Okay, so share the drill when you get taken to jail - what was the routine in terms of getting in, out and the penalties?

I'm curious, as a PA state trooper said the routine here was that 75 would get you a trip to jail. I've always wondered how serious that actually was.

 

OK so here's the deal. I was out on this wonderful "back road" and with my new toy...kinda testing it out. I was dumb and was going too fast considering the limited view I had ahead of me. The officer was behind another car coming at me and got me. I pulled over and in about 2 minutes there were 5 cars. They had me exit the car, take a road side sobriety test. The guy said you must have been drinking so he cuffed me and took me to jail (they let me call my wife to pick up the car as I pleaded not to tow it). Had the blood alcohol test (which indicated I had NOT been drinking). Let me out on my own rec....got a very uncomfortable ride in the back of a squad car and 8 points (they plead it out due to incorrect DUI charge). I installed proper equipment soon after

 

Ouch! 8 points! That's gotta hurt. How many points does CO allow before they pull your license?

I'm paranoid about stuff like that. My personal rules are as follows:
i) Only speed as far as you can see
ii) Only speed on roads that you know that are wide, open, straight and offer lots of space for you to see parked and oncoming cars.
iii) Only stay up at high speed for short distances.
iv) Do not speed under conditions where you could be surprised by traffic or animals pulling into the road and putting you and them in danger.
v) Do not speed in inclement weather conditions... rain, poor visibility, etc.
vi) Know your limitations.

 

I don't know if anyone is familiar with mass, but when the traffic is moving near rush hour, there will be a line of cars doing 90 in the fast lane. Every day of the week sometimes. For miles. Needless to say, a jaunt well into 3 digits can be / is a daily occurrence. Unnerving to think a trip to the pokey can occur anytime the wrong circumstances arise. I have had cops ignore 90. Sometimes I imagine one will have a bad day and I will never drive again.

My name is Ralph and I live in Springfield. I drive a '64 Corvette. My social security number is 867-00-5309. I am 5' 3" and weigh 400 lbs. I like long strolls on the beach.

 

I loved living in Mass. The state troopers were reasonable and predictable. If you weren't doing anything dumb and out of line with the rest of traffic they mostly leave you alone.

CT they're speed *****, NJ they're speed tax freaks and PA they're just unpredictable... depends upon their mood.

 

dresler - I had a joyous time driving in Boston, people there really know how to "get it done". I know what you mean by the high speeds on the highways, wish people here would drive like that.

skiracer - I have been let off about probably 6-8 times in my life. But, I have spent thousands on lawyer fees/defensive drving/deferred adjudication for the ones (~>15) that I didn't get out of.........

 

12 points...so no big deal...having grown up in the burbs of philly, I can tell you out here in CO there are a lot more opportunities to let her rip with wide open spots and then fun times doing twisties in the mtns. good rules any way.

 

Much better pic by the way. after all, Ben is gone....

 

Yeah - it's quite depressing how few opportunities there are to open up the throttle around here... it's like taking a thoroughbred racehorse and making it pull a cart. Sad.

 

I cannot figure out how to quote you guys, but let me try to respond as best I can:

Statman- very sorry to hear of your episode in the pokey but I'm glad it didn't go nearly as bad as it could have. Yes, I was going clockwise on the Morgul Bismark and approaching the wind research facility when we encountered.

Wellardmac- CO allows 12 points in a rolling 12-month period before they pull your license, but we all know the more serious financial consequences of long-term insurance rate hikes. As if driving a 911 w/ a clean record isn't costly enough already! You've got the basics down absolutely correct, but I'll try to remember my lesson from over 10 years ago.

There are 2 basic premises for recreational speeding:

1. Never be in a hurry.
2. Never speed in front of a cop.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? OK, it really is all about safety and respect for the road and more importantly, other drivers. I assume everyone reading this knows that vehicle maint, tires, brakes, etc. must be completely up to snuff for starters. You ONLY speed when there's nobody on the road in front of you. If you see oncoming traffic, it is critical to screen out potential cops, which has become much more difficult here in CO since state troopers drive pickups, unmarked cars, etc.

Let's say you're driving on the interstate and you've been rolling along and you come up on a line of traffic. DON'T EVER come up from behind fast, flash your lights, honk your horn, etc. that is all too common among amateurs. Instead, approach them slowly, use your directionals to pass and don't go flying past them (one could be a cop, or another could get pissed and phone you in) at a high rate of speed. Pass them slowly, then signal back into the right lane. Then, if the coast is clear in the "scene" ahead, it's all you. Floor it for a short distance and watch the speedo climb. After a bit of fun, slow it down to 10-15 over the limit (my typical cruising speed on highways) and wait for another good opportunity.

If there are bridges, underpasses, trees or other hiding places it's probably not a very good choice (remember premise #2?). Always monitor your rearview and make sure it's also clear from behind. Monitor oncoming traffic closely- if it's a semi, several economy cars & a delivery truck you're probably still good to go. Pretty basic stuff, but I find myself much more alert and aware when I have decided I want to go recreational speeding. Of course, if the opportunity doesn't present itself, simply don't do it despite the temptations.

If you ever do get pulled over (God help us all - never a good situation) I have found there are things you can do that can make a significant difference:

1. Turn off your motor and place both hands on the wheel at 10:00 and 2:00. Keep them there until the cop comes up and asks you for license, registration and insurance info. Only then do you remove your hands and tell him where you're going to retrieve the docs. This is essential, because it puts the officer at ease and he doesn't walk up w/ his hand on his service revolver (yes, these guys fear for their lives too).

2. Be extremely polite, courteous and respectful. If he asks you if you knew you're speeding, if there's a reason for being in such a hurry- don't lie. Be honest, apologize and tell him you had no good reason. Even if I think I might have a good reason, I don't usually tell him. I put myself at his mercy, give him the power position and I believe it further assists in disarming the officer and puts him more at ease w/ the situation.

Another quick story- years ago I was driving a gray market SL from NY to CO and doing 135 in Ohio at 5am on a deserted interstate when a helicopter nailed me w/ radar. I came around the bend and it was like a troopers convention w/ ~10 cars parked on the overpass. I exited to get gas and there was a cop standing on the onramp waving me over. I pulled into a gas station to refuel and he pulled up. I had borrowed a Swedish license plate from the EPA/DOT shop who did my work and slapped it on, so I had no US tags, no registration and no insurance (ahhh, yes- the follies of youth). In a similar fashion to last week's event, he walked around the car and commented on what a cool car I was driving. I was shaking in my boots and fearing the worst, so I was reeeeaaaaly humble. He asked me if I could write a check on the spot for $70, and if I could he'd write me up for 70 in a 55 (this was in 1985) - so I did and I was on my way again.

I have occasionally hit my speed limiter on my S8 (155) over the years but always and only under ideal conditions. My H2 ticket was given to me inside Denver International Airport doing 51 in a 35, and it got reduced to defective turn signal or something...

Anyway- I hope this helps. I'm probably missing some other scenarios but these are the basics. I used to get ticketed all the time before my Quattro safety seminar/DE's and I was much more reckless and a much poorer driver back then. I deserved all those tix. My attention to safety and my courtesy to other drivers on the road is actually something I have taken great pride in. But let's face it, I'm an downhill ski racing adrenaline junkie and I regularly hit 80-85 mph in my speed events so I am very comfortable at speed. And now I love my P-car!

Safe and fun driving, everyone!

 

Trying to keep it raw, like my car. haha

 

The other major "rule" to include is: obey local town speed limits. For example, if you're on a rural road with a 55 MPH limit and you come to a town with a 35 MPH limit, respect the 35. Cops are much more likely to set up speed traps where the limit goes down - as opposed to setting up traps in the middle of nowhere. I think you're safer doing 90 in a 55 than 50 in a 35. Of course you still have to follow the other rules: always look way, way ahead; know common speed traps and where you would set up a trap if you were a cop; don't speed around blind corners or over blind hills; don't approach traffic in front too fast; be wary of on coming cars.

I think cops are more likely to be lenient if it seems apparent that you know how to "safely" speed - i.e. you aren't endangering anyone and the conditions "permit" it.

Knock on wood, it's been over a year since I was pulled over (I was coming home from the track and doing 70 in a rural 55, and a state trooper was in a line of approaching traffic. His lights went on, I pulled right over and waited for him - he asked where I was coming from and saw my track gear in the car. After I told him, he said, "Didn't get it all out of your system, huh?" I replied with, "Actually, I'm an instructor; I thought I was being very well behaved." He admired the car a little, then "offered" a "no seat belt" ticket instead of speeding (which I happily took).).

 

P.S. be very careful pacing faster cars on the interstate... One morning, several years ago, after being passed by a forest green Intrepid that was doing about 100, I decided to follow him. Paced him for about 15 miles - only to meet a fleet of troopers. Turned out he was the local sargent on his way to work. The young trooper who actually came up to the car said, "that's my boss there - he wants me to throw the book at you." (We had both been driving "aggressively" - and I'd seriously out paced him on one turn.)

 

I was doing about 100-125, back and forth for miles on a smooth country road (straight as an arrow) and in the middle of pre-planted fields, so I could see forever. I got one little ka. blip and then nothing. I went another 3 or 4 seconds and the little voice said...something is up and as soon as I let my foot off the peddle I saw the cop over the crest and slammed the brake. I looked down and saw the digital go screaming from 125 down into the 90's and upper 80's in a second when the radar lit hard! I went by him at about 65 and he was giving me the aggressive thumbs down signal and smiling big time! It was very funny but my heart was in my throat. Local sheriff, wouldn't have gotten away with that if he was a trooper.

 

I'm far more entertained by bursts of acceleration than sustain high speed driving. I like to rip through a few gears and then tone it down. I obviously try to pick spots that are appropriate but I have to admit I am in strong disagreement with most people's understanding of speed limits. Residential, in-town and specially zoned areas like school districts and hospitals are perfectly ok but the 55 to 70 ranged areas are not designated such for public safety concerns. The federally mandated 55 was for fuel conservation. They were also implemented back in the early 70's during the gas shortage crisis AND cars were death traps at anything over those speeds, anyway. Roads were hard, slippery and poorly constructed. No one will disagree that a modern Porsche on a well constructed, deserted and open road is EONS safer than a '73 anything on early 70's era hwys.

I'm not pushing for an abolishment of speed codes but an American Autobahn is so long over-due it is ridiculous. Oh yeah, every state should have a Nurenburgring, too. YEAH!!