California sr 87 -Traffic ticket!

toedtoes wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
Still, it's whether you assume the OP has an attitude of not. For sure, a lot of the follow on posters have an attitude problem, so maybe that's why they assume the OP does. ;) But, really four pages worthy?

Yes, some posters have assumed an attitude - or have assumed an attitude themselves. But, the OP's question is simply "did I get the ticket because of a safety concern or for revenue enhancement?" The majority of posters are saying "you got the ticket because you were doing the violation" - plain and simple.

And, because they are saying, "you got the ticket because you were doing the violation," and it isn't what the OP wants to hear, they are automatically bashing, berating, and just generally being mean.

Fact of the matter is, if you kept it in the lane while the cop was watching, you wouldn't have gotten the ticket. If you were doing nothing wrong and still got a ticket, *THEN* it would be a money grab.

Frankly, you people have no idea what it costs to issue and process a citation. The $238 they collect from you doesn't even come close to covering it. It would be less burden on the taxpayer if they just pulled all the traffic patrols off the road and let people do what they want.

Reddog1 wrote:
I have to ask, do you really think the citation is for revenue enhancement?

Probably a bit of revenue enhancement and a bit of public safety. Aren't all tickets?

Crumm wrote:

obgraham wrote:
I know you guys will be on me like a Doberman on a dropped ribeye,

Why would any responsible adult drop a ribeye? You need to take a little better care of a quality steak like a ribeye. Someone that would be careless enough to drop a steak would probably also wander outside of the lines on the highway.

X2 :S

jimh425 wrote:
Still, it's whether you assume the OP has an attitude of not. For sure, a lot of the follow on posters have an attitude problem, so maybe that's why they assume the OP does. ;) But, really four pages worthy?

You make a very valid point, but the CHP has not posted. As I posted, only the OP and the Officer really know what took place and the attitudes involved. I have to ask, do you really think the citation is for revenue enhancement?

Wayne

jimh425 wrote:
Still, it's whether you assume the OP has an attitude of not. For sure, a lot of the follow on posters have an attitude problem, so maybe that's why they assume the OP does. ;) But, really four pages worthy?

Yes, some posters have assumed an attitude - or have assumed an attitude themselves. But, the OP's question is simply "did I get the ticket because of a safety concern or for revenue enhancement?" The majority of posters are saying "you got the ticket because you were doing the violation" - plain and simple.

Still, it's whether you assume the OP has an attitude of not. For sure, a lot of the follow on posters have an attitude problem, so maybe that's why they assume the OP does. ;) But, really four pages worthy?

toedtoes and JiminDenver made some very valid points.

Wayne

We drive in the mountains a lot. people seem to think they are on a race track cutting the curves and crossing the lines. You don't see truckers needing a smidge here and there, our rigs don't need it either. Please slow down.

obgraham wrote:
I know you guys will be on me like a Doberman on a dropped ribeye, but anyway:

We've lost sight of the real issue in favor of the minutae. Driving safely. To me, OP's offense is a bit like driving 39 in a 35 zone: sure, illegal, but likely not a threat to safety.

Let's look at a different scenario: you're coming down a winding 2 laner, plenty of turns along the way. You come up to a left bend, and can see a mile down the road, which is completely empty. Repeat that: empty. No oncoming traffic, nobody entering the highway, no bikes, no pedestrians. (Hopefully no cops!)I'll frequently crowd the centerline in that case, maybe even drift over it. Cuts fatigue, saves the passengers, gets you ready for the next turn to the right. The important thing is WATCH THE ROAD and WATCH THE TRAFFIC!

I don't see that as a safety issue at all. Those of you who do are just picking at nits and imagining stuff here.

I know, I got out my asbestos suit.

In my mind, this isn't about "I always follow the law" or "I only do it in a safe manner", but rather "I did it and I got a ticket for it". It's not about the OP committing the violation and whether he did so in a safe manner or not (how can we ever really know if he was truly being safe or was going too fast for the road, etc.?). It's about his response to getting the ticket - questioning if the officer was revenue collecting (thereby suggesting that he didn't deserve to get a ticket).

If you speed, drive across the lines, etc., then you by default should get a ticket. If you don't get a ticket, then be thrilled. If you do get a ticket take accountability - you got the ticket because you did the violation. If you really didn't do the violation, then go to court.

Freeborn530 wrote:
Returning from Lake Tahoe to Seattle on California sr 87, a winding, mountain, two lane road in my truck camper pulling my boat I was ticket ed by CHP for lane violation! Officer observed that on this twisted, winding road I failed to maintain my lane. Ticket cost $238. Public safety or revenue inhansment?

I question your experience being due to revenue enhancement. I think that is a tacky thought at best. I lean toward Public Safety, but also think maybe your attitude could have influenced the CHP's decision to issue a citation or warning. I gotta say, there is always the rest of the story. Fact is, only you and the officer really know. There is the basic question, did you or did you not fail to stay in your lane? Could you have done so at a lower rate of speed?

Wayne