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My Speeding Ticket
So I get this speeding ticket in Columbus GA, for traveling 40 in a school zone during the restricted hours when the speed limit is 25. Here is the scoop…
Sequence of Events
1:30 - I stop for a late lunch at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, by myself. The restaurant is located *inside* the school zone. I neglect to notice or make a mental note of this. The school zone sign is not flashing when I pass by it.
2:00 - School Zone speed limit comes into effect
2:05 - I leave the restaurant, pull out of the parking area and make a left onto River Rd. To the right, up the road is the back of the school zone sign, not visible to me. The very first speed limit sign that I see (and have the opportunity to see) says “40”. I am accelerating to 40 mph as I notice the motorcycle policeman near the sign. I pass him at 40 mph, he pulls out behind me and flashes his lights.
My Analysis
At no point on this trip have I seen a speed limit sign that says anything other than “40”. I assume that I just missed the sign, but I ask him just to be sure. Did I have an opportunity to see the sign, given the spot where I pulled out from the restaurant? He mentions that he can pull me over 1 minute past the time the school zone comes into affect (which was not the question I asked him at all). Befuddled I curse my luck and drive back to work.
I took some pictures but you can't make out the signs. The pictures were taken from the location where I pulled out of the restaurant parking. To the right I have circled the BACK of the school zone sign alerting oncoming traffic of the school. To the left I have circled the “Speed Limit 40” Sign, which is located inside the school zone. I made a left and got pulled over just around the bend.
Discussion
Did you call him “Sir”?
of course.
That is nonsense.
I remember my dad encountered a similar situation a couple of years ago. He ran a stop sign because a bus was stopped and completely blocked the stop sign from his field of vision, and he got a ticket. I'm not sure what happened… I think he went to court and they fixed it. You could ask him.
I'll ask him. He's a lawyer too so that can't hurt.
Maybe you shouldn't have been driving while black, which is a crime where I live. Seriously, go to court and tell this same story to the judge. He'll probably negate the points and reduce the fine a little, but you obviously fell into their money trap and they will want your money to get out. Good luck.
Is there any resolution yet? Happy, I hope…