First Ticket....V1 failed big time!

Was on my way to an autocross Sunday morning and got my first ticket in the P-car. My V1 gave me no warning at all and I'm wondering why. Here's what happened: I'm on a three lane highway with concrete barriers on either side. No place for a cop to conceal himself. I'm in the middle lane and see a cop about a quarter mile ahead, also in the middle lane and riding with traffic. A guy in a Saturn blows by me in the left lane probably doing 80-85. I said to myself "He doesn't see that cop up ahead" and was watching him gain on the cop car. As I'm watching this we crest a hill and there is an unmarked car on the right shoulder. His windows were up and he was facing forward (no laser possibility here right?). Almost immeadiately his front bumper goes up and his lights go on and he pulls me over. He approaches and tells me I was doing 77. Now I usually ask to see the radar gun etc. but due to a recent thread here I thought I would try the "polite" approach. Needless to say he wrote the ticket. The ticket doesn't say anything about how he clocked me. No laser, radar, or visual. Questions. First of all I think he may have mistaken me for that red Saturn because A) He was pursuing me as soon as he saw me. B) My V1 never made a SOUND! 1. Why didn't my V1 sound off?! I have it set on full Logic but with absolutely nothing in the way I should have at least gotten lit up at the last minute whether it was radar or laser. Is full Logic screen signals that strongly that it may have never gone off? Is there a new frequency being used out there? 2. Since he didn't write how he clocked me can I fight it on the angle? Can I use my detector as evidence? I'm more interested in why my V1 didn't respond than how to fight the ticket (search revealed plenty of info.). I guess there is a possibility he did a visual but I noticed another thread here where someone seemed to have the same problem where the V1 stayed silent. TIA

Here in CA they also use aircraft to clock and ticket

I guess aircraft could've been used however if they were using aircraft I would think they would have seen that red Saturn easily outpacing me in the left lane. I would also think it would be noted on the ticket.

For cops to use radar they have to be "certified" within 3mph at xxx ft, I tried the no radar thing when I was 18, didn't work. Surely do NOT say your radar detector didn't go off. If you need to get out of it find a local lawyer, it's worth it. Were you in suffolk? I hear if you get nabbed by the suffolk county cops you're plain screwed.

Not meaning to be rude, and unless I missed something, why didn't you slow down the minute you knew there was a cop ahead? Concerning the V1, I was one of the very first customers, and have owned 3 units. If it didn't go off, and being that it's questionable as to whether or not radar was in use, I would be willing to bet that he didn't use radar. More than likely, they "visually" assumed that the two of you were both speeding. Maybe he just assumed that you and the Saturn were drag racing.

I didn't slow down because the cop that was riding in traffic was about a half mile AHEAD of me and was not a threat nor part of the trap. As far as the other cop I never had a chance to slow down as he was already taking off as soon as I saw him.

what was the speed limit? 65? were you actually doing 77mph? regardless, it sounds like a BS ticket, especially since another car was going a lot faster than you. fight it! they probably did not use radar to clock you, otherwise the V1 would have gone off. as a matter of fact, it should go off anytime there is a radar in operation in your general vicinity. maybe there was another unmarked car pacing you from behind...?

99% sure there wasn't anybody clocking from behind. The actual speed limit on this highway is 55. Of course if you're doing 65 other than the right lane you're getting flashed to go faster. Of course I think it's a BS ticket as well. Most tickets IMHO are other than doing astronomical speeds or speeding through school zones and other populated areas. All about the dollar....

I guess I'm just used to these sneaky Alabama cops. They play all sorts of tricks on the hiway. It's not uncommon for them to team up. In fact there was a locall news story about a month ago, detailing how they setup in construction zones. One dresses in construction clothes, wears a hard hat and appears as if he is using one of those engineering tripods, when in fact it's a laser! serveral "marked" cars (I've seen as many as 8 at one time) sit about a mile and a half up the road. By the time you get there, the lights are spinning.

1. Is it possible that someone got you with a laser from behind? Does the V1 offer rear laser notification? 2. Is it possible that cop in front was somehow pacing you, and that he alerted the other cop as he passed him? 3. I've often wondered if cops will focus on P-cars, even if they see others around them might be going the same speed (or faster).

Speedy....The V1 does have rear laser detection. I never received a warning of any kind. The cop ahead of me was riding in front of me for a few miles so I doubt he was part of the trap.

I do think P-cars are more visually attacted to cops... got pulled over once coz I'm driving a P-car in the slow lane, while another same color P-car was passing me way fast in the fast lane. And get this, I explain to the cop that it wasnt my car... its a gt3 or TT with a rear wing.. coz i dont have one. And he give me a friggin ticket, not for speeding, but for tinted windows and no front license plate. ALL COPS ARE FULL OF IT! Dont know how i fight this ticket. Good luck Lance!

Sounds to me like they are using out-dated X-band. That would not show up on 'full logic' mode. Granted, most highway patrols are using K/Ka/Laser, but I found on a trip to eastern NC a couple years ago that many state troopers were using X-band. To avoid this, go to the lighter logic mode (small letter "L"). You will then get visible warnings on X-band, but not audibles.

Even in Advanced Logic mode, a strong X-Band signal should override and sound an alert. You wouldn't get the warning beeps, but when you crest that hill and get hit dead on the V1 should at least let you know you just earned yourself a speeding ticket. I would still switch to Logic mode though. In that mode weak X-Band sounds at the muted volume and you can decide yourself whether to worry about it or not. If you find out, it would be interesting to hear back on how they got your speed.

Have you tested the unit to see if in fact it is working? Since the officer that issued the ticket did not pace you and there is no indication has to how you were clocked, you owe it to yourself to find out how they determined your speed. You could go to court and cross examine him or call his local station and ask.If he did not have a mechanical method to clock you, then certainly I would fight the ticket. I doubt very much a court would accept his testimony based on a subjective guess.

I was hit by X band and my V-1 made lots of noise in full logic mode. Didn't help much cause the cop had already clocked me...

I got nailed last year by laser. My V1 never squeaked or lit up. Cop told me laser needs only 1/10th second to get you and the V1 may not have had time to light up and warn me. If it was laser then it's pretty accurate in locking onto one car as the beam is very narrow. Usually they aim for your front plate. I got caught going over a brow of a hill. He saw me before I saw him. Game over.

In Indiana, there are ares where Vascar is used (that's essentially a timing device that is punched when you cross one marker, then again when you cross another) The cop who times you is often way off the highway-perhaps on a bridge- and may be the one who tickets you, or may work with another. In Indiana, they will generally get a radar confirmation by pulling in way behind you and turning on the radar gun for just an instant. Don't know if that's applicable in your local, but when it happened to me I still had an Escort that just gave one little-itty-bitty bleep. My subsequent Valentines have been great, but I haven't had another Vascar encounter. AS

I assume you know to check the not guilty box on the back of the ticket and also the box that asks if you want a deposition. You must then mail the ticket in by certified mail rrr, within 48 hrs (not including weekends). If the cop doesn't send you a deposition (really just a sworn statement of what happened) within 30 days, the ticket can will be dismissed (but not automatically; you'll need a lawyer to make a motion. If this happened on L.I., I have someone I can recommed to you. I've gotten a lot of tickets on L.I. and it always pays to plead not guilty. At the very least, the D.A.'s often plead down to reduce the points.

Speed I sent you a PM.

Has anybody used a scanner? Usually if it's more than a one cop sting you could probably hear them chattering about approaching cars. I personally liked the idea the guy with the F-50 had in Gumball. He hired a helicopter to fly above him...talk about a birds eye view of approching speed traps.

Get a lawyer. There are dozens of angle to take on this case. Selective enforcement and profiling to name a few. Its also election time around here. Call both candidates for Suffolk County Executive and ask their opinion on the speed limits and vote accordingly.

My bet is that the cop will claim he clocked you "visually" and never used radar. That's how most CHP units do it here in California. Regardless, fight it.

Rule of thumb......if you actually go through with a trial on this, you will lose. All of that angle and cosign talk will be thrown out the window. It's usally too confusing for small village judges, who mainly listen to the testimony of the cop, who they have known for a VERY long time. If you get an attorney, it comes down to a schmooze thing. You'll in all likelihood get a reduction to a no point violation, or at least reduced to a category that does not involve speed, unless the judge is difficult, and won't accept such a disposition. This is happening more and more around here. With regard to the supporting deposition.....yes, it must be served upon you within 30 days by regular U.S. mail. In the event the officer/trooper fails to provide this in a timely manner, then the ticket is dismissible. However, you should note that the officer/trooper can always refile the summons within one year if he/she was never sworn in prior to trial. The swearing in only happens if you are having the trial, which takes all of 3 minutes. Then you are convicted. It's that simple. I advise people NOT to request the supporting deposition for that reason. It's more work for the issuing officer which does not usually go over well. And if he screws up and forgets, he can always refile if he wants to put the screws to you. Just my 2 cents. If you need a referrel for a guy who'll get the job done for you, send me a PM. I have a collegue in Southampton who can assist you. regards,

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Vascar was my first thought also. Not much a V1 can do with that... Tim

In the end all that matters is that Lance placed second in class for Saturday, first in class on Sunday and first in class overall combined for the event in his class. Great job and nice driving! Good luck with your ticket... marc

Those event results would indicate that Lance was one of, if not the best, driver on the road that morning. So, the cops give the ticket to the guy that is an exceptionally qualified (I.E. SAFE) driver because his car attracts some extra attention and they ignore the sea of minivans that typically fail to signal, check mirrors, and are probably driving faster anyway... bummer.

Marc & Scott...I couldnt' agree more. When I got pulled over I had to get out of the car and get my Regi and Insurance stuff from my duffle bag in the back seat. I purposely opened the bag wide so the officer could see my helmet, gloves etc. I was hoping he would ask where I was headed and after an explanation of PCA etc. he would see the logic you guys put forth. But to no avail. Afterwards he probably thought I was a sportbiker and in addition to speeding I probably pull wheelies at 95m.p.h..... Thanks for the PR Marc......kudos for putting on another fun and well run event!

The Highway Patrol out here has "all aspect" moving radars that can clock you in front of or behind the patrol car while moving. Perhaps the guy on the road had a reading on you at 77 before the Saturn went by. He waited until he got to the unmarked car and handed you off to him, them took the Saturn himself. Pure speculation and obviously doesn't address the issue of why you didn't get a warning from your V1..............