From: Kim on Saturday, May 22, 1999
State: Indiana
Story: I have driven to and from work on State Road 37 between Martinsville and Bloomington for over 2 years. I've never been pulled over before, even though I usually drive 60-65 - NEVER over 65. On March 30 I was late to work, but I had called my boss and wasn't worried about rushing there. Also, my car was on empty. I knew I could make it there on empty because I've done it before, so I didn't stop. No reason to make myself even later if I knew I could make it there!
So, I'm driving along and up ahead I saw about 6-8 cars on the shoulder of the road, the last of which was a cop car with its lights on. The rest I thought were either being pulled over by the cop car or had been involved in an accident. I got into the left lane to go around them, along with everyone else, then traffic slowed. I was behind a big white truck that I could not see around. This truck suddenly moved into the right lane without signaling. Since I couldn't see why, I was planning on staying in the left lane, not following him. All of a sudden I saw a cop standing in the middle of the highway directing traffic. He directed me into the right lane, then he directed me to pull over.
I had absolutely no clue why I was being pulled over. Then another officer came up to my window and informed me that a helicopter had "tracked my average speed at 72.2 mph." RIGHT! He asked for my license. I gave it to him, and he left and came back with a ticket, which amounts to $107.50.
I'm fighting the ticket. They picked a darn good day to stop me. Given the fact that my gas tank was on empty, I was really trying hard to stay at 55 for a change so I wouldn't burn more gas. I don't know if this is a sufficient defense given the fact that they were using helicopters; I doubt it. It will all come down to me asking the right questions in court.
Whatever you do, don't pay your tickets without first trying to fight it. That's exactly what they want. I have found so much helpful information on the net about why you should fight tickets and how you should go about it. It's worth the time it takes to find the information if you win. If everyone just gives in and pays, what's to stop a cop from pulling someone over who wasn't speeding at all in hopes of them paying the fine?
Also, DON'T enter the infraction diversion programs offered. In case you don't know what this is, you pay $137 (in Monroe County anyway) and sign an agreement stating that you won't receive anymore traffic violations for 6 months to avoid paying the original fine (which was only $107.50 in my case) and to avoid the points on your license. If you do receive another violation in that 6 months, you pay the $137 PLUS the original fine PLUS the points still go on your license. WHAT A RAW DEAL! My opinion about this program is that I may as well pay them $244.50 up front because I've already been stopped once when I WASN'T speeding - who's to say it won't happen again in the next 6 months????? Why should I pay them $137 so that I can obey the law for 6 months, when that's what I was doing in the first place?
Since this is a case involving helicopters, I'm hoping my way out will be one of the officers involved not showing up. For them to be able to answer the questions I have, the cop in the helicopter, the cop that was directing traffic, and the cop that wrote my ticket will need to be there. (I don't know that to be required by the court, but I'm hoping it will be after my day in court!) Wish me luck! And good luck to all of you who aren't stupid enough to just pay up!
They have sworn to serve you
