REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

MildSe7en · 12-10-2009, 07:43 PM

So I got a ticket for going 73 in a 60 for $144 on I5 just outside of Everett.
I'd like to dispute it because I was accelerating onto the highway at this point,
and I was only trying to create a safe distance.

Anyways, I know that if I don't pay, I risk being arrested the next time I enter the US.

I was wondering what the process is for disputing, as I see on the back of the
ticket I can apply for Mitigation, as in , accept that I did commit the offence,
but explain why for a fine reduction.

However, during this time that I wait for a court date, will my license
still be valid in the states, as im sure it will take some time for them to
arrange a court date, similar to the court system here.

Thanks for the input.

CRS · 12-10-2009, 08:09 PM

Speeding is still speeding regardless of the reasoning behind it. If you needed to speed to create a safe distance, you could have slowed down by braking to create that safe distance as well. I know you're going to say that by slowing down, you won't find that safe distance but it is almost impossible for a flow of traffic to retain that clogged and constant.

I believe that you would be correct to make that assumption. As long as you are not found guilty (as in time of guilt), you won't have any troubles. Like the laws here, if you don't dispute within the 30 days, you are found guilty. I believe the same would go down south. Since you disputed/mitigated within the given days, you should not be automatically found guilty and so you would still be able to drive.

MildSe7en · 12-10-2009, 10:10 PM

Yeah, I don't want to argue with you on the reasons behind it, as nobody will ever come to agreement.

I was hoping that similar to the system here, even if you are guilty, you can have a reason
and ask for a fine reduction.

Just wondering if anyone actually has experience with disputing a ticket in the US, and
how it differs from here.

racerman88 · 12-12-2009, 11:32 AM

I would call or write them a letter or email them these valid questions.
I had a similar situation years ago where I was in the passing lane accelerating and when I passed the cars I changed back to next lane and slowed down. An unmarked highway patrol was pacing me and pulled me over for speeding. He wouldn't listen to me explaining that I was just using the passing lane for exactly that. It was too much of a hassle for me to fight the ticket bc I would have had to go to court in a small county in southern Washington state. I ended up paying the ticket to save myself the hassle.

SkunkWorks · 12-12-2009, 12:21 PM

You can ask for the fine reduction online and it takes all of 10 minutes.

Can't help ya if you want to get the ticket thrown out.

MildSe7en · 12-13-2009, 01:43 AM

oh how would you go about doing it online ?

Timpo · 01-05-2010, 07:04 AM

I don't know about in the states, but in BC, I might be wrong but you can attend court in person, or by writing a letter or on the phone.
I assume it is same thing in the US?

josel_atr · 01-05-2010, 08:03 AM

hey OP - i skipped all the replies so my badd if im repeating any of the above posts...

i got a ticket for beating the red light around alderwood. they have a photo to prove it. hahaha anyway, you might not need to go to court in person. what i did was i wrote a letter to say what i have to say and sent it to them. i mitigated through that letter. then, then replied sending me a revised fine amount.

GL.

zulutango · 01-05-2010, 09:05 AM

So you told them you would plead guilty and were not disputing the charge, just the fine $$$ ...pleading guilty with an explanation...or you took the $25 discount for early payment?

josel_atr · 01-05-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zulutango

So you told them you would plead guilty and were not disputing the charge, just the fine $$$ ...pleading guilty with an explanation...or you took the $25 discount for early payment?

not sure if this question was directed to me?

i did plead guilty with some explanation. i threw in some excuses in my letter. luckily, they reduced my fine by half... it went from 130 to 65 USD. i was able to deffer the payment to because of the process.

i though that if you were already caught in the act like beating the red light or in the OP's case, speeding, you wont have a way out of it. just pay the damn ticket.

zulutango · 01-05-2010, 12:12 PM

OK...you were talking about the US court system. Thought you were talking BC. Me bad. What I said applies to the BC system.

sebberry · 01-05-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRS

Speeding is still speeding regardless of the reasoning behind it. If you needed to speed to create a safe distance, you could have slowed down by braking to create that safe distance as well. I know you're going to say that by slowing down, you won't find that safe distance but it is almost impossible for a flow of traffic to retain that clogged and constant.

When there is only a finite amount of space to merge onto a freeway, sometimes there isn't room or time to slow down to create a safe distance.

If you are trying to merge with traffic going well over the speed limit, do you stop in the merge lane and wait for space?

CRS · 01-05-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebberry

When there is only a finite amount of space to merge onto a freeway, sometimes there isn't room or time to slow down to create a safe distance.

If you are trying to merge with traffic going well over the speed limit, do you stop in the merge lane and wait for space?

You missed the point entirely.

If I sped to merge and was caught speeding, I would pay the ticket. No need to dispute or ask for a reduction. If I knew that I was guilty of the offence committed, I would take responsibility for my actions.

This was about responsibility and taking ownership of one's actions regardless of the situation.

If you are trying to merge with traffic and you slowed down, there is always a break in traffic though the people behind you won't like it much but it is well within your right to do this. Merge when you feel it is safe and have adequate space/room.

Or you could break the law and speed up and bite the ticket for speeding up. It is really your choice.