Ridiculous NC Traffic Laws?

[Merithynos]

So my buddy IM'd me earlier today. Apparently, he just got a letter in the mail from the North Carolina DMV that his license has been suspended for a year.

His offense?

One speeding ticket in another state (NJ) for doing 80 in a 65.

And no, really, that is it; he hasn't been cited a single time in NC since he moved there three years ago.

It's got to be a cash grab right? An excuse to fine him a few thousand dollars, plus court costs? Before you ask, it is apparently written into the NC General Statutes:

"§ 20‑16. Authority of Division to suspend license.

(a) The Division shall have authority to suspend the license of any operator with or without a preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other satisfactory evidence that the licensee:<snip>
(7) Has committed an offense in another state, which if committed in this State would be grounds for suspension or revocation;<snip>
(10) Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour on a public road or highway where the maximum speed is less than 70 miles per hour;

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-16.html

So, uh, wtf is going on in NC?

 

[bignateyk]

Wow, so they can suspend your license for a year for doing 76 in a 70?

 

[waggy]

Wow, so they can suspend your license for a year for doing 76 in a 70?

sure. if you ignore the ticket and don't pay it.

 

[DesiPower]

Again, driving is a privilege and not a right, when you drive you have to follow "rules", once you break them please don't expect "fairness". I wonder what your stance is with illegal immigration. IMHO, once you break the law, please don't whine

 

[D1gger]

Wow, so they can suspend your license for a year for doing 76 in a 70?

If I read it right, it would have to be 76 in a 65mph zone. The statute says more than 75 in a less than 70 zone.

Regardless, it is unreasonable in my opinion.

If they want the right to suspend a driver I believe the infraction should be more serious, like more than 75 in a less than 40 zone, or maybe a blanket more than 40mph over the stated limit. That could be more reasonably be considered dangerous driving and be grounds for suspension.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Wow, so they can suspend your license for a year for doing 76 in a 70?

No.

Speeds >75 with a speed limit <70.

 

[dfuze]

Surprised they want him suspended and not keep him on the roads as a revenue source for more tickets

 

[TwiceOver]

Wow, did he get any warning prior to this? I mean, one year is a lot of suspension not to warn someone first.

 

[mugs]

It's hard to call a license suspension a cash grab, because a license suspension is not a fine. You mention a "few thousand dollars" - what are the actual fines?

License suspension for 76 in a 65 does seem absurd.

 

[Dubb]

sure. if you ignore the ticket and don't pay it.

even if you pay it...Buddy of mine had the same thing happen - ticket in SC for 76 in a 65...paid it just to make it go away, found out later that NC was yanking his lic. He still had a permit to drive but only to work and for emergencies. I forget how many points it was, but it seemed high.

He got a lawyer to try and fight it, but only after he paid it - so he was boned.

 

[MJinZ]

Again, driving is a privilege and not a right, when you drive you have to follow "rules", once you break them please don't expect "fairness". I wonder what your stance is with illegal immigration. IMHO, once you break the law, please don't whine

You can leave North Carolina instead! :awe:

North Carolina has absurd laws. Legality is pointless when the laws are ridiculous. North Carolina doesn't really have shit so it's pretty easy to just walk out IMO.

 

[Merithynos]

Ticket was paid on time, no warning of the suspension.

My comment on "cash grab" is my assumption is that he'll get a lawyer, and the state will offer a hefty fine (a couple thousand plus court costs) in lieu of suspension.

Desi: troll much? If you want to look at it from that angle, it's a complete waste of taxpayer money to spend the thousands of dollars for a hearing in an attempt to penalize a citizen for a civil infraction incurred (and discharged) in another state. That doesn't discourage people from speeding, it encourages them to hire lawyers to fight every single civil infraction regardless of jurisdiction, forcing the issuing authorities to expend even more taxpayer money on fundamentally worthless traffic courts.

 

[PottedMeat]

Wow, did he get any warning prior to this? I mean, one year is a lot of suspension not to warn someone first.

There's probably more to this story.

His offense?

One speeding ticket in another state (NJ) for doing 80 in a 65 with 100 kilos of heroin.

 

[Dubb]

Ticket was paid on time, no warning of the suspension.

My comment on "cash grab" is my assumption is that he'll get a lawyer, and the state will offer a hefty fine (a couple thousand plus court costs) in lieu of suspension.

Like I said, my friend tried that and didn't get very far, other than spending around $1k on the lawyer.

What sucks about it is that it's not a well known law. Even if it was, what they hell do they expect you to do when you're on a crowded highway and everyone's doing 80-85? That's a pretty common scenario around larger cities.

 

[Vette73]

It's hard to call a license suspension a cash grab, because a license suspension is not a fine. You mention a "few thousand dollars" - what are the actual fines?

License suspension for 76 in a 65 does seem absurd.

In NC after the time is up you have to apply for a new license and also pay a fee for some other stuff and write a letter to get proof etc...

Never had mine susp. but grew up in NC.

 

[Merithynos]

There's probably more to this story.

His offense?

One speeding ticket in another state (NJ) for doing 80 in a 65 with 100 kilos of heroin.

Actually, it was eight kilos of coke, three underage hookers, and a bottle of viagra he got off the internet, but I don't think that part was important.

 

[Bibble]

That is quite unfortunate for your friend. If NJ took licenses away from everyone who was caught driving 76+ mph I suspect that ~50&#37; of drivers would no longer be able to drive legally. Actually, that would be great if it actually lowered road congestion.

Long story short, lawmakers should realize that other states != North Carolina, especially where driving culture is concerned.

 

[shocksyde]

time for your friend to move