Things to do when you are fined by a traffic officer on the road

[Naks]

Checklist for when you are stopped on the road for speeding

1. Check that the office approaching you is in full uniform, including his hat, take a picture as he is approaching on your phone or camera

2. DO NOT admit guilt, the office may ask you why you were speeding, or do you know how fast you were going, simply say: “Can I please see the reading on your equipment”

3. The office will comply as he/she is aware that they have to allow you, note who is operating the camera, when you see the reading then ask to see:
3.a. The calibration certificates, check that it is the same as the SME being used
3.b. The operator’s certificate, check that it is for the SME make and model being used and it is of the officer operating the equipment when you were trapped.

4. Also see if the SME is placed on a stable surface, not in the car, not on soft sand, not on a bridge, also that there are no obstructions within 50m in front of the camera (take pictures with your cellphone)

If any of these are not according to procedure judge the situation and consider if you would be able to tell them, sometimes this may not be the best option, but if it is do so, and if they insist on issuing the fine, ask the supervisor to note your concerns and sign on the back of the fine.

 

[Pseudonym]

I am sure that traffic officers have a list somewhere. And I guarantee that you are near the top
This sounds like a very good way to get your car impounded/a lot more fines. They'll circulate your numberplate and its tickets (like literally and figuratively) if the catch you doing anything wrong.
Has this ever worked? Did the officer look angrily from you to his partner and nod slightly?
I don't think I'll try this...

 

[Trixanno]

I can just imagine doing this with the over confident JMPD. They'll most probably get there buddies to help them arrest you, and if you defend yourself, they'll just arrest you for resisting arrest or something stupid like that. You'll end up in some dodgy jail central JHB where you'll become little Steve's B!atch for the night. You'll obviously be released the following morning as you did nothing wrong, but the inconvenience of the matter is a little too much for me.

I will still however, quietly, follow your advise and just get the ticket squashed after submitting all the evidence.

 

[rurapente]

if im guilty, ill admit guilt. i dont see why not. i was speeding, its wrong. tough for me.
I mean you have to be pretty stupid to be driving and not know your speed and then claim you weren't speeding LOL. We all we know how fast we are going when we get nabbed.

in fact I usually find if i admit guilt the officer is far more friendly, and open to discussion about why you may have been speeding etc.

If you're caught doing wrong and deny it when there's proof you tend to shoot down any chance you had of explaining yourself, or having compassion showed to you for whatever reason.

 

[Saajid]

if im guilty, ill admit guilt. i dont see why not. i was speeding, its wrong. tough for me.
I mean you have to be pretty stupid to be driving and not know your speed and then claim you weren't speeding LOL. We all we know how fast we are going when we get nabbed.

in fact I usually find if i admit guilt the officer is far more friendly, and open to discussion about why you may have been speeding etc.

If you're caught doing wrong and deny it when there's proof you tend to shoot down any chance you had of explaining yourself, or having compassion showed to you for whatever reason.

I like your choice of words... LOL...

Just say it straight - if you are nice, and not a hard-ass, you might be able to bribe them... and everybody wins.

 

[Positively Negative]

2. DO NOT admit guilt, the office may ask you why you were speeding, or do you know how fast you were going, simply say: “Can I please see the reading on your equipment”

Sorry but if im guilty il be honest. the last thing you wanna do is question the reading on thier equipment Also if you try get clever they will just get agitated and slap you with a fine quicker

 

[Creag]

I can just imagine doing this with the over confident JMPD. They'll most probably get there buddies to help them arrest you, and if you defend yourself, they'll just arrest you for resisting arrest or something stupid like that. You'll end up in some dodgy jail central JHB where you'll become little Steve's B!atch for the night. You'll obviously be released the following morning as you did nothing wrong, but the inconvenience of the matter is a little too much for me.

I will still however, quietly, follow your advise and just get the ticket squashed after submitting all the evidence.

...and they call him Bubba, don't they?

 

[dlk001]

I can just imagine doing this with the over confident JMPD. They'll most probably get there buddies to help them arrest you, and if you defend yourself, they'll just arrest you for resisting arrest or something stupid like that. You'll end up in some dodgy jail central JHB where you'll become little Steve's B!atch for the night. You'll obviously be released the following morning as you did nothing wrong, but the inconvenience of the matter is a little too much for me.

I will still however, quietly, follow your advise and just get the ticket squashed after submitting all the evidence.

Yep, so far I've encountered JMPD officers who are intimidating and potentially aggressive. I rather take the ticket than spending time/money suing them for wrongful arrest.

 

[LancelotSA]

The problem is most fines now are the camera variety where the first you know about it is the yellow slip in the mail!

 

[Sackboy]

I haven't questioned the legality of the fines I've had, but I have been surprised at their location. I think at the bottom of a hill, when a freeway ends and the speeds change or on a very good wide road with a 60 limit are all unfair.

 

[CharlesM]

Just say it straight - if you are nice, and not a hard-ass, you might be able to bribe them... and everybody wins.

I've heard of people asking the JMPD if they can "pay half now", lol...

 

[genetic]

Sorry but if im guilty il be honest. the last thing you wanna do is question the reading on thier equipment Also if you try get clever they will just get agitated and slap you with a fine quicker

Agreed. I always admit fault if I'm guilty. I'm always friendly, and the officer is friendly in return, and on a few occasions, the officer has let me off with a warning.
It's not a accident scene where you don't admit guilt for insurance purposes. Why create an issue when there generally isn't one?

 

[Bismuth]

Agreed. I always admit fault if I'm guilty. I'm always friendly, and the officer is friendly in return, and on a few occasions, the officer has let me off with a warning.
It's not a accident scene where you don't admit guilt for insurance purposes. Why create an issue when there generally isn't one?

Yeah, I find this is the correct attitude to take, and then the officer will respond in kind. This reminds of the one time I was stopped at a road-block on a Sunday morning, I said to the cop that doing this on a Sunday when you could be sleeping late, must suck. He laughed, and said it's worse when you have to tell the other cops they have Sunday duty, he was apparently the supervisory officer, or something to that effect. He had never even checked my licence on the system after that, as he said he was going to.

B

 

[SlinkyMike]

You forgot:

5.) Receive a freaking roadside beating and subsequent jailhouse honeymoon from some dude with no front teeth in the nearest holding cell.

Seriously: ignore this list; say "Yes sir"; "No sir" and hopefully be on your way as soon as possible.