Damn, a speeding ticket!

[Black R]

I haven't had a speeding ticket in 5 years, but I've received two in the last two weeks.

Is something going on lately?
Are the police trying to double up on traffic violation income to make up for sequestration?

I'm going to document these two accounts:

1.

A couple of weeks ago I took a day trip to visit an orthopedic dr in Birmingham.

As I crossed from GA to AL, the speed limit signs went from 70 to 55, but I didn't notice as I got off at the rest stop / welcome center and used the bathroom.

I got back on I20 and immediately got pulled over - for doing 85 in a 55. Ouch.

The funny thing is that I really wasn't trying to speed, and I was still under the impression that the speed limit was 70 and I don't think I was going 85.
But I never saw the officer clock me.
Do the police have some car mounted devices that automatically clock you?

I didn't argue, I just took the ticket and the "have a nice day."

I'm guilty of being an Atlanta driver (wrt speed), that's for sure - but on general principle I usually show up for court and make the requisite excuse in order to have my speeding tax reduced.

I'm just wondering what's the procedure in that area... And what constitutes the method of measuring speed for AL.



The court date is set for May.


2.

A week later, J texts me that his clutch blew up and this past Sunday I drove down to Fayetteville to help him and Ant out - but by the time I arrived they already had it out.
I stayed and helped out and after some setbacks, pretty much finished up and left at 3:30am knowing I had to be at work at 7am.

I saw literally 20 different cops staking out speed traps at various roads as I drove to Alpharetta.
I was cruising at 9 over - verified by gps - and see two cop cars just past exit 8 on ga 400 and they light me up.

This was a young cop and he tells me I was going 81 in a 65 and asks me if I have a medical emergency or any other reason to be speeding.
I told him no.
Then he asks me about the tach in my car and says that I can't properly see the speedo.
(the tach is needed bc of the swap I have)

He goes to the car and writes me a ticket for 83 in a 65 verified by laser.
His partner keeps saying stuff about my car, like they're playing good cop/ bad cop.

He ends up giving me a warning for tinted license plate cover (it's clear!), obscured speedo, no tread on front tires (they're nt-01's!).

And he asks me if I'm on drugs or drinking because I'm shivering - it's in the high 40's and I've been sitting with no heat for 20 minutes with the window down while he writes me a ticket. :/

Again, I take the ticket without argument.



The court date is set for April.

Now I'm not saying that I wasn't speeding.
I'm just not in agreement with the amount over.