Buzz Kanter Busted - Unfair Laws & Fines Motorcycle Laws Discuss Buzz Kanter Busted - Unfair Laws & Fines in the Other Topics forums; Earlier today I was rolling west on I-80 in Pennsylvania. The roads at the time time dry, clean and relatively light traffic. The speed limit was posted 65 and I ...

[Buzz Kanter]

Earlier today I was rolling west on I-80 in Pennsylvania. The roads at the time time dry, clean and relatively light traffic. The speed limit was posted 65 and I guess I was a bit over it but didn't feel I was doing anything crazy or going much faster than all the other traffic around me.

Then I saw a trooper parked on the middle median with radar. I eased on my brakes as I pulled up to him (along with at least 2 other cars going about the same speed). The cop pointed at me and signaled for me to pull over, which I did.

He told me I was clocked at 81 in a 65 zone. And, to be honest, I might have been going that fast, as were several other vehicles at the time.

I was polite and friendly. He walked back to his car with my registration and license. When he returned he told me he was not going to cite me for speeding which is expensive and would put points on my license. Instead he ticketed me for "failure to obey traffic control devices" which he said was a cheaper fine and no points.

Fair enough I figured until he handed me the ticket - which was for only $25. Nice! Then he explained all the other fines that go with it. They are:
Fine $25.00 (for speeding)
E.M.S. $10.00 (Emergency Medical Services Act)
MCARE $30.00 (Medical Care - Availaibility & Reduction of Error Fund)
COSTS $34.50 (Court costs - even if I plead guilty and mail in the money)
J.C.P/A.T.J. $10.00 (Judicial Computer Project/Access to Justice)
TOTAL DUE $109.50


WOW!

[Hammerhead Pat]

Sounds like it would have been easier to get the ticket and then take an on-line course to keep the points off your license. Just slow down mister, you're not at Maxton for goodness sakes

[BluesFan]

$84.50 is a decent percentage of $25.

Guess the others got tired of the police getting all the revenue.

[BluesFan]

Also, I hate you for being able to ride while I am 3 states away from my bike for yet another week of classes.

[sgtcowboyusmc]

In California a Marine Buddy of mine got a Using a Cell Phone while driving ticket and it was supposed to be $25.00 in wound up after all the extra's to be $96.00
Ouch! Bad enough the fines are outrageous, but they add all the extra "We need Money" taxes and it is getting ridiculous. In the old days I never worried about tickets. I had a New Mexico Drivers Lic. while I was in the Corps and at that time they didn't give points so I just payed my tickets and new I was always going to be in the penalty box with my insurance company so I just lived with it. Now in AZ they do the points thing and you risk loosing your license so now with fines being outrageous and your drivers licenses on the line, I have slowed down considerably. Watch out in PHX AZ too they use the camera's all over now! Still sweating my last trip there. The 1st one might have got me

[Bigincher]

You got off fairly easy, Buzz, the way I see it....

Here where I live, the minimum amount a driver can be fined is something like $117. I think that's good for up to 10-over. After that, it's so much more for each MPH past 10-over.
In some jurisdictions, the court may allow an offender to take an 8-hr 'Drivers Education' class. Nope, cannot be on-line, must be in person. Usually held at Community Colleges. Once completed, the certificate goes on file, and if there are no more offenses in a one-year period, the original citation is tossed.
Oh, how much does the class cost? When I did it several years ago, it was $175. Plus a $100 "filing fee" with the Court Clerk. But, when it was all over, my record remained spotless.
(If they ever look back to my early life, they'll be shocked at my driving record...!!!)

[Chris Maida]

Geez Buzz! You just left the office a few hours ago and you're in trouble already! And you say Joe K. and I get out of control when we're on the road.

Just busting them a bit, bossman. How often do I get to do that?

[unclepsycho]

Now you know why I used to just out run them guys....

Last ticket i got in the work truck ... after all the fee's and then the on-line traffic school to keep points off my record.. total was well over $300 I didnt want to add it up... I just wrote a couple checks and did the tests and forgot about it. till now

[rjrivero]

Everyone knows when a trooper waves at a biker, you're just obligated to wave back.

[Bigincher]

Originally Posted by unclepsycho

... after all the fee's and then the on-line traffic school to keep points off my record..

Around here, they don't accept "on-line" traffic courses. Have to do it in person, an 8-hour course. Ruins a whole Saturday.