Gather around children. Sit back and listen to my tale of whoa and BS so that you might heed my warnings... and learn from my mistakes.
Long ago, on Monday 2/15/10 myself and two other friends left my home in Worcester to head up to VT to go skiing for the day. Between 6:20 and 6:30 I was pulled over by an officer from the MA State Police while I was on Rt 2 west. It was right where Rt 2 drops from two lanes in each direction to one(Out near Orange MA I believe).
Anyhow as I was approaching the point where the lanes merge, a state cruiser traveling in the right lane in front of me turned on its lights and pulled into the breakdown lane, slowing down. I too slowed way down, and pulled off to the break down lane as well. I wasn't sure at first why the Officer had pulled over, but in situations like this I always pull to the side to be safe. Turns out I was getting pulled over.
The officer came to the passenger side window, asked for my license/registration, and then informed me I had been clocked going 66 mph entering "one of the most dangerous sections of road in MA" when the speed limit was 55 mph. He then walked away without saying anything else. I think I only had time to say "ok" to him and he was gone. A few minutes later he returned with my license and registration, handed me a ticket and told me the directions were on the back and walked away. He had his mind made up before he even turned on his lights to pull me over.
Now here is what I have trouble with. This is the BS part. Yes I was going 66 mph. I had set my cruise control to 65, but I am not going to argue that. I was however well within the flow of traffic, and I have two witnesses from my car who can verify that. Most of the other cars on the road around us were going the same speed as me. Also the officer was traveling about the same speed as me since I wasn't passing or gaining on him. In fact I had been passed by quite a few cars that morning on that road and after the event I was passed by quite a few more, none of which were pulled over.
Here is the other part that gets me. Between 6:30 and 7:00 am, we saw 6 more cruisers. It was like they were out on the prowl. The part that really gets me. Where I was pulled over was still a two lane highway. After entering "one of the most dangerous roads in MA" I had another cruiser come up on my tail. At this point I had my cruise control set to 55mp, exactly the speed limit. The officer stayed behind me for some time until we came to a large hill. At that point the officer proceeded to move into the climbing lane (the one for 18 wheelers and slow traffic)and pass me, going at least 65 mph. He did this with no lights, no sirens, no horn, nothing and this is the part of Rt2 that is only divided by the double yellow line.
As far as I am aware, the State Police have to follow the laws they enforce.
Anyhow, I am not one cry conspiracy, or hold a grudge against the police. I have and always have had great respect for Police Officers and what they do. But I do feel like there is some serious BS going on here, and like I got a bit of a bum deal.
I am a 28 years old, working as an engineer. I have been driving since I was 17 and have only had two speeding tickets, and only one on my record now. I know some people have better records than me, but I make a point to be a responsible driver. I am currently buried under college loans and trying to buy a home, so it is important to me to keep my insurance rates down. Currently I pay $135/month for insurance.
Is this worth getting a lawyer for?
Let me know what you guys think... I need a good tactic to fight this one. I know arguing the cop was speeding too won't fly, so I need something better.
-Pete
Long ago, on Monday 2/15/10 myself and two other friends left my home in Worcester to head up to VT to go skiing for the day. Between 6:20 and 6:30 I was pulled over by an officer from the MA State Police while I was on Rt 2 west. It was right where Rt 2 drops from two lanes in each direction to one(Out near Orange MA I believe).
Anyhow as I was approaching the point where the lanes merge, a state cruiser traveling in the right lane in front of me turned on its lights and pulled into the breakdown lane, slowing down. I too slowed way down, and pulled off to the break down lane as well. I wasn't sure at first why the Officer had pulled over, but in situations like this I always pull to the side to be safe. Turns out I was getting pulled over.
The officer came to the passenger side window, asked for my license/registration, and then informed me I had been clocked going 66 mph entering "one of the most dangerous sections of road in MA" when the speed limit was 55 mph. He then walked away without saying anything else. I think I only had time to say "ok" to him and he was gone. A few minutes later he returned with my license and registration, handed me a ticket and told me the directions were on the back and walked away. He had his mind made up before he even turned on his lights to pull me over.
Now here is what I have trouble with. This is the BS part. Yes I was going 66 mph. I had set my cruise control to 65, but I am not going to argue that. I was however well within the flow of traffic, and I have two witnesses from my car who can verify that. Most of the other cars on the road around us were going the same speed as me. Also the officer was traveling about the same speed as me since I wasn't passing or gaining on him. In fact I had been passed by quite a few cars that morning on that road and after the event I was passed by quite a few more, none of which were pulled over.
Here is the other part that gets me. Between 6:30 and 7:00 am, we saw 6 more cruisers. It was like they were out on the prowl. The part that really gets me. Where I was pulled over was still a two lane highway. After entering "one of the most dangerous roads in MA" I had another cruiser come up on my tail. At this point I had my cruise control set to 55mp, exactly the speed limit. The officer stayed behind me for some time until we came to a large hill. At that point the officer proceeded to move into the climbing lane (the one for 18 wheelers and slow traffic)and pass me, going at least 65 mph. He did this with no lights, no sirens, no horn, nothing and this is the part of Rt2 that is only divided by the double yellow line.
As far as I am aware, the State Police have to follow the laws they enforce.
Anyhow, I am not one cry conspiracy, or hold a grudge against the police. I have and always have had great respect for Police Officers and what they do. But I do feel like there is some serious BS going on here, and like I got a bit of a bum deal.
I am a 28 years old, working as an engineer. I have been driving since I was 17 and have only had two speeding tickets, and only one on my record now. I know some people have better records than me, but I make a point to be a responsible driver. I am currently buried under college loans and trying to buy a home, so it is important to me to keep my insurance rates down. Currently I pay $135/month for insurance.
Is this worth getting a lawyer for?
Let me know what you guys think... I need a good tactic to fight this one. I know arguing the cop was speeding too won't fly, so I need something better.
-Pete
