Speeding Ticket Received While Accelerating Onto a Highway
My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington
In the irony of all ironies, one day back in September last year I left work early to go fight a parking ticket (which I won), and as I was accelerating to get on the highway, I received a speeding ticket.
I submitted discovery:
https://i.imgur.com/fDUWGqc.jpg
And received the following back:
https://i.imgur.com/jrdamKK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IRYA2JS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/91wuwX1.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AVyhNl8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nmhWXpO.jpg
The only thing I can say is incorrect is that I never admitted to knowing the speed limit as he claims on the 4th page. But I'm guessing that wouldn't help me in any way.
Is there anything else in here that I can use to get out of this ticket? I have a clean record and I'd like to preserve it without resorting to a deferral if possible.
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
He didn't say you knew the speed limit, he said you that you said you saw the signs. Anyway, that is largely irrelevant. You're responsible to maintain a safe and legal speed even if you didn't see them.
The question I have is just what the speed limit was. Are we talking about the end of Seaway where it hits the highway? You say you were on the on-ramp, was this a white speed limit sign or the yellow ramp speed advisory?
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
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flyingron
He didn't say you knew the speed limit, he said you that you said you saw the signs. Anyway, that is largely irrelevant. You're responsible to maintain a safe and legal speed even if you didn't see them.
The question I have is just what the speed limit was. Are we talking about the end of Seaway where it hits the highway? You say you were on the on-ramp, was this a white speed limit sign or the yellow ramp speed advisory?
The on-ramp portion was my attempt at getting some leniency from the officer. Technically I was still on Seaway, on the very last bit going southbound, right before it splits into 526 E and W. The officer was sitting on the ramp itself, and I was approaching him, accelerating as I had just turned onto Seaway.
I looked back at my dashcam right after, and there was indeed a white speed limit sign for 40 mph. I was going 59 because the ramp has a large enough radius that it isn't unsafe to accelerate prior to getting on it. And the part about the officer's statement, I did not claim either of the things, but like you said, I didn't expect it to matter.
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
I don't see anything directly exculpatory then (the Washington state RADAR/LIDAR gurus will be along shortly to see if that part has any holes).
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
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rodut
I looked back at my dashcam right after, and there was indeed a white speed limit sign for 40 mph. I was going 59 because the ramp has a large enough radius that it isn't unsafe to accelerate prior to getting on it.
I get amused when I read excuses that "I was speeding because it was unsafe to go slower" or words to that effect.
You probably admitted to the officer that you were going 59. I don't see you beating the ticket no matter what you say.
Take driver school if you are eligible.
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
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adjusterjack
I get amused when I read excuses that "I was speeding because it was unsafe to go slower" or words to that effect.
You probably admitted to the officer that you were going 59. I don't see you beating the ticket no matter what you say.
Take driver school if you are eligible.
I was more mentioning the fact that the highway on-ramp at this particular location (which flyingron seems to be familiar with) is a curved one, and while I would typically slow down in a curve, this one has a large enough radius that it isn't necessary. Compared to most curves/corners, it isn't any less safe to maintain your speed. So I sped up to highway speed as I was approaching the on-ramp rather than waiting until I was on it. Obviously this doesn't change the legality of anything, just clarifying that I wasn't just driving recklessly.
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
Not to get too deep in semantics, but the OP stated that it isn't unsafe to accelerate - not that it was unsafe to go slower. The first statement implying that he didn't consider it unsafe to accelerate and the second statement implying that one considers it inherently unsafe to go anything less than the particular speed. Not a big deal.
Anyway. Arguing safety isn't going to work unless you're in Texas, Utah, and possibly one other state. Washington is an "absolute speed limit" state, meaning that any speed that is greater than the posted speed is an offense. Therefore, it's not gonna help arguing if the speed was safe or otherwise.
You've redacted quite a bit of information and one thing that may help your case. My question to you is this: What has the officer listed in the Blocks "At Location Rf. Trafficway" and "M.P. Block #?"
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
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BrendanjKeegan
Not to get too deep in semantics, but the OP stated that it isn't unsafe to accelerate - not that it was unsafe to go slower. The first statement implying that he didn't consider it unsafe to accelerate and the second statement implying that one considers it inherently unsafe to go anything less than the particular speed. Not a big deal.
Anyway. Arguing safety isn't going to work unless you're in Texas, Utah, and possibly one other state. Washington is an "absolute speed limit" state, meaning that any speed that is greater than the posted speed is an offense. Therefore, it's not gonna help arguing if the speed was safe or otherwise.
You've redacted quite a bit of information and one thing that may help your case. My question to you is this: What has the officer listed in the Blocks "At Location Rf. Trafficway" and "M.P. Block #?"
Sorry, I didn't want to reveal too much personal information, of myself or the officer. I guess that one wasn't too crucial.
It's "Seaway Blvd" for the first one and "7800" for the second. Why would that help? If he entered it incorrectly? I looked on the map and it was closer to the 8200 block, as the road I was coming from merged with Seaway Blvd after the 7800 block.
(And please let me know if I redacted anything else that could be useful.)
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
I was going to say, if he doesn't list an exact block, you can argue that you were indeed on the on ramp. But without you being past the "Freeway Entrance" signs, you're dead in the water.
How about the SMD certificate?
On a separate note, I would like to see this officer write people tickets for not accelerating to the speed of traffic on an on ramp. That violation is becoming more rampant within the Seattle area. (Pun intended)
Re: Received Discovery for Speeding Ticket; Officer's Statement is Only Incorrect Ite
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BrendanjKeegan
How about the SMD certificate?
Was I supposed to receive something beyond the 4th page (the sworn statement page)? That's all I have relating to the SMD, I figured that's all they had to send.