by LoneWolf on Mon Apr 19, 2004 2:15 pm
I own a 1994 Acura Integra GS-R, which is finally paid off as of this past weekend. 152,000 miles, I've owned it for about 70,000 of them. And while I've never maxed it, I've had it up to 125mph at one point in my life when I was younger, and didn't have a significant other's welfare to think about.
I've had up to 9 points. I'm now down to 2. I don't intend to go back. Some of them were genuine mistakes (wrong place wrong time), and none of them were for reckless driving. Still, I learned a lesson. First off, if you're driving something sporty, don't drive it like you stole it. A Mustang Cobra, or a Corvette...both are obvious cop magnets. Also, don't build up a history of tickets. Makes it a million times more likely you won't get a ticket dropped in the future even if you play nice with the cops, because they'll see your record. Which leads to your next big mistake. You didn't play nice with the cops. If I was a cop, anyone that said "F--- You" would be ensured a citation for anything legitimate I could find wrong, and that's how most police operate. Better to stay calm under all circumstances even if you believe the cops are wrong. It's easy enough to disagree in a polite voice, and there's nothing a cop can tell a judge later about your attitude that way if you take it to court. I actually did get out of a ticket about eight years ago despite having a radar detector in my windshield (which I don't any longer, there's another something they'll note, even if it's legal) by staying calm with the officer and not running my mouth off.
I'm 30 years old and still paying $900-1,000 every 6 months for insurance. Why? Because of situations like the ones you're currently in. I learned my lesson. I'm telling you this so that hopefully you'll learn one from it as well. Fight the ticket if you truly believe you're in the right...but should you keep your license choose a cheapo car to drive that won't get you pulled over because of its bling bling or go-fast looks/capabilities. Geat cheap PLPD insurance so you don't get ganked, and because a cheapo car doesn't need expensive insurance. Consider a flashy car a reward for getting your driving record completely clear, if that's the kind of car you like. And keep the insurance up to date --all it takes is getting pulled over without it and you'll have one heck of a bill to pay. Not to mention that if someone gets in an accident with you and you don't have insurance, they can sue you for everything you own if you're in the wrong, and they can win.
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