Offense: Obey Traffic Control Device (While on Bicycle)


On the way to work this morning I was presented with a $75 ticket for running a red light.

At the intersection of Cicero and Elston I was stopped waiting for the light to change.  I saw the light on Cicero turn yellow, cars were slowing down, so I clipped in and started rolling into the intersection.  All cars were stopped and the light turned green (for me) when I was half-ish of the way through... I made it one block and a Chicago Police Officer pulled me over and handed me my awesome new prize.

I'm thinking of going to court on it (since it's lame and there's a principle to be fought for here) but I'm also thinking it'd cheaper to pay it and get my license back. 

Anyone else have experience in these matters?

~Ryan

Views: 1273

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Davo on May 21, 2010 at 10:17am
Thanks, I didn't know that you would have to cover court costs as well. What happens if the cop doesn't show up?

Len Krietz said:
The harm in contesting it is that if you lose (cop shows up) you're out the $75 + the court costs ~$110-125 so the total is closer to $200.
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on May 21, 2010 at 10:50am
Dammit! That sure sucks. So lucky I have not been slapped with a ticket yet. I have been issued warnings but never a ticket. Dickhead S.U.V. driving piece of dung, donut eating, shield carrying, quota junkie had to have his way. Looks like there is no way out of this one. Show or pay...

Wish those bastards would bust all those motoring morons with cell phones stuck to their fecal faces instead.
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 21, 2010 at 4:55pm
OH WOW!!! That's actually kind of impressive - But as with all traffic violations, you should go to court and the judge might be lenient since you made the effort to show up, resulting in a reduced fine or better. That's the rule of thumb. Just be nice, show that you're sorry, and show a ton of respect.
Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on May 21, 2010 at 5:29pm
If the cop does not show charges are dropped, but here is the deal, if ya request a hearing you are relying on Chicago's postal system to send ya a court notice... From personal experience thats a 50/50 shot ya will get that notice...

Davo said:
Thanks, I didn't know that you would have to cover court costs as well. What happens if the cop doesn't show up?

Len Krietz said:
The harm in contesting it is that if you lose (cop shows up) you're out the $75 + the court costs ~$110-125 so the total is closer to $200.
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 21, 2010 at 8:53pm
I meant that if there's a set court date you should attend, not to contest when you're obviously in the wrong, but to acknowledge your mistake.

Matt M. said:
OH WOW!!! That's actually kind of impressive - But as with all traffic violations, you should go to court and the judge might be lenient since you made the effort to show up, resulting in a reduced fine or better. That's the rule of thumb. Just be nice, show that you're sorry, and show a ton of respect.
Permalink Reply by rob on May 22, 2010 at 12:25am
I live in Chicago and I though I haven't received any moving violations in many years (knock on wood) I don't recall there ever being court costs associated with the appeal. You win or lose. I do know they may send you to traffic school which will incur some cost but thats all I know. It may say it on the back of the ticket. If you do appeal make sure you check the box to appeal in person....not by mail. You can do this on line as well heres the link:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/rev/supp_info/challengin...

By mail the persons reading the case are not as sensitive to your case. I have appealed numerous parking tickets in person and won just about everyone. The drag is you may have to take a 1/2 day off which may be more costly than actually paying the ticket. Interesting thought....does it go against your driving record and can it impact your auto insurance? Who knows that one? I would appeal if I were you. Although I mistyped someones name I am not a bad guy (Dug vs Dung) oops. Good luck and be safe

H3N3 said:
Your local mail must suck. I can think of maybe 3 times in the last 8 years I didn't receive something by mail that I was expecting.

Chuck a Muck said:
If the cop does not show charges are dropped, but here is the deal, if ya request a hearing you are relying on Chicago's postal system to send ya a court notice... From personal experience thats a 50/50 shot ya will get that notice...

Davo said:
Thanks, I didn't know that you would have to cover court costs as well. What happens if the cop doesn't show up?

Len Krietz said:
The harm in contesting it is that if you lose (cop shows up) you're out the $75 + the court costs ~$110-125 so the total is closer to $200.
Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on May 22, 2010 at 3:05am
In full disclosure I must admit that the one and only time I got a moving violation in Chicago was 4 years ago and Chicago's US Postal service was ranked the worst in the nation at that time...
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 22, 2010 at 12:17pm
Well it sucks but having been "pulled over" for not having a front light on at dusk a few years ago, and for riding on the sidewalk for a block or so on a road under construction (repaving)
He was out to write a ticket and he IS in the right, I do the same thing a lot, treating red lights like 4 way stops.
Permalink Reply by Eduardo on May 23, 2010 at 10:25am
Dude, why did you stop? I've would have kept rolling. Race from hell is what they want, they gonna get!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 23, 2010 at 3:37pm
Depends on neighborhood and carrier route. When I lived in Rogers Park, I had major problems with getting reliable mail delivery. I complained many times to the carrier supervisor and postmaster, generally without success (and I have gotten results on this sort of thing in other places). I ended up getting a PO Box and directing most of my important mail there.

For years, Uptown 60640 was the worst zip code in the city for reliability. Don't know if that's still the case.

USPS does a great job in Beverly. :)

H3N3 said:
Your local mail must suck. I can think of maybe 3 times in the last 8 years I didn't receive something by mail that I was expecting.

Chuck a Muck said:
If the cop does not show charges are dropped, but here is the deal, if ya request a hearing you are relying on Chicago's postal system to send ya a court notice... From personal experience thats a 50/50 shot ya will get that notice...

Davo said:
Thanks, I didn't know that you would have to cover court costs as well. What happens if the cop doesn't show up?

Len Krietz said:
The harm in contesting it is that if you lose (cop shows up) you're out the $75 + the court costs ~$110-125 so the total is closer to $200.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on May 23, 2010 at 6:08pm
1. A bicycle cannot outrun a car - not even a bicycle with electric assist.
2. You CANNOT outrun police radios.

Eduardo Acosta said:
Dude, why did you stop? I've would have kept rolling. Race from hell is what they want, they gonna get!
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 24, 2010 at 2:02am
It is also an excellent way to make things much, mush worse.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
1. A bicycle cannot outrun a car - not even a bicycle with electric assist.
2. You CANNOT outrun police radios.

Eduardo Acosta said:
Dude, why did you stop? I've would have kept rolling. Race from hell is what they want, they gonna get!

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service