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Blegh - Got my first ticket on the bike.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:36 am
by Brackstone
I'm going to try to get them to make it a non-moving violation and have me pay the surcharge so I don't get any points.

Does anyone have any pointers on anything they might say to me since I was on my bike and not my car?

The ticket was for doing 46 in a 30, I haven't been on that road before and the road I was on previously that merged into this road was a 40mph road. I just assumed since it was a commercial zone (no houses) that it would at least be 35 so I would be safe.

The funny thing is where the cop pulled me over was the 30MPH Zone. The road goes from being 40mph, to 30 (I must've missed the sign) then up to 35mph.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:23 am
by Johnj
Man up and pay.

Image

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:19 am
by Brackstone
Johnj wrote:Man up and pay.
If you re-read my post you'll see that I am planning on paying. I'm not trying to get out of the ticket.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice as far as trying to avoid getting the book thrown at me because I was on a bike and not in a car.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:29 am
by UTRider
Don't know what the fine will be in jersery is . . . but in Utah . .

If they mark it down to 11 to 15 over $107
if they keep it at 16 over $157

Not sure how you going to not get a moving violation on speeding.

Good luck.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:25 am
by Thumper
Brackstone wrote:I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice as far as trying to avoid getting the book thrown at me because I was on a bike and not in a car.
It shouldn't be any different, speeding in a car vs speeding in a car. In CA 16 miles over would be 2 points on your license + bail (two hundred something) unless you're eligible for traffic school...then you can get the points waived (but you pay more in fines. Worth it, I think.) You don't even have to show up for court as long as you take care of it before your court date.

'Course, being that I'm in CA and not NJ, I'm not especially helpful, am I...?

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:34 am
by Shorts
Seems you're worried they'll be biased against you since you were on a bike. It's possible but until they actually do, don't sweat it too much.

I'd make this as short and untroublesome as possible.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:35 am
by Brackstone
Shorts wrote:Seems you're worried they'll be biased against you since you were on a bike. It's possible but until they actually do, don't sweat it too much.

I'd make this as short and untroublesome as possible.
Yeah shorts is right.

I have 0 points on my license and I don't speed, I'm a responsible driver/cyclist. This was just a situation of me not knowing any better. Ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law, and that is fine.

I would just hate to feel like they threw the book at me because I was on my bike and ignore my spotless 10 year driving record. :\

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:37 am
by Brackstone
UTRider wrote:Don't know what the fine will be in jersery is . . . but in Utah . .

If they mark it down to 11 to 15 over $107
if they keep it at 16 over $157

Not sure how you going to not get a moving violation on speeding.

Good luck.
Yeah that's about the same fines here.

If you plead not guilty, and talk to the prosecutor you can request to get it changed to a non-moving violation. Which means you pay the fine but you dont' get the points.

Also in New Jersey they have this thing called a "Surcharge" which basically means I would pay more $$$ but not get points.

This is all optional stuff though they don't have to do any of it.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:52 pm
by 02custominfl
Down here in FL, when you sign the ticket, you're admitting guilt. So right there, you'd be fighting an uphill battle in court. You never think about it when it happens, but you can refuse to sign.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:59 pm
by Brackstone
02custominfl wrote:Down here in FL, when you sign the ticket, you're admitting guilt. So right there, you'd be fighting an uphill battle in court. You never think about it when it happens, but you can refuse to sign.
Wow really? That sucks :\

Here they don't make you sign it. But that's a pretty underhanded move. Especially with how most people feel intimidated by the Police.