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  1. #1
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    Apr 2012
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    Default What Does "A/C" Mean

    My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Maine.

    I received a ticket for going 76 in a 55 on I95. Where it says "Circle One: Radar - A/C - Laser - Clock" the trooper circled A/C. What does this mean?

    Also, it said I was going 76 in a 55. I had just accelerated and engaged my cruise control at 72 as it was right where the speed limit increases to 65. The ticket only says "I-95" for RT/ST/PL (location), so unless there is more paperwork that was filed that I don't get to see, can I reasonably use the defense that the speed limit increased before I accelerated to 72? (Not where I was stopped, but that my speed did not increase until I got to the new speed zone?)

    Thank you for any help you may be able to provide. I'm hoping at the least I can get the fine reduced or more importantly avoid getting points on my license.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Could it be Air/Craft?

  3. #3
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Perhaps it's an average speed computer.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Quote Quoting mnusicallife86
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    I received a ticket for going 76 in a 55 on I95. Where it says "Circle One: Radar - A/C - Laser - Clock" the trooper circled A/C. What does this mean?
    Adriamycin/Cyclophosphamide

    J/K...

    This is from

    Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES HEADING
    §2075. Other speed regulations
    4. Speed measurement. The results of a measurement of the following instruments must be accepted as prima facie evidence of the speed of a motor vehicle in a criminal or traffic infraction proceeding:
    A. Radar; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
    B. An electronic device that measures speed by radiomicrowaves, laser or otherwise; or [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
    C. A device that measures, in any sequence, a selected distance traversed by a motor vehicle operated by the law enforcement officer and the time required by another motor vehicle to traverse that same distance, and computes therefrom the average speed of the other vehicle. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
    [ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]



    Obviously, A & B are self explanatory, and the description in C would certainly fit "Clock"...

    I could obviously go with Barry's Air Craft, and it is possible that they use the following method: "A particular section of a highway measured as to distance and with boundaries marked, designated, or otherwise determined in order that the speed of a vehicle may be calculated by securing the time it takes the vehicle to travel the known distance.". Which would also fit the description in C.

    If you're wondering where that sentence came from, that is one definition of an illegal speed trap in California! Apparently, perfectly legal in Maine (and Pennsylvania, IIRC).

    The easy way to find out if that method is used, is to drive the same stretch of highway where you allegedly were speeding, and look for markings (usually white lines painted across (perpendicular to the flow of traffic)... Or you might be able to see those using Google Street Maps.

    Quote Quoting mnusicallife86
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    The ticket only says "I-95" for RT/ST/PL (location), so unless there is more paperwork that was filed that I don't get to see, can I reasonably use the defense that the speed limit increased before I accelerated to 72? (Not where I was stopped, but that my speed did not increase until I got to the new speed zone?)
    You certainly can use it, but to have any reasonable chance of succeeding, it will depend on a number of factors.

    For one, did you drive through a 55mph zone prior getting to the 65mph zone? If so, it is possible that the officer measured your speed before entering the 65mph zone...
    Two, the officer will obviously testify to what he had written in the citation, and it will be extremely difficult to get him to agree/admit that you were already in the higher speed zone.
    Third, you really have no proof, other than your words that you set the cruise control to 72 or that you did so after passing the 65mph limit zone.
    Forth, depending on the language of the code section you were cited for, and whether there is in fact a difference between 72 in 55 and 72 in 65 as far as the fine amount is concerned, I don't know!

  5. #5
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Speed Trap law is pretty unique to California. Even here in Virginia where the law mandates that they have an engineering survey in certain circumstances, the courts have currently held that the absence of a survey doesn't get you off violations of the [improperly low] posted speed.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Quote Quoting That Guy
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    I could obviously go with Barry's Air Craft, and it is possible that they use the following method: "A particular section of a highway measured as to distance and with boundaries marked, designated, or otherwise determined in order that the speed of a vehicle may be calculated by securing the time it takes the vehicle to travel the known distance.". Which would also fit the description in C.
    I thought of aircraft, too, but I wondered how that would be possible given the fact that it was well after dark at night, and that there is an active airport within 5 miles of where I was stopped. I'd be surprised if they would be allowed to look for speeders in that area with planes taking off and landing.

    Quote Quoting That Guy
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    For one, did you drive through a 55mph zone prior getting to the 65mph zone? If so, it is possible that the officer measured your speed before entering the 65mph zone...
    I did drive through a 55mph zone before it went back up to 65, but I was behind another car (which was between the cruiser and my vehicle) until I passed it and sped up once (I thought) the speed zone changed. I wonder if there's any other reasonable defense that might help the court have some mercy on me. Haven't had a ticket in 8 years and that was the only one. Never had a speeding ticket and no accidents on my record.

    Thanks for your responses thus far!

  7. #7
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Quote Quoting flyingron
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    Speed Trap law is pretty unique to California.

    True!


    Quote Quoting flyingron
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    Even here in Virginia where the law mandates that they have an engineering survey in certain circumstances, the courts have currently held that the absence of a survey doesn't get you off violations of the [improperly low] posted speed.

    It appears that Maine also authorizes municipalities to adjust the speed limits based on traffic studies...


    Here is one provision:

    Quote Quoting MRS §2075. Other speed regulations
    Prior to establishing a speed limit, the municipality must perform a traffic investigation that reviews the factors identified in the applicable sections of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The municipal officers shall validate that speed limit in accordance with the procedure for establishing municipal traffic ordinances set forth in Title 30-A, section 3009, post standard speed limit signs in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and provide written notice of that speed limit zone to the Commissioner of Transportation on forms approved by the Department of Transportation.

    But I am not finding any provisions that suggest that dismissals are appropriate remedies for non compliance!




    Quote Quoting mnusicallife86
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    I thought of aircraft, too, but I wondered how that would be possible given the fact that it was well after dark at night...

    Not a problem! As long as they can maintain a speed close to yours, they have your headlights to illuminate the pavement and the markers!


    Quote Quoting mnusicallife86
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    ... and that there is an active airport within 5 miles of where I was stopped. I'd be surprised if they would be allowed to look for speeders in that area with planes taking off and landing.

    It may depend on what you mean by "active"... Also, 5 miles is quite the distance... I can only assume that as long as the tower knows they are there, flying low... maybe flyingron can touch on that!


    Quote Quoting mnusicallife86
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    I did drive through a 55mph zone before it went back up to 65, but I was behind another car (which was between the cruiser and my vehicle) until I passed it and sped up once (I thought) the speed zone changed.

    I'm starting to think you may have been paced... Not sure how "A/C" would fit in with that though!


    Quote Quoting mnusicallife86
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    I wonder if there's any other reasonable defense that might help the court have some mercy on me. Haven't had a ticket in 8 years and that was the only one. Never had a speeding ticket and no accidents on my record.

    I'm not finding the statute that sets the 55mph speed limit, so I am not going to assume that its a statutory maximum speed which would absolute, meaning as long as they prove you were in excess of the limit, you are automatically found guilty.

    So post the code section number from your citation and we'll see how it goes!

  8. #8
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Quote Quoting That Guy
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    I'm starting to think you may have been paced... Not sure how "A/C" would fit in with that though!
    I should note that I was BEHIND the trooper with a car in between. I thought it was odd that she was going much slower than the speed limit, or so it seemed. I came around the vehicle between us and realized it was trooper which is when I was confused as to why the trooper was going so slow.


    Quote Quoting That Guy
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    I'm not finding the statute that sets the 55mph speed limit, so I am not going to assume that its a statutory maximum speed which would absolute, meaning as long as they prove you were in excess of the limit, you are automatically found guilty.

    So post the code section number from your citation and we'll see how it goes!
    The 55mph zone is in the city of Bangor, which I imagine is such because there is heavier traffic entering and exiting the freeway, as well is more turns than normal. The whole thing is I thought I had exited this temporary (but yes, posted) speed limit.

    On the ticket where it lists the details of where and when the alleged violation next to city/town and Div it says "03" in the Code box.
    Where it lists the officer's info next to Troop she lists 0798 for the code.
    Based on how the ticket lines up horizontally, The handwritten violation is #1 Speeding, Alleged 76 Legal 55, Circle one: A/C, Title 29-A Section 2073(3) (not circled, I just assume this because it's on the same line), Amount Due $215.00.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: What Does "A/C" Mean

    Any ideas with the updated info I posted? Also... does anyone know if deferral is allowed or common in Maine?

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