UPDATE: Ruling on S4 Lidar Ticket

[William Elliott <CN=William.Elliott/OU=MKE/OU=CORP/O=MMS#064#MMS%lngw@wtgw.corp.mei.com>]

<<Again to state my position on the matter of speeding; I would have
preferred to pay the fine as it stood (and not wasted a day of my time,
and the time of the officers) and consider it a speeding tax.  The issue I
had was that my insurance company would have used this as an excuse to
raise my rates (i.e. increase their profit margins) under the very false
assumption that I am more likely to get in an accident than the little old
blind lady holding up traffic. >>

I couldn't agree more.  Actually, I'm not adverse to paying the fine... it's the
insurance tail that's unacceptable.

I really liked the "coupon book" plan that some western state was considering.
It made the assumption that almost everybody speeds, but only a small
percentage get caught.  To enhance revenue collection, they planned to
sell booklets of "speeding coupons"... essentially paying your fine in advance.

Lots of people would buy booklets (most of whom would have never gotten
caught speeding) and would simply hand the trooper the coupon in exchange
for a minor speeding violation (Seems the limit was +15 or something) Since
the coupons expired periodically, you would have to buy them every couple
of years. Nothing goes on your driving record....SINCE MINOR SPEEDING
IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTOR!  

I think it's a great plan... would enhance revenues, reduce the court
load, and allow troopers to concentrate on more dangerous situations...
like the little old blind lady.

Of course, the insurance lobby killed the plan. Now, only getting caught is
considered a significant risk factor.   :-(

Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI