[LooKitsCHAVIT]

During Easter weekend, I was driving SB on I-65 in Indiana from Chicago. I was cruising at 70 mph and was nearing the Kentucky border. I was on a 16 hour, 800 mi+ drive to report to Fort Jackson, SC for AGBOLC. I had to make it there by 6:00 AM because my wingman had to make a 7:30 AM flight back to Chicago.

Ironically, I was wondering what the speed limit was when I passed a patrol vehicle while in the passing lane. I then slowed down to 60 mph after seeing the 55 mph speed limit sign within seconds. Unfortunately, this police officer clocked me at 70 mph at a 55 mph speed limit and pulled me over. Although the speed limit changes from 70 mph to 55 mph back to 70 mph, he still gave me a citation for 15 mph over. I was legitimately unaware that I was speeding because the change of speed limits on the same highway in a short amount of time.

I graduate from AGBOLC on June 23, 2010. I would like to contest the ticket. My court date is set for May 19, 2010. Even with the allowed 30-day extension, I can’t attend the court date because I am not allowed to leave the area for a certain radius. Indiana does not offer traffic school online, either.

There has to be some way for Indiana to accommodate Soldiers. I do not want to drop my training just to have my insurance rates inflate. Does anyone have any helpful advice? Also, I would much rather take the traffic school and not have it show on my records for $100 rather than pay $142 for 1-15 mph over. Thank you in advance.

[Fastdog911]

easiest thing is to get a traffic lawyer..sounds like you were speeding so you have to pay up.

[1TEXM3]

did you show him your military ID,etc... and he still gave the ticket? that is very bogus...could have easily been a warning...in certain states, if you get pulled its a ticket but not too sure about Indiana. Unfortunately, a lawyer may be the way to go. There are also some websites where you can seek legal advice by state. good luck!

[LooKitsCHAVIT]

Originally Posted by 1TEXM3

did you show him your military ID,etc... and he still gave the ticket? that is very bogus...could have easily been a warning...in certain states, if you get pulled its a ticket but not too sure about Indiana. Unfortunately, a lawyer may be the way to go. There are also some websites where you can seek legal advice by state. good luck!

I was wearing my ACU so it should have been obvious. Otherwise, maybe I should have shown him my mil ID to show I wasn't a private.

[srlehmkuhl]

Dude, you're screwed, that's one of the worst speed traps in the entire country. 90% of them are laser detection and it's really bad in that area between the bridge all the way past Clarksville. Did a motorcycle get you, or one of the regular cars? They don't give warnings on that stretch. If you noticed, the highway is nicely paved and the lanes are extremely wide. It begs you to drive fast and I'm sure all those tickets help accommodate that. I have a V1 and I don't ever risk it in that area- cruise control at 55, since they are known for giving tickets for only 60 mph. Good luck, you're going to need it.

[nuc1]

Look it up.

Mike

[M'Slinger]

Originally Posted by LooKitsCHAVIT

During Easter weekend, I was driving SB on I-65 in Indiana from Chicago. I was cruising at 70 mph and was nearing the Kentucky border. I was on a 16 hour, 800 mi+ drive to report to Fort Jackson, SC for AGBOLC. I had to make it there by 6:00 AM because my wingman had to make a 7:30 AM flight back to Chicago.

Ironically, I was wondering what the speed limit was when I passed a patrol vehicle while in the passing lane. I then slowed down to 60 mph after seeing the 55 mph speed limit sign within seconds. Unfortunately, this police officer clocked me at 70 mph at a 55 mph speed limit and pulled me over. Although the speed limit changes from 70 mph to 55 mph back to 70 mph, he still gave me a citation for 15 mph over. I was legitimately unaware that I was speeding because the change of speed limits on the same highway in a short amount of time.

I graduate from AGBOLC on June 23, 2010. I would like to contest the ticket. My court date is set for May 19, 2010. Even with the allowed 30-day extension, I can’t attend the court date because I am not allowed to leave the area for a certain radius. Indiana does not offer traffic school online, either.

There has to be some way for Indiana to accommodate Soldiers. I do not want to drop my training just to have my insurance rates inflate. Does anyone have any helpful advice? Also, I would much rather take the traffic school and not have it show on my records for $100 rather than pay $142 for 1-15 mph over. Thank you in advance.

So you admit you were speeding?

He gave you a ticket for 15mph over because you were 15 mph over; go figure.

Legitimately unaware? Great defence.

"I'm a soldier" Another great defence.

Originally Posted by 1TEXM3

did you show him your military ID,etc... and he still gave the ticket? that is very bogus...could have easily been a warning...in certain states, if you get pulled its a ticket but not too sure about Indiana. Unfortunately, a lawyer may be the way to go. There are also some websites where you can seek legal advice by state. good luck!

Bogus to give someone a ticket for speeding because they are in the military? Really? In all states 15mph (30% in a 55)is a perfectly legitimate reason for a ticket.

Originally Posted by srlehmkuhl

Dude, you're screwed, that's one of the worst speed traps in the entire country. 90% of them are laser detection and it's really bad in that area between the bridge all the way past Clarksville. Did a motorcycle get you, or one of the regular cars? They don't give warnings on that stretch. If you noticed, the highway is nicely paved and the lanes are extremely wide. It begs you to drive fast and I'm sure all those tickets help accommodate that. I have a V1 and I don't ever risk it in that area- cruise control at 55, since they are known for giving tickets for only 60 mph. Good luck, you're going to need it.

Or rather, dude, you took the risk, now pay up.

Possibly the worst statement by anyone speeding is 'I didn't realize that the limit here was x'


I'm not trying to be holier than thou. Everyone here has broken the speed limit. Everyone here knows the consequences. Man up, pay up and be more aware next time.


'Slinger.

[srlehmkuhl]

Or rather, dude, you took the risk, now pay up.

Possibly the worst statement by anyone speeding is 'I didn't realize that the limit here was x'


I'm not trying to be holier than thou. Everyone here has broken the speed limit. Everyone here knows the consequences. Man up, pay up and be more aware next time.


'Slinger.

I would say the same thing from an outsider looking in, if I didn't know the area the OP was referring to. It is extremely ridiculous the amount of police/ traffic force that they have on this stretch of road. I've seen as many as 8 troopers lasering cars, and pointing for them to pull over. I actually know of someone getting ticketed for going 60 in a 55 zone here. It's not uncommon to see stories on this speed trap on the local news and commuters that have tried to file suit or fight citations for various reasons. I think OP is wasting his time with the court date, as I don't think he has a snowball chance in hell unless the cop doesn't show up.

[newnewman2002]

Sorry to hear, man it sucks to get a ticket.

I've said it before, I will say it again. Get a Valentine 1. People always say it is too expensive, but what is more expensive? $400 up front or the cost of a ticket plus the rise in insurance costs for years to come? I have never had any tickets my entire life, it goes without saying the effectiveness of the unit.

[srlehmkuhl]

Originally Posted by newnewman2002

Sorry to hear, man it sucks to get a ticket.

I've said it before, I will say it again. Get a Valentine 1. People always say it is too expensive, but what is more expensive? $400 up front or the cost of a ticket plus the rise in insurance costs for years to come? I have never had any tickets my entire life, it goes without saying the effectiveness of the unit.

V1's won't work in this area- it's pretty much all targeted laser.