Are Virginia Cops And Traffic Laws REALLY This Strict???

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Notices Southeast Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Mississippi | North Carolina | South Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia Community Links Pictures & Albums Members List Search Forums Show Threads Show Posts Tag Search Click for Advanced Search Find All Liked Posts Go to Page... Are Virginia Cops and Traffic Laws REALLY this Strict??? Reply Subscribe Thread Tools Search this Thread Oct 29, 2010 | 01:29 AM Share Share Options #1 skyavonee Thread Starter Melting Slicks Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,355 Likes: 113 From: Los Angeles Are Virginia Cops and Traffic Laws REALLY this Strict??? My brother is a Delaware resident, and he was recently driving through Virginia in his Viper GTS when he was pulled over for doing 83 in a 65. He was handcuffed and hauled off to the local jail for reckless driving! Fortunately he was with a friend, so she was able to bail him out and the Viper didn't have to be towed. This seems very excessive to me, to say the least. I'm guessing if he was driving a 4-door sedan the officer would have let him on his way with just a ticket. Thoughts anyone? Is this an anomaly or just business as usual? Reply 0 0 skyavonee View Public Profile Send a private message to skyavonee Find More Posts by skyavonee Oct 29, 2010 | 01:40 AM Share Share Options #2 mAydAy121 Burning Brakes Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,022 Likes: 0 From: Concord NC St. Jude Donor '10 Quote: Originally Posted by skyavonee My brother is a Delaware resident, and he was recently driving through Virginia in his Viper GTS when he was pulled over for doing 83 in a 65. He was handcuffed and hauled off to the local jail for reckless driving! Fortunately he was with a friend, so she was able to bail him out and the Viper didn't have to be towed. This seems very excessive to me, to say the least. I'm guessing if he was driving a 4-door sedan the officer would have let him on his way with just a ticket. Thoughts anyone? Is this an anomaly or just business as usual? I'd question his behavior if he got handcuffed and hauled into jail. 20 over the speed limit or any speed over 80mph is reckless driving. Reckless driving in VA typically does not result in being taken to jail. Although I have no experience with how they treat out of state people. Now, if he was doing over 90 that is a different story. Over 90 will often be charged intent to maim or kill in VA, and as a rule of thumb expect at least 1 day in jail per mph over 90. Reply 0 0 mAydAy121 View Public Profile Send a private message to mAydAy121 Find More Posts by mAydAy121 Oct 29, 2010 | 01:42 AM Share Share Options #3 LilR3dCorvette Le Mans Master Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,835 Likes: 0 From: In front of C6s. St: Jude Donor '10 In VA speeds over 80 mph or 20 mph over the posted limit is reckless driving, for which you can get arrested. Reply 0 0 LilR3dCorvette View Public Profile Send a private message to LilR3dCorvette Find More Posts by LilR3dCorvette Oct 29, 2010 | 09:23 AM Share Share Options #4 techvette Burning Brakes Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,070 Likes: 8 From: Houston TX A law like that (along with radar detectors being illegal) is enough to keep me from ever wanting to visit... Reply 0 0 techvette View Public Profile Send a private message to techvette Find More Posts by techvette Oct 29, 2010 | 10:36 AM Share Share Options #5 renegad44 Safety Car Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,506 Likes: 0 From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez Quote: Originally Posted by techvette A law like that (along with radar detectors being illegal) is enough to keep me from ever wanting to visit... I know a guy who stopped before entering VA, completely removed his radar detector, suction cup, and wire feed, placed them in the trunk, but when stopped, of course they wanted to search the car, found the detector, gave him a ticket. No detector allowed, anyplace in the vehicle, disconnected, or otherwise. Reply 0 0 renegad44 View Public Profile Send a private message to renegad44 Find More Posts by renegad44 Oct 29, 2010 | 11:25 AM Share Share Options #6 SurfnSun Team Owner Joined: Aug 1999 Posts: 23,969 Likes: 593 From: Florida St. Jude Donor '10 I hate the traffic laws in VA. They suck...Period. Its the single worst part of living here. Im always paranoid when a cop gets behind me, b/c you have no idea what they will decide to pull you over for. Reply 0 0 SurfnSun View Public Profile Send a private message to SurfnSun Find More Posts by SurfnSun Oct 29, 2010 | 11:34 AM Share Share Options #7 Scissors ☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠ Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 83,301 Likes: 4 From: Virginia Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran St. Jude's Donor '06 In Virginia, it's up to the officer's discretion as to whether to charge you with reckless or simply speeding. Just because you're going over 80 (or 20 over the limit) doesn't mean that they have to slap you with reckless. On DMV's web site, you can see the points for various offenses. There's a listing for reckless, but there's a separate listing for Speeding 20+. Here are the 4 most common situations: Officer gives the driver a simple speeding ticket for 20+ over (or whatever is appropriate). Driver wasn't only driving too fast (i.e. he was driving like a tool) and gets a reckless ticket. Driver is a d-bag to the officer and gets a reckless ticket. Officer is a jerk/in a bad mood and hands out a reckless ticket. Here's the relevant statute if it's a speed-based reckless charge: § 46.2-862. Exceeding speed limit. A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth (i) at a speed of twenty miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit or (ii) in excess of eighty miles per hour regardless of the applicable maximum speed limit. Because reckless driving is a Class 1 Misdemeanor (as close to a Felony as you can get) and carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine, the officer can, if he so chooses, most certainly take you to jail. The courts tend to be more lenient if you're charged under the reckless driving general rule, which is § 46.2-852. But if he was charged under 46.2-862, that's not so good. Edit: I've never actually heard of anyone going to jail for that level of speeding, assuming that they were only speeding and were nice to the officer. So I'm wondering if your friend copped an attitude or was weaving/cutting/racing/etc.? Last edited by Scissors; Oct 29, 2010 at 11:40 AM. Reply 0 0 Scissors View Public Profile Send a private message to Scissors Find More Posts by Scissors Oct 29, 2010 | 07:50 PM Share Share Options #8 63_GrandSport Le Mans Master Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 8,472 Likes: 0 From: Virginia I have a lot of cop friends here in Va and most of them will just give you a ticket. But like the others have posted if he was doing somthing stupid then yes he could be jailed. I have been told that some of the cops will pull you over just to talk about your car so not all cops here are bad. Reply 0 0 63_GrandSport View Public Profile Send a private message to 63_GrandSport Find More Posts by 63_GrandSport Oct 29, 2010 | 09:01 PM Share Share Options #9 Lowcash Melting Slicks Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 2,400 Likes: 0 From: Woodbridge Va Quote: Originally Posted by renegad44 I know a guy who stopped before entering VA, completely removed his radar detector, suction cup, and wire feed, placed them in the trunk, but when stopped, of course they wanted to search the car, found the detector, gave him a ticket. No detector allowed, anyplace in the vehicle, disconnected, or otherwise. I was stopped for tint years ago and the cop saw the radar detector on the passenger's seat (not driving the C5). The officer said they cannot be in the cabin, so he had me put it in the trunk and he gave me a warning for the tint and the radar detector. Reply 0 0 Lowcash View Public Profile Send a private message to Lowcash Visit Lowcash's homepage! Find More Posts by Lowcash Oct 29, 2010 | 09:44 PM Share Share Options #10 WKMCD Race Director Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 13,760 Likes: 75 From: Haymarket VA Where in VA was this? Everybody should watch this before they drive in VA, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-JZtPQh0FQ Reply 0 0 WKMCD View Public Profile Send a private message to WKMCD Find More Posts by WKMCD Oct 29, 2010 | 10:03 PM Share Share Options #11 skyavonee Thread Starter Melting Slicks Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,355 Likes: 113 From: Los Angeles Quote: Originally Posted by WKMCD Where in VA was this? Everybody should watch this before they drive in VA, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-JZtPQh0FQ Haha, yeah, seen that one before. He was probably in that area to the north or south of the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Quote: Originally Posted by Scissors Edit: I've never actually heard of anyone going to jail for that level of speeding, assuming that they were only speeding and were nice to the officer. So I'm wondering if your friend copped an attitude or was weaving/cutting/racing/etc.? Doubtful that he was weaving or cutting; that doesn't sound like him. And if he was racing, he'd probably be going a LOT faster than 83 ...copped an attitude is definitely a possibility though. Reply 0 0 skyavonee View Public Profile Send a private message to skyavonee Find More Posts by skyavonee Oct 30, 2010 | 10:13 PM Share Share Options #12 2004 Z06 Racer Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 341 Likes: 0 From: South Beach, FL <-> Silver Spring, MD This happen to my cousin a couple years ago, he was doing 81 on 66 West in his Porsche and got pulled over and hauled into jail. I know so because I was in the passenger seat.....at the hearing they gave him 30 days in jail with 20 of them suspended so he had to do about a week in county. Just an fyi, this was his first offense of any kind....I'm assuming they gave him hard time because he's hispanic and had a yellow 911. Reply 0 0 2004 Z06 View Public Profile Send a private message to 2004 Z06 Find More Posts by 2004 Z06 Oct 30, 2010 | 10:52 PM Share Share Options #13 ncvette_1FUNRIDE Tech Contributor Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10,954 Likes: 259 From: Greensboro NC 2015 C6 of the Year Finalist Quote: Originally Posted by renegad44 I know a guy who stopped before entering VA, completely removed his radar detector, suction cup, and wire feed, placed them in the trunk, but when stopped, of course they wanted to search the car, found the detector, gave him a ticket. No detector allowed, anyplace in the vehicle, disconnected, or otherwise. I wouldn't think that they could not search your trunk without probable cause unless you give them permission. Second, if the radar detector is in the trunk disconnected, I don't see how in the world they could confiscate it. It's legal in all the other states and if your just passing through, what are you supposed to do? I got to my sister's in Richmond a lot and always have my detector with me. Unplugged and locked in the glove box while in VA. But then again, I don't give them a reason to stop me. Reply 0 0 ncvette_1FUNRIDE View Public Profile Send a private message to ncvette_1FUNRIDE Find More Posts by ncvette_1FUNRIDE Oct 31, 2010 | 09:28 AM Share Share Options #14 C3 4ME Le Mans Master Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,232 Likes: 463 From: Glen Allen, VA I've lived my whole life in Va and never heard of anyone getting hauled to jail for reckless. I would say that is definitely the exception rather than the rule. I keep my speed at 74 in 65 zones on the interstates and have been doing it for more than 20 years and never gotten a ticket doing it. Reply 0 0 C3 4ME View Public Profile Send a private message to C3 4ME Find More Posts by C3 4ME Oct 31, 2010 | 09:48 AM Share Share Options #15 crainholio Pro Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 653 Likes: 0 Quote: Originally Posted by renegad44 but when stopped, of course they wanted to search the car, found the detector... Anybody dumb enough to consent to a search learns a lesson from the experience. At best, you'll spend the rest of the officer's shift watching him/her toss your car...after which you'll get to put it all back together. At worst, they'll find some trivial malum prohibitum type offense like your pal got. Repeat after me: "I do not consent to any search, am I free to go?" Reply 0 0 crainholio View Public Profile Send a private message to crainholio Find More Posts by crainholio Nov 2, 2010 | 06:44 PM Share Share Options #16 C5iveRacer Drifting Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,754 Likes: 0 From: My brain is on that ^ beach........my body is elsewhere! The state is hurting for money so they are trying to balance the budget on the backs of drivers. I recently got a speeding ticket for 40 in a 25. However the cop had his radar set up right where the speed limit changes from 25 to 35. The fine is $6 for every mph over the limit.....plus $65 court fee. I'm going to fight it. I'll probably lose, but I won't go down without a fight! Reply 0 0 C5iveRacer View Public Profile Find More Posts by C5iveRacer Jan 11, 2011 | 03:05 PM Share Share Options #17 one-72 Instructor Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 187 Likes: 12 They have twice as many cops in Va.Beach for the [tourist season ] HA! tourist don,t get tickets they spend their money here.So we the locals pay their wages with the BS tickets they write year round. Stay away from this money grubing resort town . Reply 0 0

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one-72 View Public Profile Send a private message to one-72 Find More Posts by one-72 Jan 11, 2011 | 06:20 PM Share Share Options #18 bigearl56 Melting Slicks Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,487 Likes: 57 From: Williamsburg Virginia Enough about Virginia I am a Virginia native and love my state. I have had a total of three speeding and one reckless driving ticket in fifty years of driving. Never went to jail on any account. To me the key to the whole thing is your attitude when you get stopped. Always repect the officer, remembering he or she is only doing their job. Ask if any consideration could be extended usually gets a positve responce. When you go to court wear a suit and be on time. Don't, I repeat Don't, be stupid and offer silly excuses. Remember these patrol cars have the best equiptment money can buy and all the "officer not properly trained" excuses have been used. Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. This works for me here in Virginia. The one ticket I got in North Carolina 58/55 cost me big and I had to drive over 100 miles to pay it. So enough about Virginia. Earl Reply 0 0 bigearl56 View Public Profile Send a private message to bigearl56 Find More Posts by bigearl56 Jan 13, 2011 | 09:07 AM Share Share Options #19 Geardo Racer Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 413 Likes: 2 From: Carencro LA Quote: So enough about Virginia. No it's not! If these laws are true Virgina is truly an insane state, and you would have to be insane to live there! Reply 0 0 Geardo View Public Profile Send a private message to Geardo Find More Posts by Geardo Jan 13, 2011 | 02:00 PM Share Share Options #20 Scissors ☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠ Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 83,301 Likes: 4 From: Virginia Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran St. Jude's Donor '06 Quote: Originally Posted by Geardo No it's not! If these laws are true Virgina is truly an insane state, and you would have to be insane to live there! Except for the laws on detectors, Virginia's laws are pretty standard for the U.S. Reply 0 0 Scissors View Public Profile Send a private message to Scissors Find More Posts by Scissors Thread Tools Show Printable Version Search this Thread Click for Advanced Search Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page Click for Advanced Search User Control Panel Private Messages Subscriptions Who's Online Search Forums Forums Home New Member Intros In Memoriam In loving memory of lost CorvetteForum Brothers and Sisters C8 Corvette C8 Z06 Discussion C8 ZR1, ZR1X, and Zora Discussion C8 ERay/Hybrid/EV Discussion C8 General Discussion C8 Tech/Performance C8 Forced Induction/Nitrous C8 Corvettes for Sale C8 Parts for Sale/Wanted C8 Dealer Inventory C8 Vendor for Sale C7 Corvette, 2014 - 2019 C7 ZR1 Discussion C7 General Discussion C7 Tech/Performance C7 Z06 Discussion C7 Forced Induction/Nitrous C7 Dealer Inventory C7 Corvettes for Sale C7 Parts for Sale/Wanted C7 Vendor for Sale C6 Corvette, 2005 - 2013 C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06 C6 Corvette General Discussion C6 Tech/Performance C6 Scan & Tune C6 Forced Induction/Nitrous C6 Dealer Inventory C6 Corvettes for Sale C6 Parts for Sale/Wanted C6 Vendor for Sale C5 Corvettes, 1997 - 2004 C5 General C5 Tech C5 Scan & Tune C5 Forced Induction/Nitrous Performance Results C5 Corvettes for Sale C5 Parts for Sale/Wanted C5 Vendor for Sale C4 Corvettes, 1984 - 1996 C4 Tech/Performance C4 General Discussion C4 ZR-1 Discussion C4s for Sale/Wanted C4 Parts for Sale/Wanted C4 Vendor for Sale C3 Corvettes, 1968 - 1982 C3 Tech/Performance C3 General C3s for Sale/Wanted C3 Parts for Sale/Wanted C3 Vendor for Sale C1 & C2 Corvettes, 1953 - 1967 C1 & C2 Corvettes C1 & C2 Corvettes for Sale/Wanted C1 & C2 Parts C1 & C2 Vendor for Sale General Corvette Topics Autocrossing & Roadracing Autocrossing & Roadracing Classifieds Drag Racing Wheels & Tires Car Care Discussion Audio/Electronics Engine Mods Factory Correct Resto Paint/Body Auto Extras & Memorabilia Upcoming Events and Regional Discussion National Events NMCA C4/C5/C6 Shootout Northeast Southeast Great Lakes Northern California Southern California Pacific Northwest Southwest Mountain - Prairie Canadian Events Other Country Events Off Topic Photography F-Body General Discussion Other Cars Professional News, Articles, and Tips Ask Tadge Ken's Newsletters CorvetteForum Newsletter Archive Help & Feedback Help Forum Forum Guidelines and Rules Transactions Feedback Testing Reply Closed Thread Share

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