Betrayed by a fellow motorist. Cell phone speed traps.
06-20-2003, 02:37 AM
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Betrayed by a fellow motorist. Cell phone speed traps.
Well, another tale to add to my high speed adventures.
I was driving my Box-S back to the good ol' USA from a trip to Canada over the weekend when I met up with a guy in a nice stealth twin turbo on the canadian freeway. We noded each other and paired up and made up some serious time doing 90-130MPH (130 on long straights with no cars around, slow down to ~25 mph differential to pass traffic). It was a nice 2-3 lane open highway with no tall trees or bushes where cops can hide, just an occassional overpass and entrance ramps.
Well, we were flying for a good 80 miles or so when we noted 3 cop cars way ahead on the side of the road. We both slowed down to well within the speedlimit before we got into the kill zone. Well, the canadian cops looked as us very carefully when we passed and caught up to us, pacing and looking at us for a 1/2 mile or so, then one of the cops got behind me and pulled me over.
He then tells me that they received a cell phone call from a motorist reporting 2 cars driving at a high rate of speed that fit our cars description! After some amount of lecturing and interrogating me about whether the guy in the stealth is one of my buddies, the RCMP let me go with a warning =) A few miles up the road, I saw that the stealth was pulled over as well, I'm not sure what happened to him.
Well, thinking of this whole episode, I am a little more nervous about speeding. I consider myself to be highly attentive on the highway and a good spotter of speed traps and have covered tens of thousands of high speed miles without getting a ticket (don't use a radar detector either, just some good common sense). Now, I was betrayed by some motorist that was probably just jellous of us in our cars.
Has anyone experienced this as well? Has anyone actually gotten a ticket just based on other people calling the cops on their cell phones? (I don't think this will stand up in court unless cops witness you speeding).
I was driving my Box-S back to the good ol' USA from a trip to Canada over the weekend when I met up with a guy in a nice stealth twin turbo on the canadian freeway. We noded each other and paired up and made up some serious time doing 90-130MPH (130 on long straights with no cars around, slow down to ~25 mph differential to pass traffic). It was a nice 2-3 lane open highway with no tall trees or bushes where cops can hide, just an occassional overpass and entrance ramps.
Well, we were flying for a good 80 miles or so when we noted 3 cop cars way ahead on the side of the road. We both slowed down to well within the speedlimit before we got into the kill zone. Well, the canadian cops looked as us very carefully when we passed and caught up to us, pacing and looking at us for a 1/2 mile or so, then one of the cops got behind me and pulled me over.
He then tells me that they received a cell phone call from a motorist reporting 2 cars driving at a high rate of speed that fit our cars description! After some amount of lecturing and interrogating me about whether the guy in the stealth is one of my buddies, the RCMP let me go with a warning =) A few miles up the road, I saw that the stealth was pulled over as well, I'm not sure what happened to him.
Well, thinking of this whole episode, I am a little more nervous about speeding. I consider myself to be highly attentive on the highway and a good spotter of speed traps and have covered tens of thousands of high speed miles without getting a ticket (don't use a radar detector either, just some good common sense). Now, I was betrayed by some motorist that was probably just jellous of us in our cars.
Has anyone experienced this as well? Has anyone actually gotten a ticket just based on other people calling the cops on their cell phones? (I don't think this will stand up in court unless cops witness you speeding).
06-20-2003, 12:45 PM
#5
they can't pull you over and give you a ticket based on another motorist's phone call. But they can certainly watch out for you in time to catch you.. I'm pretty sure the cop has to witness a violation personally to write a ticket.
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<img src="http://www.karljay.com/BoxsterS/KJBoxsterS.gif" alt=" - " />
06-20-2003, 01:19 PM
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In some states the cops actually have to see you speeding and such. They can't give you a ticket just based on the word of someone else. Which I would presume is the reason you only got a warning in this case. Check your local listings to verify these facts, don't base a court case on it 
.
<img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" />
I suspect people are just basically ill informed (or complete jerks). They know their car and their abilities and continuously judge other poeple's actions based on those criteria. Their car couldn't safely do 130, nor could they handle a car at 130. So of course neither can you, so you must be a complete lunatic and shouldn't be allowed on the street.
I constantly see this with huge SUV's tailgating me. Probably completely unaware that if we both have to come to an emergency stop, no matter how good of a driver they are, there will be nothing they can do to avoid hitting me. Their SUV takes 20 more feet to stop from 60 than does my Sports Car. I suspect that if they were aware these facts they might be a little more considerate and leave a little more space between.
But then again, maybe I am living in a dream world and they are just inconsiderate jerks, and would continue to be so even if they knew better. Who knows??? I have decided that if they can keep up with me then they can tailgate. If they decide to call in my bad driving so be it. If I was truely being dangerous then I deserved it. If I wasn't, well then I'll try not to let it bother me because they obviously have greater issues than I.
<img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" />
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, I'm just bitter because it's Friday, the weather sucks, and I am stuck in the office....
.<img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" />
I suspect people are just basically ill informed (or complete jerks). They know their car and their abilities and continuously judge other poeple's actions based on those criteria. Their car couldn't safely do 130, nor could they handle a car at 130. So of course neither can you, so you must be a complete lunatic and shouldn't be allowed on the street.
I constantly see this with huge SUV's tailgating me. Probably completely unaware that if we both have to come to an emergency stop, no matter how good of a driver they are, there will be nothing they can do to avoid hitting me. Their SUV takes 20 more feet to stop from 60 than does my Sports Car. I suspect that if they were aware these facts they might be a little more considerate and leave a little more space between.
But then again, maybe I am living in a dream world and they are just inconsiderate jerks, and would continue to be so even if they knew better. Who knows??? I have decided that if they can keep up with me then they can tailgate. If they decide to call in my bad driving so be it. If I was truely being dangerous then I deserved it. If I wasn't, well then I'll try not to let it bother me because they obviously have greater issues than I.
<img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" />
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, I'm just bitter because it's Friday, the weather sucks, and I am stuck in the office....
06-20-2003, 01:31 PM
#7
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This situation is really ugly. It is scary to imagine everyone being a snitch if you are speeding a little.
If the law was more clever they would have setup ahead of you in a concealed location (top of onramp hidden behind bridge, or behind a median bridge or object or any number of hidden spots) with all radar off and not clocking anyone else knowing your coming up and blasted you with instant on and nailed you.
You were lucky but it still makes a person really think.
Valentine 1 and Uniden Bearcat = Must haves for fun driving
If the law was more clever they would have setup ahead of you in a concealed location (top of onramp hidden behind bridge, or behind a median bridge or object or any number of hidden spots) with all radar off and not clocking anyone else knowing your coming up and blasted you with instant on and nailed you.
You were lucky but it still makes a person really think.
Valentine 1 and Uniden Bearcat = Must haves for fun driving
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06-20-2003, 02:14 PM
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Maybe one reason to drive a silver Ford Taurus, I mean how many of those are there out there? Nah that was some other Taurus officer... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Then again will a Taurus do 130?
Then again will a Taurus do 130?
06-21-2003, 01:33 AM
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Bimmer,
I had a nearly identical incident last Fall returning to Chicago from a Putnam Park DE with some buddies. Five troopers missed us and then two did catch us speeding with radar and ticketed 63 in a 55 zone. I could hear the cops talking behind my car and they were mad and embarrassed that they could only write us up for the slight speed violation.
IMHO nothing stinks more than incidents like this, but I remember recounting the event on this very site and getting nailed by most readers. I have personally only called in one speeder in 25 years of driving and that was for a kid on a sport bike with no helmet weaving in and out of late night heavy interstate traffic.
I know now that when I see cop after cop for miles...somethings up. At least you got off with a warning.
As unfortunate as it is to us who can drive a car well at speed...if you speed be prepared to pay.
I had a nearly identical incident last Fall returning to Chicago from a Putnam Park DE with some buddies. Five troopers missed us and then two did catch us speeding with radar and ticketed 63 in a 55 zone. I could hear the cops talking behind my car and they were mad and embarrassed that they could only write us up for the slight speed violation.
IMHO nothing stinks more than incidents like this, but I remember recounting the event on this very site and getting nailed by most readers. I have personally only called in one speeder in 25 years of driving and that was for a kid on a sport bike with no helmet weaving in and out of late night heavy interstate traffic.
I know now that when I see cop after cop for miles...somethings up. At least you got off with a warning.
As unfortunate as it is to us who can drive a car well at speed...if you speed be prepared to pay.
06-21-2003, 01:55 PM
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Bimmer,
Just glad that you weren't in NJ - we have signs on the roads that ENCOURAGE motorists to report Aggressive drivers by using their cell phone. In fact, they make it convenient by not even charging AIRTIME for the call! The caller could have been jealous, but more than likely, they were put off by being passed at 100 MPH... just be glad helicopters weren't being used! :-)
Just glad that you weren't in NJ - we have signs on the roads that ENCOURAGE motorists to report Aggressive drivers by using their cell phone. In fact, they make it convenient by not even charging AIRTIME for the call! The caller could have been jealous, but more than likely, they were put off by being passed at 100 MPH... just be glad helicopters weren't being used! :-)
06-23-2003, 02:04 AM
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Oh Yes!!! Welcome to NJ, the traffic cop paradise, the Biggest Traffic Violations Based Budget in any State in America (includes Central and South America as well).
Well, similar episodes happens to me. Not once, various times.
I go over the speed limit every day as everybody else, but the envious people take the Cell, dial #77 and the young guy driving the Porsche is speeding. Suddenly I have a cop two or three cars behind, watching closely to me.
I was followed by a cop three days in a row (Mon, Tue, Wed) leaving my home to get to my office, just because the Sunday before I was doing 130+ mph, I saw a cop in front of me doing probably ~70mph, and I slowed down so fast that by the time he nailed me (the passport went off), I was under the speed limit. The cop followed me that night until I got to my home, I drove 53mph in the 55mph zone, 18mph in the exit ramp (20mph limit), 22mph (residential zone), until I got home. I was with my wife, and we had a nice chat about cops and their real role in NJ that night.
I have a lot more more histories, practically one or two new ones a month.
So far, I have never get a ticket (lucky). I use a Passport Solo2, a Passport laser jammer ZR2 (with two modules in the front bumper and on in the rear), and A LOT of COMMON SENSE.
Golden Rule: Think as a cop. You will be surprised on how much this help you.
For the COPS reading this board, Please use your common sense!, speeding is not a crime, robbing and killing are real crimes, careless driving is a crime, aggressive driving is a crime. You keep going hunting and arrasing regular people, and people will continue moving from NJ to PA/NY as they are doing. Less taxes --> more traffic tickets (to compensate) --> worse quality of life --> less nice people in NJ --> Less taxes.
For the politicians saying speeding KILLS people (based on the statistics), Well that's the result when Everybody drives 1,2,4, 6 mph over the speed limit and have a lethal accident. I would say 98% of the drivers are driving 1 mph faster than the posted speed limit. When you take the number of lethal accidents for doing 10mph over ,20mph over, 30mph over, etc.. then you will find out that the faster you go, the less likely you are going to be killed in an accident (look at the statistics). Compare how many people get killed for going over 100mph against the ones killed for going under 100mph. I am using the same logic that politicians saying SPEEDING KILLS PEOPLE.
The real reason for those accidents are mostly drivers with not enough driving education. Careless driving, Aggresive driving, Big trucks and SUVs tailgating, Drivers unable to control a skid, a flat tire, to identify hazards, to be preventive rather than reactive, all these factors among others are related to Driving Education.
To make our roads safe, A LOT OF education is necessary. Free driving education wil save lifes, DMV overhead, make insurance affordable, save money in court costs, and with all those saving it will be unnecesary to compensate lack of budget with more traffic tickets.
Well, similar episodes happens to me. Not once, various times.
I go over the speed limit every day as everybody else, but the envious people take the Cell, dial #77 and the young guy driving the Porsche is speeding. Suddenly I have a cop two or three cars behind, watching closely to me.
I was followed by a cop three days in a row (Mon, Tue, Wed) leaving my home to get to my office, just because the Sunday before I was doing 130+ mph, I saw a cop in front of me doing probably ~70mph, and I slowed down so fast that by the time he nailed me (the passport went off), I was under the speed limit. The cop followed me that night until I got to my home, I drove 53mph in the 55mph zone, 18mph in the exit ramp (20mph limit), 22mph (residential zone), until I got home. I was with my wife, and we had a nice chat about cops and their real role in NJ that night.
I have a lot more more histories, practically one or two new ones a month.
So far, I have never get a ticket (lucky). I use a Passport Solo2, a Passport laser jammer ZR2 (with two modules in the front bumper and on in the rear), and A LOT of COMMON SENSE.
Golden Rule: Think as a cop. You will be surprised on how much this help you.
For the COPS reading this board, Please use your common sense!, speeding is not a crime, robbing and killing are real crimes, careless driving is a crime, aggressive driving is a crime. You keep going hunting and arrasing regular people, and people will continue moving from NJ to PA/NY as they are doing. Less taxes --> more traffic tickets (to compensate) --> worse quality of life --> less nice people in NJ --> Less taxes.
For the politicians saying speeding KILLS people (based on the statistics), Well that's the result when Everybody drives 1,2,4, 6 mph over the speed limit and have a lethal accident. I would say 98% of the drivers are driving 1 mph faster than the posted speed limit. When you take the number of lethal accidents for doing 10mph over ,20mph over, 30mph over, etc.. then you will find out that the faster you go, the less likely you are going to be killed in an accident (look at the statistics). Compare how many people get killed for going over 100mph against the ones killed for going under 100mph. I am using the same logic that politicians saying SPEEDING KILLS PEOPLE.
The real reason for those accidents are mostly drivers with not enough driving education. Careless driving, Aggresive driving, Big trucks and SUVs tailgating, Drivers unable to control a skid, a flat tire, to identify hazards, to be preventive rather than reactive, all these factors among others are related to Driving Education.
To make our roads safe, A LOT OF education is necessary. Free driving education wil save lifes, DMV overhead, make insurance affordable, save money in court costs, and with all those saving it will be unnecesary to compensate lack of budget with more traffic tickets.
06-23-2003, 09:09 AM
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Gentlemen, I have read some of these tales of going 120-130+ on public roads and the umbridge expressed that someone would have the audacity to find something wrong with this . These are speeds that should be enjoyed on and reserved for the track. Things happen. Tires fail. Damaged road surfaces abound.
Drivers -animals- road obstructions- tire carcasses etc appear unexpectedly. At these speeds all die or at least are permanently changed forever. If it could be guaranteed that by going this fast , we were the only ones in peril, then it's your life do what you want. But this guarantee doesn't exist. Every year innocent people - mothers , fathers, sons and daughters- going about there lives, have them ended or terribly changed by drivers 'just winding it out' Don't get me wrong. I love these cars- I have owned them for 20 years. I roll pretty good myself. But these speeds are just indefensible on roads other than the track or a flatlands, low volume, two lane highways with miles of straighahead view. We all have our fun and we all push our cars- after all this is why we own them. But , just because they handle very well and have terrific brakes doesn't legitimize 130+ on a public road. If people called and complained using their cell phones- you were obviously on a populated road .Just like this -it happens- A guy driving on the same road as you, checks his rear view mirror , sees a clear road , takes a couple of seconds-liesurely changes lanes - at 130 you are into him before you can say 'dead'. I am now hiding under my desk waiting for the heat.
Roy
Drivers -animals- road obstructions- tire carcasses etc appear unexpectedly. At these speeds all die or at least are permanently changed forever. If it could be guaranteed that by going this fast , we were the only ones in peril, then it's your life do what you want. But this guarantee doesn't exist. Every year innocent people - mothers , fathers, sons and daughters- going about there lives, have them ended or terribly changed by drivers 'just winding it out' Don't get me wrong. I love these cars- I have owned them for 20 years. I roll pretty good myself. But these speeds are just indefensible on roads other than the track or a flatlands, low volume, two lane highways with miles of straighahead view. We all have our fun and we all push our cars- after all this is why we own them. But , just because they handle very well and have terrific brakes doesn't legitimize 130+ on a public road. If people called and complained using their cell phones- you were obviously on a populated road .Just like this -it happens- A guy driving on the same road as you, checks his rear view mirror , sees a clear road , takes a couple of seconds-liesurely changes lanes - at 130 you are into him before you can say 'dead'. I am now hiding under my desk waiting for the heat.
Roy
06-23-2003, 01:42 PM
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roygts:
I agree with your position.
I think I wasn't detailed in my history. It was Sunday night around 11:00pm in a four lines section of the highway with no cars around, and with my wife. When I saw a car in front of me (1/8 mile), I slowed down immediatly, not knowing it was a cop.
Golden Rule 2: Don't speed in traffic.
I agree with your position.
I think I wasn't detailed in my history. It was Sunday night around 11:00pm in a four lines section of the highway with no cars around, and with my wife. When I saw a car in front of me (1/8 mile), I slowed down immediatly, not knowing it was a cop.
Golden Rule 2: Don't speed in traffic.
