Fighting Dragon Tickets
09-20-2013, 10:52 AM
#11
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Since it was dismissed it does not constitute case law. As such you would have to bring proof and a copy of that web page would not suffice.
If you want to fight this in court, this statement is key:
"Dear Mr. Lee: Please find enclosed the Road Safety Audit Review of U. S. 129 from North Carolina State Line to Tabcat Bridge in Blount County, dated July 25, 2007. We have no record of a Traffic Engineering Survey and/or Speed Audit for this location."
-Marion E. Hilt, Staff Attorney, TDOT, Tennessee Open Records Act Request, February 23, 2011
You would have to petition the Tennessee state govt for the above. You would have to bring a copy of the actual statue and your response from the TDOT. FOIAs are a bitch. You have to know exactly what to ask for or else your request will be refused.
Now of course if you follow through and show everyone step by step how to beat a speeding ticket on the dragon, you'll be a hero....
If you want to fight this in court, this statement is key:
"Dear Mr. Lee: Please find enclosed the Road Safety Audit Review of U. S. 129 from North Carolina State Line to Tabcat Bridge in Blount County, dated July 25, 2007. We have no record of a Traffic Engineering Survey and/or Speed Audit for this location."
-Marion E. Hilt, Staff Attorney, TDOT, Tennessee Open Records Act Request, February 23, 2011
You would have to petition the Tennessee state govt for the above. You would have to bring a copy of the actual statue and your response from the TDOT. FOIAs are a bitch. You have to know exactly what to ask for or else your request will be refused.
Now of course if you follow through and show everyone step by step how to beat a speeding ticket on the dragon, you'll be a hero....
All that being said, I just got off the phone with the clerk's office. County offense, first speeding ticket is a whopping $20. Not $200, two-zero. The second offense is $197, however
As I would easily spend four times that in gas just getting there, I'm paying the ticket. However, for the benefit of all, I'm still following through with getting updated references. I'll keep them around in case I/anyone else ever wants to try to use them.
Also, Billman must have gotten a State ticket, as he said his was $280 or something for about 15 over. Lesson here, folks - try to get pulled over by the Sheriff's Department
09-20-2013, 02:46 PM
#12
Are you sure? I suspect the fine is $20.00 but the court costs are quite a bit higher. Por ejemplo, a few years back I got a ticket in KY for improper pass on the way home from the Dragon (ran out of dotted line on a 2 lane) and the fine was ONLY $20.00. Court costs, however, were $233.00 for a grand total of $253.00.
09-20-2013, 03:14 PM
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Are you sure? I suspect the fine is $20.00 but the court costs are quite a bit higher. Por ejemplo, a few years back I got a ticket in KY for improper pass on the way home from the Dragon (ran out of dotted line on a 2 lane) and the fine was ONLY $20.00. Court costs, however, were $233.00 for a grand total of $253.00.
I signed the "Yes, I'm guilty, here's my money" portion of the citation and mailed it in. Seems to me that removes the need for court fees.In any case, I'll update the thread if that happens.
09-21-2013, 05:04 PM
#14
Dang..... for $20 I'd speed on the Dragon!!! 
Got one going up Mt Mitchell this year... like $25 for the ticket, $200 for the court costs, even though I mailed it in.
Got one going up Mt Mitchell this year... like $25 for the ticket, $200 for the court costs, even though I mailed it in.
10-05-2013, 05:29 AM
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I haven't seen that in a long time... 
In other news, still no word on either the ticket or the request for info. I'll call Monday, if the offices are open. D.O.T. receives Federal funding, but it's also a State agency, so dunno how the shutdown is affecting them.
In other news, still no word on either the ticket or the request for info. I'll call Monday, if the offices are open. D.O.T. receives Federal funding, but it's also a State agency, so dunno how the shutdown is affecting them.
10-10-2013, 04:16 PM
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Update for the info request:
I was informed that a. TN statue 10-7-503 requires that you be a TN resident to get information under their version of FOIA , and b. federal statute 23 U.S.C. 409 prohibits releasing information regarding public safety on roads. The first seems legit; the second looks like they're stretching a little in the interpretation. I could file a federal FOIA request I suppose, but honestly, it looks like it's going to be a PITA.
tl;dr - government wins due to superior knowledge of arcane rules
I was informed that a. TN statue 10-7-503 requires that you be a TN resident to get information under their version of FOIA , and b. federal statute 23 U.S.C. 409 prohibits releasing information regarding public safety on roads. The first seems legit; the second looks like they're stretching a little in the interpretation. I could file a federal FOIA request I suppose, but honestly, it looks like it's going to be a PITA.
tl;dr - government wins due to superior knowledge of arcane rules
