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I got a speeding ticket while trying to get to my mother in the hospital.

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Allforce

Member
Get documentation from the hospital regarding your mothers admission. This is the most important.

Show up in court and plead your case.

The odds of the cop even showing up to testify are slim, unless it's a tiny ass town. If he does then he's going to tell the story anyways, if he doesn't and you throw yourself at the mercy of the court (plead no contest, etc) you are going to be let off with like court costs and maybe part of the 250 dollar fine.
 

Ray Wonder

Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
Whether or not you feel "safe to speed" is irrelevant. If it's safe to speed there, then why is the speed limit 40 instead of 75? You act like it's just an arbitrary number that no thought was put into.

You probably know this already, but a tip - when you go into court, don't do this whole justification thing you are doing on here, where you basically tell them that you get to decide what speed limit is safe for you. It will go badly.

Yeah clearly I'm not going to go in and say, "That road should be a 55 mph zone anyway!"

The cop told me to bring proof that my mom was rushed to the hospital though. So he wants me to justify it.
 

demon

I don't mean to alarm you but you have dogs on your face
Just show up at the court date and throw yourself at the mercy of the court.
 
I did 100mph and ran through red lights one time when my mom with an extremely low blood sugar got lost behind the wheel nearly 20 miles away from home. When you're hypo-glycemic you're essentially drunk, and with her insulin pump still connected, she could have had a seizure and died before I could have ever gotten to her. Thank god my cousins got there before I ever did. We didn't know exactly where she was, so I was just driving around my county frantically based on the limited info my mom was able to give me. I probably would never have been able to get to her in time.

Did I get caught? No.

Should I have gone to jail? Yes.

If you're able to, accept that you did the right thing given the situation, but don't expect the judge to give you any leeway.

Take the ticket with pride, you did the right/wrong thing.
I agree with this.
 

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game
I can understand your motivation for wanting to speed. I think most people would want to do the same thing in your place. However, the fact is that people's parents die every day. If everyone did the same thing you did, it would make the roads extremely dangerous. This is just one of those cases where the needs of society trump the needs of the individual.

Exactly. Seeing your mom before she "dies" is not more important than the lives of the people you're risking.
 
someone call an ambulance i have to visit rad

madden-ambulance-o.gif
 
#1 - As mentioned, read the OP again.

#2 - Something being understandable doesn't mean there are no consequences. If you're sitting alone at home with a suspended license (let's say you got it from going 70 in a 45) and you get a call like this, most people will hop in the car and rush out. That's understandable as a human, but you're still risking getting arrested for driving on a suspended license. You've decided the risk of punishment is worth it, and that's fine, but you can't whine too much if it happens.

Also speeding isn't safe but most people aren't going to randomly plow into something because they're going above the limit. But still, unsafe.

#1 Read my clarification I made. You're pointing out something I already clarified.

#2 I'm not saying there aren't consequences. But I'm not gonna hop on a high horse and claim OP shouldn't have done what he did. We're human beings, not robots. There's a reason all cars aren't capped at whatever the speed limit is. Like I said, he should try to fight the ticket in court. Ideally the cop doesn't even show and it gets thrown out. Worst comes to worst pay the fine, take the points and keep on with your life.

Exactly. Seeing your mom before she "dies" is not more important than the lives of the people you're risking.

Whos lives are at risk on an empty straighaway?
 

Scoot2005

Banned
I feel for you OP I really do. But going that fast is never an option. My brother was in a really bad motorcycle accident(his fault) where he hit a parked car going way to fast and went like 100 feet in the air with the bike going higher then landing on him. When the police called me to tell me about it I called my dad, who then called my mom and she came to our apartment. I drove to the hospital with my hysterical mother doing no more than 5 - 10 over the speed limit on the highway because getting in a wreck and injuring ourselves or someone else isn't worth it.
 

Jarmel

Banned
It doesn't really matter if it was the GOAT of driving conditions. Going 120 km/h in a 64 km/h zone is lunacy. I'm surprised he isn't ecstatic that he's not in jail...

I strongly disagree, I think the conditions do matter before you lot condemn him as a bad human being.
 
So, OP did you make it there faster by speeding, when including the part of being pulled over?

I would have understood it, had your mother, or any relative, been on your back seat dying. But it wasn't the case, you were endangering yourself and others. What would your mother have thought of you dying of driving too fast, and crashing into death, trying to get to her at the hospital?

The ticket is justified.

Same goes for when people are late, getting there 1-2 minutes earlier, isn't worth risking your life or others.
 
My girlfriend's dad got a fixed penalty speeding ticket cancelled, that was issued by Merseyside Police, because he was driving to the hospital to see her mum who was in there with terminal cancer. Maybe different in the UK but one of the nurses on staff wrote a brief covering letter to go with his appeal and he got the fine and penalty points waived. No court appearance necessary, the police force themselves waived the ticket.
 

joelseph

Member
How old are you OP? Does your mom have a history of medical issues? I think the older you and your mom are the better chance you have of taking it to court and the judge being lenient.
 

Ray Wonder

Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
Exactly. Seeing your mom before she "dies" is not more important than the lives of the people you're risking.

You gotta understand that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about if I should have sped to see my mother or not. I did. I don't regret it.

If you go up and look at my responses to other people, I sped up when I clearly would be safe to. This wasn't some rural street with kids playing or people riding bikes. It's basically a highway. No pedestrians are crossing there, ever. I've driven the road hundreds of times. There was little traffic.
 
Honestly just take your licks and deal with the ticket. You might get lucky and the court plays nice, but it's a small price to pay knowing your mother is safe. All you're doing now is whining because you got caught speeding.
 
I haven't been in this situation myself, BUT if you do show up for your court date with the documentation proving that your mother was in the hospital and that's why you were speeding....they may lower the charges at least so you can avoid a suspended license and getting points on it as well. I would be very surprised if they threw the whole thing out though.

I agree with this. I can see the judge lessening the punishment, but I doubt they'll throw it out altogether.
 
I don't understand why you need to speed to see someone in the hospital before he or she dies. If that person was truly on life's edge without any advance warning, you're not going to be seeing that person for quite some time even after you arrive to the hospital.
 

Two Words

Member
The problem is how much you were speeding. Going 75 in a 40 is a real danger that could get you or others killed. Going that fast wasn't a rational decision, but it is understandable that you weren't in a rational state of mind. At the very least, you can say the worst thing that happened was a speeding ticket.
 

.GqueB.

Banned
This wasn't a spot where pedestrians would be walking around.

You keep saying this like it matters. With that attitude, you could do 100 anywhere you think there's no one else around. And you're completely ignoring the fact that you were putting yourself in danger as well.

Take the L and stop trying to justify your behavior. Not many here are going to tell you that going 35 over the limit was ok regardless of the situation. You also have a complete misunderstanding of hospitals. I've never been to one but even I know that if there were any real complications you aren't just gonna walk in and chill with your mom right off the bat.

And honestly look at it from the cops point of view. You could easily just be saying that and he had no reason to believe you in that moment. You got off lucky to be honest.

Take the $250 L.
 

Jarmel

Banned
The OP got off light anyway. I've had a family member get a $1000 ticket for going 20 over the speed limit. They got it argued down though because they knew a cop.
 

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game
You gotta understand that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about if I should have sped to see my mother or not. I did. I don't regret it.

If you go up and look at my responses to other people, I sped up when I clearly would be safe to. This wasn't some rural street with kids playing or people riding bikes. It's basically a highway. No pedestrians are crossing there, ever. I've driven the road hundreds of times. There was little traffic.
Well, thats an extremely selfish attitude.

Maybe you're right - maybe it wasn't dangerous. I wasnt there, and I doubt you could be sure about that. But you're coming off (particularly in the first paragraph) as a huge dick.
 

Zoe

Member
You gotta understand that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about if I should have sped to see my mother or not. I did. I don't regret it.

If you go up and look at my responses to other people, I sped up when I clearly would be safe to. This wasn't some rural street with kids playing or people riding bikes. It's basically a highway. No pedestrians are crossing there, ever. I've driven the road hundreds of times. There was little traffic.

"Little traffic" still means there were other people on the road who were put at risk.
 

riotous

Banned
You gotta understand that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about if I should have sped to see my mother or not. I did. I don't regret it.

If you go up and look at my responses to other people, I sped up when I clearly would be safe to. This wasn't some rural street with kids playing or people riding bikes. It's basically a highway. No pedestrians are crossing there, ever. I've driven the road hundreds of times. There was little traffic.

You gotta understand we don't give a shit.

Your attitude is entitled as hell. Be a bit more humble about the risk you took and you'd probably get different responses.

The amount of whining you do is quite telling. Nobody immediately caled YOU? Well maybe they were distracted a bit eh mate?
 

Ray Wonder

Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
Well, thats an extremely selfish attitude.

Maybe you're right - maybe it wasn't dangerous. I wasnt there. But you're coming off (particularly in the first paragraph) as a huge dick.

I'm responding to you saying that it doesn't matter if my mother was dying. Sorry if I sounded like a dick.
 

daycru

Member
The problem is how much you were speeding. Going 75 in a 40 is a real danger that could get you or others killed. Going that fast wasn't a rational decision, but it is understandable that you weren't in a rational state of mind. At the very least, you can say the worst thing that happened was a speeding ticket.

But the openly weeping guy said it was safe.
 

Alucrid

Banned
You gotta understand that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about if I should have sped to see my mother or not. I did. I don't regret it.

If you go up and look at my responses to other people, I sped up when I clearly would be safe to. This wasn't some rural street with kids playing or people riding bikes. It's basically a highway. No pedestrians are crossing there, ever. I've driven the road hundreds of times. There was little traffic.

Now I hope you don't get any leeway in court.
 
^

A short ambulance trip probably costs more than his ticket honestly though.

understandable it is expensive
A way around this:

Tell the dispatcher you need a police escort then- (did this when my wife started having our baby a week early at our home) the service was free- 2 cruisers showed up within 3 minutes
 

Two Words

Member
You gotta understand that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about if I should have sped to see my mother or not. I did. I don't regret it.

If you go up and look at my responses to other people, I sped up when I clearly would be safe to. This wasn't some rural street with kids playing or people riding bikes. It's basically a highway. No pedestrians are crossing there, ever. I've driven the road hundreds of times. There was little traffic.
That's not how traffic laws work though. You can't decide which streets are okay to go 35 miles over the speed limit and which aren't. And I'm going to go ahead and say if you were in that much distress over the unknown condition of your mother, you likely weren't driving with your best ability, especially Italy while nearly doubling the speed limit.
 

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game
I'm responding to you saying that it doesn't matter if my mother was dying. Sorry if I sounded like a dick.

Of course it mattered. Poor choice of words if I said that (I dont think I did). What I meant was that it doesn't justify the risk you took. If not for the risk you put others in, think of the risk you put yourself in.
 

Dominator

Member
When my mom was giving birth to me, my dad was rushing from work and he got pulled over. He explained the situation and the cop actually gave him an escort to the hospital to make sure he got there.

Sucks about your situation, though. That guy had no sympathy.
 

riotous

Banned
Here's an example: you fuck up at that speed and flip your car leaving a trail of debris... That debris causes a car a mile behind you to have a tire blow, causing their car to flip and they die.

You are never only taking risks with your own life on roads.

Speeding in the situation is still going to be understood by most, your attitude however is bad.. Which makes it seem like you need to be taught a lesson in humility.
 
I am surprised at the amount of people that are willing to throw all hell away to get to their mother.

my mom has had quite a bit of heart attacks and pulled through.



or maybe its because I am not that close to my mother.
 
Here's an example: you fuck up at that speed and flip your car leaving a trail of debris... That debris causes a car a mile behind you to have a tire blow, causing their car to flip and they die.

You are never only taking risks with your own life on roads.

HmMk0Bn.gif
 

Alienous

Member
They can't have a tolerance towards speeding. Where do you draw the line?
Around the corpses of the people who would be constantly hit by cars.
 

Saroyan

Member
You got caught, shit sucks. Show up for court and explain the circumstances and they will probably give you a reduced fine and/or a probationary period without a suspension.
 

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game
So what do you do if your trying to get to see a dying relative before it's too late

Honestly, its not going to matter. If they've been made palliative, you've probably had plenty of advance warning. If they've presented to the hospital in extremis, you're probably not going to see them for a while anyways.
 

Ray Wonder

Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
Speeding in the situation is still going to be understood by most, your attitude however is bad.. Which makes it seem like you need to be taught a lesson in humility.

I don't understand. Someone said that it doesn't matter if my mother was dying, I responded with a bit of spite.
 
So what do you do if your trying to get to see a dying relative before it's too late
If the relative is truly dying, what makes you think you're going to see him/her right away once you arrive to the hospital? If it's a terminal disease and the patient's in hospice, then you would've had plenty of advance warning.
 

studyguy

Member
I am surprised at the amount of people that are willing to throw all hell away to get to their mother.

my mom has had quite a bit of heart attacks and pulled through.



or maybe its because I am not that close to my mother.

Concern for family trumps a lot common sense issues.
I'd probably do the same or worse if it meant ensuring the safety and health of a family member.
 
Here's an example: you fuck up at that speed and flip your car leaving a trail of debris... That debris causes a car a mile behind you to have a tire blow, causing their car to flip and they die.

You are never only taking risks with your own life on roads.

Speeding in the situation is still going to be understood by most, your attitude however is bad.. Which makes it seem like you need to be taught a lesson in humility.
Tire blow =/= flipping car.


better example, you are driving that fast and come around a turn, a child is starting to cross the street, can you stop?



you then cause someone else lost their mom

When my mom was giving birth to me, my dad was rushing from work and he got pulled over. He explained the situation and the cop actually gave him an escort to the hospital to make sure he got there.

Sucks about your situation, though. That guy had no sympathy.

that was the 1950's things were different then.
 

Ray Wonder

Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
Honestly, its not going to matter. If they've been made palliative, you've probably had plenty of advance warning. If they've presented to the hospital in extremis, you're probably not going to see them for a while anyways.

It's easy to say this until you're in the situation. Last week I probably would've said the same thing.
 

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game
I don't understand. Someone said that it doesn't matter if my mother was dying, I responded with a bit of spite.

Except I didn't say that.

It's easy to say this until you're in the situation. Last week I probably would've said the same thing.

Sure it would be easier, because you weren't thinking rationally given the situation. And you made a poor decision because of that. You've learned a lesson hopefully.
 
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