Not Reckless, Just Driving (how much, attorneys, costs)

[jobber123rd]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

I think it's USAA.

Yep. The resulting change in premium will be annotated in the policy as "INCREASE OF $xx.xx DUE TO A CONVICTION(S)". Been there, done that (with similar speeding tickets that I pre-paid).

[kutra11]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

I think it's USAA.

Ding! Ding!! Ding!!!

Ladies and Gents, we have a winner!!!!!

[johnsonkk]

Tickets do have the exact speed listed on the ticket, not a range. Seems likely that actual speed might have been 18mph over but ticket was written as only 5-9mph over. Maybe it was a early Christmas gift. Again, nobody gets a speeding ticket for casually strolling along the beltway at 60mph doing no other driving infractions.

[ReblTeen84]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

Tickets do have the exact speed listed on the ticket, not a range. Seems likely that actual speed might have been 18mph over but ticket was written as only 5-9mph over. Maybe it was a early Christmas gift. Again, nobody gets a speeding ticket for casually strolling along the beltway at 60mph doing no other driving infractions.

Most people don't even get tickets for tooling down the beltway at 70 unless you're doing something stupid. Outside of rush hours, I've been known to be moving at 80 going with the flow, although those times are few and far between. Usually closer to 65 or 70.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by ReblTeen84

Most people don't even get tickets for tooling down the beltway at 70 unless you're doing something stupid. Outside of rush hours, I've been known to be moving at 80 going with the flow, although those times are few and far between. Usually closer to 65 or 70.

I've received a ticket on the Beltway before - not much you can do when an unmarked car drops in behind you even if you are moving with the general flow of traffic. I'm not gonna say I was unlucky because speeding is speeding, but you are right that 70mph is a totally normal speed for 395/495. Fairfax County (and I'm sure the other counties as well) have several super cops that probably write dozens of traffic tickets a day - I've seen them in court with manilla folders stacked a foot high - and those are just the ones that didn't mail it in.

[elias9193]

If I were you I would take it to court and plead no contest and based on your driving record there is a
very good chance the Judge would suspend the points and make you pay the court costs. I've seen it done
with people whose driving record aren't as good as yours all the time.

[Leaving4Ca]

Originally Posted by ReblTeen84

Most people don't even get tickets for tooling down the beltway at 70 unless you're doing something stupid. Outside of rush hours, I've been known to be moving at 80 going with the flow, although those times are few and far between. Usually closer to 65 or 70.

I would not do that. It's a matter of time before you get stopped Anything over 80 mph is an automatic reckless driving charge.

OK so everyone speeds on the beltway? No way.

I keep at 60-65, which is very difficult - I hardly feel the speed in my ride. HOWEVER, I do stay at 65 or under because the road surface condition of the beltway is horrible even in great weather - plus you never know when some idiot will appear out of no where and you will have to brake or change lanes in a nano second.

IMHO, driving over 65 *anytime* in this congested area is risky not only from the odds of getting a speeding ticket, but the odds of having an accident. When you have an accident at 80 mph, chances are you won't walk away from that.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by Leaving4Ca

I would not do that. It's a matter of time before you get stopped Anything over 80 mph is an automatic reckless driving charge.

OK so everyone speeds on the beltway? No way.

I keep at 60-65, which is very difficult - I hardly feel the speed in my ride. HOWEVER, I do stay at 65 or under because the road surface condition of the beltway is horrible even in great weather - plus you never know when some idiot will appear out of no where and you will have to brake or change lanes in a nano second.

IMHO, driving over 65 *anytime* in this congested area is risky not only from the odds of getting a speeding ticket, but the odds of having an accident. When you have an accident at 80 mph, chances are you won't walk away from that.

For the 100th time NO IT'S NOT. Officers can and do write speeding and not reckless.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Leaving4Ca

I would not do that. It's a matter of time before you get stopped Anything over 80 mph is an automatic reckless driving charge.

OK so everyone speeds on the beltway? No way.

I keep at 60-65, which is very difficult - I hardly feel the speed in my ride. HOWEVER, I do stay at 65 or under because the road surface condition of the beltway is horrible even in great weather - plus you never know when some idiot will appear out of no where and you will have to brake or change lanes in a nano second.

IMHO, driving over 65 *anytime* in this congested area is risky not only from the odds of getting a speeding ticket, but the odds of having an accident. When you have an accident at 80 mph, chances are you won't walk away from that.

You do realize that the speed limit on the Beltway is 55, right? 60 to 65 IS speeding.

[Leaving4Ca]

Originally Posted by spencgr

You do realize that the speed limit on the Beltway is 55, right? 60 to 65 IS speeding.

Yes! I know that. I am probably one of the slowest drivers out there - get passed all the time.