maui for not wearing a seat belt. id been house sitting for 3 months and not once wore the belt. i was on my way to the post office and saw the cop ticketing a white guy and the cop stared me down, i was wondering what that was all about. after getting out of the post office and heading back here comes the lights.he asked the question "do you know why i pulled you over?" i said no. he said your not wearing a seat belt and i responded i never saw a sign saying click it or ticket, i should have known it was a law. ive talk to 1/2 dozon cops while in my car and no one ever said to buckle up. i told the cop this and he said oh well. and about no signs there is one at the airport...i was told 98% of the people on Maui buckle up. while waiting for him to write the ticket i saw about 8 locals drive by with no seat belt not to mention people riding in the back of pickups..when i asked about riding in back of trucks he joked and said we say to only put the kids you dont love in the back. i still wonder why only 2 white boys got pulled over.... peace

[Alex]

quote:

---

Originally posted by rusty h

why only 2 white boys got pulled over.... peace

---

My friend was not even speeding.He was passing by by the book and the cop's car was far enough for him not to see the little blue light but the cop cited him because he felt it was too close to him and therefore unsafe.
After what happened during the hearing I wouldn't go to that court room without a good attorney.

http://punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12718

Though to be fair I wrote a letter on my only ticket and the price was reduced.

[missydog1]

The speed limits feel ridiculous when you or I are on the highway and judging by the road conditions. However, there are hundreds of driveways and feeder streets bringing communities and individual parcels into the stream of traffic, and there is too much traffic for safe egress if people are driving highway speeds.

As an FYI north of Hilo that was mentioned -- due to the horrific and frequent accidents at the intersections of Pinky's/Baker Tom's and the Papa'ikou side of the Onomea Scenic Route (by the elementary school) -- that zone is going down to 35 mph. The people of the area have begged for a traffic light (or two) and have been rejected in the interest of keeping the traffic flow going uninterrupted on Hwy 19.

So please kokua and drive slow on that stretch. The changes were initiated by Rep. Mark Nakashima in response to lots of citizen input at public meetings.

Now as a driver, with no other considerations of cross traffic, I would prefer to go 55-65 along there, but then no one could get out of their homes and get to town, so there it is, it's all about seeing the big picture.

If the Papa'ikou example seems too far removed, there are plenty of parallels on 130 and 11, the difficulty in getting out of HPP and Orchidland certainly comes to mind.

[missydog1]

Re giving advice on good defenses, I think it's important to stick with actual Hawai'i traffic court experience.

The attitude of judges to the speed limit here is strict. Defenses based on flow of traffic and not driving to create any actual danger may not fly here.

The excessive speeding law is clearly what Lynn got cited for, she says so. That law is designed to criminalize certain speeds per se without the need to prove the driving was reckless in any other aspect. So if I were in those shoes, I would consult with an attorney on what sort of defenses have worked with this law, which is what Lynn wants to do ... smart.

[dmbwest]

Note to all the whiners and people looking to place blame ... *IMO* ... This is classic, it wasn't my fault mentality. Unless you just got your license, there is no excuse. YOU BROKE THE LAW.

Transplants >>> Don't you ever notice how friendly and courteous drivers are on the roads here ??? Why do you think that is ? People actually reading the situation and taking time out to stop and let others in for the good of the whole with a smile, shaka or wave. When was the last time you ever saw this happen in whatever urban area you are from ?! ... I see it every day and it endears me to this special place we live even more ... I truely believe it makes people feel good to do this and one good deed leads to another out there ...

Imagine what a rat race this place ( or anywhere else ) would become if everyone simply decided to ignor the speed limits and drive whatever they felt like they could get away with or judged as safe and reasonable from what ever perspective ?

Be patient, plan extra time and don't do it just cause everyone else is or its what you did before.

As for POSTED signs being "speed traps" ... LOL.

most sincerely,
pog

[VancouverIslander]

The punishment certainly seems excessive compared to what I'm used to. On my island you'd probably get a $168.00 fine at that speed, and you'd just pay online and be done with it. OTOH, we are very hard on drinking and driving. The premier of our province was busted on Oahu about 15 years ago for DUI and we were shocked at how little punishment he received (I was more surprised he got re-elected after that, but that's another story entirely).