[Gh0stRider]

If you’re caught speeding, you’ll want to throw away your bag of excuses. Police have heard it all and are warning drivers excuses won’t get you out of a ticket at any time. We asked police across the province to share drivers’ top excuses for speeding:

1. I’m late for class/work/court. This age-old excuse won’t work, especially if you’re on your way to court! “My boss will fire me” or “My teacher will fail me” are lines that won’t work either. Be more realistic, plan your route and allow yourself extra time. There are many things that cause delays, such as traffic, construction, bad weather and, unfortunately, car crashes. If you’re going to be later than you expected – deal with it. Take a deep breath and accept the delay. Like they say, better late than never.

2. I didn’t know I was going that fast. Normally, your speedometer doesn’t lie! Though playing dumb with the police will definitely earn you points—that’s penalty points with a hefty fine. Remember to check your speedometer once in a while. And be sure to focus on the road. There are around 8,200 speed-related collisions in an average year in BC, which injure 5,500 people and kill 161 (2003-2007 police data). Unsafe speed is one of the most frequently cited contributing factors in police-reported car crashes. Slowing down reduces your risk of getting in a crash.

3. I didn’t know the speed limit. That’s like saying you didn’t know Canada was north of the U.S. border. The provincial and municipal governments ensure speed limits are clearly posted along highways and city roads. Under the Motor Vehicle Act, the basic speed limits are 80 km/h outside municipalities and 50 km/h within municipalities.

4. I was passing a dangerous/bad/slow driver. Driving like Bond or Bourne should be left to the pros in Hollywood blockbusters. Weaving in and out of traffic is one of the top five high-risk behaviours that cause car crashes. Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt and keep your distance.

5. My car doesn’t go that fast. Nice try! Unless you’re driving a low-speed vehicle like a moped or scooter, your car can go as fast as a swift (the bird not the Suzuki) which flies between 160 and 320 km/h. A Swedish study shows that dropping your speed by five per cent reduces your crash risk by 14 to 20 per cent.

6. I was just keeping up with traffic. Drivers aren’t like cattle in a herd—would you keep speeding if the cars in front were heading towards a brick wall? Sure, it’s important to keep up with the flow of traffic, but do so within the posted speed limit. If another driver is too close, safely move out of the way and let the vehicle pass. It’s better to do this than risk a crash or a speeding ticket.

7. I was only going 10 km/h over the speed limit and that’s OK. Actually, if you speed up to 20 km/h over the limit, you could get a $138 ticket. Also, the faster you go, the longer it takes to stop. At 30 km/h, it takes 18 metres to come to a full stop. At 80 km/h, it takes 76 metres. Think of what that looks like when trying to avoid a person, an animal or a large truck.

8. I have to go to the bathroom. Lame. This is something you likely learned from your mom and teachers over the years—“always use a washroom before you leave.” Plus, this excuse won’t hold up with the cops. There are plenty of gas stations and rest-stops along major roads and highways.

9. I was having an argument with my spouse and wasn’t paying attention. Sure, we all have arguments from time to time (Canucks game vs. Canadian Idol, playing golf vs. a visit to the in-laws…). But these are far better resolved outside a car. If you simply must resolve the debate, pull over and park. It’s safer. Plus, you’ll make it home in one piece after your mother-in-law’s sumptuous cedar plank salmon.

10. I’m sick and am going to the hospital/I’m about to give birth. Really? If you’re that sick or about to give birth in the driver’s seat, call an ambulance. You’re not trained to drive like an emergency medical technician, a police officer or a fire fighter, so stick with what you know and drive safe. Call a professional and get there safely.

Fines for speeding range from $138 to $483. As well, as of January 2009 , drivers who have one or more excessive speeding convictions will pay a Driver Risk Premium (DRP). For more information and tips, visit www.icbc.com.

http://www.icbc.com/about%20ICBC/news_room/2009news_releases/may_09

[int36ra]

You’re not trained to drive like a police officer, so stick with what you know and drive safe.

LOL,

otherwise a good read of what excuses not to use when caught speeding, jk, stick to the speed limits on the streets

[124Y]

Personally, I do not agree with some of these situations as "excuses"
Don't get me wrong though, driving over the speed limit is wrong, period.
However, I want to point out that being late for work seems more like a "reason" and not an "excuse", as an excuse seems like something you can call bullshit on, like "my car doesn't go that fast". Let's say your wife IS really about to give birth and the cops see that as an "excuse" instead of a "reason" to why you are driving fast. I'm sure the cop will be more understanding as exceptions may be made.

[slammer111]

At 30 km/h, it takes 18 metres to come to a full stop. At 80 km/h, it takes 76 metres. Think of what that looks like when trying to avoid a person, an animal or a large truck.

A quick number crunch shows that ICBC assumes people decelerate at 0.20G during a panic stop from 30km/h and 0.33G at 80km/h. Unless you're driving a semi or are some 70-year-old grandma, this is simply incorrect. Most cars can easily do 0.4-0.5G, if not much higher. Are they using data from the 70s or using snowy conditions or something? Either that or they're assuming everyone on the road drives like a retard.

I remember reading some article where some guy got ticketed in the States (back when there was the blanket 55mph rule) for speeding @ 65mph, then when they raised the limits on the same highway past 65 he wrote the DOT and asked for his money back. Of course they didn't return it. So much for "safety".

If the majority of the population is breaking a rule, perhaps it's time to see if the rule is really that valid. There's a reason why cops turn a blind eye when you go 10-20 over. Even they do it.

You guys realize that a lot of the speed limits (specifically highways) were arbitrarily set (and in many cases artificially low) and do NOT reflect current conditions right?

[Marco911]

Why is driving above the speed limit wrong?

[Nvasion]

cuz its too fast and dangerous!!!!

[Ferra]

a lot of these are just bullshits
6. I was just keeping up with traffic. Drivers aren’t like cattle in a herd—would you keep speeding if the cars in front were heading towards a brick wall? Sure, it’s important to keep up with the flow of traffic, but do so within the posted speed limit. If another driver is too close, safely move out of the way and let the vehicle pass. It’s better to do this than risk a crash or a speeding ticket.YOU are much much more likely to cause and be in an accident if you are traveling at speed significantly lower than the traffic. That's just common sense and facts.

7. I was only going 10 km/h over the speed limit and that’s OK. Actually, if you speed up to 20 km/h over the limit, you could get a $138 ticket. Also, the faster you go, the longer it takes to stop. At 30 km/h, it takes 18 metres to come to a full stop. At 80 km/h, it takes 76 metres. Think of what that looks like when trying to avoid a person, an animal or a large truck.Even the retards know the faster you go, you long it takes you to stop. Using the same logic, maybe we should reduce the limit from 50km/h to 40km/h? but then, 30km/h is actually safer than 40km/h. What about 20km/h or maybe even 10km/h? They are definitely much safer and I am sure that would reduce the number of death and injury from car accident.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

a lot of these are just bullshits
YOU are much much more likely to cause and be in an accident if you are traveling at speed significantly lower than the traffic. That's just common sense and facts.

Even the retards know the faster you go, you long it takes you to stop. Using the same logic, maybe we should reduce the limit from 50km/h to 40km/h? but then, 30km/h is actually safer than 40km/h. What about 20km/h or maybe even 10km/h? They are definitely much safer and I am sure that would reduce the number of death and injury from car accident.

werd that seems the fucking bullshit ICBC is trying to sell us.

WOWWWW the slower we go, the less death we get! YAYYYY

new fucking rule

10km in school zone, 40km in city. 55km on hwy.

i guran motherfucking tee we wont have any retards dieing in car accidents. yayyyyy :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::thumbsup:

fucking stupid, lame ass slow traffic limites. 80km on our hwy no.1 :rolleyes::rolleyes: wat kind of highway is that

[AzNightmare]

The problem is that ICBC teaches people lower speed = safer.
Not better driving = safer.

Lots of accidents are seen as, "the driver should of slowed down"
instead of "he should of drove better (shoulder check, not yap on the cell, learn to steer properly, know your own dimensions of your car and surroundings, etc)"

[taylor192]

Using the same logic, maybe we should reduce the limit from 50km/h to 40km/h? but then, 30km/h is actually safer than 40km/h. What about 20km/h or maybe even 10km/h? They are definitely much safer and I am sure that would reduce the number of death and injury from car accident.
Do you have any common sense?

The speed limits are set to a reasonable speed to be able to stop. Your suggestions aren't reasonable.

[taylor192]

However, I want to point out that being late for work seems more like a "reason" and not an "excuse", as an excuse seems like something you can call bullshit on
All reasons (excluding acts of god) for being late are excuses, there is NO good reason to be late. Being late only shows how unprepared you are.

Watch the ICBC commercial about the guy running late for work. If he got up earlier he'd be able to take his time and not rush.

[muteki]

^ There's more reasons to be late for work than "waking up late".
Building caught on fire, neighbour needed help, kid had a fever, whatever.

[ilvtofu]

my mom tried to get away with number 5 once,
saying she was in a smart and couldn't possibly go that fast.
But she was going 80... in the city...

[BNR32_Coupe]

UYc875zkDxg

[Ferra]

Do you have any common sense?

The speed limits are set to a reasonable speed to be able to stop. Your suggestions aren't reasonable.
What's considered reasonable?
given the same situation, the slower you go, you faster you are able to stop.

To an 80 years old who can barely walk, driving 30km/h is reasonable
To a professional driver with 20 years of road experience, driving at 80/h is reasonable. Where do we set the line?

[Ferra]

All reasons (excluding acts of god) for being late are excuses, there is NO good reason to be late. Being late only shows how unprepared you are.

Watch the ICBC commercial about the guy running late for work. If he got up earlier he'd be able to take his time and not rush.
How about before you head out to work, you get a call from:
- Friends asking you to give him a ride home cause he just got into an accident
- girlfriend telling you she is about to commit suicide
- hospital telling you your mother has been in an accident
- police telling you your daughter was raped last night
or you get down to your garage and found your car stolen (happened to me)...etc

There are millions of legitimate reasons for being late and beyond one's control, don't talk like a saint

[RacePace]

My top reason:

Because I feel the need......for speed *cue Top Gun music*

[taylor192]

Building caught on fire
You cannot be serious?

[taylor192]

What's considered reasonable?
given the same situation, the slower you go, you faster you are able to stop.

To an 80 years old who can barely walk, driving 30km/h is reasonable
To a professional driver with 20 years of road experience, driving at 80/h is reasonable. Where do we set the line?
The line has to be set somewhere, or just ban driving at all. Which would you prefer?

If an 80yo can barely walk, they probably should be driving.
Professional drivers do not have pedestrians on course.

Are you done with the exceptions to the rule? Or are you going to find every minority that the law doesn't account for and ignore the majority it does? Please let me know I'll ignore you.

[taylor192]

How about before you head out to work, you get a call from:
- Friends asking you to give him a ride home cause he just got into an accident
- girlfriend telling you she is about to commit suicide
- hospital telling you your mother has been in an accident
- police telling you your daughter was raped last night
or you get down to your garage and found your car stolen (happened to me)...etc

There are millions of legitimate reasons for being late and beyond one's control, don't talk like a saint
Don't be a drama queen.

If any of those occurred, I would be calling work to let them know.
That would be the "responsible" thing to do, you wouldn't know about taking responsibility cause you have an excuse for everything.

I did account for "acts of god" ie things beyond your reasonable control. Lets not pretend these are a daily occurrence, yet speeding is a daily occurrence.

[taylor192]

My top reason:

Because I feel the need......for speed *cue Top Gun music*

LOL awesome!

I speed too, yet I'm not going to make an excuse for it. I make the decision to speed and live with the consequences.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

How about before you head out to work, you get a call from:
- Friends asking you to give him a ride home cause he just got into an accident
- girlfriend telling you she is about to commit suicide
- hospital telling you your mother has been in an accident
- police telling you your daughter was raped last night
or you get down to your garage and found your car stolen (happened to me)...etc

There are millions of legitimate reasons for being late and beyond one's control, don't talk like a saint

+1

there are days were u need to be in a hurry. Those who talk as if they are never in a hurry is fucking bullshiting, we are all late for watever the shit we need to do at certain time of our life. and those are the days we wonna get from Point A to point B in no time

[achiam]

Those are all weakass!
My friend turbo'd his GS400 back in 2000 (holy crap 10 years ago!)
and was testing the top speed and got busted.
The cop asked him, why were you doing X speed?
And he replied he was trying to break the sound barrier. The cop actually laughed!

[g604]

Best excuse. I blame it on the a.a.aaalachaol baby

[InvisibleSoul]

11.) I need to rush home to check new posts on RevScene!!!111

[Rich Sandor]

Actually the #1 reason why people speed is because the speed limit is too low.

[124Y]

All reasons (excluding acts of god) for being late are excuses, there is NO good reason to be late. Being late only shows how unprepared you are.

Watch the ICBC commercial about the guy running late for work. If he got up earlier he'd be able to take his time and not rush.

All reasons for being late are excuses, but I'm talking about reasons for speeding. If he IS running late for work, then it's a reason that he's speeding. If he says he's running late for work, but he's not even going to work and he just made that up, then that's an excuse. In this case, being late for work is not a reason to be speeding. However, if someone is dying and you are rushing him to the hospital, I think the cop will be more reasonable if that's his "reason" than pulling that "excuse" which isn't even valid.

[dual]

My Economics prof said seat belts make people feel safer which means they will drive faster. If you put a 6 inch dagger sticking out of the steering wheel, people will slow down. Petition to have mandatory driving dagger:

1. Dual
2.
3.

[Gh0stRider]

my friend used the washroom one, cuz he had to take a dump. it didn't work..lol

[Gary Oak]

UYc875zkDxg
:5shots::bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl:

[Blue92]

At 30 km/h, it takes 18 metres to come to a full stop. At 80 km/h, it takes 76 metres.

It does not take my car over 250 ft to stop from 80km/h. LOL. I don't think many cars have braking systems that shitty. ICBC Fail.

[sonick]

If a girl is in the car with you and the cop is a guy: "Yeah, her period just started and its really REALLY heavy and she doesn't have any tampons with her, and ITS. JUST. EVERYWHERE."

[rsx]

The washroom one can potentially work....just roll up your windows, hope to god you can fart on cue and that it smells..once he rolls down the window, boom like a punch in the face..

"officer, I know I may have been going a little fast, but that's because I sharted and I can feel the shit seeping through my pants..."

[Roach]

Although I believe there is merit to ICBC's list of inexcusable excuses, some focus should be placed on re-assessing current speed limits.

I commute on many of the local highways, racking up 48,000kms a year and can honestly say that highway speed limits are not reasonable. Vehicles now have far more powerful engines resulting in higher top speeds and faster acceleration.

As an experiment, I've tried doing the speed limit on some of the local highways and I can honestly say I didn't feel safe as cars basically weaved around me like I was a pylon. Going the speed limit disrupts the flow of traffic which is IMO, more dangerous then travelling 20km/h over the limit. Try tapping on your brakes on the highway and watch the waves of trouble it can cause.

Making lists is great, but I would like the Ministry of Transportation to share with us the rationale for setting speed limits where they are. I bet that research dates back to the 80's.

Kev

[jeff_alexander]

How about before you head out to work, you get a call from:
- Friends asking you to give him a ride home cause he just got into an accident
- girlfriend telling you she is about to commit suicide
- hospital telling you your mother has been in an accident
- police telling you your daughter was raped last night
or you get down to your garage and found your car stolen (happened to me)...etc

There are millions of legitimate reasons for being late and beyond one's control, don't talk like a saint

Then you make a phone call to the person and tell them you are going to be late because certain matters came up instead of speeding to make up for the lost time.

[q0192837465]

i'm alwasy the slow driver that piss ppl. Dun hate when u see me.

[freakshow]

The article is poorly written ICBC propaganda.

Is this the guy who wrote it? He's listed as 'media contact'.
Kim Thé
(604) 842-5023

[taylor192]

All reasons for being late are excuses, but I'm talking about reasons for speeding. If he IS running late for work, then it's a reason that he's speeding.
No, its still an excuse unless he's got a good reason (act of god) for running late.

[Roach]

The article is poorly written ICBC propaganda.

Is this the guy who wrote it? He's listed as 'media contact'.
Kim Thé
(604) 842-5023

It is written in a very informal manner. With some pop culture correlations thrown in. Likely to reach out to the younger demographic - the "high risk" drivers.

Kev

[sonick]

It is written in a very informal manner. With some pop culture correlations thrown in. Likely to reach out to the younger demographic - the "high risk" drivers.

Kev

Should've written it in Chinese. :haha:

[dark0821]

i dunno.. some of these sound ledgit kinda.. the being late for work thing? i mean.. ya.. you should have left ur house earlier.. but still..

[Psykopathik]

"there is a gang hitman after me because i was dealing on their turf. Please let me off with a warning, Officer"

[tegz]

I think the speed limit is set to accomodate all kinds of weather and situations.

For example, on a sunny day, the average person could easily cruise along 50 km/h roads like broadway, 41st, and whatnot at 70 km/h..

But the 50 km/h is a good limit, because for old people, or when it rains or snows, especially here in BC it happens alot too.

[Carl Johnson]

How about before you head out to work, you get a call from:
- Friends asking you to give him a ride home cause he just got into an accident
- girlfriend telling you she is about to commit suicide
- hospital telling you your mother has been in an accident
- police telling you your daughter was raped last night
or you get down to your garage and found your car stolen (happened to me)...etc

There are millions of legitimate reasons for being late and beyond one's control, don't talk like a saint

so you believe those "reasons" justify for you to speed and put other road users in a vulnerable position which could cause you further delay if got into an accident?

[TylerY]

I'm more interested in the excuses that DO or DID work for you

[124Y]

No, its still an excuse unless he's got a good reason (act of god) for running late.

I'm talking about reason for speeding, and you're talking about reason for running late.

[taylor192]

I'm more interested in the excuses that DO or DID work for you
The last time I got pulled over was in Ottawa, and it was for speeding through a red light (just changed to red before I entered the intersection). It was late, I was tired and just wanted to get home so I thought I could beat the light, unfortunately not seeing the cruiser parked at the light.

I slowed and pulled over to wait. When the officer came up to me I was polite and respectful, "yes officer", and it helped I was wearing shirt/tie (from work) so I looked the part too. I was expecting many tickets (speeding, running red, any illegal mods) yet only got a warning for no insurance (I had not put the pink slip in my glovebox, I had insurance).

Moral of story: I don't think excuses work, I think being polite and respectful does.

[124Y]

so you believe those "reasons" justify for you to speed and put other road users in a vulnerable position which could cause you further delay if got into an accident?

Speeding doesn't mean you drive like a maniac. Speeding 20 km/h over the speed limit, which is like 5-10 km/h over the traffic flow speed to those situations are understandable. We are human beings and not robots. You are overestimating your ability to have no emotional attachment and underestimating how human beings react to these situations.

[TheKingdom2000]

cuz its too fast and dangerous!!!!

you mean too fast and furious right? :thumbsup:

[AzNightmare]

Well... I did get lucky once and got away with saying, "my mom wants me to bring the car back home asap."

Well first of all the cop accused me of running a red, not speeding (but I was probably going at least 80 to run a yellow. I didn't run a red).

After I told the cop my excuse, he said, "It's not gonna help if you don't get home in one piece. What will your mom think then?"

Then he took my DL and insurance paper, went back to his car, came back 5 mins later and let me go without anything.
I even specifically asked him after he was walking back to his car "No ticket?" Probably not the smartest thing to ask, but I was just totally confused at the moment.
But he said "no, no ticket. slow down"

[SlowRider]

how does the icbc point system work ? ? its not really telling me much on icbc website ..

if u get 1 speeding ticket is it 3 points ?

at what point do you lose your license for excess points ? is it 9 ?

and how much money will 4 points cost ?

[hk20000]

my friend used the washroom one, cuz he had to take a dump. it didn't work..lol

take a shit on the seat in front of the officer like that epic thread back a few years...(damn I can't find that thread anymore but someone posted on RS asking for help when his frd diahhrea (sp?) in his driver's seat when he was rushing for toilet....it was a Civic SiR or something.) :haha:

[124Y]

how does the icbc point system work ? ? its not really telling me much on icbc website ..

if u get 1 speeding ticket is it 3 points ?

at what point do you lose your license for excess points ? is it 9 ?

and how much money will 4 points cost ?

$300 to pay the premium if you get 4 or more points deducted.

[Nightwalker]

11. I'm drunk as fuck Are those disco lights? Hand cuffs! KINKY!

[nipples]

did it say a swift ...a SWIFt....can go between 160-320kmph?!?!?!?!?!??!

[nipples]

^ nvm...i thought it said "not the bird, the suzuki"

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

speed limite is too fucking slow thats why people speed.

cruising on the hwy feels like a turtle crawling out of bed

[BNR32_Coupe]

speed limite is too fucking slow thats why people speed.

cruising on the hwy feels like a turtle crawling out of bed

its not too slow. drive a small car, like the original mini, a geo metro, a scooter capable of highway speeds, etc. you'll see that 80km/h's feels very fast, and requires a lot of concentration.

now, let's say those vehicles that feel fast at 80~120km/h set the lowest standards of vehicles eligible on our highways. how fair is it that these 1~5% (guessing) of the vehicles on the road have to suffer from 95% of the traffic zooming past them 40 - 60km/h FASTER relative to their speed? that would feel equivalent to standing in the middle of oak street when all the cars are zipping past you. not very safe now is it?

you might say "well then, we should eliminate the 5% of slow cars to better the roads for everyone else" but we can't do that because it isn't fair for people who are too poor to afford fast cars, but can't take public transit for whatever reasons. therefore, the speed limits we have today are reasonable for everyone. bottom line: not everybody has an m3, some people still granny shift, not double clutching like they should