Traffic Violations?

[JakeLock]

Alright, I am prepared for the barrage that will ensue after this question is posed but I really must know.

I have never bonded, posted bail or been arrested for anything, I do however have a few traffic tickets. I recieved a blocking an intersection ticket when I got stuck in a traffic jam in downtown Boise, I dropped a cigarette butt out the window of a car and got a "placing debris on the roadway" ticket, 3 speeding tickets, one was 5 over, one was 7 over and the other one, which my inattentiveness earned me, was almost 12 over and one window tint ticket.

I never argued any of these and I know I was wrong in all situations, I paid my fines and moved on with life. The last ticket I recieved was nearly a year ago and that was the 5 over ticket.

How heavily do your departments weigh driving records? And do you believe these's indiscretions will cause me any significant problems when applying with a department.

Thanks in advance for your comments, I know a few will be snide but I'm used to it... :D --Jake

[acreature]

The last ticket I recieved was nearly a year ago and that was the 5 over ticket.

5 over? What punk Dept wrote that? Or was it after a plea agreement?

As for the rest; They're not damning, but it will be weighed against other candidates.

[JakeLock]

No it was actually written, 75 in a 70, it was the HP's but they are known for writing what other people would consider trivial tickets. I can understand it tho to be honest with you. Wide open highways not much traffic... gotta write tickets somehow...

[Super Six 5]

Ditto Acreature. You stated the last ticket you were issued was a year ago. The more time that passes that you don't get citations, the better off you'll be. Minor moving violations aren't the end of the world, but they may mean the difference in why one applicant is selected over another.

[TX-LEO]

If ya have a lousy driving record, departments wont hire you because their insurance companies wont insure you. Same reason your personal insurance is more expensive.


Be careful when you drive, and keep your record clean.

[JakeLock]

I've actually got fairly cheap insurance, and it'll go down even more in August when I turn 25... I'm looking forward to that...

I'm insuring a 99 Intrepid and an 84 Toyota for less than 100bucks a month. Not to bad IMO.

I've also never been in an accident so I'm hoping that helps too.

[scott715us]

How many tickets in how many years?

The more recent the ticket(s), the more likely they are to hurt you.

[JakeLock]

All of my tickets were recieved over the course of 9 years.

[greg72982]

5 over? What punk Dept wrote that? Or was it after a plea agreement?

As for the rest; They're not damning, but it will be weighed against other candidates.

even 7 or 12 over....give me a break :rolleyes:

Most people on average drive 10 over anyway I don't think they'll look down on that too much Jake

[retdetsgt]

All of my tickets were recieved over the course of 9 years.

Worry about the last three years, five at the most.

[JakeLock]

IF I remember correctly I think I recieved all but two within the last 5 years... Cops in Idaho were much more strict than cops in ND. I have to double check ,I have them all written down, with the dates and locations...

Driving fast is something I picked up from my dad, and all the city guys I know here normally won't even look at you unless you're going 7 over...

I appreciate all your responses folks, being in LE is the only thing I've ever wanted to do and I've lived my life in the best way I can as to not ruin those plans.

Thanks again.

[Valor55]

I understand they WROTE you for 5, 7, and 12 over but what did the RADAR say you were going? Not what YOU think you were going, but the actual RADAR the trooper was using?

I write for 9 over all the time but usually I stop them for 15-20 over and knock it down on the actual ticket. I find it difficult to believe you were actually stopped for 5 and 7 over. That could just be a spedometer out of calibration.

[retdetsgt]

I find it difficult to believe you were actually stopped for 5 and 7 over. That could just be a spedometer out of calibration.

I don't have any problem believing it. In some areas, those tickets are one of the primary revenue means of some communities out here.

[JakeLock]

the only speeding ticket I knowingly got a break on was the 7mph over one, it was in an area that was going from 25 to 40, and I was going 47. I got nailed just as I was coming out of the 25 zone, either way I was speeding and deserved a ticket, but it was written as a 47 in a 40 instead of a 47 in a 25. Definately was a good thing for me. Believe me I learned from that one...

[JakeLock]

Also, I was never told in any case, that I can remember other than the previous one, that I was getting a break in any way...