Reckless Driving + Speed Contest in MD

[kskjaeger]

What is the name of your state? - MD

Got hit with a ticket for speed contest and reckless driving going around a bend on a four lane (two lanes in each direction) highway. My friend had come around from behind me on the road leading up to the bend, and passed me. We were both going at a high rate of speed. My car understeered into the turn and slid into the left lane; at this point I realized things were a little shaky and slowed down, but I didn't have enough traction- my car fishtailed back and forth somewhat. I brought my car to a stop. My friend made it through the corner, but I think his transmission upshifted, causing him to lose his already tenous grip on the road - he fishtailed on the straight, and brought his car to a stop as well.

An officer was set up in a speed trap right behind us, and caught up to both of us as we were stopped. He issued both of us citations for speed contest and reckless driving.

My friend and I had no prior agreement to race, nor did I communicate to him any desire to race. I was driving at a high rate of speed, and he merged into the left-hand lane from behind me and passed.

My record is completely clean and I have never been in an accident.

Fines are $580 for reckless.
$280 for speed contest.

Reckless is 5 points; speed contest is 6.

I've already got an attorney, but have yet to talk to him in depth (prepaid legal, no court date yet set = not much in the way of communication), but I'm wondering if anyone here has been through this before.

The officer stated that he clocked someone going 57 in the 40 mph zone, although he did not refer to which one of us he clocked. He did not write this fact down either.


Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Do you know yoga? Now might be a good time to start.

 

[kskjaeger]

Not helpful.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Not helpful.

Oh, I disagree whoeheartedly! It is most helpful. Without it, you run a very serious risk of permanently damaging your back when you try to kiss your ass goodbye after the hearing.

Best of luck to you, and your ass. Cheers!

 

[kskjaeger]

Anyone with actual insight, or a desire to help?

Any experience/info is appreciated, thanks.

 

[RedemptionMan]

Anyone with actual insight, or a desire to help?

Any experience/info is appreciated, thanks.

Insights into what? You were racing your friend on the highway and got caught. This is not 1970 and you are not in Vanishing Point. Traffic offenses can be made super serious these days. Everything has a consequence and big brother is watching. You just need to throw yourself on the mercy of the court and hope for the best. Hire an attorney....

 

[kskjaeger]

Believe me, I have already beat myself up about this enough already. It pisses me off particularly because I never usually do this kind of stupid crap...but it doesn't matter how you drive 364 days out of the year; if you do something moronic on day 365, its all it takes to get someone hurt.

I've already hired an attorney; I intend to plead Guilty on Reckless, and, pending his/her advice, Not Guilty on Speed Contest.

Anyone who has been through a similar experience in MD, faced similar charges, or known someone who has, please let me know what you went through.

I don't see anything rude or offensive about this question. I'm not defending my actions, so what is the purpose of the cyncism? As far as I am aware, this is a forum for legal advice and information, not snide reproach and self-gratification.

Just to outline the facts,

- Clean Record
- No accidents
- fishtailed going through a corner
- brought car to a stop, then officer showed up

 

[You Are Guilty]

I (and presumably everyone else reading this) am at a loss as to what you are asking? Your chances of being found guilty? What will happen to your driving privileges? What color underwear the judge will be wearing? None of us are named Nostradamus, so we can't answer "what if" questions.

You got hit with the two most serious driving offenses after DUI. What do you think is going to happen? The judge will spring from his chair and start singing showtunes when he hears you plead guilty? You are going to be assessed massive fines, likely several thousand dollars, you may have your license suspended or revoked, your insurance will skyrocket for the next few years, and you will owe a lawyer a bunch of money.

Thus, the yoga advice.

 

[RedemptionMan]

Just to outline the facts,

- Clean Record
- No accidents
- fishtailed going through a corner
- brought car to a stop, then officer showed up


and in his mind this makes all the difference in the case.... LOL

 

[kskjaeger]

Where'd I say it makes a difference? If you'd take the time to read my post...I'm just putting out background info. If I had 2 DUIs I'd post that as well. Well, no, if I had 2 DUIs I'd be screwed and glued. In my state, reckless is not a criminal misdemeanor.

 

[Robbie0723]

What does your attorney think will happen?

With your record, dressing nice and being sincerely apologetic won't hurt.

You could spend a morning in court to see how things go in similar cases. At least you will find out if you need to bring your toothbrush to court.

If you enjoy driving enthusiasticly, once this is behind you, look into autocross via a local car club. It's a lot more fun and much less expensive in the long run.

 

[kskjaeger]

You're right...I've been trying to get involved with SCCA Solo 1, but I haven't found the time. Maybe if I had done so, I'd have my head more level about me when I made the decision to drive that way. (and, succedingly, not done that.)

Thank you for the polite and constructive attitude.

 

[Robbie0723]

In North Carolina if pulled over for speeding and the officer asks for a reason, we just say "Officer, I wasn't speeding, I was qualifying."

The behavior is more wired in to some people that others so it is best to redirect the energy where it can be dissipated safely.

San Diego has a great idea where they addressed street racing by sponsering a racing program to give people the opportunity to take it to the track. The local LEO's even have cars they race.

Code 4

See Race Legal

"The results are impressive. Year 2003 data show a 99% reduction in organized illegal street racing activity in San Diego and a 79% improvement in illegal street racing involved crash mortality/morbidity. Year 2004 produced a 55% improvement in illegal street raicing crash involved death and injury. Year 2005 has produced a remarkable 94 % improvement in illegal street racing related mortality/morbidity when compared to the baseline year of 2002. "

 

[kskjaeger]

Very interesting, thanks for the input.

I'd like to reiterate, however, that I was not involved in a speed contest with the other vehicle ticketed. How much of this charge is up to officer discretion?

A vehicle merged from behind me, passed me, and continued. We were both travelling above the speed limit....but with regards to racing, shouldn't they have to prove guilt?

 

[You Are Guilty]

Very interesting, thanks for the input.

I'd like to reiterate, however, that I was not involved in a speed contest with the other vehicle ticketed. How much of this charge is up to officer discretion?

A vehicle merged from behind me, passed me, and continued. We were both travelling above the speed limit....but with regards to racing, shouldn't they have to prove guilt?

Let's assume the officer testifies exactly as you described above (I'm sure he will have more to add, but for the sake of argument). What do you think the natural conclusion of the judge will be? You just randomly accelerated to the point of losing control at the exact same time someone else did and it was not a race? Remember, intent does not need to be shown.

Many, many years ago, when I received my one and only moving violation, I was in a somewhat similar situation. I accelerated "briskly" from a red light (up to 5mph over speed limit) at the same time a car in the other lane did. I got pulled over for "speed contest". Although I wasn't racing, I only managed to talk my way into a speeding ticket instead by noting that my car was 12 years old and had 88hp, while the other car was a brand new V8 Camaro, and no idiot in his right mind would race a Camaro in an Escort.

Flash forward to the hearing date, where about half a dozen other people cited for speed contests by the same officer came to contest their tickets. They went a perfect 6 for 6 on convictions that day

Anyway, screw Solo I, unless you only plan on driving in parking lots the rest of your life. Try some road racing.
www.tracquest.com
www.tracktime.com