I had the feeling this would happen. I had the feeling when I told my manager I would be driving into work instead of calling a cab. I had the feeling when I was driving on empty roads. But I still let my mind slip into cruise control.
So...heading into work at 2:45am, I cruised across Anzac Bridge. Near the end, I saw a cop jump back in his car, and glancing down at my speedo i was revving past 75 at the time. And Anzac Bridge is a 60 zone.
Cops tailed me for awhile until we got onto Bathurst St, then pulled me over.
"Do you know how fast you were going". He showed my his reading.
90.9.
I was shocked. "There's no way I was going that fast!"
Anyway, the cop gave me a ticket for doing 15-30km/h over the limit. That carries a $234 instead of $81.
The situation has finally settled in my mind. I spent last night wondering whether I should fight it but now I'm somewhere closer to resigning to the fact....so since I'm not sure I'll ask the internet (i.e. you). What should I do?
a) Pay the fine. It only equates to $24 per year I've been driving.
b) Fight the fine. The camera was more than 10% out, which is redonkulus.
c) See if I can reduce the fine to $81.
Key facts:
- I've never had a fine of any sort before.
- I was DEFINITELY not doing more than 80.
- The fine is technically correct. I wouldn't be writing this if is radar was in the 75-80range.
In a different gear, some slow-shutter picture I took on Obervatory Hill the other day...
4 comments
fight!
1) "I wasn't going past 75"
2) You should believe me because I have been driving for 10 years and have not received a fine. i.e. On the ground of good beahviour (which I didn't wualify for because I had only been driving 5 years...boo)
3) They don't like it when you fight.
mwah
Posted by: trish | August 9, 2008 3:32 PM
Always worth a shot. What I don't understand is why you were going to work at 2.45am?
Posted by: matty | August 10, 2008 7:26 PM
that totally sucks man.. im for fighting as well. although i wouldnt actualy say what speed ure were going. There is no point to incriminating yourself.
btw very nice photos... how long of a shut do u need to get that kind of shot?
was the rest just lit by moonlight.. i c the clouds have some light which is kewl.. was this just after sunset or something?
Posted by: muz | August 11, 2008 3:37 AM
bblearrarrgggh.
OK, so I found out I have a shot at requesting leniency because I have never had a fine in "10 years". I'm not 100% about the 10 years though...it depends how long I had my Ls for, and if they count that. Anyway...I rung up, and I have to wait for the SDRO to get notice of my fine....which could be another few weeks.
I was going to work to check that our implementation had been done correctly. I got there, checked a few things and by the time I got home it was 6am.
It's mostly city lights, lamp posts and moonlight....about 20sec exposure at f4.
Posted by: Joel | August 12, 2008 5:42 PM