FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Jeff, why not enlighten us?

Fumanchu

I don't feel like it. I'm done trying to help the community when it comes to law enforcement. No matter what I say, people in here will think I am still wrong even though I am the ONLY one in here that is not guessing. Then some little kid will call me a "pig" and say that all cops should be shot in the face. It's pointless.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Well then just answer me via PM LOL.

~Ramy

BLKTOPTRVL

FDNewbie...

I have seen your posts about VA for a while now. Yet everytime I travel from SC to PA via I-85 or I-95 in VA, If I am doing 70mph anywhere north of Richmond, I am getting passed like I'm standing still.

Are these the major interstates you are speaking of? Or the secondary roads?

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

BLKTOPTRVL, I'm talking about pretty much everywhere...esp. the highways like 95, 495, and 66. See, that's the funny thing. Lemme explain our situation...

We have some of the largest, widest, and best maintained roads in the country, yet have one of the lowest speed limits as well. And the NorthEast is one of the most fast-paced areas in the Nation, so everyone's in a hurry to go somewhere, even when they're not really in a hurry In fact, the AVERAGE SPEED on the beltway is 72 mph, while the speed limit is 55 mph. More specifically, the left lane has an average speed of 78 mph. It's SEVERELY underrated for revenue generation purposes.

Given that, it's a case of "we don't care what the consequences are; you're outta your mind if you think we're gonna drive at 55." The police in turn, don't play at all.

- Going to jail on the spot (#1) is fair game any time you do EIGHTY (80) mph or more, since the maximum speed limit anywhere in the Commonwealth is 65...and that's only in the boonies. For all intensive purposes, it's 55 everywhere else. So doing 80 in a 55 is reckless driving, subject to imprisonment.

- If you go to court (#2), anytime it's reckless (at which point a court appearance is mandatory!), jail is highly likely as well. In fact, the judges are instructed to use a simple algorithm. 80 and above = reckless = a day in jail. For every mile over 90, an extra day in jail. So you get booked doin 110, you're spending 20 days in the slammer. This isn't a law, this is now standard procedure. Word from above was that not enough people were going to jail, so they had to step up the punishment - hence the algorithm.

Don't believe me? On I-95, State trooper Mike Counts said in just two months, officers have made 900 arrests along I-95 in Richmond and 1,000 arrests on I-81. (http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories...3553&ran=83523). Please note these weren't traffic stops or citations; these were ARRESTS. That's an average of 17 arrests A DAY.

You see, Fairfax County doesn't have any REAL crime. Occassional drug busts cuz some kid has a lil marijuana is a HUGE deal. We had a shooting a few months ago, and it was like the first in years...they called out the State Police, ppl flew in from all over, they blocked off like a square mile to isolate the scene, towed the vehicle as is for a detailed forensic analysis, blah blah. It was crazy man. It was THE CASE of the year. As a result, like 90% of the police force is highway patrol lol. So that's the trade-off really. Great place to live, horrible place to drive, cuz they have nothing else better to do than catch speeders and bust ricers.

In fact, Fairfax County makes practically half of it's revenue in motion violations of all sorts. That's why they recently undertook a $94.5 MILLION expansion of the General District Courthouse, which yes, of course, handles all the traffic court cases lol. Gotta make way for more revenue, right?

~Ramy

PS: On any given day or night, regardless of where you're going, you can count a dozen cop cars in your simple 30 min drive easy. And when the weather's nice and the sun's out (or it's a nice night out), plan on seeing multiple cop traps one after the other. It's not uncommon to find 5 cops in a 4 mile stretch

yuichiror

iTrader: (1)

I used to live in NoVa and I'm up there often on business. Never got a ticket. Though I usually stick to 15-20mph over the limit while everyone is still passing me. Especially the toll road.

BLKTOPTRVL

I remember back in the 70's driving around Washington on the beltway at 70 MPH. Funny how newer cars with better crash protection, fuel mileage, and so forth are now limited to 55-65 30 years later.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

yuichiror, you're lucky. 15 mph over is usually the threshold. Right around there is when they start pulling ppl over. It's not cuz they don't care about the lesser offenses; it's cuz there's plenty of ppl doing 20 and over, so they'll just wait for the big catch...

BLKTOPTRVL, it's funny cuz we were rated #1 worst traffic jam in the nation last year (being LA), and according to the Federal Highway Administration, we rank TWICE among the top 15 worst traffic jams in the nation (I-495 & I-270 interchange, and the I-95 & I-495 interchange).

About a year ago, the state was trying to address the traffic issue, and when they were asked about possibly raising the speed limit to allow traffic to move quicker they said that it's not even on the table for discussion, b/c traffic was too congested as it is. Uhhh...I think they kinda missed the point... (or they may miss the revenue )

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

There's always another side to the story; I personally have been issued a 'no front plate' fix-it ticket when I deserved a speeding ticket. I'd like to hear what you've got to say, even if it means I've got to ask nicely.


Although the masses are ignorant, you know that there are at least a handful of people paying attention to this thread, and we'd like to hear your perspective. For every punk kid who says they'd shoot you in the face, there might be two intelligent young people who will gain respect for police because you owned an RX-7 and still give chat with us even though you don't own a rotary at the moment.



Plus, I'm a cocky bastard sometimes, and I'd like to know if I'm right. Would it have helped if the original poster had pointed out his reflectors and the DOT label molded into the factory smoked taillights?

-s-

ChunkyMonkey

iTrader: (1)

Being a cop myself, I have spray tinted tails on one of my cars and have yet to be pulled over. There is a specific distance required to see brake lights in the daytime, but then again if you've altered it from stock, you're toast unless you have the DOT aproval. I've actually received compliments from Police officers when they drive by and I'm working on one of the vehicles, lol.

ChunkyMonkey

iTrader: (1)

I'll call BS on you then.....You can have the jury trial, you'll just get stuck with more fees when/if you lose. I'm surprised someone got a ticket for reckless driving.....In texas, you get arrested, lol.

nickpapagiorgio

...

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

But lemme ask you this. Is 20 over the limit automatically reckless driving? Or doing 81 mph *anywhere*? How about chirping the tires or revving the engine? Or taking a turn too fast? All those things constitute the huge subjective realm of "reckless driving," all of which can carry w/ them a jail sentence IN ADDITION TO a $500 - $2500 fine AND license suspension from a month to a year.

My point, you don't have to be doing something wholly reckless per say to get that ticket. When the average speed on the highways here is 78 mph, and you're doing 81, that hardly warrants a "reckless driving" ticket. Now if you're doing a buck twenty, that's a diff story...

KBSRX7

I'm sorry but cops are complete ********! If your a cop, sorry , but your probally a two-faced ******* too! And I'm no punk kid who " cops " probally profile me as because I own a fancy import sports car.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

KBSRX7, you're an idiot. I bet your attitude will change when your a$$ is gettin robbed or beat up...and you're PRAYING a cop rolls by...

Jeff, pay him no mind... a bunch of us would def. be interested in what you have to share.

~Ramy

ChunkyMonkey

iTrader: (1)

reckless driving includes the wanton disregard for the safety of others.....I wasn't judging a specific incident, just surprised that the cop just ticketed. Here, chirping tires, spinning out etc. now qualifies as racing, a class B.....The individual can be arrested. Racing now covers the exhibition of speed, measure of power, etc.

ChunkyMonkey

iTrader: (1)

as for the other guy's opinion, that's fine...I'm an ******* I guess....Just like the president, I'll never have 100% approval.....

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I do not want cars encouraged to go any faster where there is congestion. When an accident, breakdown, or tire blowout occurs on a congested highway (which inevitably does), more speed absolutely does kill people. More speed also leads to more congestion in those situations.

I recall being in the left lane of I-95 southbound near 495 at 4pm on a Friday, in a passenger van. Distributor blew, and the van lost all power. My friend driving managed to get his 4-ways on and across 4 lanes coasting it to the right hand shoulder. Incidents like this do occur. On a much less busy highway it would be no issue if the speed limit was 75. But not there.

Dave

RoTorYRooKiE

iTrader: (23)

In my past experiences, even with CiHPpies...its all about your attitude. give respect to get respect. I have not been unfortunate to have run into any police officers that were into power trips. even with speeding and my big exhaust...every officer starts out the same with "license, registration and proof of insurance." after answering his questions for a bit, they'll look around my car...ask if my windows have tint, which they don't, and then proceed to write up a "fix-it" ticket for no front plate. Happened about 5 times between both of my cars. they're kewl. i know they have to get me for something...better a fix-it than a speeding ticket. one officer in Irvine actually knows a little something about the rotaries and sand rails.

jeff p

can we stop all this cop bashing!!!.. Here is your answer. Please Read the following California Vehicle Code (26103 (b) CVC) it states " If there exists a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard adopted pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) covering the same aspect of performance of a device, the Provision of that standard Shall prevail over provisions of this code or regulations adopted pursuant to this code. lamps,devices,and equipment standards as original equipment on a new vehicles and the identical replacements for those items need not be certified to the department.

In short " Mazda Had to comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.G. 1381 et seq) before selling cars in the United States. if your car lights are stock and factory equipment with a D.O.T stamp they comply and override the Vehicle code of California.
if you put 99 spec lights on a 93-94-95 FD you're in violation of section 26101 CVC for modifing the original design or performance of any lighting equipment. since these cars were only sold in the U.S. from 93-95 no U.S. standards will be in effect

Now go to the police station that issued you the citation and ask to speak to the traffic sergeant and explain this to him and see if the officer is willing to dismiss the citation in the interest of justice and officer error. this will allow the officer to save face in court and avoid embarrassment. its up to you. or go to court and plead your case.

Also tell the court that if you do any changes to the lights it puts you in violation of 26101 CVC so there is nothing you can do to remedy this citation if your lights are all stock and factory equipped.

anyway I hope this helps with your problems! Call Mazda U.S.A and ask them for proof that they complied with all U.S. equipment laws before selling in the U.S.

Jeff

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Or any other state, for that matter.

That's incorrect. You haven't changed the original design whatsoever. Just because they're different lights doesn't mean the design is different. In fact, they're essentially the same design, w/ a different visual appearance (such as a lens cover). And it has absolutely no effect on performance of the lighting equipment either. While the lights themselves may arguably not be DOT approved, they would NOT be illegal for the reasons you specified. That's a very loose, and prob not the common or intended understanding and interpretation of that section of the vehicle code. Tinting the tailights yourself, or changing them to LEDs, however, WOULD fall under the violations this section of the Vehicle Code is mentioning.

He doesn't need to do that Jeff. Mazda is a well known manufacturer, and all of it's publicly sold vehicles in the US must first pass FMVSS requirements. Check the stamp/bar code/label on the door jamb. Making someone look that up would be rediculous. In such a case, I'd argue (and win based on) that the burden of proof lies upon the State, and being that it's common knowledge/fact (and thus does NOT require evidence) that Mazda cars and their respective parts are DOT and FMVSS approved, you're innocent unless the State can PROVE that the parts do NOT meet these regulations and are NOT in fact legal. THEY would need to call Mazda and do that research themselves. The State will never burden people w/ such effort on common info. The burden of proof lies upon the State, not the defendent. Lack of evidence = innocence, not guilt (unless you're in Fairfax County lol).

~Ramy

jeff p

Ramy the 99 spec lights were not factory equipment on the 93-95 U.S cars. so 26101 VC would apply. if he is going to argue the point of factory equipment he most have the 93 spec lights. the state will argue that 99 spec lights were never sold here so they don't fall under the the Motor Vehicle safety act . read section 26104 (b) VC they can request the lab data. (Anyway the 99 spec lights are not at issue here). I gave him an out on his citation and if he goes to the station and talks to the sergeant he may get the cite pulled before its filed in court. the officer can request that the cite be dismissed in error. and this may be a training issue at the station so this won't happen to someone else with an FD.

eastcoastbumps

iTrader: (1)

After a lot of "Yes, Sir" "No, Sir"...
PD: "Are you some sort of Boy Scout or something?"
Me: "No, Sir"

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Jeff, I'm just saying that putting 99spec tails on doesn't constitute "modifing the original design or performance of any lighting equipment." It's using completely different lights which are not approved by the FMVSS. A subtle difference, but different nonetheless, in that it's a violation of a different sort.

jeff p

Hey Remy! can you belive all the S*** we have to deal with in Cali. the smog laws and everything else. its hard to do anything to your car and stay in complience with the law. but we still love our FD's out here . I hope this guys ticket goes ok. the law is on his side on this one.
Jeff