Red-necks and Police in Indiana

This afternoon driving home to Chicago in a three car Porsche convoy from Putnam Park myself and a friend received speeding tickets. Following a weekend DE event, two of my buddies and I were navigating the rural two-lane windy area and making quite a few passes - all safe, but obviously exceeding the speed limit. We actually spot six police cars going in the opposite direction and we're at the speed limit when we cross paths. After about 60 miles of this, with me in the lead we came upon a fantastic 4 lane section of US 231 Northbound that opens up like an autobahn. I open it up to maybe 120 mph. One friend who is caught in traffic frees himself and to catch-up is traveling at 140+. For 3-4 miles or so there's not another car in sight until my Passport alerts - I slow down and a trooper traveling in the opposite direction flys by. Another 1/2 mile ahead in the median, behind a barrier in one of those no-U turn intersections, is a county sheriff with her radar on. By now we've both slowed to approximately 60-65 in a 55 zone. THe sheriff (a female) lights 'em up and pulls us both over and the trooper has turned around and he blazes up for support (to be followed by a third shortly). The sheriff goes at my friend and the trooper, who is physically shaking he's so pissed off, starts in on me. It turns out that all these rednecks we've been passing for 60 miles have been calling in to the police on their cell phones complaining! After collecting our license and registration the cops are conferencing behind my car and I overhear the first trooper complaining that he knows we were flying, but he couldn't get a shot at us with his gun because of a curve. The sheriff is complaining because she only clocked us going 62 mph in a 55 zone. Eventually that is how she wrote us both up. $88 fine. In the middle of this our third car passes by with a sheepish grin on his face. He'd been caught in traffic and stop lights in a town. I happened to tell the trooper we were headed to Chicago so for the next 30 miles or so we saw three more cops just dying to stop us again. I would have loved to have heard their radio traffic - you would have thought we were international terrorists. In the end, I got my revenge on I-65 Northbound calling in traffic reports to 911 regarding all the people that were passing US on the interstate (vans, SUVs, Subaru's you name it.) Quite unacceptable all these people speeding on the interstate. I kept waiting for the dispatcher to ask me my name or what if was driving but they never did. GonzoP1

[quote]Originally posted by GonzoP1: <strong>After collecting our license and registration the cops are conferencing behind my car and I overhear the first trooper complaining that he knows we were flying, but he couldn't get a shot at us with his gun because of a curve. The sheriff is complaining because she only clocked us going 62 mph in a 55 zone. Eventually that is how she wrote us both up. $88 fine. GonzoP1</strong><hr></blockquote> Great history! LOL! bad luck for this cops!

Good story!! Indiana is a major pain. Lots of speed traps, very unforgiving cops. I think speeding tickets are THE major source of revenue. Not so sure I condone 140+ in a hi-way, busy or otherwise, but still good to hear of one getting away in Indiana.

[quote]you would have thought we were international terrorists.<hr></blockquote> By modern standards, you certain do qualify as "terrorists". Cell phones are a big problem. There are lots of people out there who use them to complain about even the smallest things. You should contest the tickets. Did they write you both at exactly the same speed? She only got one reading on you. Which was it -- you or your friend?? There are lots of problems here. She was predisposed to see you as a speeder. She probably stopped you at speeds she would normally ignore. Also, the other troopers can help you. None thought you were speeding. A good defence lawyer will make mince meat of their testimony. S.

Alas Fixed Wing, though you make good points, I would almost pay the ticket rather than take the time and effort to contest such a small ticket!

Alas Fixed Wing, though you make good points, I would almost pay the ticket rather than take the time and effort to contest such a small ticket!

It seems to me that playing on the highway at speeds up to 120 or 140 mph should be included among the many problems with this incident that S saw (along with people calling in speeders, biased cops, etc.). I seriously doubt that a good lawyer would be able to get Gonzo and his buddy out of this one, especially with Gonzo being considerate enough to post his description of the event on rennlist.

[quote]Originally posted by Dave P: <strong>Alas Fixed Wing, though you make good points, I would almost pay the ticket rather than take the time and effort to contest such a small ticket! </strong><hr></blockquote> Just so long as the only issue is the small fine. In some states that's true. But in others the real cost is hidden in points, driver's ed and increased insurance costs. To many of these pen-pushers, a small ticket looks just like a big one. Much more likely that you can convince the prosecutor that it isn't worth bothering with a small ticket than it is to convince him not to prosecute the 120 MPH ticket ... and by that time you will already have a record. S.

120-140 MPH on highway AFTER DE! The key word is after. The other key word is highway. You would think that after a weekend of gunning your cars on the track, you would drive home at casual and responsible speeds. You must have been in the green/beginners group; you obviously do not have the bug out of your system. You kids are lucky all you got was a ticket, which you deserve, and not crash into a "redneck", a term you've used very loosely in this site. You'll never know, they may have been some other #@!%&!! ethnic group that is out to terrorize the planet.

Man, Arthur & Jim. Give me a break. All this "you were speeding on the highway! <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> " crap is not necessary. This group is obviously qualified to drive above posted limits (and beyond) without your type just brow beating them. Don't think for a minute that I believe that YOU don't exceed the limits yourself now & again. There are "safe" moments that we all can "spool the car up" in grand fashion w/o harming anyone but ourselves (if that). Keep quiet or get a Cadillac.

Yup, let me go to the dealer right now and trade my car in for an Escalade.

I can't believe you guys are ragging on my home state of Indiana and their finest law enforcement officials! But then again, I DO seem to remember the time when I was pulled over by a state trooper and yelled at.....for going 56 in a 55. (Really!)

[quote]Originally posted by Michael B.: <strong>This group is obviously qualified to drive above posted limits (and beyond) without your type just brow beating them.</strong><hr></blockquote> Humm ... this changes things just a little. The implication is that you and your friends somehow feel that you are above the law. Surely this is not what you meant to say? Also, Arthur makes a good point. Surely not everyone you passed was a redneck just because they didn't like your driving? S. p.s. Arthur, can you post a photo of you and your new Caddie when you get it?

In NY we have a great law that says police cars must use their light and siren (or bell)lol when violating any trafic law. If you have this in Indiana, you could call 911 and start reporting those polcie cars flying in the other direction. Just tought it would be fun. Are you from Indiana or Cali? If you are out of state and they do not trasnfer traffic summons' in cali? consider it a speed tax. $100 for a fun jaunt for a couple hours seems worth it.

Regarding that law about flashing lights and sirens during a pursuit, I believe that law applies for the entire USoA. As far as the fuzz speeding along highways, I see it all day long, specially when their shift is over; 75 on a 55 zone. They are above the law, you know, and they are qualified to drive fast and furious if they want to. Regarding my Cadillac, I've ordered it with special crimson lambswool/ cashmere/ mohair interior and a Marantz stereo system, gold accents on all trim, and white sidewalls. Oh, and 2 tone paint. It is on order now, and will take 2 months to manufacture. I'll post some pictures as long as I get a release that I won't get flogged by y'all. Finally, 56 MPH on a 55 zone is as bad as 145 on a 55. Where do we draw the line? Yeah, I've sped before, and yeah, I've gotten tickets, but I don't b*tch about it and call the cops who catch me and collect $ for their X'mas funds, toys for their kids, etc...a bunch of rednecks. I speed, I get caught, I pay. It's only money. Right? And if a Trooper nails you for doing 65 on a 55 while you're in your Porsche, and he drives home after his shift is over at 75 on the 55, tough sh*t, because, hey, they are above the law, and they are qualified to speed. Nuf said, I'm checking out my Caddy order <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" />

Ok guys, thanks for the feedback. I see political correctness has even infected our beloved Rennlist.com. Having been driving for 26 years, most in high performance cars, Yes, I'm more than qualified to drive quickly. No, I'm not above the law. No, not everyone I passed was a red-neck. No, I will not bother to contest the ticket. Yes, the police are just doing their jobs the best they know how. Yes, tickets are issued "unfairly" or at least not equally every second of the day. No, I don't think Indiana has a reciprocal deal with Illinois regarding tickets & points (?). Yes, you are allowed to shoot me in the head if I ever enjoy driving 55 mph on a highway designed for 150+ mph and easily navigated by an 85 year old little old lady in her Buick. GonzoP1 - out

[quote]Originally posted by GonzoP1: <strong>... and easily navigated by an 85 year old little old lady in her Buick.</strong><hr></blockquote> My mom is a little old lady who drives a Buick. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> S.

... its a Buick GNX

Even if there is no reciprocal arrangement between the DMV's, there is still a high liklihood that out-of-state speeding tickets will get registered in the nationwide clearinghouse the insurance industry has set up, and as a result will affect your future rates. California's DMV doesn't know about the speeding ticket I got in Ohio (going through a small town, 37 mph in a 25 zone, radar, rented car, AT NIGHT!) almost 3 years ago, but my both of my insurance companies do.

Geez...no one mentioned the most important thing. Was the female Sheriff cute?

She looked cute when she voided standing up.

I�m with Gonzo1 and Michael B. What is the big deal, under the conditions he described I don�t see any risk in his driving and those cops were total jerks in that particular situation. Lets really think about what causes accidents and not just repeat what the money-hungry polititian-burocracy tries to make us believe. Let me give you the best example: The Autobahn! You don�t see any drivers passing on the wright lane speaking without a handsfree cellular in one hand and the coffee in the cup holder or 80 year olds blocking the left lane. That causes accidents. Discractions causes 10 times more accidents that speeding. Or how about down-right lack of driving skills because the driver licences are to easy to obtain and don�t worry about really learning how to handle a car accident situations. Maybe european roads & traffic are just too different tan american. BTW I just got back from a 3 week vacation in Orlando and its a nightmare for a person who would likes to drive: boring straight roads full of traffic and slow SUV�s. I can see how DE awakens so much sentiments and joy in you Porsche-lovers out there in the US than in europe. BTW FixedWing, that photo seems to be from neck of the woods, Spain. If you travel regularly to Spain let me know, I�ll share some info on how to avoid the Guardia Civil

Jay, was that OSHA, ohio... some of you will get that joke. Your insurance company actually picked them up, how long did it take. I've been tagged a few times out of state and no one ever caught them. Any one know anything about a legal defencse someone on here mentioned before against a speeding ticket as am alternate tax via the insurance companies??? Sounded just crazy enough to work at the right appeals level.

[quote]Originally posted by Carlos from Spain: <strong>FixedWing, that photo seems to be from neck of the woods, Spain.</strong><hr></blockquote> Carlos, You have to realise that most of us here are just having a little fun ragging on Gonzo. We all speed -- even in Amerika -- and the limit is just the amount of risk we are willing to take that we will get caught times the cost of getting caught. The moral issue of whether we are doing wrong doesn't enter into it. Gonzo's crime is arrogance and not speeding. Of course you are right that the situation in Amerika now is terrible. Cops are a problem but the bigger problem is the attitude of the citizens. You cannot drive fast when people do things without indicating and without looking. Amerika has been going slow for so long now that it has forgot how to go fast (thank you Mr. Nixon). By the way, us Porsche people are having fun ragging on Gonzo but if he'd posted the same message on my Mom's Buick board he would have got lynched. Zero tolerance. Indeed you are right. The photo is taken in Spain. This particular Guardia was most upset. He wrongfully thought that I tried to run him off the road while passing 10 people while keeping up with a C2. Woops! Well, none of us is perfect. No problem though. Never a problem. S.

[quote]Originally posted by FixedWing: The moral issue of whether we are doing wrong doesn't enter into it. Gonzo's crime is arrogance and not speeding. <hr></blockquote> Well, I don�t agrre with the term redneck, etc but he was also critizied for going over the legal limit which is what I don�t agree with. I speed & never got in an accident in my life (on the road) in car or bike. My point is that going over the ridiculous legal limits doesn�t necesarilly mean that it is dangerous driving. BTW, never got a ticket in Spain but plenty of them in th U.S., maybe thats why I�m a bit irritated whith the U.S. troopers and local police. [quote] By the way, us Porsche people are having fun ragging on Gonzo but if he'd posted the same message on my Mom's Buick board he would have got lynched. Zero tolerance. <hr></blockquote> Thats because most Porsche drivers enjoy driving and are more understanding [quote] Of course you are right that the situation in Amerika now is terrible. Cops are a problem but the bigger problem is the attitude of the citizens. You cannot drive fast when people do things without indicating and without looking. Amerika has been going slow for so long now that it has forgot how to go fast (thank you Mr. Nixon). <hr></blockquote> I agree, and I�m seeing that trend here in europe, especially northern european countries. [quote] Indeed you are right. The photo is taken in Spain. This particular Guardia was most upset. He wrongfully thought that I tried to run him off the road while passing 10 people while keeping up with a C2. Woops! <hr></blockquote> On top of it, the C2 didn�t get the ticket?

[quote]Originally posted by Carlos from Spain: <strong>the C2 didn�t get the ticket?</strong><hr></blockquote> Funny how that works isn't it? The C2 had Spanish plates. We both stopped. The Gardia immediately waived off the Spaniard but kept me. From my experience, it is pretty difficult to get into trouble in Spain. [quote]<strong>I�m seeing that trend here in europe, epecially northern european countries.</strong><hr></blockquote> We have a big crackdown going on in Belgium at the moment. Before you hardly ever had a problem but now things are different. We were all expecting it to be a quick public relations exercise and be over but that isn't happening. S.

The town was called Louisville, up there between Akron, Canton and Youngstown. I am afaid I am not among the guys who get the joke (seems to happen with increasing frequency, according to my teenage children). I don't know how long it took the insurance people to get notified. I found out when they doubled my rates (thank you State Farm), which was about a year later. Certainly made it a very expensive ticket.

[quote]Originally posted by JayM: <strong>The town was called Louisville, up there between Akron, Canton and Youngstown. I am afaid I am not among the guys who get the joke.</strong><hr></blockquote> JayM, Louisville?! YUCK!!! I live in Canton, OH and I'm sorry you had to even drive through there! Louisville's a horrible, somewhat racist town that's quite possibly more redneck than Indiana! Canton isn't TOO bad, Cleveland is really nice, but other than that I'd just completely avoid North-East Ohio entirely! Actually, I don't even get the joke and I live here! <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Hey, Mark. When you get your C4(which dealer?), let me know. I'll show you a straight stretch of 5 mile deserted 4 lane hi-way where you can open it up all the way. I've done 170+. I've never seen a cop, but it IS a public hiway, with a 55 mph limit, deserted though it may be. If caught, we may be talking jail time. That's part of the fun!!! BTW, those Ohio 25 mph limits are not to be fooled with. They are a significant source of revenue for the small towns. They are posted on state hiways, for crying out loud. They don't quite do a "Deliverance" number on you, but they will catch and ticket you even at 5 mph over the limit.

[quote]Originally posted by GonzoP1: Having been driving for 26 years, most in high performance cars, Yes, I'm more than qualified to drive quickly.<hr></blockquote> So you are qualified to "drive quickly" simply because you have a "high performance car" and some years under your belt? I don't think you really mean that. 140 MPH on a public highway? Let's have fun, but let's drive responsibly. Recently in our newspaper (So Cal) was reported the death of two teenagers, killed by two other cars involved in a speed race on public roads. So let's drive responsibly.

These issues must be tempered with the fact that the current speed limits were imposed in the 70s for pollution control. It was deemed to be the most efficient speed. These were supposed to be temporary. Well, the rest is history, but the whole idea that 65 is a safe speed, and 120 is not is Bull. Whatever I deem to be safe for my own abilities is what I will rely on. I could chose any number of quotes from our for-fathers which exudes libertarianism, but I will not.... You guys always get so emotional in your posts over here in the "Whoops, watere cooled cars ARE real porsches" 996 board.

In 1861 in England, the Red Flag Law set speed limits at 1.8mph (3km/h) in thre city and 3.6mph (6 km/h) for the rest of the roads. The limits were revised 35 years after in 1896. Its about time to revise the current ones an get tougher on the real causes of accidents: distractions, driving under the influence and lack of skill and knowledge. Speeding becomes a considerable risk when its combined with these factors (ex: talking on the cellular while speeding, drunk and speeding or unskilled teenager speeding) but not by itself (ex: good road-traffic conditions, mod experienced driver, good car, etc). BTW, a study by an australian psychologist showed that people with IQ of 85-95 had three times more death rate from car accidents than people with IQ of 100-115, which I thought was interesting.

Hmm, I assume that Brendan is not speaking for his employer, American National Insurance: [quote]Originally posted by BrendanCampion: Whatever I deem to be safe for my own abilities is what I will rely on. <hr></blockquote> Write any auto insurance policies, do you Brendan? I agree that we need to work for logical, appropriate laws, including the logical setting of speed limits. But driving on public roads at 140 MPH when the vast majority of traffic is moving at 65-85 MPH is so patently UNREASONABLE that it should be beyond debate, no matter what the speed limit is. Perhaps Germany's autobahn is built to accommodate closing speeds of greater than 60 MPH, I don't know. I doubt the US highway system is designed to accommodate that situation. Even if you play the "I get to set my own rules" game, how logical and reasonable is it to drive at 140 MPH on US highways, knowing the skill set of the typical US driver? and in traffic (under the conditions described in the original post, there was sufficient traffic congestion for one of these players to be "caught in traffic")?

SDD: I realize that you're just trying to make the roads a safer place for us all (thank you for that), but you cannot win the argument between those who passed physics and those who did not. My story (short version): I had too much to drink at the party. As I was about to leave, several people offered to drive me home, but I refused. I'd be very careful and make it home safely, just like all the other times. I was doing great too, but just as I turned the corner onto my street, some careless jerk talking on a cell phone stepped on my hand.

Wow People. You are a very different group indeed. You have no issue with stepping on other's jugulars to sound good on the internet then. Very good. I guess that what kind of person you have to be to afford a new 996.... On the point of my business, what I do for a living and whom I represent has nothing to do with what I do when NOT infront of a client.... I will continue to rely on my own abilities, and nothing else. Further more, the physics comment has nothing to do with someone being stupid enough to pull out on you at 65mph, when you are doing twice that. Individuals in this state change lanes indiscriminatly, and cause accidents at 70 just as much as they do at 140. Physics has nothing to do with people not being correctly taught in the intelligent operation of a vehicle. Why is it that you people on this specific forum must always return to denegrading someone's intelligence when you disagree with them. You guys do it here repeatedly, and it seems like its a knee-jerk reaction. What a stereotype to continue. But what I think is as irrelevant as your clinging to this PC mindset. What IS relevant is the fact that SDD has already jumped on somebody, and he is only on his 6th post on this forum. Is it an empowerment that you experience when you buy a newer Porsche? Is that what makes you so ready to bring down others by way of thier precieved intelligence level? Because most of you guys do it on this forum regularily, whereas on other lists, it is quite a bit more uncommon.

Brendan, Please note that SDD has no "signature". It is highly likely he does not even own a Porsche. I have found most of the people in this forum to be polite, interesting and opinionated. No sin for that! Your poor characterization of people who "can afford" 996s follows the same path you are deriding many posters for. We all drive great cars! Let's enjoy them and enjoy life while we can! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Okay Dave. Touche. Hey, I was just past thousand oaks on wednesday. Maybe I was still smarting a bit from waving at a 996 driver, while in my highly visible black 89 928S4. I recieved what I characterize as a "non-response" - in that he looked straight at me, and then turned away. He then proceeded to try and zoom by me while cutting me off. Luckily I was at 3k in 3rd gear, just getting onto 5 south. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was in the wrong gear....

[quote]Maybe I was still smarting a bit from waving at a 996 driver, while in my highly visible black 89 928S4. I recieved what I characterize as a "non-response" - in that he looked straight at me, and then turned away. <hr></blockquote> I�d call that 996 driver an idiot who got what he deserved. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

[quote]Originally posted by Carlos from Spain: <strong>BTW, a study by an australian psychologist showed that people with IQ of 85-95 had three times more death rate from car accidents than people with IQ of 100-115, which I thought was interesting.</strong><hr></blockquote> Just a thought... How do you take an IQ test if you are dead? I just love statistics...

[quote] Just a thought... How do you take an IQ test if you are dead? <hr></blockquote> I want to believe your just being sarcastic with that question, wright?