Piggie sure made his nut today

[sanpaku_backup]

I'm driving toward downtown on the Riverway, going down the overpass over Route 9, and bam there's a speed trap. And I am trapped.

I would be surprised if a single car has gone 30 on this part of the road since it was built. It is after all a four lane highway. But you can't exactly say that to the cop, now can you. Or rather you assume that the other 5 cars pulled over said the same thing.

He wrote 40 on the ticket after telling me 44... I'm surprised it wasn't 50.

My friends always made fun of me for being a wuss about speeding, because I really do try hard not to speed. But it is the nature of living here. You sit waiting for 10 minutes for a break in the traffic, and when you get it, you go. This wasn't some residential area, either, just one of the dopey "park" ways they have in lieu of an actual road system... like you will just enjoy the scenery while your chauffeur takes you on a leisurely spin down to the club for cocktails...

Can I blame Robert Moses for this, too? Nuts.

I am rationalizing because I am a speeding virgin. Never got a ticket before in my life (though a couple of warnings, local speed traps both times). Just another reason to dislike living here. People drive like maniacs so eventually you do as well.

Comments

[flw.livejournal.com]

Fuckin' Pigs! See, the worst part of it is when your insurance company finds out. Make sure you fight the ticket and beg the judge to not put any points on your record and point out that everyone always goes fast there (I am assuming this is something like Bigelow Boulevard where the speed limit is 25 and everyone ... everyone drives 50+). You can make an argument, believe me. Judges don't like it when the police pull people over in groups. They used to do this all the time where Banksville turns into the Parkway onramp. They don't do it anymore.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

It really is important to go down and tell your side of the story. They usually erase the points and knock twenty bucks off the fine (though the hearing cost you 17 ...).

[sanpaku.livejournal.com]

So you don't actually have to say "I wasn't speeding"? Coz I was, I'm just nervous about appearing in a hearing and checking off "I deny that I am responsible for the civil infraction charged on this citation," when the pig will be there in court and everything... Do you really think it is worthwhile to say "I was speeding but everyone speeds there?" I just don't want the judge to freak out on me. I have no experience with the legal system to speak of. You never know what kind of Republican you might find there.

I don't care about the $, I'd pay it if it was just that, but I really don't want points or some big rise in my insurance.

Did they really cut out hiding next to Banksville? Cool. Pigs used to be there all the time. Of course there really wasn't anything posted there. I remember your rant about Bigelow Boulevard, and that's a road where (if memory serves) there also is no limit posted. There are signs all over the Riverway saying 30, and for a lot of it, it's twisty enough that you can't go that fast. But on the straightaways everyone picks up speed. It is like any other road in Boston, which is to say that some asshole in a Kia will pass you on the right and the left and weave around to get 2 cars in front of you at the next light. But there's never a pig around to stop that.

[sanpaku.livejournal.com]

Also, best I can tell, they don't put on points for your first speeding ticket... at least as far as insurance is concerned (they have this "safe driver program" that lowers your insurance if you have a clean record).

Of course the only ones who would understand whether it would have an effect or not... would be the insurance company! Who I don't want to talk to. So... eh, I don't know.

Kafka

[flw.livejournal.com]

Don't get all hyped into some Kafka-esque nightmare. You can probably call your insurance company and ask them what to do off the record like. They go exclusively by what is reported at three or four databases. I forget what they are called. But it's not like it's permanent. You are facing higher rates for 3 years.

I just found out about all this because my dad had this cute little habit of getting drunk with our insurance agent and convincing the guy to put his accidents and speeding tickets on my record. I guess they thought it was cute or something. It saved my dad money and cost me a bundle. Standard action for my dad.

This stuff is rectifiable. Anyways, call a radio show, or ask Shasta's Dad... I am betting he'll have advice.

I do think it is important to "have your day in court." The judges hate driving "too damn slow" as much as everyone else, only they don't have to worry about it.

They do try to scare you out of taking your court date by sort of implying that, "If you fight this, you're opening up a whole new can of worms and anything can happen." It might be different in Boston.

Call the court and ask them, "What should I do?" It's a phone call, you aren't under oath. Ask them how these things "go". We're all adults here.

Re: Kafka

[sanpaku.livejournal.com]

Good advice. Can't believe that thing with your dad. Well, maybe I can, unfortunately...

[cocteautwin.livejournal.com]

i'm with you.
i don't speed either.
i got one ticket when i was 17 (28 now).
it's just not worth the crap.
i'm also mellow in traffic...
i just put on my favorite tape and try to relax.
being in a hurry is always useless...
very few things are so important... what you gonna miss "friends"?

The cure.

[one-11.livejournal.com]

Are you a 'burgher like Frank Lloyd Wrong, via whom I come to make your LiveJournaccquaintance?

Cuz if so it's my opinion that there's only one place you can safely speed in that town, and that's Bigelow Blvd between Bloomfield and Downtown. Nowhere for cops to hide. It's the freakin' autobahn. I say you drive there right now and punch it, just leave rubber all up and down the road, back and forth, until you feel better.

Dammit, the Edith Piaf mp3 my pal just gave me has annoying digital squeaks and burps all over it.

Ah.

[one-11.livejournal.com]

Just read the other comments.

So I see you are a burgher, and know already of Bigelow Blvd's glories. Hop to it, then, young man. And wave to the french fries for me.

yeah you know me

[sanpaku.livejournal.com]

Uh... I'm tempted to screw with your head, like saying "nah, I just know 'Frank' and Bigelow Blvd. because I'm a small child who lives inside his bottom right wisdom tooth"... but it's just Lawrence. I thought you'd read his journal long enough to figure that out...

Anyway, goddamit but I hate having to decide on whether to pay the thing or fight it. I just do not have the time.