[kriation]

Hey folks,

So... I got pulled over yesterday. No, not for speeding... for not having an inspection sticker. I know, I know. Why didn't I have one? Well, between the traveling and the holidays, I never got around to getting the car inspected... my fault completely.

However, the friendly Bedford officer did issue me a citation for $50, and mentioned that if paid promptly, would not appear on my SDIP list, which would then not effect my insurance premium.

I disagree, and I'm looking for the educated opinions of others. I decided to sift through the M.G.L. last night and other repositories of Massachusetts legislation and found that it was considered a "Minor Traffic Violation". Supposedly, according to the new SDIP law, all violations are considered for an "adjustment" of my SDIP.

What do you think? Should I go to court? Or pay it and deal with the potential hike in premiums?

[blalor]

Fight it. Always fight it. That's been my experience, anyway. Guilt has nothing to do with it. :-) Get the inspection done first, tho!

[kriation]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

Fight it. Always fight it. That's been my experience, anyway. Guilt has nothing to do with it. :-) Get the inspection done first, tho!

I'm a big fan of fighting the system, but if I don't have to, then I won't... however, I'll admit it's always fun going down there, and just seeing the look on the cop's face.

I actually had it done this morning.

[JR9907]

Yes it will go against you.Say you are a step 9 you will go to a step 10 and loose 7% of you safe driver credit money.

[kriation]

Quote: Originally Posted by JR9907 (original)

Yes it will go against you.Say you are a step 9 you will go to a step 10 and loose 7% of you safe driver credit money.

They actually changed from a step to a point system in October of '06, so the old numbers don't apply anymore, but that's exactly the info I needed to hear.

Thanks!

[jwardell]

Fine.. you go from a 98 to a 100 or whatever the equivalent in the "new" system. Point is, it may cost you over a thousand in the next few years.

First why didn't the car come with one? They should have issued it with the new car.
I say this, because MOP forgot with mine. Being my first new car purchase in MA, I just assumed it didn't need one for the first year or so because it was new (that is, logically, how it works in other states). Good thing I questioned before I was caught. MOP sent me down to the sunoco for a free sticker. (See--it was missing at MOT 04)

There's a chance it's not a moving violation but I don't think so. We need Ivan to chime in with the details.

[JR9907]

Let me clarify.The old step 9 is now a 99.If you are a 99 you will go to a 98.It won't cost you thousands of dollars but it won't be cheap.I believe it will stay with you for 6 years.Say during those 6 years you get a speeding ticket,you will go from a 98 to a 1 and get a $215.00 surcharge for 3 years.You will also loose all your safe driver credit money.

[GreenBrit]

Mass insurance sucks. Not getting your car inspected shouldn't equal a speeding ticket or other moving violations.

[snek]

Joe is right - you will lose your safe driver credit, if you have one now and risk a surcharge for the next 5 years. If you already have a conviction, you will get a surcharge. However, if you get your car inspected right away, the magistrates will usually dismiss the ticket.

Not getting your car inspected does equal a speeding ticket in that they are both about money.

[kriation]

Thank you for all your replies!

I completely understand the surcharge system for premiums, and that the new system is exactly the same racket as the old. I'll admit, I haven't been a saint when it comes to my driving record, but I'm not reckless either. My ultimate concern here was that the lack of an inspection sticker should not equal a moving violation, and I was hoping an educated person on the board could clarify, and you have!

I had been thinking about what I intend to do all day today, and I've decided that I am going to contest it for the above reason. I did get Soffi inspected this morning, and have the appropriate paperwork.

In regard to MoP not providing one at delivery was per my request. I'm certainly not going to hold them accountable for this one because it wasn't their fault.

I'm actually looking forward to defending myself on this one. I kind of enjoy it...

Thanks again folks!

[holdenontoit]

I got a ticket for this in 1966 in my 1958 Morris Minor traveller. It's still on my permanent record ( I know this because it came up in a case I was involved in a while back where I was being charged with "disrupting a funeral procession"................don't ask )

did you know that disrupting a funeral procession is punishable by up to 9 months in jail?

[JR9907]

After seeing this thread I had a buddy of mine run my driving record.The only violation on it is a speeding ticket from 8-29-83,I was stopped in West Bridgewater at 3:10 am.I was driving a 1980 Toyota pickup.I had forgotten I had a really cool plate back then,A over B 24...

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by kriation (original)

In regard to MoP not providing one at delivery was per my request. I'm certainly not going to hold them accountable for this one because it wasn't their fault.

hmmm....


I'm biting my tongue on this one.

[jwardell]

Why did you ask them not to inspect it for you?

Just so you are aware, the magistrate hearing is just someone who's job it is to cut your fine in half in order to attempt you to say you're guilty, and still lose the $thousand+ on insurance in the upcoming years. Perhaps they are more reasonable with this than speeding tickets, but if they do find you responsible, immediately ask for an appeal. Then you will go in front of an actual judge and the officer must attend. 70% of the time the officer does not show up and everything is thrown out.

95% of people don't go to appeal and thats why the cops here are so willing to hand out tickets left and right, because chances are they won't be bothered to go to court later. Dragging them in is the only way to counteract their other incentives of giving tickets instead of warnings in the future.

[kriation]

Quote: Originally Posted by holdenontoit (original)

I got a ticket for this in 1966 in my 1958 Morris Minor traveller. It's still on my permanent record ( I know this because it came up in a case I was involved in a while back where I was being charged with "disrupting a funeral procession"................don't ask )

did you know that disrupting a funeral procession is punishable by up to 9 months in jail?

That's obnoxious! :-O

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell (original)

Just so you are aware, the magistrate hearing is just someone who's job it is to cut your fine in half in order to attempt you to say you're guilty

Perhaps you missed this in the first post on the thread:

Quote:

my fault completely

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell

if they do find you responsible, immediately ask for an appeal.

remeber this part?

Quote:

my fault completely

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell

95% of people don't go to appeal and thats why the cops here are so willing to hand out tickets left and right, because chances are they won't be bothered to go to court later. Dragging them in is the only way to counteract their other incentives of giving tickets instead of warnings in the future.

I still think that people contesting tickets when they know they were at fault has something to do with the police issuing more tickets than warnings...

Pay the damn fine.

[snek]

Although equipment violations and moving violations are the same to insurance companies, the courts will almost always dismiss equipment violations if the problem was corrected in timely fashion.

[jwardell]

Jason, it's not the fine that is unfair. I wholeheartedly paid my first mass ticket and continue to admit I was an ass and deserve every bit of it. It's the hidden, six-year, thousand-dollar punishment that comes after that you don't deserve for something as simple as going a reasonable speed or driving a perfectly safe new car. They make every bit of effort to make you think the $50 fine is all you have to deal with. Deception and profiteering.

[kriation]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell (original)

Why did you ask them not to inspect it for you?

It's a long story...

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell (original)

Just so you are aware, the magistrate hearing is just someone who's job it is to cut your fine in half in order to attempt you to say you're guilty, and still lose the $thousand+ on insurance in the upcoming years. Perhaps they are more reasonable with this than speeding tickets, but if they do find you responsible, immediately ask for an appeal. Then you will go in front of an actual judge and the officer must attend. 70% of the time the officer does not show up and everything is thrown out.

95% of people don't go to appeal and thats why the cops here are so willing to hand out tickets left and right, because chances are they won't be bothered to go to court later. Dragging them in is the only way to counteract their other incentives of giving tickets instead of warnings in the future.

Yep yep. Totally agree. I've been through my share of both magistrate and court hearings, and it's amazing how different the outcomes can be. Although, I do have one hearing that goes down in my record books for the most entertainment you can have in a court session.

[jwardell]

The most entertaining part of my hearing was a piece of wood going through my windshield on the way over.