[bimmer2008]

Guys I am not sure where to start. It was a very light traffic morning commute and the traffic flow was about 70 to 75 mph. I was trying to merge onto another highway(I-75) at a split, realized I was almost gonna miss the turn, I smashed on the gas for a split of a second and was trying to pass the car in front of me so I can make the merge. 10 seconds later I noticed a cop on a motorcycle poped out of nowhere and then was tailgating me like he's trying to climb onto my car.

...

He ended up writing me a ticket for doing 87 on a 55 zone (I had no clue that the entire section of I-85 inside of the I-285 bypass has a speed limit of only 55!). I just checked the fine for speeding in the City of Atlanta, speeding more than 24 to 29 mph is $750, and it does not even list the fine for speeding over 29 mph. Plus the recently passed Super Speeder law which adds $200 on top of the total fine, conservatively I am looking at a total of $1k in fines.

I have not had a speeding ticket in the last 3 years and do not any points on my driver's license. What should I do to reduce the fine? I heard in Atlanta that you can go to a defensive driving school prior to the court date, and plead guilty and then beg for mercy. What should I do?

Not sure if he actually used a radar gun to test my speed but on the ticket it does have some numbers for the radar serial# and caliberation check. Description for the offense is simply "speeding".

I truly appreciate any inputs you guys have.

[F32Fleet]

It is 55 mph on all highways inside I285. I can't help you on the driving school.

[benzo23]

Good luck fighting that, Ask them if you can get a discount for paying cash for you huge fine that your about to pay lol, oh and watch your insurance go up when your renewal comes around. Even if you were in a 70mph zone you were still going 17 over. So you would of been fucked either way. So pay the price like we all have before and learn from it.

[JoosyJoos]

Wow that sucks... pretty rare to get pulled over on I-85. Normally I'd say that speeders have it coming to them but in Atlanta that's not too fast--- pretty much 5 over the speed of average traffic. No one does 55MPH on I-85 or 285.

Good luck battling the ticket.

[bimmer2008]

Originally Posted by JoosyJoos

Wow that sucks... pretty rare to get pulled over on I-85. Normally I'd say that speeders have it coming to them but in Atlanta that's not too fast--- pretty much 5 over the speed of average traffic. No one does 55MPH on I-85 or 285.

Good luck battling the ticket.

It is south of downtown right before 75 and 85 splits again, I work at the airport and have been taking the same route for like 2years, and yea who the hell drives 55 on I-85... purely bad luck I have to say.

[fdriller9]

That's pretty bad....almost as bad as my 90 in a 55. In Jersey, anything over 90 is wreckless driving....5 points. 30 over is also 5 points.

I got wreckless driving dropped though.

Good luck man.

[bimmer2008]

Originally Posted by *********

That's pretty bad....almost as bad as my 90 in a 55. In Jersey, anything over 90 is wreckless driving....5 points. 30 over is also 5 points.

I got wreckless driving dropped though.

Good luck man.

Here it is not yet wreckless driving but it's 6 points. Honestly I don't really get many tickets and do not care about the points, just want the fine to be reduced...

[taibanl]

Dude. Get a lawyer to plead it down to lesse offense

[dirtdiver]

sorry to hear that. Go to court and pray. hope the cop won't show up. May be half of the amount u have to pay. If u had a nice record. U might able to get away. If u lose u have to pay for the ticket and insurance will go up so it is worth to try. U have nothing to lose anyway. Juz try. And good luck.

[BTTGMan]

passport 8500 or 9500 should be your next immediate purchase - or you should drive the speed limit.

[bimmer2008]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Dude. Get a lawyer to plead it down to lesse offense

I heard if the cop had you clocked then the chance of walking away is very slim, plus hiring a lawyer costs money too. I could now really care less about the points since it is just "speeding", I just hate paying $1k for a speeding ticket. Deffensive driving here costs $75 and I think it's worth to take it prior to court date.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by bimmer2008

I heard if the cop had you clocked then the chance of walking away is very slim, plus hiring a lawyer costs money too. I could now really care less about the points since it is just "speeding", I just hate paying $1k for a speeding ticket. Deffensive driving here costs $75 and I think it's worth to take it prior to court date.

Unless you're a doctor.....my father always just says he's on call and has just been called into the hospital for an emergency.

[bimmer2008]

Originally Posted by BTTGMan

passport 8500 or 9500 should be your next immediate purchase - or you should drive the speed limit.

I have had my V1 for like 4 years on my previous B6 A4 and Evo9, failed to hardwire it into the bimmer the first time and just got lazy. I learned my lessons the very hard way.

[BTTGMan]

Originally Posted by bimmer2008

I have had my V1 for like 4 years on my previous B6 A4 and Evo9, failed to hardwire it into the bimmer the first time and just got lazy. I learned my lessons the very hard way.

bummer! it's an absurdly easy hardwire. i did it in 10 minutes using an "add-a-fuse" from autozone, and a $9 amazon hardwire cord. i am not at all experienced with any wiring.

[J-Spec Dan]

Offer to take a defensive driving course

[bimmer2008]

Originally Posted by BTTGMan

bummer! it's an absurdly easy hardwire. i did it in 10 minutes using an "add-a-fuse" from autozone, and a $9 amazon hardwire cord. i am not at all experienced with any wiring.

yea I used to tap the V1 wires into one of these "hot" fuses and it would work. Didn't work for me the first time on the bimmer then I thought I will just one day buy the add-a fuse kit, my procrastination has cost me for fortune.

[BTTGMan]

Originally Posted by bimmer2008

yea I used to tap the V1 wires into one of these "hot" fuses and it would work. Didn't work for me the first time on the bimmer then I thought I will just one day buy the add-a fuse kit, my procrastination has cost me for fortune.

great DIYs on here for the add-a-fuse option, tell you the best fuses to plug into. with your experience it may even be a 5 minute job. dont wait any longer man! sorry about your luck.

i say send in paperwork to go to court. you can change your mind. i wouldnt get a lawyer, just do your own research.

do some research. you may be able to argue a statutory exception.. lots of states have an exception where you need to speed for safety sake e.g. merging and about to get cut off. worth a shot. odds are they will cut the cost in half and send you on your way.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by bimmer2008

It is south of downtown right before 75 and 85 splits again, I work at the airport and have been taking the same route for like 2years, and yea who the hell drives 55 on I-85... purely bad luck I have to say.

Yep. Basically you're ok if you keep it under 75 & with the flow of traffic. GSP is really only interested in super speeders.

[BMCoupe_782]

That sucks man. Good luck.

[BreakPoint]

We need a driving school forum.

[wren57]

Your dad is gonna be pissed.

[IancoleTX]

The corrupt system gets to fuck you for $1000, and that's not counting the insurance company, they get a piece too.

And this is one of the reasons why people hate cops.