One of the things that really bothers me about all this (targeting sports
cars out of a group), is that "us" are probably much better/safer drivers
than "them". I'd bet experienced autocrossers are probably the top 1% of
skilled drivers on the street. I know I've avoided several accidents over
the years due to my skill and ability to avoid a problem rather than just
close my eyes and crash. I tend to be over the speed limit most of the
time, but always well within my skills and my car's abilities and based on
the surrounding conditions. Always thought it would be nice if there were
different grades of driver's licenses and your speed limit and lanes you
could use were based on the license. I know, not practical, but one can
dream.............
On the ticket story side, I actually beat one once. I was driving a red
240Z. Usually don't bother to fight or complain if I feel it was justified,
but I was doing 55 in a 45 on a 6 lane divided road in a business district
at about 1am. No other cars on the road, clear and dry. Driving at a
constant speed, no lane changing, not in a hurry to get anywhere, just
driving at a comfortable speed for the conditions. A police officer appears
and pulls me over and gives me a ticket. I don't say anything at the time.
In California, there is a thing called the Basic Speed Law which says you
can drive up to 55 anywhere the conditions allow, including over the posted
speed limit. My defense in court was that if the highway engineers
determined the posted speed of 45 is considered safe during "normal"
traffic, then my speed of 10 over was safe for the conditions. The judge
asked the cop if the conditions were as I described, he said yes and the
judge then told the cop he should be ashamed for giving the ticket and
wasting the court's time. And by the way, the location of the ticket was
right in front of the court house.
Rick Brown
FP 240Z
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