Well it was bound to happen sooner or later. You can only get so many warnings, and since I was going 19 over, I got a blue light special last night. I was clocked doing 84 in a 65. My radar detector went off, I slammed on my brakes, but it was so late. He switched from K, to Ka in a instant, and locked me. What really sucks is that I was coming back from a basketball game from MississippI State. I was in Carthage, which is 45 miles away from where I live. I have someone working on the ticket for me, but it I don't get out of it, off to court I go. What to you guys think will happen to me? This is my first ticket, I have never done dummy school, but I don't know if I can even get that as an option because I was doing 19 over. Either way I may have to pay upwards of $150-200 for the ticket plus insurance! doh!
First speeding ticket...
- Thread starter spo0587
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Jeff Kleb
New member
Pay the fine and take your lumps. Finally, be glad that you did not do that here in VA. Anything over 80 mph is considered "Reckless Driving" - a Class I Misdemeanor that potentially carries a maximum $2500 fine and one year in jail.
Of course, you won't get that unless you are a serious offender with a lengthy record......but your fine would probably be between $250 and $500, depending on the judge; and you would get six demerit points on your driver's license.
:bash:
I am not familiar with how things work in Mississippi (is that even a state yet?), but see if you can plead guilty and attend driver safety school of some sort. It may cost $100, but could possibly keep your insurance agent from using you to make his yacht payments!
:bigok:
As for using a radar detector, perhaps you now know that they often provide a false sense of security. With "instant on" radar units (K or Ka Band), your beep will simply indicate that you are about to get a speeding ticket and a court date. By the way, many patrol officers now are being issued lidar (laser) guns that are much, much more difficult to detect than a radar beam. Some agencies also use VASCAR, which doesn't transmit any signal and is therefore undetectable.
If you really want to fly in stealth mode, consider investing in a CB radio. If you can stand the static and potty-mouth chatter of Channel 19, most truckers will keep you well advised of speed traps. Just listen for them to announce a mile marker and direction that Officer Friendly is facing.
I have definitely learned my lesson. I am just glad I didn't get reckless driving. Only a speeding ticket, and I talked to the locals, and most agree I will get driving school. Oh, and about Mississippi, we are a state! A Toyota plant is being built in our "state" as we speak. The new Hybrid Highlander will be built there starting in 2010. Hopefully I can get a job there with their communications department after college.
Beltronics Vector 940, Hwy mode, and POP turned on. On the way up, on Friday, it saved me. He was directly in front on me with no lights on. It was a good 30-45 seconds before I got to him, but i was only doing 75 then. However, saturday was different. He was around a curve sitting kinda downhill. He wasn't facing me, he got me from behind, no pun intended. I knew I was going to get pulled over when I saw him turn his headlights on.
Mark86
Super Moderator
That stinks. If you can, try getting the points knocked down so your rates don't go up. I am not sure how many points that is in Mississippi though.
No radar will help if they instant you. It is too late once you hear that fast beep. Radar is only good when the cop is waiting with the radar on or there are cars in front of you so they get zapped first.
No radar will help if they instant you. It is too late once you hear that fast beep. Radar is only good when the cop is waiting with the radar on or there are cars in front of you so they get zapped first.
Jeff Kleb
New member
I sure don't miss having to put gas in the 4Runner! The Mustang ain't exactly an "economy car" by any stretch, but it gets much better mileage than the 4Runner did. My 4Runner was averaging between 16 and 18 mpg, but the Mustang is pulling in 19 to 21 - a little bit of improvement. On a trip to PA, I actually averaged 23.5 miles per gallon! (And I was not driving slowly, either.) I would say that it not too shabby for a V8 car that is rated at 300 horsepower. The overall high gearing helps in this regard, too; as she is spinning just 2200 RPMs at 75 mph.
I miss the feeling of sitting "up high" in the 4Runner. In the Mustang, I am way down below the level of any SUV. Nonetheless, the beautiful music of the V8 engine helps to compensate for it. Getting a five-speed manual was a nice idea as well. A slushbox in a 'Stang just doesn't cut it in my book.
The 4Runner sure was better for hauling stuff around and for driving in poor weather. We have not had any snow on the roads here since I got the 'Stang, but I have my Sentra for commuting duty and for driving in bad weather.
Keeping the 4Runner clean was much, much easier than the Mustang! Silver doesn't show dirt at all when compared to black. Heck, I can wash, dry and polish the Mustang and it is 'dirty' within two or three hours. I use a California Car Duster, which helps immensely to get rid of dust that settles on the finish. Man, am I going to be fretting when pollen season comes next month.
:bash:
I noticed that Ford has improved their quality in recent years. (Hats off to them for that!) This is my fourth Mustang GT (had an '88, a '93 and a '95 previously), and the fit and finish is much better than on the older ones. They still cut some corners with the inside, though, and the Mustang interior has a lot of 'hard plastic' where Toyota would not do such a thing. Not a gripe, just a little observation. The seats are fantastic and provide excellent support. If you look closely, they have a little horse pattern embroidered into the fabric; nice without being gaudy.
The better ride quality makes it all worth it, I guess. Older Mustangs would knock the fillings out of my teeth when you hit a bump. This one is much smoother. The driving position and ergonomics are fantastic. Ford did their homework with the newest generation of the Mustang and waiting an extra year for the redesign (2005 rather than 2004) was well worth it.
I have no regrets, save for getting a black one, as Vista Blue was my first choice. They only had one in stock, though, and it was an automatic. Jeff don't drive no slushbox!
I leased it for two years, so I can buy it outright or turn it back in when January 2, 2010 rolls around. Who knows? By then, I might want another truck or SUV. I am also going to see where the price of fuel is headed, and I doubt it will be any cheaper.
My Sentra has over 90,000 miles already, and I may need to think about replacing it in another two years or so. My g/f has already passed 115,000 on her 2002 Highlander, and I know that she won't keep it forever.......so only the Shadow knows what lies ahead.
Thanks for asking, though!
:bigok:
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Mark86 said:
I used to shoot radar all the time and and did the instant on thing , boy sure ticked people off with the so called "best radar detectors" I used to tell people how useless they were unless someone is just sitting there with it on when they would ask "how can it be so that you got me" . Instant on is how you catch the big ticket $$$.
I was following someone in a BMW and he had his detector hanging from his visor so I could see it . It was at night and I kept flipping the gun on and off and on and off , really was pi$$ing him off and all the lights would light up and I assume beep like crazy . It was all in good fun and I was younger then.
I respect everyones opinion here , but I think the radar detectors are such a waste of money. Just my opinion , and yes I have got a ticket before long time ago.