olapua

I was driving on Interstate 5 here in Oregon about 7am Mother's day. Doing about 70mph on the freeway when I see LEO lights about 60 yards behind me. So I pull over and the officer says he was pacing me at 70 and that I was starting to pull away from him. Got a ticket for $195.00

Interstate 5 is designated 65 mph though most people drive about 10 miles over the limit. However, this particular small section of the freeway is monitored by the City of Tigard and has a 55 mph designation. Its a good source of money for the city.

Any ideas on how to defend whan an officer cliams that he was pacing me? He couldn't have been following me for more that a mile or so, and I dont' believe he got closer that 50 yards before tagging' me. I'd like to fight it. Thanks

cpl9190

You could always argue that if he wasnt right on your tail then he got the speed slightly off. If he was off by say 6 mph, which is arguable, then the ticket will be a lot less money, and may carry no points, depending on the traffic laws in your state. Id say thats really your only option. You could try to plead ignorance to the switched speed limit, but im not sure if that would go well.

Also, how long was he 50 yards behind you for? Was it the whole mile?

i_heart_my_DB8

You admit you were going about 70.

He says he caught you going 70, by pacing you.

Why is it that you think he couldn't have been following you for more than a mile or so, and how long do you think it takes to pace somebody?

olapua

I don't know how long it takes to pace someone's speed, but I do think that the pacing car has to be driving at the same speed.

I first saw the patrol car about 60 yards behind me and approacking quickly so he was accelerating. when I looked at my speedometer it read 70 but my speed was probably ranging from 66 to 70.

I'm not trying to justify driving 70 on an Interstate, but I do have the right to a hearing and to put the State through the burden of proof that the officer did pace me and was not just guessing. And if I was only dong 66 then maybe fine will be reduced and no points on insurance.

seoulbro

One of my family members is a police officer in NJ. I would recommend taking it to the traffic court. Most judges will reduce the penalty and/or the fine. Most police officers give 5 mph either way for the speedometer error. Good luck!

1putt

If you want to go and fight it plan on it costing you more $...........
I just drove 800 miles to plead guilty for 83 in a 65 and got it dismissed by paying a $235 fine.

RedY2KS2k

So you admit he's right: you were driving 70.

Good luck. I don't know how it works there, but here in Ohio the system is rigged to ensure that it's easier/cheaper to pay than to fight.

whiteflash

Go to court. Plead no contest. Pay your fine. Move on.

You have no chance to beat this, it doesn't take more than 10 seconds of going a speed to tell if someone is going faster or slower than you. You were written at 15 miles above the speed limit. At least here in california you have a 4mph 'critical rate' extension. If it's the same there you're never going to get off saying that the cop was 11mph off. And I seriously doubt the fine of 65mph vs 70mph is any different. You aren't nearly close enough to wreckless driving for it to go up that much

Saki GT

Sounds like a speed trap, if he pulled you when you went from 65 to 55 - I'd fight it on that.

hippo and dog

^^i agree. speed traps are where cops are really less lenient!