[red tail]

Originally Posted by blueash

Is that really how it worked in NJ? If you could show you gave money to the police charities they let you go? And the cops have "total discretion" over ticket vs warning and what speed to choose to write down which certainly changes the consequences and expense of a ticket?

Isn't that a fairly damning report on the integrity of cops and equal enforcement of the law? Might not such a system of "total discretion" lead to over enforcement in one community and under-enforcement in another based on some factor other than the speed of the car? And wouldn't it be ironic if the community subject to letter of the law enforcement were to point out that discrepancy in policing and be attacked for doing so by the people who have been receiving BPA get out of jail free cards? At least you said snippy not uppity.

the pba is a union not a charity

[Two Bills]

I also do not think folks know that when entering Spanish Springs from the bridge over Lake Mira Mar the speed limit is 10 m.p.h. Lady Lake PD sets up radar stops there every few months and often just hands out warnings. But I have seen several cars traveling at a dangerous speed into the square on that road. Too many pedestrians, and you're looking at a big fine even if your just going 35.

I always drive at 10 mph. along that stretch. I do it hoping to hear some original abuse, but most of it is the same old one, or two finger waves!.
Regarding the OP's problem, as the old saying goes, "There but for the grace of God, go I."

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by blueash

Is that really how it worked in NJ? If you could show you gave money to the police charities they let you go? And the cops have "total discretion" over ticket vs warning and what speed to choose to write down which certainly changes the consequences and expense of a ticket?

Isn't that a fairly damning report on the integrity of cops and equal enforcement of the law? Might not such a system of "total discretion" lead to over enforcement in one community and under-enforcement in another based on some factor other than the speed of the car? And wouldn't it be ironic if the community subject to letter of the law enforcement were to point out that discrepancy in policing and be attacked for doing so by the people who have been receiving BPA get out of jail free cards? At least you said snippy not uppity.

I think the implication of your last statement is disgusting and insulting to the poster, as well as totally unnecessary. Yes, police have A LOT of discretion in whether or not to write a ticket and for how much. And yes, if you donate to a police organization you get a sticker for your car with the explicit notation that it does not grant you any special favors. I have a drawer full of them, but never affix them to my vehicle. Maybe it has a subliminal effect on the officer, it does show respect and support for LEOs. So be it.

[klough53]

Be happy you did not get an additional surcharge!

[Flatlander]

If they had no discretion then 21 in a 20 or 56 in a 55 would result in a ticket. Do you really want that. Some small communities, like the ones on 301 North of The Villages have a reputation for not allowing any tolerance. Most people, myself included, seem to be very supportive of law enforcement here. Getting a ticked for speeding, when you were speeding, is not a good reason to try to trash their reputation. There is probably more to this story, as someone else suggested in an earlier post.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I think the implication of your last statement is disgusting and insulting to the poster, as well as totally unnecessary. Yes, police have A LOT of discretion in whether or not to write a ticket and for how much. And yes, if you donate to a police organization you get a sticker for your car with the explicit notation that it does not grant you any special favors. I have a drawer full of them, but never affix them to my vehicle. Maybe it has a subliminal effect on the officer, it does show respect and support for LEOs. So be it.

Are you really serious when you say a Police Officer writing the ticket can set how much the fine will be? Wow! Just when I've thought I've heard all misconceptions about Police Officers, up pops a new one.

[billethkid]

When one states they were only driving 3-5 miles per hour over the speed limit they are ADMITTING to speeding.....in the eyes of the law speeding by the letter of the law is ANYTHING over the posted limit.

Yes LEO use reasonable judgement.
And when one gets caught speeding, no matter by how much,
there is only one person to fault....

I prefer the enforcement of all speed limits like they do at school crossings. The classic example of results from the public when enforcement is obvious.

Book em Danno!!!

[Gpsma]

Why is everyone in a rush? Medical emergency? or is the liquor store closing soon?

[joedi]

Sorry for your fine, but when they come looking for donation tell them you gave!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Are you really serious when you say a Police Officer writing the ticket can set how much the fine will be? Wow! Just when I've thought I've heard all misconceptions about Police Officers, up pops a new one.

I think you misunderstood. The law and the judge set the fine. But it is not unusual for a LEO, catching someone going 60 in a 45 zone to write the ticket for 54, depending on the circumstances

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by blueash

Is that really how it worked in NJ? If you could show you gave money to the police charities they let you go? And the cops have "total discretion" over ticket vs warning and what speed to choose to write down which certainly changes the consequences and expense of a ticket?

Isn't that a fairly damning report on the integrity of cops and equal enforcement of the law? Might not such a system of "total discretion" lead to over enforcement in one community and under-enforcement in another based on some factor other than the speed of the car? And wouldn't it be ironic if the community subject to letter of the law enforcement were to point out that discrepancy in policing and be attacked for doing so by the people who have been receiving BPA get out of jail free cards? At least you said snippy not uppity.

Who said anything about giving money to the PBA? These were neighbors and friends of my sons who were officers. I respect them enormously even before they offered the cards to me and Mrs. Nucky. I, knock on wood have not gotten a speeding ticket since around 1976 when I was escorted to my home by an officer who was friends with my father. I was put on cross examination in front of my Dad. 99MPH in a 50MPH zone. The ticket was reduced greatly, I don't remember that part exactly. The lesson from the beating from my father and 90 days without the car has stuck with me for my entire life. On a long trip if I speed I know it's time to get off the road because I'm tired.

A fairly damning report of the integrity of officers...don't call them cops please....please Google...Discretion is Valor in Traffic Stops. These men I spoke with approach me to talk and open up about their experience with their job when we were at various picnics. My kids tell them I'm easy to talk to and listen well. They obviously need to vent about what goes on because of the stress. My respect level is high for all who protect our country and those who protect our community, especially the officer who wrote the ticket in front of my dad.

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Yes the law was broken. And yes it's the QP's fault. What bothers me is there are so many other serious crimes going on around here that to focus on minor speeding violations is the real crime. Without the Villages these police departments would sill be one man bands. And yet they punish the hand that feeds them. Spend there time finding the crooks that steal golf carts, the scams that people use against seniors, and other opportunists that come here to rip off the residents.

I don't support speeding and especially those that speed to excess. But 26 in a 20 in a car is not excess. Go after the real crooks and give the residents a break.

he exceeded the limit by 30%, that's significant

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Why is everyone in a rush? Medical emergency? or is the liquor store closing soon?

This is a recurrent theme on TOTV---"We're retired, what's the rush?". So I'll risk taking a 75-25 unpopular opinion.

First of all, I personally don't speed in TV, and won't defend it. So these comments are really addressed to the issue of following the speed limit vs. driving significantly below it.

BEFORE we were retired, we had lots of things to do. We needed to get to work on time, pick up the kids from school on time, get them to their soccer game on time, etc. We didn't budget extra time for dealing with drivers going 10 mph under the speed limit, and were (?appropriately) frustrated when we encountered them.

NOW, that we are retired, we have lots of things to do, just more fun. People want to get to their tee time, medical appointments, club meetings etc. on time. We don't want to spend our time dawdling on the roadways just because we are retired, there are plenty of better things to be doing, especially as our time on Earth gets more and more limited.

IF someone, due to deteriorating vision, loss of reflexes or loss of driving skills needs to go slower, that's fine, I want them to be safe. But don't expect us to stay behind someone going 20 in a 35 zone or be happy about it, just because we are "retired"

Then there is the small subset of drivers who think they should make the rules for everyone else. These are the people who plant themselves in the left lane of 466/466A/44 and drive 30-35 in a 45 zone because THEY think it is fast enough. Guess what?---you don't make the laws or enforce them, and I don't answer to YOU. If someone wants to speed, that's between them, their conscience, and LEO. MYOB!, and get in the right lane

[villagetinker]

I may be wrong, but as I recall any road where the golf carts are allowed to drive that does NOT have a designated golf cart lane, has a 20 MPH speed limit. Burnsed blvd (Pinellas plaza) is another example of a road with a 20 MPH limit.

[Bigben007]

It's about time. I was just commenting on how fast people have been driving. I've noticed it more and more. A lot seems to be commercial trucks.