Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: David Coulthard gets a speeding ticket. In an F1 car.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-david-coulthard-gets-a-speeding-ticket-in-an-f1-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-david-coulthard-gets-a-speeding-ticket-in-an-f1-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-david-coulthard-gets-a-speeding-ticket-in-an-f1-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


David Coulthard demonstrates for Red Bull Racing in Mumbai, India - Click above for high-res image gallery

You can't blame an F1 driver from driving fast. That's what they're supposed to do. Evidently authorities in India feel differently, however, as they've slapped David Coulthard with an enormous £20,000 (approx $33k) ticket for breaking the speed limit. The kicker? It was for a Formula 1 demonstration on a closed-off section of roadway.

The winner of thirteen grands prix (and one of the top points scorers of all time) retired from active racing at the end of last season, but remains a consultant and test driver for the Red Bull Racing team which he helped form. The team recently held a demonstration run in Mumbai, India, drawing a crowd of some 50,000 racing fans.

Part of the route took Coulthard across the Rajiv Ghandi Sea Link. The bridge has a maximum speed limit of 62 miles per hour, and even drops to 31 MPH in some parts. DC, however, was clocked at 162 MPH. As a result, the local authorities are reportedly withholding the £20,000 deposit which the team put down for the event, making for one mammoth speeding ticket. But at least Coulthard isn't stuck paying out of pocket.


Gallery: Red Bull Racing demonstration in Mumbai, India


[Source: Autosport]

REPORT: David Coulthard gets a speeding ticket. In an F1 car. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coultharddavid coulthardDavidCoulthardf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOneindiamumbairajiv ghandi sea linkRajivGhandiSeaLinkred bullred bull f1red bull f1 demonstrationred bull racingRedBullRedBullF1RedBullF1DemonstrationRedBullRacingspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketticketMon, 26 Oct 2009 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Parents of teen with speeding ticket fighting citation with personal GPS data]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/report-parents-of-teen-with-speeding-ticket-fighting-citation-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/report-parents-of-teen-with-speeding-ticket-fighting-citation-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/report-parents-of-teen-with-speeding-ticket-fighting-citation-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It seems as though there may just be a positive side to those unwelcome GPS-based vehicle tracking devices... especially if you are a teenager. Shaun Malone, a 17-year-old California resident, was cited by radar-yielding authorities for driving 62 mph in a 45 mph zone in 2007. Faced with a $194 fine (and some inflating insurance premiums), Shaun's parents fought back arguing their son's vehicle was equipped with a satellite-based tracking device that monitored Shaun's speed - and it showed he was doing 45 mph when he was stopped.

While they can be affected by poor reception or noise in the radio signal, GPS-based speedometers are generally considered the benchmark for measuring velocity. On the other hand, radar measurements are also considered very accurate, as long as the human at the other end of the device is correctly trained and is tracking the proper vehicle. At stake is the credibility of radar. As Doppler-based speed enforcement has become a primary source of revenue for law enforcement agencies nationwide, police don't want their technology challenged. With that in mind, the local Petaluma police have spent a reported $15,000 on the trial. The case is to be decided in the coming weeks.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

REPORT: Parents of teen with speeding ticket fighting citation with personal GPS data originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fight ticketFightTicketGPS trackingGpsTrackinghighway patrolHighwayPatrolLaserLaw enforcementLawEnforcementPetalumapoliceradarSpeeding ticketSpeedingTicketFri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> draws fire for 'glorifying' 210 MPH ticket. Only it's a fake. [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/i-top-gear-i-draws-fire-for-glorifying-210-mph-ticket-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/i-top-gear-i-draws-fire-for-glorifying-210-mph-ticket-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/i-top-gear-i-draws-fire-for-glorifying-210-mph-ticket-only/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Top Gear talks Bugatti speeding ticket - click above to watch video after the jump

ESPN sports columnist Bill Simmons proposed a 72-hour reportage moratorium for the web - that way, news could be vetted before was broadcast to the entire universe. Had that been in effect, the story of Orange County resident Philip Robert Odegard might not have ended up on Top Gear and then upsetting Scottish authorities.

Odegard posted an image of a speeding ticket on his Flickr page. The ticket claimed he was busted doing 210 mph in a Bugatti Veyron in a "65 mph max" zone. Odegard's epic tale made it into the latest episode of Top Gear, where the hosts excitedly talked about the speeding ticket in their news section. Scottish Councillor Mike Raeburn then lambasted Top Gear for refusing "to see the effect this continual reinforcement of the 'speed is good' message has on viewers, particularly younger ones." The head of the Scottish Campaign Against Irresponsible Drivers also had harsh words for Top Gear.

The issue here, however, isn't speeding - it's speciousness. Odegard wasn't busted in a Veyron doing 210. According to some digging done by the O.C. Register, Odegard wasn't busted by the California Highway Patrol at that speeds in any car, let alone a Bugatti. He was clipped in a 2004 Infiniti doing 100. Which is a tale that probably wouldn't have ended up on Top Gear. Somewhere, at the bottom of this, though, it's still all Jeremy Clarkson's fault. You can watch the footage in question after the jump (talk of the ticket comes at around 4:15).

[Sources: Scotsman; O.C. Register; YouTube]

Continue reading Top Gear draws fire for 'glorifying' 210 MPH ticket. Only it's a fake. [w/VIDEO]

Top Gear draws fire for 'glorifying' 210 MPH ticket. Only it's a fake. [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>california highway patrolCaliforniaHighwayPatrolchpfakejeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonocorange countyOrangeCountyphilip odegardPhilipOdegardscotlandspeedingspeeding ticketSpeedingTickettop gearTopGearukTue, 21 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Beware of speeding ticket myths]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/beware-of-speeding-ticket-myths/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/beware-of-speeding-ticket-myths/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/beware-of-speeding-ticket-myths/#commentsFiled under:



We've all heard stories about ways you can avoid or get out of a ticket, but how many people do you know that have actually pulled it off? One? Two? None? Virginia traffic attorney Andrew Flusche probably knows a thing or two about fighting moving infractions, and he came up with a list of some of the "get out of a moving violation free" ticket myths.

You've all heard this one: "the officer won't show up in court if you fight it." According to Flusche, that's flat-out wrong in most cases. In fact, some municipalities pay police overtime for court time, making it that much more enticing to show up, and as Flusche points out, it's the officer's job to show up.

Another common myth is that you can simply plead to the judge that you were going with the flow of traffic. That's the traffic infraction equivalent of "the other kids were doing it." That didn't fly with your parents, and it won't fly with the judge.

The third myth Fusche brings up is the argument that the radar system was poorly calibrated. To successfully argue this point in court, Fusche says that you must first obtain evidence that the equipment is faulty. You can request calibration dates and data, and you can research the information online, but the burden of proof is on you. Without the evidence, the judge will rightfully side with the guys and gals in blue.

[Source: Dumb Little Man via Life Hacker | Image Source: Ramzi Haidarr/Getty/AFP]

Beware of speeding ticket myths originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>moving violationMovingViolationspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketticket mythsTicketMythsFri, 19 Jun 2009 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Feed For Speed: Restaurant issues free pizza for speeding tickets near Ferrari HQ?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/feed-for-speed-restaurant-issues-free-pizza-for-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/feed-for-speed-restaurant-issues-free-pizza-for-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/feed-for-speed-restaurant-issues-free-pizza-for-speeding-ticket/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Officials in Maranello, Italy are cracking down on speeders outside the famous Ferrari factory, as bi-directional radar cameras have been placed on Via Giardini leading to and from the factory. The cameras are sure to nab plenty of Ferrari test drivers, as well as some of the 200,000 patrons who visit the Ferrari museum each year. The speed limit on Via Giardini is 50 kmh (31 mph), which is an unconscionable speed to drive one of the finest machines on earth.

One pizzeria is looking to gain a little publicity from the multitude of tickets destined to be issued from the speed cameras. Ristorante Teatro Caruso di Papozze is giving away a free Velox Pizza to anyone who presents a copy of their Maranello speeding ticket. In order to cash in on the offer, though, you'll have to drive about two hours from Maranello to Rovigo, where the restaurant resides. We can think of few better trips than a two hour drive through Italy for some free, authentic pizza.

There is plenty of resistance to additional speed cameras in Italy, as the area has had more than its fair share of controversy surrounding the devices. 50 cameras were recently confiscated and 81,000 tickets ripped up after it was discovered that calibration documents were falsified. In January, officials from T-Red cameras were arrested and countless city officials are battling corruption charges. Thanks for the tip, Richard!

[Source: The Newspaper | Image: Jalopnik]

Feed For Speed: Restaurant issues free pizza for speeding tickets near Ferrari HQ? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferrariferrari factoryFerrariFactorymaranellospeed cameraSpeedCameraspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit area mayor gets pulled over, demands speeding ticket]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/detroit-area-mayor-gets-pulled-over-demands-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/detroit-area-mayor-gets-pulled-over-demands-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/detroit-area-mayor-gets-pulled-over-demands-speeding-ticket/#commentsFiled under: ,

Our reaction would be markedly different after getting busted for 5 mph over. Rather than excoriate the revenue enhancement agent for harassing a man of the people, Warren, MI mayor Jim Fouts was worried that the verbal warning he initially received might be viewed as favoritism by some.

Amidst chatter of questionable sanity, the mayor rang up the police department later in the day, at which point he reportedly demanded to receive a citation. Police obliged the $100 ticket, which Fouts promptly paid by dispatching a staffer to make the cash drop.

The mayor may have rightly assumed that some might view a warning as lopsided justice, but it's not like he was street racing his Dodge Charger. The gesture is clearly garnering good publicity (which cynically, could have been the objective as well). Further, we have to wonder if all the ceremony and special trips by staffers of both the police and the mayor's own office ended up costing more than the $100 he put back into the revenue pot.

At least it wasn't a red-light ticketbot.

[Soure: WXYZ, Photo: Washington Times]

Detroit area mayor gets pulled over, demands speeding ticket originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jim foutsjim fouts ticketjim fouts warrenJimFoutsJimFoutsTicketJimFoutsWarrenmayormayor request ticketMayorRequestTicketspeeding ticketSpeedingTickettraffic citationTrafficCitationwarren MIwarren michiganWarrenMiWarrenMichiganFri, 17 Apr 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Streaming Mad: $206 in urine-soaked coins is not acceptable payment for a speeding ticket in Washington]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/streaming-mad-206-in-urine-soaked-coins-is-not-acceptable-paym/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/streaming-mad-206-in-urine-soaked-coins-is-not-acceptable-paym/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/streaming-mad-206-in-urine-soaked-coins-is-not-acceptable-paym/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Michael Harold Lynch was ticketed for doing 54 mph in a 35 mph area that was also a construction zone. The fine was $206. Lynch decided to let his anger flow by placing $206 in a plastic bag, peeing in the bag and sending it in. Upon receiving Lynch's little care package, the courthouse staff gave it to a police officer and declined to accept the pungent payment to clear the ticket.

Turns out Lynch didn't break any laws - it's not necessarily illegal to mail bodily fluids. The pee-and-pennies were sent back to Lynch - COD, in fact - with a note that said they couldn't be taken because "the pile of coins emitted a strong, pungent odor of stale urine." Lynch responded by sending a check made out to another agency, which was returned, then he sent a check for the wrong amount. Now he's on the hook for $271 because his payment is late. We wonder what he has in store for number round 2...

[Source: Oregon Live]

Streaming Mad: $206 in urine-soaked coins is not acceptable payment for a speeding ticket in Washington originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etcfineshumormichael harold lynchmichael lynchMichaelHaroldLynchMichaelLynchpee speeding ticketPeeSpeedingTicketspeedingspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketurine speeding ticketUrineSpeedingTicketwashingtonThu, 26 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[What happens when you get pinched going over 100 MPH]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/05/what-to-do-when-you-get-pinched-going-over-100-mph/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/05/what-to-do-when-you-get-pinched-going-over-100-mph/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/05/what-to-do-when-you-get-pinched-going-over-100-mph/#commentsFiled under:

You're looking at the evil red orb through the rear-view mirror of your dad's Corvette (or your wife's Honda Pilot ). Making matters worse, you've just been burning up the asphalt for the past few miles. The ominous light is behind you and changing lanes aren't causing it to go away. Not that any of us ever venture into triple-digit speeds... but what would happen if you got nailed doing 100 mph on a public road?

Well, it depends.

The pain you will soon feel in your wallet (and the amount of time you possibly spend incarcerated) will vary state-to-state. In California, the two points you gain on your driving record will be accompanied with up to a $500 fine and possible jail time. In Virginia, your bank account will lighten by up to $2,500 and there is mandatory time behind bars. Many states use a sliding scale to determine penalties, while others automatically suspend licenses (in addition to the aforementioned treats).

Is there a child in your car, alcohol on your breath or did you make more than a few lane changes as you dodged the normal flow of traffic? Let's hope you weren't racing. If so, reckless driving may be added to your infraction. In many cases, that is a free upgrade to a possible misdemeanor criminal offense. Things get ugly rather quickly, and a decent attorney starts to look attractive, especially if you have been caught before.

According to the experts, the easiest way to avoid this heinous plot... is to simply start slowing down.

[Source: AOL Autos]

What happens when you get pinched going over 100 MPH originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 mph100Mphinfractionreckless drivingRecklessDrivingspedspeedingSpeeding ticketSpeedingTicketThu, 05 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Auto insurance now available for speeding tickets? Kind of.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/auto-insurance-now-available-for-speeding-tickets-kind-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/auto-insurance-now-available-for-speeding-tickets-kind-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/auto-insurance-now-available-for-speeding-tickets-kind-of/#commentsFiled under:



Few things in life ruin a day faster than a speeding ticket. Tickets cost a fortune, and dealing with the local courts to pay the fine can be a pain, too. Terrence Boyd knows how you feel, and he started his own insurance company to ease the pain stemming from just such an experience. For $15.95 per month, Boyd's company will pay up to $1,000 in moving violations and $500 in non-moving violations. The company also features two driver and family plans that cost $24.95 and $29.95, respectively. Individual tickets cannot exceed $350, and felonies, drinking and driving, and reckless driving violations are not covered.

If you think nearly $200 per year is too much to insure yourself against the possibility of a ticket, we're with you. But the business has already gained traction since it started in 2007, as Boyd has accrued 1,700 clients spanning 23 states. Seriously, if you need to insure yourself against getting tickets, you probably won't have your license for long anyway. Besides, there are plenty of radar/laser detectors out there for the price of one year's service. Or, y'know, could just drive the speed limit.

[Source: New York Times]

Auto insurance now available for speeding tickets? Kind of. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>speeding ticketSpeedingTicketticket insuranceTicketInsuranceFri, 27 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Teens copying enemies' license plates to get revenge via speed cameras]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/24/teens-copying-enemies-license-plates-to-get-revenge-via-speed-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/24/teens-copying-enemies-license-plates-to-get-revenge-via-speed-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/24/teens-copying-enemies-license-plates-to-get-revenge-via-speed-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Teens are known for having a lot of time, some seriously outrageous ideas for filling that time, and a slightly obsessive need for revenge. Add a few residential speed cameras into that mix, and what you have is a creative perversion of the entire speed camera system. Teens in Maryland have evidently been printing out the license plates numbers of rival teens, putting them on their own cars, and then purposely blasting by speed cameras posted in residential neighborhoods. The rival teen -- or his parents -- then gets a $40 citation in the mail.

The police say they haven't heard anything about it, and the local government doesn't sound like it has come up with any way to prevent or limit the habit. Which means that teens will be teens, and parents will be left to complain about it and fight the citations in court. Said one parent, "I hope the public at large will complain loudly enough that local Montgomery County government officials will change their policy of using these cameras for monetary gain. The practice of sending speeding tickets to faceless recipients without any type of verification is unwarranted and an exploitation of our rights." Oh, these kids today...

[Source: The Sentinel]

Teens copying enemies' license plates to get revenge via speed cameras originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etchumormarylandprankpranksspeed cameraSpeedCameraspeedingspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketteenagersteensWed, 24 Dec 2008 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Traffic Enfarcement: What's wrong with this picture?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/traffic-enfarcement-whats-wrong-with-this-picture/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/traffic-enfarcement-whats-wrong-with-this-picture/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/traffic-enfarcement-whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The script for selling one of these "automated revenue enhancement devices" to a municipality might go something like "and the best feature of the Robthepopulace 3000 is that it never makes a mistake - machines don't lie!" Tell that to Thomas, who received a citation in the mail after a South African traffic camera nabbed his VW Polo "clearly traveling in excess of the 60 km/h limit." Right. Technically, the camera is not lying, but machines are incapable of interpreting on their own, otherwise the fleece-bot would have noted that while the car was indeed traveling in excess of the limit, it was on a hook! Thomas got the ticket because his car obscured the plate of the tow truck dragging his little Polo somewhere. While the picture doesn't lie, the government agency drew a false conclusion and stuck to it. We wonder if the amount of the ticket could be deducted from Thomas's income tax to ensure fairness. Now that's just crazy talk. Thanks for the tip, Erwin!

[Source: Daily WTF]

Traffic Enfarcement: What's wrong with this picture? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automated cameraautomated fineAutomatedCameraAutomatedFinesouth africaSouthAfricaspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketticket robotTicketRobottraffic cameratraffic citationtraffic fineTrafficCameraTrafficCitationTrafficFineTue, 05 Aug 2008 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[In the San Mateo Garage: 2006 Crown Victoria Police Cruiser [w/DUMMY]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/in-the-san-mateo-garage-2006-crown-victoria-police-cruiser-w-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/in-the-san-mateo-garage-2006-crown-victoria-police-cruiser-w-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/in-the-san-mateo-garage-2006-crown-victoria-police-cruiser-w-d/#commentsFiled under: ,

There are few things more jarring than when you're doing 80 on the freeway and spot a well-concealed police cruiser. You immediately begin to sweat, get your story straight, perform a mental check-list of license and registration, then watch the rearview mirror like a hawk to see if he pulls out. If you get the ticket, your day is ruined. If the cop was looking down, eating a donut, or just wanted a more brazen offender, flowers smell sweeter and your step is a little lighter.

The San Mateo police know this all too well, but a tight budget and too few officers makes putting more cops on the street all but impossible. So drivers have been flying through the suburban streets of San Mateo without the worry of an expensive, time consuming ticket. To put a wrench in the plans of would-be traffic violators, the police have enlisted volunteers to drive actual cop cars and park them somewhere in their own neighborhood. To make the cars look more official, officer David Coy (alias: D-Coy) has been commissioned to sit behind the wheel, but this guy is as dumb as they come. D-Coy is a mannequin, and he sits behind the wheel to make the city's ruse more effective. So far, drivers are fooled, as most are obeying traffic laws under Coy's watch. We're questioning, however, why the police department would talk to the local news paper about its own deception. Officers say they want more volunteers, but what they'll likely get is area drivers that ignore their decoy. We just hope the guy we pass on I-75 every day is replaced with Dave real soon.

[Source: San Mateo Daily News (pic by Victor Maccharoli), via All Cars, All The Time]

In the San Mateo Garage: 2006 Crown Victoria Police Cruiser [w/DUMMY] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copslaw enforcementLawEnforcementpoliceSan Mateo policeSanMateoPolicespeeding ticketSpeedingTicketMon, 28 Jul 2008 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Bring on the heat: Njection updates Speedtrap site]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/njection-updates-speedtrap-site/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/njection-updates-speedtrap-site/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/njection-updates-speedtrap-site/#commentsFiled under: ,

The team at Njection have updated their Speedtrap site with new features and more detailed speed trap information. After introducing the ability to upload speed trap information to Garmin GPS units in March, Njection has now added color-coded maps on its website. Locations of user-reported police radar, or other speed enforcement devices, are displayed as colored dots based on the threat level. Low level threats are yellow, while medium threats are orange. The highest level threats are displayed in red. In addition to the map upgrades, a new "speed trap heat map" visually charts the day and time of the week when the threats are the highest. As before, all database information for the free service is provided by registered users on the site who report on their local enforcement tactics. Check out the press release after the jump for a special incentive for new registered users that may or may not be of any value to you.

[Source: Njection]

Continue reading Bring on the heat: Njection updates Speedtrap site

Bring on the heat: Njection updates Speedtrap site originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enforcementnjectionradar enforcementRadarEnforcementred light cameraRedLightCameraspeed trapspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketSpeedTrapMon, 21 Jul 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Pittsburgh police refunding speeding fines given by mistake]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/pittsburgh-police-refunding-speeding-fines-given-by-mistake/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/pittsburgh-police-refunding-speeding-fines-given-by-mistake/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/pittsburgh-police-refunding-speeding-fines-given-by-mistake/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A pair of Pittsburgh Revenue Officers misunderstood the rules surrounding the use of some LIDAR gear loaned to the department for testing and issued a raft of tickets that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police now has to retract. Apparently LIDAR is only approved for use when teamed with other systems like VASCAR and ENRADD, which measure speed in different ways, and these boys in blue were using it solo. Their mistake instantly invalidates about 650 speeding fines that were issued on account of the loaned LIDAR equipment.

Pittsburgh police chief Nate Harper has apologized for the erroneous tickets, and motorists with LIDAR-only tickets were encouraged to request a court hearing. If the citation has already been paid, the unlawfully caught speeders will be reimbursed. A full refund for a speeding ticket is novel, but our sarcastic side wants to make a crack about the payouts being funded by shortening yellow lights at intersections with camera-bots. Thanks for the tip, Eddy!

[Source: WTAE, Photo: nist.gov]

Pittsburgh police refunding speeding fines given by mistake originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lidarlidar ticketsLidarTicketspittsburgh policepittsburgh speeding ticketPittsburghPolicePittsburghSpeedingTicketspeed cameraSpeedCameraspeedingspeeding ticketspeeding ticket refundspeeding ticketsSpeedingTicketSpeedingTicketRefundSpeedingTicketsticket refundticket refundsTicketRefundTicketRefundsWed, 16 Apr 2008 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[NSFW VIDEO: How NOT to get out of a speeding ticket]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/nsfw-video-how-not-to-get-out-of-a-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/nsfw-video-how-not-to-get-out-of-a-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/03/nsfw-video-how-not-to-get-out-of-a-speeding-ticket/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Most of us have gotten speeding tickets before, and it's usually not a pleasant experience. It's "Yes sir" and "No, sir" and "Thank you" while the officer is chastising us for whatever minor infraction we've incurred. All the while, you're thinking to yourself, "I was doing 8 mph over the speed limit. Shouldn't he be out chasing terrorists or something?"

So this video is for all of us who would have so very much enjoyed telling off the guy or gal about to make us pay potentially hundreds of dollars in fines and insurance costs just because we were in a little bit of a hurry to get to the house/work/that big sale at Autozone/etc. We held our tongues, took our punishment and probably avoided higher fines or, worse, jail time.

How the alleged offender in this video manages to keep his freedom is a complete mystery. That is one patient cop, and I hope he got a raise for putting up with this driver's degrading diatribe. The man's choice of adjectives earns it a NSFW, btw.

If you like this sort of thing, be sure to check out our source, Bluetube, for more .

[Source: Bluetube]

NSFW VIDEO: How NOT to get out of a speeding ticket originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>police videoPoliceVideospeedingspeeding ticketspeeding ticket videoSpeedingTicketSpeedingTicketVideoThu, 03 Apr 2008 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[UK's most senior cop in court for speeding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/23/uks-most-senior-cop-in-court-for-speeding/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/23/uks-most-senior-cop-in-court-for-speeding/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/23/uks-most-senior-cop-in-court-for-speeding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For years it seems there was an unwritten code among law enforcement officers stating that you didn't give a shield-wearing brother a speeding ticket unless his offense was really bad. Beyond bad, even. That doesn't appear to be the case in the UK, as the chief constable of South Yorkshire has been cold busted going 90 in a 60 mph zone. Britain's Med Hughes stepped down after the court hearing, but he states that his decision to walk away from his post of top traffic cop had nothing to do with his lead foot. To that we give a hearty, "Right-o, chap." Of course as the chief constable, Mr. Hughes preached stringent speed enforcement. The now-defunct top traffic cop even lobbied for hidden speed cameras, which would keep speeds down while racking up big fine money for the department. If Mr. Hughes feels slighted or embarrassed, we'd like to welcome him to our club. As members, when we get tickets we pay the fine, collect the points, and generally suck it up. We're sure he'll find it all to be very novel.

[Source: Top Gear]

UK's most senior cop in court for speeding originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>British top copBritishTopCoplaw enforcementLawEnforcementMed HughesMedHughesspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketFri, 23 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[He fought the law: Jeremy Clarkson gets out of speeding ticket]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/08/he-fought-the-law-jeremy-clarkson-gets-out-of-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/08/he-fought-the-law-jeremy-clarkson-gets-out-of-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/08/he-fought-the-law-jeremy-clarkson-gets-out-of-speeding-ticket/#commentsFiled under:

Many of us have tried to evade those pesky speeding fines, more often than not, unsuccessfully. Not so for Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson who managed to have a case against him dropped despite the publicity and string of copy-cat defenses we're sure will ensue.

The story goes like this: A V6 Alfa Romeo Brera was clocked doing 82mph in a 50mph zone by a speed camera in west London. A ticket was then issued to the car's legal owner, Alfa Romeo, which then forwarded it to Clarkson because the car was on loan to him at the time.

Instead of coming clean, Clarkson took the matter to court and with the help of celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman managed to convince a Magistrate that since it couldn't be proven he was in fact behind the wheel he shouldn't have to pay the ticket. Clarkson, who wasn't present at the hearing, was awarded full costs.

We wonder if this defense will work for anyone else caught speeding by a camera in a car that doesn't belong to them.

Thanks for the tip, Thom!

[Source: BBC]

He fought the law: Jeremy Clarkson gets out of speeding ticket originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Sep 2007 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Clarkson speeding ticketClarksonSpeedingTicketJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketSat, 08 Sep 2007 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[How To: Talk your way out of a ticket... respectfully]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/how-to-talk-your-way-out-of-a-ticket-respectfully/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/how-to-talk-your-way-out-of-a-ticket-respectfully/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/how-to-talk-your-way-out-of-a-ticket-respectfully/#comments

An old friend of mine used to have a trick for getting out of tickets. She would flick her long blonde hair back over her shoulder, blink a lot and emphasize the ending of any word that concluded with a long "e" sound. "Sorryyyyyyy," she would say, and the cop's pen would never touch pad. Unfortunately, my bag of tricks is missing a few of those tools, so I've gotten a ticket for every time my car has been motioned to the shoulder.

Perhaps, however, there are strategies to get out of a ticket for those of us who are not blessed with long blond hair and a cute voice. Our brand new sister site, DIY Life, has somewhat of an ex-cop on staff who offers his own How To on getting out of a ticket by being respectful. Yes, respectful. If you've been pulled over, you should suck it up and own your mistake, then go about seeing how the officer's attitude towards you can be improved. Among DIY Life's best pieces of advice is submitting to the cop's authority by having both hands on the wheel before he or she arrives at your window. That gesture alone will make the cop feel much more comfortable approaching the situation, and a comfortable cop that sees you don't intend to be confrontational may be more lenient. There's plenty more good advice available by clicking the Read link below, but let us know in the comments some of your own tips that have proven successful.

[Source: DIY Life]

How To: Talk your way out of a ticket... respectfully originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copget out of ticketGetOutOfTicketpolicepolice officerPoliceOfficerspeedingspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketticketTue, 14 Aug 2007 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Tips on fighting tickets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/17/tips-on-fighting-tickets/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/17/tips-on-fighting-tickets/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/17/tips-on-fighting-tickets/#commentsFiled under:



Among the writers here at Autoblog, we could probably put together a meaty album full of our most memorable speeding tickets. Something about a bunch of gearheads in high-powered, tire-shredding, plate-glass-shattering muscle cars. Mmmmm. But I digress.

Apparently the best way to get out of a ticket is not to blame the manufacturer for putting too many damn ponies under the hood. Nor should you ask the officer how much over the speed limit he had to go to catch you doing 95 mph. Whoops, my bad. That one was expensive. Oh, and altering speed limit signs has been proven to be hazardous to your court case.

No, according to John Draneas, attorney at law and car collector, the best way to get out of a speeding ticket is just be a nice guy. Don't make excuses, don't beg for a break, and above all, don't get belligerent.

Oh and apparently the first thing you should do after being stopped is immediately throw that fuzzbuster under the seat. Looking like you were trying to avoid a tick to begin with has been scientifically proven to significantly improve your chances of getting a ticket.

So get your speed demon butt over to Sports Car Market Magazine for more tips on beating the Smokies. And remember, 55 saves lives.

[Source: Sports Car Market Magazine]

Tips on fighting tickets originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Nov 2006 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beating speeding ticketsBeatingSpeedingTicketscitationget out of speeding ticketGetOutOfSpeedingTicketspeedingspeeding citationspeeding ticketSpeedingCitationSpeedingTicketFri, 17 Nov 2006 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Dodge advertises journo's speeding ticket]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/dodge-advertises-journos-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/dodge-advertises-journos-speeding-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/dodge-advertises-journos-speeding-ticket/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember the Canadian automotive journalist who was caught driving a Dodge Charger at 222 km/h (approximately 138 mph) on a public road in Quebec? Apparently Dodge does and they think alluding to the story might be a nifty way to market the car he was driving at the time, the Charger SRT8. The story received a ton of press attention in Canada, so making a reference to the incident shouldn't be lost on consumers. The new ad campaign shows a black Hemi-powered Dodge Charger SRT8 and the following text: "A roulé trop vite, vite, vite. À vendre vite, vite, vite. SRT8-88-8888"

Roughly translated it means, "Drove fast, fast, fast. Sell fast, fast, fast," followed by a telephone number that will get you more info. Dodge has also wisely added a disclaimer telling readers they should only drive that fast on a track. Of course, the Canadian auto journalist in question, Philippe Laguë, had been testing the Dodge Charger SRT-8 on highway 132 in Longueuil, near Montreal. His fine was $958 CDN ($845 US), and enough points on his license to have it suspended. Laguë brought up an interesting point, explaining that car manufacturers will warn journalists to watch out for police, but they usually will also discourage them from testing on closed tracks.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Dodge advertises journo's speeding ticket originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dodge Charger SRT8DodgeChargerSrt8HemiLongueuilPhilippe LaguëPhilippeLaguëspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketsuspended licenseSuspendedLicenseTue, 31 Oct 2006 19:54:00 EST