Fuddrucker
Junior Member
I left my bank the other morning on my way to work. I was doing around 40mph (35 zone) down a twisty two lane road, no vehicles were in sight in front of or behind me. As I came around a turn, I noticed a sheriff's cruiser tailgating another vehicle in the oncoming lane.
As both vehicles went past me, the cruiser did a u-turn in the middle of the road and pulled me over.
There were two deputies in the cruiser, and the passenger approached my car. He didn't say why he pulled me over, he simply asked for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. I complied, he commented that I was local, and asked why I was doing 49 in a 35 zone. I told him that I wasn't, and he repeated that I was.
He returned to the cruiser, checked all my information, and had a discussion with the driver. He came back and handed me a ticket for $158.50 and 3 points, listed as 49mph in a 35mph zone. This is my first moving violation (I have a prior paid ticket for failure to change address on DL), so it didn't occur to me to ask where he got the 49mph.
As I was pulling away, he flipped his lights back on and u-turned back in the direction he was initially travelling.
Several questions:
Is it even possible to have gotten a speed reading on me while moving in the opposite direction? I don't know for a fact that they weren't running a RADAR or LIDAR device, but since that wasn't the speed I was travelling and I don't understand how a reading could be obtained under those circumstances, I can only assume they were not.
What's the best way to find out for sure? Also, does anyone know if Florida has a law requiring them to share the officer's notes if I request them?
Also, can anyone tell me what the extra $58.50 on the ticket is for? Florida Statute 316.189(1) states that the fine for 14mph is $100. I can't find any information on whether or not Volusia County assesses additional fines.
Thanks in advance for any input or advice, I'd call the courthouse but I don't want to respond until I'm sure how I want to proceed.
As both vehicles went past me, the cruiser did a u-turn in the middle of the road and pulled me over.
There were two deputies in the cruiser, and the passenger approached my car. He didn't say why he pulled me over, he simply asked for my license, registration, and proof of insurance. I complied, he commented that I was local, and asked why I was doing 49 in a 35 zone. I told him that I wasn't, and he repeated that I was.
He returned to the cruiser, checked all my information, and had a discussion with the driver. He came back and handed me a ticket for $158.50 and 3 points, listed as 49mph in a 35mph zone. This is my first moving violation (I have a prior paid ticket for failure to change address on DL), so it didn't occur to me to ask where he got the 49mph.
As I was pulling away, he flipped his lights back on and u-turned back in the direction he was initially travelling.
Several questions:
Is it even possible to have gotten a speed reading on me while moving in the opposite direction? I don't know for a fact that they weren't running a RADAR or LIDAR device, but since that wasn't the speed I was travelling and I don't understand how a reading could be obtained under those circumstances, I can only assume they were not.
What's the best way to find out for sure? Also, does anyone know if Florida has a law requiring them to share the officer's notes if I request them?
Also, can anyone tell me what the extra $58.50 on the ticket is for? Florida Statute 316.189(1) states that the fine for 14mph is $100. I can't find any information on whether or not Volusia County assesses additional fines.
Thanks in advance for any input or advice, I'd call the courthouse but I don't want to respond until I'm sure how I want to proceed.