From: Nancy Roberts on Monday, August 2, 1999
State: Pennsylvania
Story: I was travelling from D.C. to NY State on 83 close to the 81 interchange. I was travelling in a heavy line of cars in the right hand lane. I was not paying much attention to the speed since I was not passing anyone, just keeping up with a lot of traffic. I saw a cop waiting in a speed trap, and instinctively checked my speedometer, it read 70 so I slowed to 65, feeling I was "fine", and aware that a car was passing me on the left at this same time. When I saw the cruiser leave his parking place, I assumed he was after the car which had just passed mine. I was amazed when I was pulled over (a lone woman from out of state). When I asked the officer if there was anything wrong, still assuming I could not possibly be in any trouble, he said I was doing "76". I said, respectfully, sir, no I was not. I checked my speedometer as soon as I saw you and it read 70, and I immediately slowed, and to be honest, I was just keeping up with the traffic. He just demanded my license and registration. He took them away and returned in a few moments with a citation for 76 in a 55. I was flabbergasted. I said, I had no idea this was a 55, and if that is so then EVERY CAR on this road was speeding - and I'm a stranger here was not aware of a speed change. He said, "tell it to the judge".
I also said, isn't it possible that the car you clocked at 76 was the car passing mine? It would be logical if I say I was going 70 that a car passing me was doing about 76. Tell it to the judge.
I got home and called the Magisterial Court. They will not deal with me in any way, shape, or form unless I return the 3 hours to their court AT THEIR CONVENIENCE.
I wrote a letter. They sent me a notice that they will put a warrant out for me if I do not send them their money - which I must pay whether I request a court date or not.
I had a lawyer call the court to see what he could do. While waiting for an answer on this front, I was sent a notice that my license has been suspended in New York State - which means, I have no way of getting down to the nasty little court to begin with!
When I asked the clerk at the court if indeed I was found to be not guilty of this "crime", would the officer in question be held to account for targeting me, she made it clear that nothing would or could be done to stop this kind of outright mistreatment of people passing through the Great State of Pennsylvania.
My recourse, of course, is to pay the fine, and then take a defensive driving course to reduce the damage to my license. Isn't this the kind of thing we fought the revolution over???
They have sworn to serve you
