Got my first ticket in the tC today. Never thought this was a law but apparently it is, i was following too close.

The story goes as such: I was coming up in the left hand lane on a 55mph road doing 60, there is a state trooper in front of me doing a little less and i figured he would just get over to the right hand lane. Wrong! He stays there so i blinker and then pass. No more than 5 seconds go by until i see the blue lights. I pull off and i ask the officer what i did. He begins to tell me i was speeding and following too close. He forgoes the speeding ticket but hands me one for the following too close. 156$!!! $121 of that is in court fees so i figure might as well go try and fight it if im paying for court fees, ya know make em earn it. I told him i was passing him because he didnt get over but there was no arguing with him once the ticket was issued.

Guess what i am asking is what do yall think. I do assure you i was not tailgating for more than 5 seconds because thats how long it took me to realize he wasnt moving for me so i proceeded to pass him.

thanks!

 

never speed around a cop, lesson learned.

Fighting this ticket is pretty hard. Obviously he was doing speed limit and u sped up to go around him. And following him too close is his word against yours.


Edit: I missed the part where u admitted to tailgating. Sorry dude u were asking for it.

 

if you are going to fight it make sure to write down all of the information you can remember i.e time, place, speed limit etc. so it shows that you are well informed and if you can try and hold out on fighting it till the last minute so you spread out the time that the cop has to remember

 

if its your first ticket they might let it go? i didnt get in trouble for my first speeding offense, in Boston they let the 1st one go for most people. but if $121 is in court fees i agree make them work for it. money shouldn't be that easy to get

 

i always just stay behind them about car length away no matter how slow they go. You can try to fight it but i heard state troopers aren't allowed to dismiss or reduce tickets anymore at least in NY. not exactly sure though

 

oh ya my court date is set for more than a month away. but ill write everything down.

and the cop told me he was doing 57, i was doing 60. yes it is speeding, but so was he then.

i know its gonna be hard, but there is a clause in NC state law talking about having to get over if one is crusing i think.

 

its my first offense in NC. i have two other speeding tickets but i have no points on my license b/c they were out of state.

 

cops CAN speed u CANT

 

x2 and legally you cannot exceed the speed limit to pass.

((not tryna be a d**k lol just a FYI))

 

in nevada cops are allowed to drive 15 mph over the speed limit at any time. if you were speeding and tailgating... a cop none the less, you deserve a ticket lol, not just cause you were doing, but for doing it right infront of a cop... really???
dont break laws if youre not willing to accept the fines

 

i dunno if its common sense or not...but in my opinion, i would NEVER attempt to pass a cop unless theyre absolutely going way under the speed limit...passing them even when theyre going 55 on a 60mph zone is risky... cuz what they say is basically law against your words.

but yeah, make them earn their money since it comes easy enough most of the time anyways.

 

I say fight it. In my opinion, there's "the law" and there's "the practical law".
And for those of you about to jump up my ****, ask yourself if you've ever jaywalked, or gone 5 over, or not come to a complete stop behind the crosswalk before you toss stones.

Giving about 5 mph over for speedo error is pretty much standard everywhere. He didn't give you that, but knew it would sound fishy so he exaggerated how long/close you tailgated. He was just likely stroking his ego this time and wanted to make an example of you.

Take it to court and explain your side, at worst you waste a few hours at best you get it reduced or dropped.

 

Cops are not suppose to speed without there lights or siren on, there are suppose to obey the law just like us... I asked a cop when I did a ride a long and can you ever get a ticket driving a cop car, and he said yes only if i don't have my lights and siren on...

Anyway why would cops be speeding in there patrol car without lights and siren, when people drive those same looking cars on the road. It wouldn't make since for a white Impale to be speeding on the road without others knowing so they could move out the way...

 

Have u ever seen a cop give another cop a ticket? or are u that gullible?

 

no never seen it, but it is true. cops cannot speed unless they are in pursuit of someone. also, as i stated before i only tailgated for the 5 seconds it took me to realize he wasnt going to move. i came up too fast on him which is why he probably got me. i know its my fault and i probably deserved it but it just annoys me because of how it was handled.

 

I have seen a CHP pull over a Sherrif before, then again the Sherrif was a female, maybe the CHP was trying to get some "baton time"!

 

that sucks man, on 485 and 85 the troopers Fly!...i'll usually stick around a lil slower then one and keep my distance and all the other people get out of the way for him.... since i drive it everyday to uncc, its always the same trooper...its always the local police in small towns that give me crap.

 

first ticket and you're 20 years old. haha
you would definitely have a better chance of having the ticket dropped than i would!

 

From reading the OP, I feel the cop did everything right.

So i would just pay the ticket.

You said you where doing 60 in a 55. Thats still speeding

You admitted to that you where tailgating, doesn't matter how long.

And you had a bright idea to pass a state trooper.

In all man up, pay the ticket and learn a lesson.


I'm currently in the police academy, and from what you told us here, I would of gave you a speeding ticket as well.

 

Your going to have to pay it either way.. IF it was a normal cop then i can see, state troopers is a tough one to fight..