Given a tailgate ticket on the freeway - $212! How to beat it (attorneys, live)

[intelfan11315]

Kind of going off on a tangent here but I don't want to create a new thread for this. What is the typical driver like in LA? I realize there is a lot of traffic, but I'm talking about when you can drive freely without having to stop, is the typical drive fairly civilized, crazy, stupid typically fast? I'm quite used to driving in the large cities of the US, so I can make references to Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and even the smaller ones.

Also, is insurance typically on the high end or low end compared to other places?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by werewolf34

How you drive on a LA freeway and not tailgate is beyond me (3 second rule..where?)

Anyways, the fine is high. Any advice on how to beat it or have them reduce the fine?

Thanks!

Were you tailgating? If so, why do you think anyone would give you an idea on how to fight it or how to get it reduced?

Nita

[SunnyDay70]

Originally Posted by burgler09

Kind of going off on a tangent here but I don't want to create a new thread for this. What is the typical driver like in LA? I realize there is a lot of traffic, but I'm talking about when you can drive freely without having to stop, is the typical drive fairly civilized, crazy, stupid typically fast? I'm quite used to driving in the large cities of the US, so I can make references to Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and even the smaller ones.

Also, is insurance typically on the high end or low end compared to other places?

In my experience, LA drivers are pretty reasonable...esp. when compared to east coast cities like NYC or Boston. Don't get me wrong, it is still driving in the big city.

Not sure about insurance costs compared to other big cities.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by harhar

I don't think any reasonable person would disagree with you. However I don't think the OP is a victim of this situation.

I try to leave at least a couple of car lengths. There have been times where that buffer has really saved my bacon.

I've never tailgated, but always get tailgated; and I drive slightly above the speed limit too.

In these situations I'll maintain my speed or switch lanes. (I used to brake check, but the point is to AVOID a collision, right?)

In any case, to the OP, it is quite possible to NOT tailgate in L.A. And you shouldn't. It's amazing people who are inches away from another's bumper; who have amazing skills or faith that they can react in any situation.

I'm personally glad that this law exists. The intention of the government in this case isn't big brother saving me from myself, it's saving me from others.

Neither of us were there so we have no idea how close the OP really was to the car in front of them, if they were speeding, changing lanes and tailgating several drivers, flashing high beams, etc. My point was that given the traffic congestion in LA, its virtually impossible to obey the 3 second rule. Is a 2.5 second gap tailgating? How about 2 seconds? If 3 seconds is the standard this cop used, then everyone is liable for a ticket like this.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by SunnyDay70

In my experience, LA drivers are pretty reasonable...esp. when compared to east coast cities like NYC or Boston. Don't get me wrong, it is still driving in the big city.

Not sure about insurance costs compared to other big cities.

I would say, while we were there we found the drivers to be reasonable and polite compared to some areas we have driven in.

Nita

[JTGJR]

I think the rule of thumb was always 1 car length for each 10mph you're driving. So, 7 car lengths at 70 mph. Not enough time to go 70-0mph if they guy in front slams on the breaks. But far enough to actually see beyond the car directly in front of you.

I too completely lack sympathy for the OP. I've never heard of someone being nailed for tailgating so it must have been excessively reckless. On average, I'd say I see 3-5 near misses caused by tailgating every day on my commute.

[KnoxTown]

Don't tailgate. Problem solved.

[Arus]

Originally Posted by Oakland Uptown

I just got a $446 dollar from a traffic camera while making a right turn on red. Apparently I did not come to a complete stop even though I slowed to about 1MPH before turning @ 6 AM with nobody around. This is the biggest scam going, why would the fine be the same as going full speed through a red?

doing a "california stop" or what the police call a "rolling stop" isn't a stop. YOU have to come to a complete stop (the car is nOT in motion at all).

You were in violation, you deserved the ticket.

I paid my red light ticket fine because I KNOW i ran the red light (my fault, be because I was looking down at my passenger seat and didn't realize the light had changed)

[FrostyThe2nd]

I wonder how the traffic cameras are able to tell a difference between whether we made a complete stop or a "california roll" before making that right turn I'm sure they worked out a way, but I'm just curious on how they do it. Motion detectors maybe?

[Arus]

there are sensors built into the road. YEs it can tell when an object has come to a complete stop. It sense the amount of metal and how that object passes over the sensors. A car coming to a complete stop will cover the entire surface of the sensor. if the sensor "senses" that the object passed over quickly on a red light, it will activate the sensor for the camera.