So this weekend I got a ticket for an unsafe turn, leading into a roundabout. It was dark and the cop didnt gun me and I know I wasnt speeding. But he was coming into the roundabout as i was leaving and the combination of night+driving towards me caused it to look like i was going faster than i was.

So! Is there a way to go to the dealer and get a print out of the computer record for a particular day? I wonder if it keeps track of your speed or when your ABS light flashes, so I can perhaps use that when disputing my ticket in court.

Anyone been through this? Any tips would help. I've been driving for 5 years and luckily this is my first ticket, never even received a parking ticket.

 

These cars don't have black boxes that do that.

 

The ECU does log some recent data (that's how Toyota/NHTSB has been able to debunk many of the bogus unintended acceleration complaints).

But it's not something your local dealer has the hardware to do.... and it doesn't keep long-term records or anything.

 

If he didn't get you on radar or laser then you can fight it and win. The general rule is first the cop visually estimates that you were speeding, then they need radar/laser reading to verify.

 

Was there someone already in the roundabout with right-of-way that the cop might have thought you cut off when you entered?

 

Wrong, he didn't get a speeding ticket, so there is no reason that the cop would need to produce evidence of excessive speed. He got an "unsafe turn", which is typically given to drivers who fail to yield right of way, or less frequently to drivers who fail to signal.

 

No it was empty. No one near or on the cross walk or even sidewalks. It wad a Friday night on the weekend of a major jewish holiday in a predominantly Jewish community. There wasn't a car or person for a minimum of 400ft.

But thanks for the info all. I'm going to take it to court and hope he doesn't show up. If it comes down to his word against mine, he's obviously going to win so I'll just ask for a lighter fine or traffic school since this my first offense.

 

I just hire a lawyer anytime I get a ticket these days.

 

just pay the ticket... i doubt it will be a lot. getting a lawyer for a traffic violation such as 10-20 over the speed limit is a waste if you ask me. Unless you have loads of time and you are completely anti-government.... just get online and pay it or go the No-Lo route.

 

If you pay the ticket, you are considered guilty. When you are guilty for a ticket, the price of insurance goes up and you might get points on your license.

Fight it with a lawyer, and usually the case gets dropped or you win and only have to pay court fees.