Traffic Ticket

[RecycleMichael]

The last time I got a ticket, I made a smart-alec remark about how the officer was just writing me a ticket because he had a quota to fill.

The policeman said, "You are right. Two more and my wife gets a new toaster."

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by ttownclown

If the local police force wanted to gain more confidence with the public, they need to make extra effort to obey the traffic laws they enforce.  

The local police force is most visible in their cruisers. This is when the public sees them the most.  

By driving erratic, not using their blinkers, going over the posted speed limit by 10+mph, and most often TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONES (I have personally witnessed all of these things in the last week - and seems to be normal practice)-- this makes the public perceive them in a bad light.  

Even as I see these traffic violations every day - I have never seen them pulled over on the side of the road receiving a citation. I can only assume they feel they are above the law.

You may file a complaint with the Chief's Office when you see this type of behavior.  That is why there are those great big car numbers on three sides of a police car.

But don't complain about talking on the cell phone.  No law against that.

[Conan71]

Grizz,

Small correction- I believe the proper venue for citations written by TPD is Tulsa municipal court, DA has no jurisdiction.  I believe it would be whomever the city prosecutor is (go to city hall).  If the OHP writes you a ticket then it is district court and the DA would then have jurisdiction (go to county court house).

Just trying to get Rowdy to the right building.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur


Do you have any idea how many people call the police to complain about speeders in their neighborhoods, or about people who run red lights, or drive recklessly.  I'm confident you never want to hear the police response to be "Sorry.  We got better things to do."  or  "Sorry.  Too many people on the TulsaNow forum don't think we should enforce traffic laws."

The average citizen would appreciate enforcement of traffic laws if the application were not spurious and random.  It is like winning the lottery, and diminishes the important.  The deterrant effect of current enforcement techniques is a joke, which is too bad.

My ider is to have dedicated traffic enforcement units, possibly privatized, whose sole purpose is to enforce speeding laws.  No stupid domestic calls, no gas guzzling Interceptors, no college-education requirements.

I fought a speeding ticket and won but lost the roll-stop aspect and broke even.  By the time I was done several assistant-DA's were in the court to observe.

So are you saying you want more enforcement, less enforcement, only enforcement in certain sections of town, all over town, certain times of day, ........?  What do you mean?

On the flip side, the police would love to see everyone obey traffic laws.  Would be much easier on everyone and eliminate those 17,000 crashes each year in Tulsa.

Your idea of dedicated traffic units is already in place and has been for many years.  As far as privatization, you would need to contact your state and local elected officials for a change in several laws.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Grizz,

Small correction- I believe the proper venue for citations written by TPD is Tulsa municipal court, DA has no jurisdiction.  I believe it would be whomever the city prosecutor is (go to city hall).  If the OHP writes you a ticket then it is district court and the DA would then have jurisdiction (go to county court house).

Just trying to get Rowdy to the right building.

I go to the wrong one every time. I gotta figure it out before april 2nd (jury duty)

Either way, yeah, talk to the prosecutor.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael
The policeman said, "You are right. Two more and my wife gets a new toaster."

I think a rewards system would be great.  Further, I think a sliding-scale fine structure would be a good thing.  Consider: Nokia's chairman was given a $100K speeding ticket.  The way we go about it now is unfairly harsh on those without deep pockets.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

The last time I got a ticket, I made a smart-alec remark about how the officer was just writing me a ticket because he had a quota to fill.

The policeman said, "You are right. Two more and my wife gets a new toaster."

And how did that 'smart-alec remark' work for you?

Sorry.... no quotas.  But, I do expect traffic officers to write tickets.  Wouldn't you?

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael
The policeman said, "You are right. Two more and my wife gets a new toaster."

I think a rewards system would be great.  Further, I think a sliding-scale fine structure would be a good thing.  Consider: Nokia's chairman was given a $100K speeding ticket.  The way we go about it now is unfairly harsh on those without deep pockets.

I'll hope you're just kidding about a sliding scale with the rich paying a higher fine for the same violation as someone else.

Lets do this.  How about a sliding scale based on your prior driving history?  If you're poor and drive like crap all the time, thus you get stopped and cited all the time, you pay more then the rich guy who just got his first ticket.  Or vise versa.

Believe it or not, the idea of traffic tickets is to correct behavior, not raise money.

[tim huntzinger]

My ider of dedicated traffic cops is not in place.  I envision unarmed glorified meter maids on wheels just raising mad grip [$] on speeders until the market falls out.  In the meantime, all Tulsans would benefit from lower insurance costs and increased revenue.  No Bachelor's needed there, either.

I should contact some elected official, but who do you think would oppose this ider?  Any guesses?

[tim huntzinger]

Sorry for the crossposts.

No joke about the sliding scale, and I like the idea of graduated fines for exceptionally poor drivers but the point system should take care of that, no?

[cannon_fodder]

Hey, if we are going to do sliding scales for tickets lets do sliding scales for other crimes too!  If a person that has fun a lot gets in trouble they would only have to go to jail for a little bit, but if a chronically depressed person gets in trouble they would have to spend more time in jail (not much punishment if you are already miserable!).  Also, if you are on welfare you can use government money to pay a government fine, jail time costs to much money, so just flog welfare recipients in public!  Perfect.

Realistically, its been tried and struck down.  The punishment is supposed to fit the crime, not the individual.  You cannot punish one person more than another simply because they are more financially successful.   You cannot beat a poor person for a crime (because jail would be a hotel stay) nor can you fine a rich person obnoxious amounts of money.  Plus, if some idiot wants to get ticket after ticket and fork over thousands in fines for speeding - that's fine with me.
-------------------

Per enforcement, it is certainly random and contrary to many people's belief not a priority for most cops.  They have other things they should be or would rather be doing.  A traffic division would be a great idea (speaking of which, I saw the motorcycle cops on a speed trap yesterday).

However, nothing pisses me off more than seeing a cop fly by me on the BA on his way downtown for a shift change or roll thru a stop sign or blow off a yellow light.  All crap he would surely ticket me for.

In my observation, there is no difference between the driving pattern of a marked patrol car and the average driver in Tulsa.  If nothing else, the police are worse.  Instead of the 5 over, I usually see them doing 10.  

I have often thought calling in to report this, but what good would possibly come from it?  Having every cop in Tulsa know that I ratted them out - knowing they all have access to what vehicle I drive, my plate number and information about where I live and work?  Surely they wouldnt retaliate!   My guess is nothing would be done anyway.  While their word is good enough to cost me hundreds of dollars or imprisonment - they arent likely to believe a lowly citizen. Maybe I can nab one with my phone as a video recorder cruising by me and then show my speedometer.

Shouldnt they be examples?
-----------------------------

Per your tickets.  Notify you want to contest it.  You will be given a court date and time range (usually 3 hours).  Most other people wont show up, so if you are lucky it will be on the front side of that time frame.

Bring whatever evidence you can muster - go back and take more pictures.  Calmly and rationally explain your point of view - that for the safety of the community there should be better markings here if a lower speed is needed.  Point out your clean driving record and that you understand the officer knew the rules and was doing his job - but you had no way of knowing the rules so you could not reasonable be expected to comply.

Hope the officer doesnt show up.  Hope the judge actually listens.  Hope he cares about a just outcome.  Hope you dont have to waste a full half your day before you get to speak.

There is a 50/50 chance even if you are right.  Its a crap shoot, sorry.

[ttownclown]

[/quote]

You may file a complaint with the Chief's Office when you see this type of behavior.  That is why there are those great big car numbers on three sides of a police car.

But don't complain about talking on the cell phone.  No law against that.
[/quote]

I thought there was a law about distractive driving. I'm sure that only having 1 hand on the wheel had nothing to do with the WIDE turn with no blinker I saw-  Oh well- typical.

And funny you mention that - been there done that and what a joke!  -- I  once called the Mayors Action Line, due to a police cruiser going about 20 mph over the limit with no warning lights on.  I jotted down the cruiser number -- and reported it.  I received a call from the Chief or whoever was over the South Precinct about a week later.  He told me that they could verify that they had a cruiser on the road at that time with that vehicle # that I reported.  But I would have to come down to the precinct and visually identify the patrolman.  I explained that it was dark outside and the patrolman zoomed by me.  He then proceeded to say that they can't do anything about it since I couldn't visually identify their cop.  – Plus the person that called me had horrible attitude and treated me like I was the bad guy for saying something about it.

So you can say report it all you want.  It doesn't make a difference when the higher ups are looking out for their own kind.  

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

The last time I got a ticket, I made a smart-alec remark about how the officer was just writing me a ticket because he had a quota to fill.

The policeman said, "You are right. Two more and my wife gets a new toaster."

And how did that 'smart-alec remark' work for you?

It wasn't a Tulsa police officer. I laughed...I thought it was a great comeback.

[sauerkraut]

It's tuff to win a traffic case alone. With a lawyer your chances are better. Just paying the ticket is fine if you just get one or two a year, but after that they add up to points and you risk losing your drivers license for having too many points and your car insurance goes up. It's really best to at least try and fight every ticket you have... You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by fighting it. I won a ticket in Arlington, Texas back in the 1980's simply by the cop not showing up for my trial. The judge had to toss it out, since the cop failed to show up. Good Luck.

[cannon_fodder]

ttownclown:

I forget, but Im pretty sure the camera's on the turnpikes dont have to ID the driver when they issue tickets...

That's BS.