You're Going to Get a Traffic Ticket Soon
How soon? Well that depends on what kind of shape your state's economy is in. But from the experiences I have been gathering from friends, relatives, co-workers, and of course my own life, I think it's safe to say you'll be paying some sort of penalty within one year.
I've written about speeding tickets before, and parking tickets, too. There was a time when a traffic violation was a rare thing in your life. In fact, some people (like my own Father In-Law) have never once received a ticket. But the clock is ticking on his perfect record, and if you have one, it could soon be tainted.
The reason is simple. Money. Actually, a severe lack of money. Every state in America is feeling the ill effects of the past decade, and they are all desperately looking for ways to balance the budget. And time and again, one reliable source of income in tough times has been traffic tickets.
Check out this lovely fact, discovered by researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock:
A 10% decrease in revenue growth caused a 6.4% increase the following year in the growth rate of traffic tickets.
That's no coincidence. No way. What are the odds that when times are tough, and people have less money, they suddenly throw caution to the wind and start speeding more, or tailgating, or running red lights? It would have the opposite effect actually; the less money you have, the less likely you are to do anything to jeopardize it.
And yet, in tough times, tickets go up. Nationwide, the average speeding ticket is around $150. And in the U.S., 93,000 speeding tickets are issued every day! (That is an updated, and more accurate, number from the previous article I wrote.) Simple math will lead you to the princely sum of $5.1 billion! That's not exactly a sum you can slash from the budget. In fact, it's easy money for the state to collect. And now that the cupboard is bare, your Old Mother Hubbard state is looking at you for the cash. (Those and many other engrossing facts are listed here.)
As USA Today reported (and I myself recently experienced) the old 5-10mph cushion that officers used to allow for motorists is disappearing, and fast. Several officers I talked to in the course of researching this article told me that anything more than 2mph over the speed limit is a moving violation, and subject to a fine and points. That 2mph is basically a margin of error for their equipment, they are not saying 2mph over is ok.
At the same time I was being told this, I also learned about "ticket hauls." What are they, you may ask? Well, on the days that the officers assigned to traffic duty, they have to bring in as many tickets as possible in a certain period; usually around four hours. You will recognize a ticket haul when you see several police cars and bikes pulling over motorists on the side of the road, usually in a notorious speed trap for that area.
My recent incident involved an area that should by all accounts be a 55mph zone (I say this because across town there is an identical road, in the same urban surroundings, that has 55mph and 65mph posted limits). The road was a 30mph zone, rising to 35mph, which I find so odd as the roads around my home, a very suburban neighborhood, are 45mph. Anyway, I didn't see the 30mph sign (thank you tree), stuck to a few over 35mph and got a ticket. The officer had to explain why I was pulled over as I was clueless, and even had to show me the exact point at which the road went from 30 to 35, and how they clocked me just before it. He said it looking down at the ground. I think it was shame, I can't be sure. Now I have a $110 fine and 2 points on my license, not to mention a nice hike in my insurance rates.
And because of all of the above, it means everyone is now a candidate for a ticket, whether it's speeding or something else. Even if you drive like Miss Daisy, you are in the crosshairs now.
You see, speeding may be the most popular form of traffic ticket, but it's not the only one. Aggressive driving tickets are on the up (check out TACT for more information) and you will get a fine and 2-4 points on your license for driving aggressively. This includes cutting of other cars and trucks, tailgating, passing on the wrong side, staying in a truck's blind spot and more.
Then there are the other violations that used to be just a warning. A headlight out, for instance, is a ticketable offence. Texting and driving, or any other kind of cell phone use, is very ticketable (with good reason). Technically, you're not even supposed to eat or drink anything whilst driving, despite the cup holders. And then there are those red light cameras. They have been proven not to deter anyone from running a red, but there are more of them going up daily. The reason? Ticket revenue.
You can bet your bottom dollar that the authorities are now using every traffic violation available to increase their ticket hauls. And before you go cursing out the officers, don't. They have about as much choice in the matter as you do. These are orders, and are imposed because of budget issues. Basically, issue the tickets or watch jobs and equipment get cut. And it's all done under the banner of "making the roads a safer place." While that's obviously true, and we all want safer roads, why is safety so much more of a concern when your state has a budget crisis?
That's the bad news. Now, what can you do about it?
Not much. For those who say "don't speed then" you are making a more complex issue way too simple. Sometimes, you genuinely believe you are obeying the speed limit, hence the name "speed trap." You may even be so careful that you go too slow, and once again the ticket book can come out. But here are a few tips you can use above and beyond your usual driving ways. They probably won't prevent the inevitable, but they may help delay it significantly.
Use Your GPS to Monitor Your Speed
If you have a GPS in the car, and it's any good, it will tell you not only how fast you are traveling but what the posted limits are for the roads you are on. I switch mine on whenever I'm driving now, and keep my speed in the green bar, which occasionally turns yellow (you're a few mph over). If it goes red, even for a second, I take my foot off the gas.
Do Not Just "Go With Traffic" and Expect to Be Safe
It's a common excuse that used to carry water, but not any more. If you are doing 65mph in a 55mph zone, because everyone else is doing it, then you can still get a ticket. True, it may be harder for the officer to single you out, but it doesn't mean they won't do it. Use the slow lane if you have to. And that leads nicely to my next point.
Do Not Give in to Road Hogs and Bullies
I was doing 41mph in a 40mph zone today. The pick-up truck behind me was so close, I could see the driver hadn't shaved in a few days. He was weaving around, putting his hands up in the air, making obvious gestures that I was a slow coach, before finally leaning on his horn and then overtaking me on a blind corner. It's not easy to drive under that pressure, but you are doing nothing wrong. And the people who tailgate you, they'll be getting their ticket, and financial lesson, long before you will.
Watch Your Speed at all Times
It can creep up on you, especially if you use cruise control. Keep your eyes peeled for signs and stay at the speed limit or just a fraction above it.
Do Not Be an Aggressive Driver
TACT is being enforced now, in various states. If you get too close to a truck or car, or cut one off, you could see a ticket. Give every car on the road plenty of room. I think one car length for every 10mph of speed is good.
Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape
If you don't have a modern car, it may not inform you that a light is out. Check the lights regularly, you do not want a ticket for something as small as a $15 bulb change. Also, poorly maintained vehicles stick out like a sore thumb. You want your car to be something that does not attract attention.
Avoid Driving on Public Roads
Not easy this one, but try taking a bicycle to the library or coffee shop. Take the bus or light rail to work. Those are ways to virtually eliminate the chances of a traffic ticket.
Wear Your Seatbelt At All Times
Seems like a "duh" suggestion, but if you get pulled over for a traffic violation and your seatbelt is off, that's another ticket. Of course, you have no reason not to ear a seatbelt anyway, so "click it or ticket."
Stay Away From the Fast Lane
This is reserved for overtaking, or at least it should be, but is usually inhabited by drivers who like to floor it. And if you keep up with these guys, you're in the ticketing zone.
Watch for the Police
They will park their cars in similar spots each day, and will drive unmarked cars that are covered in mirrors and aerials. Keep your eyes peeled. Don't rely on a radar detector either, they are not reliable and only serve to really annoy a cop if you're pulled over.
Pay Attention to the Headlight Flash
Other motorists will warn you if they notice a cop car ahead of you by flashing their lights. If you notice it, they're not being friendly, they're telling you to slow it down.
Watch Motorists Around You, Especially Ahead
If you notice more brake lights coming on than usual, there may be a speed trap ahead. Truckers also communicate with each other, so if the trucks around you slow down, do the same. They may already know of a police car in wait.
I'm sure you can think of more ways to stay alert, so please, leave them in the comments area. Now, I'm not advocating speeding in this article, I am against anything that is unsafe driving. But I think that we are now, as a society, having to pay for our government's shortfalls by getting these tickets that are completely unnecessary. Drive safe everyone.
Additional photo credits: WoodleyWonderWorks, Richard Faulder
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Don't forget: flashing headlights to warn drivers of a speed trap is generally a ticket-worthy offense, as well.
WRONG. It is a violation of Federally protected free speech. To anyone reading this who may have received a ticket in Florida for warning other drivers, please contact me.
Most states have several cases where tickets like this are successfully challenged - mine is among them. Warning drivers to 'pay attention' is one of the last remaining civilities we have as drivers. Being afraid that big brother will ticket you for trying to communicate is a poor excuse.
Yup, been driving 35 years and got my first ticket last week. 2 miles per hour over the posted 45 mile an hour speed limit. Because of gas prices I've been trying to avoid both the gas and the brake pedals, and I was coasting down a short hill when I got caught. There were THREE police cruisers at the bottom of the hill and another one had pulled someone over just ahead of me. Can you say "speed trap?" Nothing better to do I guess and the city needs money.
2 miles over the posted speed a fightable ticket. Most laser/radar are accurate within +/-5 mph. Most municipalities will not even write a ticket unless you are going 6 mph over
One rule that I know has saved me a lot of problems is "the 3-second rule", and I actually prefer to use "the 5 or 6 second rule"; i.e., maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you. You need to allow plenty of space in case the car ahead brakes suddenly, which happens a LOT. I was so glad I'd made this a habit when a car ahead of me came to a sudden stop on an interstate when we had all been traveling at 65 mph. I did not hit the car ahead of me; 6 or 7 cars behind me did. So yes, the rear of my car was damaged, but I was the only one who was not at fault, and insurance covered repairs with no hike in my rates. I also go slower than the posted speed in areas where there are crosswalks. State law requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians, and yet there are places with crosswalks where the posted speed is 40 mph! It's nuts. These are not cases related to frivolous ticketing, but they are serious safety issues, and good driving habits have definitely saved me money and heartache. Four years later, one of the drivers in that accident I described is suing another, claiming the rear-end collision caused them to hit the car in front. I'm so glad I'm not in that boat.
i've never had my speed creep up on me while using cruise control. i find cruise control the most reliable way to maintain the speed limit while on an unbusy freeway
I believe he was referring more to the issue of not paying attention to speed limit changes because you're using cruise control. However, in pretty much every vehicle I've ever driven with cruise control, the car will pull hard to maintain speed up a hill, and by the time you top the hill and begin the descent, you can be a few to several mph over the speed limit. And that is a great way to get busted, because cops love to hide just over rises on the highways/interstates.
Can't get a ticket if you don't drive.... oh how I love riding my bike to work. :)
Jessica,
I hate to burst your bubblke but in most locations bicycles are subject to the same laws as automobiles. If you don't stop at a stop sign or riding against traffic, for example, you can get a ticket.
Just concurring with HARKEN and pointing out that not only can you get a citation, those citations are points on your drivers license---- which lead to higher car insurance fee. Alexandria Virginia and Washington DC police are notoriously bad about issuing citations to bikers.
You forgot to mention to not drive a sports car if you're young, especially late at night. It's really quite annoying to keep getting pulled over and their excuse is always to check if you've been drinking. Driving at 2am, he must be leaving a bar right? The other one is to see if you stole the car. It's the same conversation every single time... "Is this your car? Have you had anything to drink?... follow my finger with your eyes" I understand that times are tough and you have to do what you have to do to get your funding, but why not try fixing the root of the problem before going after everyone else.
Wonderful article. The one piece that I would add is that be prepared financially in case you do get a ticket! This means make an emergency fund and make sure it's funded enough! I recently wrote about how large your emergency fund should be, including factors that will affect the size of your fund.
http://aceofwealth.com/2010/05/how-big-to-make-your-emergency-fund/
Your suggestions to "Do not give into road hogs and bullies" and "Do not be an aggressive driver" sure sound like conflicting advice.
The truck driver whose beard stubble you could see - was he, i.e. were you, in the left lane? Then you need to move over. Staying there when someone's behind you is an act of aggression. I'm sure the truck driver appreciated you doing your part to help him avoid getting a speeding ticket, but that's his business. There are signs on the highways - "Slower Traffic Keep Right". It's not an empty gesture, it's a directive every bit as important as the speed limit signs.
There most likely was not a "left lane" in a 40mph zone. If there were a slow-vehicle lane, then yes, I agree that you should move over if someone behind you would like to pass and you are occupying the faster lane. The issue is the "bully" factor. In my opinion, there is never an excuse for any driver to tailgate another driver regardless of the speed. You can flash your lights at them to communicate that you would like them to move over, but tailgating them is not only rude but more importantly, it is completely dangerous. If you are tailgating them when they are doing one mph over the posted speed limit, they are not the problem, you are.
I tend to speed very little. Whenever someone catches up to me on a single lane road, as long as they aren't aggressive, I pull off to the side as soon as reasonably possible to let them pass. I agree with Greg; not getting out of the way is aggressive.
In California this year the driver I was with got a speeding ticket for $425. He deserved it. It wasn't a speed trap but a great location for catching speeders.
Since having received a ticket 2 years ago (going with the flow of traffic on a road where I hadn't seen a speed sign yet) I am obnoxiously careful to stay under the speed. I will use my cruise control on those roads in town where I am inclined to go faster than the posted limit and especially in speed traps where the posted limit is artificially low. Yeah, I know I shouldn't, but I refuse to get another ticket.
Yup. Been there, done that. Have not had a traffic ticket in DECADES. I made a right turn on red which is legal after 7 pm (which I thought it was). Turned out it was 6:15 pm. Now years ago this would have merited a warning. Nope. Got a ticket. What's more, my jurisdiction is installing automated red light cameras - which are notorious for revenue more than they are for making driving safer. It is a bad idea when the police have a financial incentive to issue citations - when that's true, they find a magical way to start issuing.
And by the way, the flashy light warning thing - you might get a ticket for that too. It's interference with a police operation or something. I read a first amendment case on that one where the defendant lost and the police won. They get you coming and going - as it were.
Right on red only legal at certain times? I've never heard of that... Unless the intersection is specifically marked "no right turn on red" or has a right-turn light (yes, they do exist), then it should be legal.
It is important to note that right-on-red functions essentially like a stop sign. FULL STOP, then go as long as no one else is coming. Rolling right-on-red has historically been something cops will let slide, but it is technically illegal and they CAN ticket you for it.
Where are you located that this isn't the case?
I am a Clerk of Court in Ohio, I have in the past been a chronic receiver of tickets, (my bad). I see lots of things, and in this job I have learned things I never knew before. You can get a ticket for leaving your keys in the ignition of an unattended car, you can get a ticket for flashing a warning that an officer is ahead. I have heard it all pretty much. I am guessing it is similar in most states but in Ohio, the state issues guidelines for speed limits. You may have two identical roads in town, one may be more heavily travelled than the other, one may have a bridge over a creek and that bridge was built by the state DOT who assumes liability for any accidents on that bridge, so they are going to mandate a speed limit of 25 mph because they will not guarantee saftey above that speed. Maybe it has a curve that is dangerous, maybe there is a school on the road. Most people hate 25 mph zones, but in some areas, if there are businesses, a car would never be able to pull out of a parking lot if all the cars are zooming past at 45 mph. In my city we have an intersection where there is a plaza on one corner, gas on two others and a church/school on the last. Needless to say its 25 mph through there. County roads are different than municipal roads, sometimes its who is responsible for the maintenance. If you think about it, most laws are applied common sense. If we used more of it, there would be less need to maka a law for everything.
Be especially careful of being on state highways (not interstates), where limits are 55 mph usually, and then entering into towns where the speed limit usually drops down to a 30-40 mph range. Those entrances into towns are common places for speed traps where officers are just waiting for the person who has not slowed down enough after having driven at a faster pace.
Ditto on the cruise control thing. If you are heavy footed and are not checking your speedometer often enough, you can find yourself relaxing into an excessive speed without even knowing it.
I would add to watch for new speed limit changes on the roads you travel daily. This has just happened on a couple of roads that I normally use. As you can guess, there wasn't a parade or ribbon cutting for these new signs (with reductions in speed of course). It's easy to kinda get in a zone and drive the same way every day and not realize that the speed limit has changed.
Great article! Two other tricks that help: finding some of the free speedtrap (and while you're at it, red light) POIs (points of interest) for your GPS; and, if you have the money for it, buying Uniden's BCT-12 scanner, which gives you a lot of warning if state troopers are receiving or transmitting on their radios - and thus, if they're within a few miles of you.
Yes, I too just received my first ticket, with a line of cars that had been pulled over- yes, I think its a sign of tough times (at least it was only a seat belt thing) Also received a ticket for my dog- I still don't know what for, I asked and he said -oh its just one of those general tickets we hand out for misbehavior. This was the first ticket I had ever received in my life...and I am a parent of a 20 year old (the dog warden had let me off for many other offenses so, i didn't have him specify and just stay as far away from the main trails as possible now) Like the gentleman who wrote this great article sometimes you can break the law without even knowing it! Speed limit changes- dogs not allowed here or there...
Yes, I too just received my first ticket, with a line of cars that had been pulled over- yes, I think its a sign of tough times (at least it was only a seat belt thing) Also received a ticket for my dog- I still don't know what for, I asked and he said -oh its just one of those general tickets we hand out for misbehavior. This was the first ticket I had ever received in my life...and I am a parent of a 20 year old (the dog warden had let me off for many other offenses so, i didn't have him specify and just stay as far away from the main trails as possible now) Like the gentleman who wrote this great article sometimes you can break the law without even knowing it! Speed limit changes- dogs not allowed here or there...
One snowy day I woke up to discover my car towed to a side street in my neighborhood to allow crews to plow. When I found my car, it had a $85 ticket on it. The problem? The city neglected to put up signs saying they were going to plow my street. When I disputed the ticket the mediator even showed me on her computer screen that the by-law officer had noted there were no signs and then she offered to reduce the ticket in half. I said that I would not pay for not being psychic. She then told me a tall tale that the city does not have to put up signs for snow removal. I thought that was somewhat suspicious (okay, pure BS!) so I thanked her for her time and opted to fight the ticket it court. I emailed my city councilor asking why there was a by-law saying it was okay to tow/ticket cars for snow removal without first posting signs. Apparently this was NOT the law. The mediator lied to me. Then I wrote an email to a local newspaper reporter who chronicled my lack of pyschicness in an article and alas, a few days later, the ticket was canceled and I received an apology from the head of by law enforcement for the error. I still think the mediators lie and I doubt that mediator got in any trouble for her misinformation. As a result, my trust level with the city is zero!
I've NEVER had a moving violation (knock on wood) and I've driven several hundred thousand miles since I learned to drive. The point is: follow the laws and signs.
Easier said than done. You must be one of those people that stares at the speedometer and the car in front of you when you drive.
There is always a better way to spend that money you give up for ticket. So don`t speed, be aware of others on the road and warn other drivers by flashing headlights. And don`t forget to respect police officers, at the end they are just doing their job.
If you get a ticket, contest it! Most county court websites will have instructions for how to plead 'not guilty' and depending on your jurisdiction you may not ever have to step foot in a courthouse. If you can't find instructions, just give them a call and ask. If your nice to the people answering the phones they will be more than helpful in getting you the correct forms and explaining the process.
The beauty of the police and court system being understaffed and overworked is that your case will likely be dismissed because either: 1) the officer didn't complete his/her paperwork correctly, 2) the officer didn't submit his/her response to your not guilty plea on time, or 3) the judge knows he doesn't have the budget to schedule a trial so he dismisses the case or reduces your ticket amount.
If none of these occur, you will still be given the option to go to court and make your case to a judge. If you can afford the time off work, then by all means go there and just hope that the ticketing officer doesn't show up. Most likely, your city/county doesn't have the budget to send their cops to testify in court for minor traffic infractions because they are all out writing more tickets.
We've been seeing more and more police cars and state patrol cars out lately. This last winter my husband got pulled over less than a block from the house on his way to work. He got a warning for failure to yield to the car on the right at an intersection. The cop car was behind a snowbank on the corner that was piled so high you couldn't see him. When the cop walked up he asked my husband if he felt like losing $100 that night.
Then about a month ago we were driving home from my parents on the interstate and passed some construction and something in the road caught the underside of our car and we found out when we got back into town about 20 minutes later that it must have pulled loose some wiring in the lights. We got pulled over twice on our not even 5 minute drive from one side of town to the other for having a headlight out.
Needless to say we're both even more cautious and wary of cops and driving now than we were before.
i just recieved a ticket for going FIVE miles over the speedlimit in the middle of the desert in CA and its costing me $229! its absolutely ABSURD!
The economy always brings out the worst in politicians. Suddenly when they have no cash, the first thing they do is tighten up on legislation so it's illegal to do something that was previously legal or they start to target the easy prey, drivers. It really makes me annoyed that drivers are seen as such easy tragets.
I have been tailgated by another driver when I was going the speed limit. The tailgating was very passive aggressive -- and it was CHP car.
This happens a lot in East TN where I live. I believe the Sheriff's deputies and city police are allowed to go a maximum of 15mph over the posted speed limit when heading to a call, but I have them pass me all the time going at least that fast (and most of the time faster) with no warning lights or sirens on at all. Someone told me that they sometimes head to calls in a "no alert" mode or something, but I think it's just a cover to let them fly on the roads with no penalty.
If I had the money and the time, I would have a ball videotaping LEOs breaking all sorts of speed limits, following distance rules, turn signal violations, etc. It's like they think since they can't get ticketed, they can just forget basic rules of the road.
Doing the speed limit in town is easy and almost a no brainer. You're almost always stoping and or slowing down. So flooring it as soon as the light turns green only to stop at the night one not only makes the person like like a dumbass but also someone who does not car about how much gas cost (because they're wasting a lot). I went down a street I live, did the speed limit and just coasted when the light turned red and never had to actually use my brakes the whole way (and this happens often). While the people who keep racing to be the first ones to stop kept looking at me. But I do have a speeding problem on the freeway and will admit it. It bugs the piss out of me how slow it is on most freeways. 55? Really? The highest speed limit I've seen is 70 on a few freeways in some areas and they are: the 15 and 60 in CA. This whole speeding on the freeway is becoming bullshit because I will do the speed limit \, let's say 65 and be in the slow lane (not truck lane) and get passed by EVERYONE, even big rigs! I got pulled over one time because of it. Though I did something and that is why I was driving so slow and told him "I'm driving slow because the speed lmit is 65, if they raised it I would go faster." Then tells me to basicly remember to keep up with the flow of traffic it's safer. So what the Hell?! Keep up with them? And the majorty of them go 80-90 on adverage, then do that, get pulled over for speeding and tell the cop "Oh no it's okay, another cop told me to keep up with the flow of traffic."
I've only gotten one speeding ticket (plan on it being my last too) and one fix it ticket which they are right. If it were a while ago it would have been a warning. What a bunch of crap.
Nice tips there Paul. Driving safety should be taken seriously, especially these days, when everyone is out to make money off you.
i like to have a beer or two while driving. always drive the speed limit exactly,make sure everything is in working order,have front license plate, basically don't give them a reason to get pull over and you'll do fine.there's plenty of boneheads out there to keep the police busy.
"Give every car on the road plenty of room. I think one car length for every 10mph of speed is good."
I think so too, but to do that in L.A. traffic I'd have to drive in reverse!
This is all interesting, since every TV commercial for automobiles advertises them for speed. I do believe that there was once a car that didn't go over 55mph. Now it's 0-60 in 3.5 seconds or something crazy like that.
HI,,I am 62 and granted I shoud not be driving at nite,but do not have a nite restriction code on my S.D.L...I Havr sleep apnea which over the yrs has messed up my memory and instant thought process which also leads to bipolar dpressivi behavior..I am a good samaritan and always donating my time money and help to friends,needy and complete strangers.
I calso have night vision problems which means I delibertly drive slower than the highway speed limit.I was cruissing 55 in a 65 ands got pulled over near Red Oak Ok about 9:30pm.I asked the officer why I was pulled over and he said I was going 55 ion a 4o.I told him I did not see a speed sign much less a city limit sign,he said he had to write me a tickit and threatened to have my Arkansas liescene revoked if I failed to pay the 125 dollars..
I was pissed of course since I was on my way home from helping some people who were living in a tent after their house had burned down,and I felt like crap,now I feel like a traffic cop hater..I love peace keepers,but prediters that are just out fishing for the elderly or impoverished folks are worse off than crimminals and I hope they rot in hell.
It's not about the money,but I was wondering if I go thru this town of 450 dring at 5mph and give the constable the peaace sin with my left hand that is missing 2 fingers.So ion shor my middle finger is intact.gET MY DRIFT.Is it against the law to drive to slow in the city limits if they don't have a min. speed limit posted???
Thanks for bur time
Mad Bastard Hillbilly from Arkansas
I received a ticket today for "Failing to Yield to oncoming traffic". I was stopped at a stop sign, looked both ways and then pulled my car onto the highway. I had plenty of room beetween myself and the car behind me and they did not even have to slow down! When the officer pulled me over he started to tell me I had run the stop sign and I said that I hadn't and waited for a long time to proceed. He then said "ok so you stopped but entered the highway recklessly". I wasn't even going 35 mph when he pulled me over!! It was obvious he was just trying to get revenue on this ticket and I told him it was not fair and that during the time I had been sitting there he should have given every one else entering the highway a ticket as well. Needless to say I am going to fight it but won't win because the system is so backwards. I can't handle driving anymore it's to stressful!! You could be pulled over for anything!