sweanders

I just realized thanks to this thread that I could have gotten a 928 impounded the first time I drove a car in the US.

Scary thing is that I drive that way every day in my part of the world. I will die any second now if it is that dangerous.

Ron_H

Yup, there are lots of things that are prohibited in this area of the world because they "might" be dangerous, and there are lots of people who live here who enjoy a good beating and reprimand every now and then to "keep them in line". That way they don't have to worry about thinking for themselves or functioning as autonomous individuals or believing that they have much self worth. That is a really easy existence with ridiculously low standards. Almost anyone can achieve that level of unawareness and proficiency. Only in America, land of infantality.

When are you coming back over here to visit us?

sweanders

I am having a car built for Open Road Racing for this season, so I'll be around but probably not spend a lot of time in the SF Bay area.

JWise

An exhibition of speed ticket? That's an infringement on your constitutional rights. It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous!

Ron_H

It most certainly is as you have described, and more, Mr. Wise.

Listen, Travis, if you really want a traffic attorney, I know a guy who can make this a lot easier. But for a price.

If you really like fraternizing with cops and think they are nice guys (and girls) I know a place in Santa Clara you should consider frequenting. We could meet down there. They'll be more than friendly to you there.... really. And you won't have to hire an attorney or worry about all of this stuff by the side of the road. In fact I'll be there tonight if you want to stop by and meet up.

Jim bailey - 928 International

OK .." California Criminal Jury Instruction
In order to gain a conviction under this Exhibition of Speed statute, a prosecutor must prove all elements of this crime. Those instruction and elements are located in the California Jury Instruction for Criminal cases (CALJIC) section 16.870 and are as follows:

Every person who engages in or aids and abets any motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a street or highway is guilty of a violation of California Vehicle Code §23109 (c), a misdemeanor. An exhibition of speed is a willful act of showing off or displaying a dangerous and imprudent speed where the presence of another person is known to the driver or may reasonably be anticipated by him.

In order to prove this crime, each of the following elements must be proved:

A person drove a motor vehicle upon a street or highway; and
The driver engaged in an exhibition of speed; and (if applicable)
The defendant aided and abetted the motor vehicle exhibition of speed....."

This seems to say that you need "the presence of another person is known to the driver or may reasonably be anticipated by him." Now obviously you did not see the Unmarked SUV or Police cars or you would not have accelerated . It was a deserted industrial area on a weekend day. You were not showing off to others there were no others except for the officers that you did not see ... I slept at home last night so no wisdom from me

H2

Anders,

Keep us posted on your upcoming Open Road Racing adventure. There's a lot of interest here.

Also, it's probably good you don't spend much time in the Bay area as you could end up distracted by the cops much like 3000teeth....or worse, your car impounded.

At the appropriate time, it would be cool to see a thread started on your car's build in prep for ORR.

H2

Ron_H

Well put.

Ron_H

Anders has already made the aquaintance of several of Redwood City's defenders of peace and freedom and the American way of life. In fact, if I recall correctly, he managed to do it twice in one evening.

3000teeth

Thanks Ron, but I ended-up at The Grill at the Fairmont tonight. As I recall, I'm in extremely close proximity to where you keep your cars and would love to meet-up and discuss this whole debacle. I'll even buy a few drinks (or vegan cookies, if you prefer ). And, I'll never accuse you of such a dastardly occupation again.

-T

Ron_H

I'll post again tomorrow but tonight I am too tired to think about it. Maybe Thursday night in San Jose would be good.

Nicole

Ummm...

Can we drive that S-curve near your dad's house again? Or the one in Malmö that ended so tragically (for the bird)?

3000teeth

Thursday works for me. If it pans out for you too, PM me with a location and we'll meet-up. Good locations for me are downtown, Willow Glen, Santana Row, etc. I'll PM you my cell number.

-T

IcemanG17

So you have to be "showing off"....very interesting.........I'll keep that in mind for next time! However on most streets with cars everywhere its not an issue....& of course the "other person" that saw you was the COP......doubtful that anyone would be stupid enough to do that in front of a cop.......

Anders
I still think if you get pulled over in someone elses car...just speak an entertaining combination of foreign languages.....even make stuff up.....the cop won't know...then present him with your international drivers license (or swedish is fine) and he won't know what to do..... I think it would make a great video on youtube!!

dr bob

I had an intern from Europe via New York, who possessed a New York DL which he didn't carry, plus an international license while he was under my care. He was popped by a local (Long Beach, California) LEO one morning after rolling a red on a right turn. Cop told him the international license was not valid in California, tried to confiscate the license and haul him off. It took a few hours to get him untangled. Turns out that California has no patience for international licenses, mostly since they have no way to use it as leverage to force you to appear or even serve you with summons. Pretty much says that they can arrest you for anything misdemeanor or above, which I guess they could do anyway.

I carried an IDL when I was doing a lot of overseas work, but my employment contracts had very strict language that said I was not allowed to drive for liability reasons. So I had a car and a driver/guard dedicated to me. No chance to test the IDL usefulness.