88 in 70 zone, Reckless Driving in VA (Boydton: insurance, home, buy)

[jsthompson1]

I was coming from Atlanta headed back to DC on 1-4-2010 when I got pulled over 6 hours into my drive(4 hours left) in Boydton, VA for going 88 in a 70 area. It was around 8:00 and there was no one on the road. Before I was leaving Atlanta I accidently got hit in the eye and had a black eye and headache that was really hurting. I was just trying to get home as soon as possible so I could get some sleep to feel better to see if I could make it to work in the morning. There were other people in the car that could have drove but I was technically the only person authurized to drive the car. When I go to court should I tell the judge this story and what might happen as a result. Will he think I'm just trying to get him to be sympathetic to me.

I have no prior speeding tickets on my driving record and I'm a college student. I didnt think I was putting anyone in danger because there were no other vehicles on I-85 N at the time.I called the courthouse and they said my fine would be $271 because anything over 80 is reckless driving. They said that if I go to court my fine could be reduced and I could also be required to complete a driver improvement course. Giving my case, including the fact that I know the officer clearly saw my black eye and I told him that I had a headache, what will happen when I take that dreadful 4 hour drive to the courthouse of Mechlenburg County.

[blu_monk]

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

I was coming from Atlanta headed back to DC on 1-4-2010 when I got pulled over 6 hours into my drive(4 hours left) in Boydton, VA for going 88 in a 70 area.

In the state of Virginia reckless driving is 15 over the speed limit or anything over 80mph. A reckless driving charge is a class 1 misdemeanor in the state of Virginia.

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

It was around 8:00 and there was no one on the road.

Don’t care. That’s just an excuse. There is always someone or something on the road.

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

I was leaving Atlanta I accidently got hit in the eye and had a black eye and headache that was really hurting. I was just trying to get home as soon as possible so I could get some sleep to feel better to see if I could make it to work in the morning. There were other people in the car that could have drove but I was technically the only person authurized to drive the car.

Another lame excuse. Nobody cares. You probably shouldn’t have been driving. No other people on the road? If everyone thought the same way you did, there would be other people SPEEDING on the road. What happens when one of those people comes up behind you and passes you? OH, it looks like there are other people on the road. Is there a fence blocking deer from jumping in the road? OH, it looks like there is the possibility of other THINGS in the road. There can be any kind of road conditions; nobody else on the road is a poor excuse. Just because you said that means you deserve this reckless ticket. Very immature of you.

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

I have no prior speeding tickets on my driving record and I'm a college student.

Doesn’t matter. You’ve probably speeded before and just never got caught.

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

I didnt think I was putting anyone in danger because there were no other vehicles on I-85 N at the time.

You are putting YOURSELF and YOUR PASSENGERS and OTHER MOTORIST in danger when you speed.

Hope you learned a lesson. Come back and visit us some time.

Pay the fine. Take a drives ed course. Learn from your mistakes.

[rtandc]

Just so their is not any confusion....reckless (speeding) is anything 20 and over not 15.....or anything 80 and over

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

I called the courthouse and they said my fine would be $271 because anything over 80 is reckless driving. They said that if I go to court my fine could be reduced and I could also be required to complete a driver improvement course. Giving my case, including the fact that I know the officer clearly saw my black eye and I told him that I had a headache, what will happen when I take that dreadful 4 hour drive to the courthouse of Mechlenburg County.

If you can spare the time and trouble it would probably be worth going to court and telling your story to the judge. Possible the cop won't show up or the judge will buy your story and give you a better outcome. Also, if you can take the course do it, if it will keep this off your record. Your biggest expense will be the insurance rate increase you'll see if it makes it on there.

[jsthompson1]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

If you can spare the time and trouble it would probably be worth going to court and telling your story to the judge. Possible the cop won't show up or the judge will buy your story and give you a better outcome. Also, if you can take the course do it, if it will keep this off your record. Your biggest expense will be the insurance rate increase you'll see if it makes it on there.

I was definately going back because of my young age hoping that the speed would be reduced to under 80 or that the cop just wont show up . I just didnt know if telling my story would make the judge more angry because he may feel that I'm trying to get him to feel sorry for me. But I really did have a black eye and was just trying to get home to get some rest. I couldn't really afford to stay out of town any longer. I don't know if I should tell my story, leave parts of my story out, or just tell that judges only that I am sorry for my actions and they will never happen again. What do you think?

[blu_monk]

Originally Posted by jsthompson1

I was definately going back because of my young age hoping that the speed would be reduced to under 80 or that the cop just wont show up . I just didnt know if telling my story would make the judge more angry because he may feel that I'm trying to get him to feel sorry for me. But I really did have a black eye and was just trying to get home to get some rest. I couldn't really afford to stay out of town any longer. I don't know if I should tell my story, leave parts of my story out, or just tell that judges only that I am sorry for my actions and they will never happen again. What do you think?

You think the judge doesn't get tired of hearing the same story?

[Flamingo13]

I still can't figure out what a black eye has to do w/anything related to driving too fast.

[mica]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I still can't figure out what a black eye has to do w/anything related to driving too fast.

black eye=headache=why he was driving fast.

[Flamingo13]

If he's in that much pain, he shouldn't have been driving in the first place.

[Jesco White]

is there any place where the speed limit is 70 in VA? I didn't think it ever went above 65.