[cruzer666]

This happened yesterday, on one of the busy freeways (I-15), express lane in Southern California. A CHP officer decided to pull me over for speeding, going 76 miles per hour. (of all speeds). He claimed I was going 82, when I passed him, but clearly that wasn't the case. Doesn't matter much in California since even 1 mile over can result in fine.

Anyone that knows SoCal roads, even though the speed limit is 65-70mph on the freeways, up to 80mph is generally the rule of thumb. Keeps things moving for us.

As far as the law goes, totally at fault here, however, he proceeds to tell me: "Just because you have an i4 doesn't mean the rules of physics don't apply". I ended the conversation with him at that point, politely asked if our business is done and I can go.

Careful out there

 

[cruzer666]

What's the video set-up you run?

ROAV Dashcam S1. https://www.amazon.com/Dashcam-Dashboard-Resolution-Nighthawk-Wide-Angle/dp/B07DF8MQX1
Unfortunately it is no longer manufactured, I just bought an extra one from eBay to have as spare since it's only $50. They said it was refurbished but it was new in box.

 

[cruzer666]

So Ticket or Warning only for your death-defying stunt??

Hey what are the two G-force numbers on there? One is for the curve you are going around, what is the other? Could it be acceleration and you DID get above 80 by the time the cop clocked you?!

Ticket of course (the physics lesson wasn't free ), no big deal though. I took issue with his comment. I'm not sure what the G-force numbers are, I had DAPP engaged so there was no acceleration when I passed him.

 

[cruzer666]

How much is the ticket going to cost you?

$238-$340 depending on the speed he inputs in the system when he logs the ticket.

Regarding points on license and increased insurance costs, we have the ability to do online “traffic school” in California every 18 months for another $30 or so which takes the point off the record, meaning no raised insurance cost.

 

[cruzer666]

That's a drag! As someone who shares the same roads as you, I can certainly attest that median speeds on our LA freeways are around 80mph when we are lucky enough to not be stuck in traffic whereas I certainly feel safer passing cars rather than being stuck in a pack. I am constantly scanning upcoming onramps and traffic for a CHP but my luck will run out someday as yours did.

As I recall, you don't have a front plate. If that's still the case, did you get an hassle over that?

I saw him while I passed him, I didn't believe I'd get pulled over for 76 on the express lane or else I would've slowed down, that's never happened. I take no issue with the ticket, the law is the law, I assume the risk of a ticket every time I go above the speed limit. My main issue was the the fact he didn't like I drive an expensive BMW electric, i4 specifically, given his comment to me.

My main reason for the post was to warn my fellow i4 California drivers about this. I didn't believe the i4 was a "chippie" magnet, but apparently it is, for this officer at least.

I don't believe he saw the front of my car, but you're right, I don't have a front license plate.

 

[cruzer666]

I always thought SoCal freeways had a “as fast as you can “safely go” speed limit?!?

The usually accepted speed limit on the freeways is 80mph. We spend hours each day in traffic going no miles an hour and most officers are OK with us going 80. YMMV

 

[cruzer666]

I'm not reading 5 pages of this, so if someone already said this then apologies.... If he wrote you up for 82 and you have proof that you were not doing 82, good chance a judge will throw that ticket out. Doesn't matter if you were speeding. Misinformation on the citation.

I appreciate the comment. Yes, I have a video showing I never went over 76mph and he wrote "80+" on the speeding ticket. I already admitted I was going 76 to him thinking he'd appreciate someone polite and not trying to jerk him around, but that didn't do me any good. I'll for sure not answer any questions on my next traffic stop. The officer claimed I was going 82mph when I passed him. I have the video showing me passing him and my GPS speed (76).

If he wrote 80mph on the ticket when he inputs it in the system (I haven't seen it yet). It will be the same dollar amount fine as 76. If he inputs 82, it will be a higher fine. In both cases, it is one point on my record, which, if I don't contest I will have it removed by doing the quick and dirty online "driving school".

Do say more why you think a judge will dismiss the ticket even though I admitted to speeding (at 76). Thanks!

Good strategy! What if he had proof he was going faster than the speed limit, is it still misinformation?

I want to know more too.

 

[cruzer666]

It's an inaccuracy; you weren't doing what he said, therefore you're innocent of what he claims you did and have proof you are.

That National Motorists Association site I linked earlier has a lot on this: National Motorists Association - Driver Advocacy

California Ticket smartly says "Speed Approx. 80+". I think that "approx." word gives room for error. I'll look into this.

 

[cruzer666]

It's obviously of no help in this case but it all seems a bit laissez-faire.

In the UK, the police have to use a calibrated speed gun (which has to be recalibrated regularly and be able to produce the calibration certificate) and the reading on the gun its what would appear on the ticket. None of this 'approx' 80+

If they are following you, they will use VASCAR for an average speed, or video evidence, where they will use the highest provable speed.

Local councils use calibrated recording equipment.

Bottom line, no calibrated proof, no ticket.

Do they use speed guns in the USA or do they just take a look and go "looks about 80 to me"? 🤪

We deal in ballpark numbers here, apparently. The system is designed to discourage people from appealing these tickets. Apparently, officer testimony alone is sufficient evidence for someone to be found guilty of a traffic violation. If you dare to ask the state to produce evidence, judge will ask why would the officer be lying.

The risk (of paying thousands in increased insurance policy cost for the next 3 years) of not being able to get the point off the license (otherwise guaranteed by pleading guilty) is not worth the opportunity to prove a point, for me at least. I was speeding and I got a ticket, nothing unfair about that. I only took issue with the interaction and yes, the officer was a d*ck, but who knows what people he deals with on a regular basis.

This was helpful to explore though, I definitely learned a bit from this research. On my next interaction I will have @ssh on speed dial!

 

[cruzer666]

Does the i4 record speed with the video recorder function or otherwise?

It does but it does not do a watermark on the video, it saves it as a text file with gps coordinates and time stamp, pretty useless unless you have software to read the text file and add the detail on the video.

 

[cruzer666]

The BMW Eye 3.0 dashcam embeds speed in the video. A feature you can turn off if you want 😉

The more I read about the limitations of the built in drive recorder, the more I'm pleased I got the dashcam as well.

I always recommend doing a dash cam in addition to the Drive Recorder. It has some uses but it’s not very good and very limited. Resolution is terrible especially if you record on all 4 cameras.

 

[cruzer666]

Your dad would have won on appeal. That was an illegal judgment.

Sure was. Sure didn't matter either Officer could say you were speeding, crossing solid lines and running a red light and they wouldn't need any proof besides their word.