Too fast in VA

[VA_bmw_rider]

What is the name of your state?VA
Well. It was about 7:00am in the morning with very light traffic (almost none actually). A Project deadline was forcing me to work a lot of hours. I don't generally ride fast, but this morning I was wound up tight. I started to pass some cars right before the spot where a LEO was waiting for fools like me. He explained that I was going 81 in a 50 -- Ouch. This is a major ticket. He could have said 100 for all I know. I was watching the road and not the speedo or my GPS. Just the same, my GPS track registered 78 during this part of the trip.

80 is the threshold for reckless driving, and bad things happen at that number and above. My last ticket was 6 years ago ( a minor speeding one). I am guessing that I won't get much slack, but I won't get the book thrown at me.

I have been advised to get my speedometer calibrated, but I don't know that this will help much. Would the GPS data have much value?

 

[lwpat]

I doubt that the judge would allow any GPS data. Virginia is one of the few states that will take a defective speedometer into consideration. Be sure to take it to a certified mechanic.

20mph over the speed limit is considered reckless in Virginia so just a couple of mph are not going to help. This is a six point ticket and probably a 100% increase in insurance premiums for the next three years.

My suggestion would be to go to court and see how the judge handles similar cases. The clerk can give you the schedule. Then you can decide if you need an attorney.

 

[VA_bmw_rider]

I have already started down the path of retaining an attorney. Thanks for the suggestion on watching the court proceedings. It would at least give me an idea how things go.

 

[maddoggieD]

Let us know how it goes. You need to keep in mind that if convicted you'll now have a CRIMINAL record as a result. It's not a speeding ticket (but a CRIMINAL OFFENCE) in Virginia - Class 1 Misdemeanor.