Md: Caught speeding on camera, police officers refuse to pay tickets

Canadian Press ^ | 3/9/08

[Mr. Brightside]

Caught speeding on camera, police officers refuse to pay tickets

16 hours ago

ROCKVILLE, Md. — No matter what the cameras say, some drivers are refusing to pay dozens of $40 speeding fines.

Who? Police officers.

In the last eight months of 2007, Montgomery County's new speed cameras recorded 224 cases in which police vehicles were recorded travelling more than 15 kilometres an hour over the speed limit, according to department records.

Supervisors dismissed 76 of those citations after determining the officers were responding to calls or had valid reasons to break the speed limit.

But that left 148 who didn't have that excuse, and about two-thirds of those citations haven't been paid, said police Lt. Paul Starks.

The police union says officers shouldn't pay because the citations are issued to the owner of a vehicle, in this case the county, and not to the driver.

Police Chief Thomas Manger doesn't buy that argument.

"We are not above the law," Manger said. "It is imperative that the police department hold itself to the same standards that we're holding the public to."

Manger said officers who continue to ignore citations might be disciplined.

[Living Free in NH]

So by the same logic, if I get a speeding ticket my bank who owns the loan on my car should pay for my ticket ?

Your logic is incorrect.

How about a rental?

[ktscarlett66]

Well technically and legally, the union is correct. The cops’ names are not on the title, they don’t pay the insurance, repairs, taxes/tags/registration. And tickets are issued to the owner of the car. If they find that it was truly not an emergency, they should set up some way to be reimbursed by the officer assigned to the car.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen a LEO speeding without having lights flashing. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen but I’ve never seen it. I would bet that the majority of the time they are on their way to a call but didn’t turn their lights on.

[Sooth2222]

Arizona: Police Arrest Man for Driving Impossible Speed Scottsdale, Arizona arrests a man after speed camera alleges a rental Hyundai traveled 11 MPH faster than it could travel.

Pargo in Hyundai Sonata

Scottsdale, Arizona police have arrested Lawrence Pargo, 26, for speeding based solely on the evidence of its photo radar machines that registered his vehicle traveling at an impossibly high speed of 147 MPH. Scottsdale police maintain that Pargo's rented silver Sonata drove between 102 and 147 MPH past four speed cameras on May 21 at around six in the morning. Pargo's Hyundai, according to the manufacturer, has a drag-limited top speed of 137 MPH.

"This is a rental vehicle so it is doubtful that it could attain even this maximum speed," said Eric Skrum, spokesman for the National Motorists Association. "At a bare minimum, this is a ten-mph discrepancy and obviously an invalid ticket. I would suggest that rather than investigate this individual, the police should be checking their own equipment. This needs to be a top priority as there is no telling how many other drivers have received unjustified tickets."

Automotive reviewer Robert Farago wrote of the car, "only an Impala driver would mistake the Sonata LX for a high-performance sedan."

Police hope to collect at least $800 in tickets from Pargo. Scottsdale has jailed a number of motorists accused solely by the camera. One motorist was arrested after flipping off the camera at an alleged 82 MPH.

Source: Man arrested in 147 mph Loop 101 violation (East Valley Tribune (AZ), 6/2/2006)

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/11/1162.asp

Oh, the police sure can ID you! They usually choose not to, lest they create a scene like the torch-weilding villagers outside of Dr. Frankenstein's abode. Mostly, they just collect their fines, so they're happy. Generally, revenue enhancement is the goal of this Big Brotherism. They could care less about points or safety. 147MPH Hyundais notwithstanding.

[bikerman]

I have had that happen more than once so what I do is get behind the officer and follow at a safe distance the same speed he is going haven't been stopped for it yet. I also check to see if any officer is wearing a seat belt and if not I will take down the car # and report him to headquaters.

[steelyourfaith]

Some laws are premised on logic, i.e., speed kills, hence we have speed limit laws.

Some laws are premised on illogic, i.e., it is the vehicle and not the driver that is liable for violation of the speeding laws.

Yes, the legislature is often to blame for insanity. Nothing new there.

[billakay]

I think the answer is to go to court and force the prosecution to meet their burden of proof that you (the respondent) was actually the person who committed the crime.

Cross Exam:
Respondent: Does the intersection camera clearly show that I was the person driving the car?
Testifying Official: No
Respondent: So why am I being charged with a crime?
Official: Because the car was registered to you.
Respondent: Can you prove that I was the driver?
Official: No
Respondent: I am finished with my cross-examination.
Respondent: Your honor, I motion for dismissal based on lack of evidence.

Of course, this assumes that you live in a state (like mine, Pennsylvania) that still has a burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt for ALL crimes, including traffic infractions.

-Bill

[relictele]

Just imagine government health care!

Anyone drawing a government paycheck would magically be moved to the front of the line for office visits, prescriptions, even operations & transplants!

[redreno]

[unixfox]

By your logic we could also apply that to gun laws?

If someone uses MY REGISTERED gun to shoot someone, I'm responsible?

B.S.!!

[Katya]

that’s exactly what would happen...but you can go to court over these tickets. this is why they don’t give you points for speed cameras..there is NO way of knowing who was driving.

[steelyourfaith]

I see. It is the driver afterall who bears the responsibility.

So how come the speeding police officers refusing to pay their speeding tickets?

[SamAdams76]

The cameras definitely threw a money wrench in the old system of issuing friendly "verbal warnings" whenever an off-duty cop pulled over for speeding pulled out his badge.

I know a police officer personally and this is exactly how it works. If you are off-duty and get pulled over, simply show your badge and you will never, ever, get issued a ticket.

[Loud Mime]

Put the cops in Yugos. No speeding, no problem.

[Popman]

Glad you cleared that up. I now can sleep at night.

I didn't even have to type in caps to make my point

[CodeToad]

Just another example of cops out of control and believing they are not citizens but our masters, above our laws. Any cop late paying their speeding tickets should be suspended without pay until they do and fired if not paid after 30 days.

[CodeToad]

“The department revokes driving privileges for the officers involved (this may include reduction in pay, benefits, and rank) “

Or termination: Can’t drive? Get off the payroll.

[Tribune7]

They can drive with pride!

CHECK THIS OUT. THE VIDEO OF THE SONG!!!!

[Pablo64]

Yes, I acknowledged that in post #14. (Lack of sleep and proper caffeination).

:-)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[Joe Boucher]

Watch out, they may do to you what they did to Rodney King.
Seems they have no sense of humor when they are made to look bad.