Speeding the next step

**Motig** · 7th June 2010, 10:42

In a recent Ohio State Supreme Court decision, the armpit state of America further confirmed its status as the third worst territory in the United States by holding that a driver or motorcyclist can be convicted of speeding purely if it looked to a police officer that the motorist was going too fast.

The decision upholds a lower courts ruling, which held that a driver who challenged a speeding ticket could still be found guilty merely if the trooper stated the driver was “driving too fast” in their estimation.

In a 5-1 decision, Ohio’s highest court ruled that an officer’s visual estimation of speed is sufficient proof to convict a motorist of speeding, as long as the officer has been certified by a training academy, and has experience watching for speeders

**jasonzc** · 7th June 2010, 11:10

SSShhhhhhhhh......

dont give the local popo's any ideas!!

Thats pretty fuckin redonculous if you ask me..

**Ixion** · 7th June 2010, 11:49

Uh, that's exactly the same as this country and, yes, people have been convicted of speeding just because a cop thought they looked like they were going too fast

**SMOKEU** · 7th June 2010, 11:50

The same thing basically happens here, if a cop without a radar gun sees someone driving at 200kmh in a 100 zone they're likely to get done for careless driving at the very least, even though it might be a long straight road with no other traffic around in good weather conditions.

**breakaway** · 7th June 2010, 12:00

Originally Posted by Ixion

Uh, that's exactly the same as this country and, yes, people have been convicted of speeding just because a cop thought they looked like they were going too fast

But don't they usually withdraw the ticket at the very last moment once you threaten to go to court?

**MSTRS:Me** · 7th June 2010, 12:03

"Found guilty" is the operative part. If a cop issues a ticket, he's found you guilty already. What you do, determines whether you go to court, where you can still be convicted on just the cop's word.

**scumdog** · 7th June 2010, 12:12

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

The same thing basically happens here, if a cop without a radar gun sees someone driving at 200kmh in a 100 zone they're likely to get done for careless driving at the very least, even though it might be a long straight road with no other traffic around in good weather conditions.

More likely dangerous than careless

As in 'dangerous to ANY person'

But I'd say it doesn't happen too often in the circumstances you mentioned.

**SMOKEU** · 7th June 2010, 12:16

Originally Posted by scumdog

More likely dangerous than careless

As in 'dangerous to ANY person'

But I'd say it doesn't happen too often in the circumstances you mentioned.

Well, what's the difference between careless and dangerous driving?

**sosman** · 7th June 2010, 12:21

Everybody fits into careless, taking yr eyes off the road for 1 sec to change the radio or get something out of the glove box...etc

**jaymzw** · 7th June 2010, 12:22

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Well, what's the difference between careless and dangerous driving?

Yeah, I always wondered this?

**scumdog** · 7th June 2010, 12:44

Originally Posted by jaymzw

Yeah, I always wondered this?

In basics: careless is 'driving in a manner a normal prudent motorsist would not' -or something like that, generally being unintentionally careless..

Dangerous is more a deliberate thing - but they overlap at times.

**schrodingers cat** · 7th June 2010, 15:02

When that arrives here Gn250's and 125's are gunna be worth a mint! Buy now and avoid the rush

**DEATH_INC.** · 7th June 2010, 16:25

Originally Posted by jasonzc

SSShhhhhhhhh......

dont give the local popo's any ideas!!

Thats pretty fuckin redonculous if you ask me..

I got news for ya....I lost my licence once a while back on a cops 'estimated' speed....

**Scuba_Steve** · 7th June 2010, 16:26

Originally Posted by MSTRS

"Found guilty" is the operative part. If a cop issues a ticket, he's found you guilty already. What you do, determines whether you go to court, where you can still be convicted on just the cop's word.

but that right there brings a breach of the law in itself ONLY a court of law can find anyone guilty. Police are only there to accuse people NOT to judge them & to do so puts them in breach of NZ law.