You’ll be happy to know the driving public is much safer this morning. I took a driving class last night.
Recall, several weeks ago I received a ticket in the mail. I was doing 65 in a 55 zone. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t see the sign dropping to 55 on a 4 lane road well outside of a busy area (miles out). Ah well, I now know where that speed trap is. 14 years without a ticket, but ah well, I took the class.
So, you as a driver are safer today. I’ve learned my lesson. I NEVER WANT TO END UP IN A CLASS LIKE THAT AGAIN! Yes, that’s the lesson.
Let’s talk about the class for a few minutes, shall we?
Weeks ago I called to schedule my class. There are several classes offered per week, and the earliest I could get was March 27th. All others up to last night’s course were booked.
How many students were in the class? 54. It was a full house, and seating for 54 folks. The seating cost $130 per person. That’s $7,020 in revenue generated. The school even told me the breakdown of the funds from the class when they sent my confirmation letter. State fees $20, Court fees $80, Class fees $30.
Here’s the interesting part. We were asked who was in for speeding. 90% of the hands in the room went up. We were then asked who was gotten with a camera setup. More than 60% of the hands went up. You wouldn’t believe how many people have told me they were ticketed outside of Prescott Valley. Sure sounds like a wonderful cash machine to me!
As far as the class goes……I was amazed at the questions several people asked over and over. A big one was on DUI, open containers, etc. People were really sincere in their questions about drinking and driving. One person noted that it’s a hard choice and he’s made the wrong one several times (which is why he was in the class hoping to get rid of some points). I was stunned. More than 10 people out of 54 had serious questions about driving and alcohol. There’s a simple answer. NO, DON’T DO IT. Jeesh!
Well, with 4.5 hours of my life spent in class, plus the $130 I can never get back, I’ll always watch for the cameras in AZ., and I’ll scan wide open roads closely to ensure I’m not missing stealth speed limit changes and cameras around the corner. :) I’ve learned my lesson well!
Entries (RSS)
I honestly can’t believe that is legal…since there is no speed limit sign there for miles…You should have asked the question, “what is the legal distance for speed limit signs to be posted in the state of AZ?” I couldn’t answer that, and if we don’t have one, we should…there’s nothing worse than looking around to make sure you’re not speeding. In fact, that’s how that stretch of highway is when going out to The Dells…and I talked to a cop that said they clock people going at 90 mph (ok, I KNOW that’s probably not an acceptable speed, but AZ does have really high speed limits on it’s highways…) I honestly think that there are 2 initiatives to make the camera ticketing unlawful, coming up for a vote in Nov…I’ll be interested to see how that goes (the governor is none too happy about it)
Just hope you never have to take ‘Traffic Survival Class’. It is 8 hours long (Yes, a full day). The people in that class are either in for DUI (8 or more points on the license) or have a second offense on a G license. IT SUCKS BIG TIME! But at least it is on $80 (the last time I went anyway).
I got hit by one of those stupid PV cameras as well… They suck.
Rich,
In Florida they will let you take the class on line. I have done it a few times and the questions they test you on you should already know. I open a section , take the test, do something for an hour (the section is timed) click to go to the next section., Takes 30 min actual time in front of the screen…. I have also done the comedy driving classes, that is fun, but I would rater see a comic at a club….. Glad to know the roads in AZ are safer but 1 driver, I wonder what side of the tally the other 53 will fall on??
Different option, Rich. Watch for the speed limit signs and obey the laws.
Fortunately Catalyst I do obey the laws and obey speed limit signs. Unfortunately, the sign in question was not seen by myself, my passenger, or the pack of cars I was in (with a Toyota riding up my bumper, box truck to my right so I could not move out of the way). I’d even asked my passenger at the time if she knew when the speed limit dropped to 55, as I hadn’t seen a sign and knew it should be dropping soon.
I’ve been described as a “Grandma driver” by friends and family alike, don’t exceed the POSTED speed limit, etc (the traffic photo showed me with hands at 10 & 2….just like my friends tease about often). I just missed one sign, and was in a unique spot of traffic at the time. Guess that’s why I’ve had no accidents, tickets, warnings, etc., in 14 years.
Almost every person I’ve spoken with about my ticket has also gotten a ticket in the same exact spot, including my neighbors to the right and left of me (the one on the left has gotten 2 there). Interesting and true. And several law enforcement friends (3) have also gotten tickets there. Something about that particular camera setup and signage I imagine.
Fortunately I now know where the sign is, so I can resume my standard driving practice, which normally includes 80 year old folks passing me for doing the speed limit.
Oh, and I was clocked @ 65 exactly, because I believed the posted limit to be that at the time.
Rich,your first western speed trap ticket. I am worried about moving out west now.I love to drive fast out on them open roads.