"Performance Award" in Colorado... advice needed.

[lionlady]

Okay. I admit it. We were riding fast... and the trooper had no doubt, already clocked us coming at him, by the time we realized who/what he was going the other way. I saw him pull to the shoulder in my rearview to turn around, and knew we were done.

I was following my "new rider" buddy and she was enjoying the flat open road. I was trying to keep the speed down a bit, but he passed us as I was catching up... No place to run in the open plateau east of Denver, so I slowed and waited for him to catch up. My speed was 85 in a 65 zone. Hers was 83. He reduced my cited speed to 83. Still 4 points. I deeply regret NOT trying the sympathy card and asking for a warning...  

If we pay up ($196) within 20 days, the points go to 2. Any of you Rocky Mountain veterans have any recommendations? Another friend says that there is a way to get the points down to 0. I'm all about that.

P

[DavidLong]

If you're not a Colorado resident, why sweat the points? Take your medicine and pay the man.  In my experience, the only way you can do better is to show up in court with an attorney. It's amazing how much more consideration you will be shown. Or just blow it off, but be sure never to get stopped again in Colordo.

[vulcanbill]

Thelma,

Sorry you and Louise got busted.  Good luck.  

Looks like there is reciprocity b/w CO and MD.    But I guess you knew that.

http://www.aamva.org/KnowledgeCenter/Driver/Compacts/

[Mr. Whippy]

I believe the only way to get fewer points is to go to court.  BTW, I'm a Marylander with a CO child so we have had CO/MD ticket related things before.  Yes, there's reciprocity.

What you MIGHT try is to call the office that would be prosecuting this traffic ticket.  Ask to talk with the attorney responsible for the case.  Be persistent.  They may be willing to plead it down, especially if you're willing to pay full fine plus court costs (ie up the take for the state).

HOWEVER, do this all before the 20 day limit.  No reason to gamble the 2 point penalty up to 4 by missing the deadline.

[Gun Slinger]

My wife was able to get her ticket for like 10 over in a work zone taken care of.
She too had to pay full fines, and go to traffic school for another $50 on top of the $175 in fines and court cost. Then she couldn't get a ticket for 6 months or else this one would be on her report too.

Good luck with that! Seems that all divisions of LEOS are in full swing trying to get money coming in.

[Leanintree]

We have traffic school available? No kidding? When the hell did that happen?
LT

[1KPerDay]

If there's an online traffic school option to keep the points off your license do it. Pay whatever it costs and smile. If you pay the ticket and get points your insurance will jump by about $2K over the next 3 or 4 years.

At least mine did.

I'm never paying a ticket again. Lawyer up or take the traffic school if possible. It's still cheaper than an insurance bump.

[basco]

Nothing matters until the insurance co picks up on it. At least the maps explain something - why my two tickets did not show up in Colorado.

[jbs80106]

Probably varies by county.  in El Paso County, get a ticket for most moving violations, go to court on the appointed day and as if by magic, if you'll pay your full fine, plead guilty to something completely made up (like faulty electrical equipment) the points drop and off you go.  Its a revenue thing.  I think if  you were 10 mph over or less, that would be the case for you.  Change the charge, drop the points completely, pay the fine.  15+ over and I think the best they'll do is the -2 points.  Can't say for traffic school or not to drop the other 2 points.

Call your insurance agent if you have one you're famililar with (don't just call the company).  Often, if this is the ONLY ticket you've gotten in the past year you'll see no bump in prices.  Stay clean for 6 months and these are erased....atleast that's the State Farm way.....

[birdrunner]

We have traffic school available? No kidding? When the hell did that happen?
LT

I knew you never took driving lessons.  

[lionlady]

Well, I just talked to the district court clerk, in Kiowa County, about the possibility of online traffic school to further reduce my points and was told "not in Colorado."  

In the meantime, I registered with TixNIX.com for a free consultation. We'll see how that pans out. I'll keep everyone posted.

P

[Gun Slinger]

That was funny! Just lacking in the "Suck it up Princess" department.


I knew you never took driving lessons.  

[Thundergod]

Nothing you can do - but pay the man.

YOU CANNOT Skip out on the fines....Most states have coordinated-DMVs, which means if you have an unsettled ticket in another state and they report you as a no-show for court....you cannot renew your vehicle registrations until it is taken care of.

[Justin]

It's any state in the Driver's License Compact.. http://www.1800duilaws.com/common/dlc_nrvc.asp

If you have your driver's license suspended in any of the listed states it will suspend in your own state as well. Not like the old days where you could blow a ticket off in one state and hope you never got pulled over in that state again..

[DosEquis00]

On my western trip I was told by many riders that Colorado was a revenue grab state and to be careful. Wyoming and SD were great as they wanted the tourist to return. 30 over and all I got was a warning.

[Justin]

On my western trip I was told by many riders that Colorado was a revenue grab state and to be careful. Wyoming and SD were great as they wanted the tourist to return. 30 over and all I got was a warning.

Yes we are, it sucks.. the po po here are all out to make tax money.

[RodeRash]

On my western trip I was told by many riders that Colorado was a revenue grab state and to be careful. Wyoming and SD were great as they wanted the tourist to return. 30 over and all I got was a warning.

Yeah, right.    Speeding ticket revenue is the principal source of income in Sweetwater County Wyoming.

[Leanintree]

Is it coincidence that the last 4 posters complaining about 'speeding revenue grab' are sporting:  2 Hayabusas, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Conk-14, and 2 GTS 1000’s between them?

Things that make you go Hmmm… I *wonder* if there’s any correlation?  

Leanintree

[scottzilla]

Okay. I admit it. We were riding fast... and the trooper had no doubt, already clocked us coming at him, by the time we realized who/what he was going the other way. I saw him pull to the shoulder in my rearview to turn around, and knew we were done.

I was following my "new rider" buddy and she was enjoying the flat open road. I was trying to keep the speed down a bit, but he passed us as I was catching up... No place to run in the open plateau east of Denver, so I slowed and waited for him to catch up. My speed was 85 in a 65 zone. Hers was 83. He reduced my cited speed to 83. Still 4 points. I deeply regret NOT trying the sympathy card and asking for a warning...  

If we pay up ($196) within 20 days, the points go to 2. Any of you Rocky Mountain veterans have any recommendations? Another friend says that there is a way to get the points down to 0. I'm all about that.

P

Normally I would suggest finding a lawyer in the town you were ticketed but in this case, $196 is NOTHING and 2 points???  2 points is NOTHING.
Be thankful Colorado ROCKS and doesn't rape you for speeding violations.
Send them a check right away.

[DosEquis00]

Is it coincidence that the last 4 posters complaining about 'speeding revenue grab' are sporting:  2 Hayabusas, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Conk-14, and 2 GTS 1000’s between them?

Things that make you go Hmmm… I *wonder* if there’s any correlation?  

Leanintree

Sorry I stand corrected as it is a revenue grab for the safety of civilization.