Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

[Modulus]

"Yes, it's true. I lost the R to the popo in Canada this weekend.
You ready for the story of how my leadfoot finally did me in?

Well, crack a beer, grab a smoke of your choice and sit right back and hear a tale of a fateful trip Gilligan....

It starts after a beautiful weekend visiting my family in Ottawa. As some of you know, I go often, (maybe you followed my 'R in Canada' thread.)

Anywho, I get on the highway from Ottawa and start my journey back to New York. OK, I drive way too fast, but my 'highly-illegal-radar detector-in-Ontario' always saves my a$$ here in NY and up there as well. After saving my butt twice, I start to accelerate. I'm about a half an hour and 23 miles from the freedom of the U.S. border when an unmarked Ontario Provincial Police car car hits me with 'instant-on' K band radar going in the opposite direction. This is one of the few times a radar detector is vulnerable no matter how good it is. My K-Band signal starts going absolutely nuts, so I know he got me. I look back to see him swing a quick U-turn and floor it after me.
"Oh sh*t, I'm dead. Maybe he nailed someone else and I just caught a reflection" me thinks... NOT!
I jumped into the right lane and slowed to a legal speed. Well, lo and behold, he flies right up my a$$ and pulls me over.

-"Do you know why I pulled you over..eh?" (Eh= A Canadian term of endearment)

-"Not exactly Sir."

-"I have you on radar going 154 Kph in a 100 Kph zone" (For those who aren't Mike Solo, that's 95 Mph in a 62 Mph)

-"Really? I honestly don't think I was going that fast. Humph."

-"I have it on the display in my car. You can see it if you'd like"

*being that gadget freak that I am, I figured...*

-"Sure."

-"We have some new laws about that which I'll explain, but do you also have a radar detector in this vehicle?"

-"Yes sir, and it is off." *blatant lie*

-"May I have it sir."

-"I can't. It's permanently installed in the car."

-"Please remove the display. If you don't have something to cut it, I do."

*snips display from my car*

-"Could you please open the hood for me and remove the eye in the grill."

-"Ummm, OK."

*tears front eye from the vehicle* (Oh well...So much for that $1500 radar detector. )

-"OK, now please wait in your car for the flatbed."

At that point, I heard Kyle from South Parks' mom in my head saying,

"What, what, WHAT"

This is also the time I started think.. "Man, I would totally flash him my t*ts right about now if I had some", but I had to settle for asking him if my NYPD leutenants' badge or the fact my brother is Canadian Special Forces would help. (Monday was Veteran's Day there too, but's it's a little bigger of a holiday meaning to Canada than it is for us)

-"Nope. Sorry, that won't help you today."

*Cue the Spicoli line in my head* "You dick!"

-"So waht do you mean, 'Wait for the flatbed.'?"

As explained to me, as of October 1st, anyone caught going 50 Kph over the speed limit can be considered wreckless driving, or as they word it, 'Stunt driving' in their law. It gets the same classification as racing, motorcycle wheelies, burn outs, donuts, etc...
It also means that there is a mandatory, on the spot suspension of your license for 7 days as well as the vehicle getting impounded for 7 days.



Now those of you thinking to yourself, 'Wait, they can't do that to someone from outside the country, or maybe they targeted you for being from NY/USA', ...think again. They can, and they don't target people from the U.S. in particular. This happens to ANYONE driving in Ontario, Canadian, American, or whomever you might be.
OK, so now you're thinking, 'well that sucks, but at least it won't go on your license abstract.' ....aaaand you'd be wrong again.
It turns out, Ontario and New York have agreements to share info and records. Anything that one gets convicted for there goes on your NY abstract.



...and oh, the fine for this infraction by itself is just ludacris. Wait 'till you hear this in a minute...



*my final plea for mercy*

-Sir, please don't do this. What do I do with my dogs? I have a ton of extremly important things I need to do that I need to get back for! Please!"

-"No, sorry. I know it's inconvenient. I can't help you.".

Great! Sso now I'm going to be stuck on the side of the highway, with the entire contents of my car and my two little dogs. (Yep, Sandy and Buddy were with me as usual) WTF now?!
At that moment, the flatbed pulled up and as I help the driver get the car up the cop takes off. Having no clue what to do, I asked the driver to just bring me to the impound yard so I can make arrangements to do something. What, I don't know, but something.

The only thing for me to do was to get a cab to the nearest rent-a-car place. The problem with that is;
#1- my license is now suspended in Ontario
and (as I had found out)...
#2-a rental car can't go from Canada to the US, only the other way around.

The driver and I happened to see a cab and flagged him down. Yes, he'll take me, my stuff and the dogs over the border to the nearest rental place. 'OK, cool'. Now the next problem; Just over the NY border there, only the Amish exist, (No really, I'm not kidding, Amish. No phone, no lights, no motorcars. Not a single luxury Amish.) Could someone please explain these people to me? Who the hell wants to party like it's 1699? But I digress... It turns out the only national car rental chain is miles away in Pottsdam. A fairly expensive cab ride and an hour and a half later we get to Enterprise. Sheeze.

Along the way the cab driver says to me;

-"Did the cop tell you what the fine for this is?

-*sheepishly* "Do I really want to know?"

-"It's a minimum of $2000 and up to $10000.

Nice.

I was lucky (if that's what you want to call it) that Enterprise had one lone, final vehicle sitting in it's lot. A plain white cargo van. WOOT!
My only problem is that Enterprise will only accept that van back at that office, so it's back off to Pottsdam next week before I go back to pick up the car in Canada. Oh well.

So now the the fun really begins in dealing with this mess and trying to pay for it all. I have to drive back up next Monday to go get the car. I also need to return again on December 4 for a court appearance. Now that just plain sucks a$$.

I've contacted a 'lawyer' in Canada to assist on this one. At first, I wasn't going to, but I finally just figured it's silly not to. Up there, the legal system's a bit different. For traffic tickets, an attorney doesn't have to represent you. Paralegals can represent you. There are multiple agencies filled with ex-Royal Canadian Mounted Police and O.P.P. who become paralegals who one can hire fairly inexpensively to deal with the case and from what I understand, they're pretty effective. Let's see if it helps get me reduction. Anything will help. Right now, the cost of this looks like;

$1500 radar detector
$2000-$10000 fines for 'stunt driving'
$350 fine for the radar detector ticket
$500 impound and towing fees
$200 in cab rides
$350 weekly van rental
$600 attorney fee

...walking away with my health and not getting arrested,

Priceless.


Sooooo, the lesson from this story is, when in Ontario, put your friggin' cruise control on 100 KPH and don't move from that for the love of God!"

[Navi]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over

tl;dr

[Modulus]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over

tl;dr

too lazy didn't read?

I think we need to check your B12 lol.

[Aston Martin]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Thanks for the heads up.

[Andrew69]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Well to McGuinty's facist Ontario, guilty until proven innocent. This guy would easily get off in a trial. The cop was coming the other way on the highway and had to turn onto the opposite lanes in order to catch this guy. The cop had to take his eyes off the vehicle in order to make the turn. He couldn't be a 100% sure he acquired the same car. According to an article in the Toronto Star earlier this year that is an automatic toss in a court room.

I hope this guy wins his case and sues to recoup all his costs.

It isn't bad enough that the dollar is chasing away tourist now we have the Ontario Government doing it.

I can't believe Ontarians were dumb enough to re-elect McGuinty, the man is a dolt.

[Lupo214]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Well to McGuinty's facist Ontario, guilty until proven innocent. This guy would easily get off in a trial. The cop was coming the other way on the highway and had to turn onto the opposite lanes in order to catch this guy. The cop had to take his eyes off the vehicle in order to make the turn. He couldn't be a 100% sure he acquired the same car. According to an article in the Toronto Star earlier this year that is an automatic toss in a court room.

I hope this guy wins his case and sues to recoup all his costs.

It isn't bad enough that the dollar is chasing away tourist now we have the Ontario Government doing it.

I can't believe Ontarians were dumb enough to re-elect McGuinty, the man is a dolt.

Unfortunately the competition was John "I dont care if the entire province is against funding all school boards I want it and I wont back down no matter what even after it has cost me the election" Tory.

[Andrew69]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Well to McGuinty's fascist Ontario, guilty until proven innocent. This guy would easily get off in a trial. The cop was coming the other way on the highway and had to turn onto the opposite lanes in order to catch this guy. The cop had to take his eyes off the vehicle in order to make the turn. He couldn't be a 100% sure he acquired the same car. According to an article in the Toronto Star earlier this year that is an automatic toss in a court room.

I hope this guy wins his case and sues to recoup all his costs.

It isn't bad enough that the dollar is chasing away tourist now we have the Ontario Government doing it.

I can't believe Ontarians were dumb enough to re-elect McGuinty, the man is a dolt.

Unfortunately the competition was John "I don't care if the entire province is against funding all school boards I want it and I wont back down no matter what even after it has cost me the election" Tory.

McGuinty worked that wedge issue like a Republican. He made a big deal over a small issue and the public was dumb enough to buy it. So now we just fund one religious school, Catholic. Guess what McGuinty is? Catholic and his wife? She works for the Catholic school system. All the b.s. about money leaving the public school system. Every parent with a child in another school is still paying for the public school system . McGuinty is getting tons of money for kids he doesn't have to educate. Imagine you own a McDonald's and you get paid even if customers eat at Burger King, pretty sweet deal eh?

In 2003 when McGuinty was elected he said he would address the issue of religious funding to make it more equitable. Of course like most of his promises he did nothing.

If Tory had changed his position on school funding. The Toronto Star and the soft money ads from the Unions would have crucified him for being a flip flopper.

I would gladly vote for a honest, competent Liberal. McGuinty is none of these.


Sorry got carried away.....just make sure you don't speed

[Tgrrluvver]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Ignorance of a countries laws isn't an excuse.

The guy got busted, he knows it, and has accepted it. It sucks he got hit so hard, but them's the breaks when you want to drive like a moron.

I'll admit i speed a bit too much as well, but never anywhere near that much over (25-30 max) and I even have a Speeding ticket in my car right now to prove it (got caught doing 110 in an 80, but got off with 15 kph over and a warning)

The fine will prolly get revoked in court as the officer likely did lose sight of the person at some point. Expensive trip up here for sure, lol.

[Lupo214]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Well to McGuinty's fascist Ontario, guilty until proven innocent. This guy would easily get off in a trial. The cop was coming the other way on the highway and had to turn onto the opposite lanes in order to catch this guy. The cop had to take his eyes off the vehicle in order to make the turn. He couldn't be a 100% sure he acquired the same car. According to an article in the Toronto Star earlier this year that is an automatic toss in a court room.

I hope this guy wins his case and sues to recoup all his costs.

It isn't bad enough that the dollar is chasing away tourist now we have the Ontario Government doing it.

I can't believe Ontarians were dumb enough to re-elect McGuinty, the man is a dolt.

Unfortunately the competition was John "I don't care if the entire province is against funding all school boards I want it and I wont back down no matter what even after it has cost me the election" Tory.

McGuinty worked that wedge issue like a Republican. He made a big deal over a small issue and the public was dumb enough to buy it. So now we just fund one religious school, Catholic. Guess what McGuinty is? Catholic and his wife? She works for the Catholic school system. All the b.s. about money leaving the public school system. Every parent with a child in another school is still paying for the public school system . McGuinty is getting tons of money for kids he doesn't have to educate. Imagine you own a McDonald's and you get paid even if customers eat at Burger King, pretty sweet deal eh?

In 2003 when McGuinty was elected he said he would address the issue of religious funding to make it more equitable. Of course like most of his promises he did nothing.

If Tory had changed his position on school funding. The Toronto Star and the soft money ads from the Unions would have crucified him for being a flip flopper.

I would gladly vote for a honest, competent Liberal. McGuinty is none of these.


Sorry got carried away.....just make sure you don't speed

Don't get me wrong I dont like McGuinty and I have voted for Tory twice now....once Provincially and once Municipally. What I dont understand is why he would even make such a contentious issue part of his campaign. He didnt even win his own riding. It was a stupid thing to do and he paid the price.

[wellhungone]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

I'm shocked that the OPP did give you a break since you had your tin(badge) with you ? Maybe you should of shown him that before anything else, It seems the brotherhood no longer exists

Plus if you cruise around 120KM-130KM and not weaving in & out of traffice they seem to let that go.

Oh well, better you than me in this case.

[far2crazy]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

Persons in the wrong. Using radar detector... going at over half again the speed limit (at speeds that are even unacceptable at his home... hence the detector) they knew it and accepted it.

Its not like the stuff is unsigned as you cross the border either.

The radar detector being in the car in Canada is illegal hence the officer is fully in their rights to cut it.

Moral of the story: follow the laws in the country your in. The officer should be able to arrest them for the day/night and put the pooches in the pound, but that is not in the law.

I don't know about you, but when I drive down the states I follow the road laws. Their enforcers are not as nice as ours. Troopers in some states scare me.

[Foreskin]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

You saying that your on the job and he still did you like a perp? Unbelievable .... well you know what you have to do on your side of the border for visiting OPP. TURN IT UP LOUD AND CLEAR

[cdnadmirer]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

I cant believe you ppl. A NY cop comes to Canada and gets caught up in a NEW law put out there from uncle Dalty. I got news for you, that law has been on the books forever, its just been spruced up. I know because a friend of mine was hit with the charge back in the 60''s. The law then was 30 mph over the speed limit. As a cop you know the rules and you know the outcome if you break them. Just be glad it wasnt the other way around, a Canadian caught in NY state. Over there the Canadian is thrown in jail until he pays the bail or he sits in jail waiting for his court date. I do a lot of driving and see drivers like you all the time. There are to many cars on the road today to be driving like that. Set your cruise at 18 k over the limit and the OPP will never bother you as long as your not verring in and out of traffic. As for anyone who wants to tallk anymore about polictics or speeding tickets, thats two doors down, check the sign that says vacant elevator shaft. This is for talking about the gurls.

[Modulus]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

As for anyone who wants to tallk anymore about polictics or speeding tickets, thats two doors down, check the sign that says vacant elevator shaft. This is for talking about the gurls.

Says the guy with 2 posts.....in 3 years! lol geez:

[Andrew69]

Re: Story of American doing 50 over in Ontario

I cant believe you ppl. A NY cop comes to Canada and gets caught up in a NEW law put out there from uncle Dalty. I got news for you, that law has been on the books forever, its just been spruced up. I know because a friend of mine was hit with the charge back in the 60''s. The law then was 30 mph over the speed limit. As a cop you know the rules and you know the outcome if you break them. Just be glad it wasnt the other way around, a Canadian caught in NY state. Over there the Canadian is thrown in jail until he pays the bail or he sits in jail waiting for his court date. I do a lot of driving and see drivers like you all the time. There are to many cars on the road today to be driving like that. Set your cruise at 18 k over the limit and the OPP will never bother you as long as your not verring in and out of traffic. As for anyone who wants to tallk anymore about polictics or speeding tickets, thats two doors down, check the sign that says vacant elevator shaft. This is for talking about the gurls.

I seriously doubt the Police had the ability to confiscate your car on the spot for speeding immediately preceding McGuinty's looney law and highly doubt they could fine you $2000-$10000.

Yes the guy was in the wrong, he shouldn't have been speeding however taking his car on the spot and issuing a fine of $2000-10000 is over kill. Since when have the Police become Judge, jury and executioner?

I also highly doubt that because he was a NY cop he knew about Ontario's new law.

No one on the 401 drives at 100km/hr unless it is rush hour. Try it one day and see how many dirty looks you get, honks and the finger. You will be holding up the flow of traffic if you do.

A study was undertaken by the University of Toronto on speed & speed & accidents. It came to the conclusion that despite the rhetoric, speed doesn't kill. Further it recommended that the speed limit on the 400 series highways be increased to 130 km/hr.

This law was implemented as a blatant tax grab and as a knee jerk reaction to the public outcry about two Toronto men who were racing, crashed and killed someone then were found not guilty. The boys were wealthy and hired some hot shot lawyers who convinced the Judge that they weren't technically guilty of racing as it is defined by the law. These were two kids who were recklessly racing on inner Toronto streets during the day. This is completely differently from the guy who takes an uncrowded 401 from Toronto to Montreal on a Tuesday and drives consistently at 150km/hr for his journey.

Canada has the world's second largest land mass and one of the lowest ratios of population to land mass of any nation on earth. So it isn't surprising that we exceed our rigid speed limits on sparsely populated highways as we drive 1000's of kilometres from city to city.