Mich gives Free ride,,Truck drivers excluded

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
Going to Driving School to dismiss a ticket or lessen the penalties for things like speeding is pretty common in many states. I thought it was in all states, actually, but I guess Michigan is a little slow on the uptake.

If it weren't for driving school to avoid getting points, my stepdad would have had his license suspended more times that I can remember. In Kentucky you cannot attend Driving School more than once in a 12 month period. Points expire off the license after a certain period, but he's reached an equilibrium where he accrues points just as they expire, and he seems to time it right where the most recent ticket will result in a suspended license if he weren't able to go to school for it. He avoids those points, and older points drop off, and he's got a little wiggle room for another year. :D

It used to be that commercial drivers could be referred to driving school, but the FMCSA put an end to that on a nationwide basis, so you really can't blame the Michigan legislation for that.
 

nightcreacher

Veteran Expediter
The ability to do a defensive driving course to get a ticket off a cdl has been taken away in all states.In the past I did one in Fl and AR.In doing the classes,you also cant have a ticket in those states during a 1 year period
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
I knew there where D/driving schools and classes out there but never knew they could be used to remove or lessen tickets and points.
Still dont agree with it. As I said its not a level playing feild for CDL holders or to someone that cant afford the money for the classes. I say if ya run the red light,,pay the fine and learn from it.
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
In Kentucky, you can take the course on a classroom for $15, or online for $50. Both are generally cheaper than the citation.

As for CDL holders not being on a level playing field, that's been the case for many years now.
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
In Kentucky, you can take the course on a classroom for $15, or online for $50. Both are generally cheaper than the citation.

As for CDL holders not being on a level playing field, that's been the case for many years now.

I just read the Mich site and it states Providers of the classes or course cannot exceed $100.00

Agreed, not a level playing field for sometime and in so many different ways..
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
Why do people feel there should be a level playing field?...

Why should it not be a level playing field OVM?
The notion that you or me should be held to a higher level is Bull in my mind..I agree someone should be Qualified and licensed for what the are operating but other then tht the rules and penalty's should be the same..Light are lights,,accidents are accidents just different piles of sheet metal..

Why is the penatly for killing a cop or road worker any diffent then if ya killed a clerk?
Whats good for 1 shoud be good for all.
 
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OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
Why should it not be a level playing field OVM?
The notion that you or me should be held to a higher level is Bull in my mind..I agree someone should be Qualified and licensed for what the are operating but other then tht the rules and penalty's should be the same..Light are lights,,accidents are accidents just different piles of sheet metal..

Why is the penatly for killing a cop or road worker any diffent then if ya killed a clerk?
Whats good for 1 shoud be good for all.

Because it never has been nor will it ever be...it's reality..
besides I consider my skills to be above of that of a recreational driver....

that would make my level higher...
 

Slo-Ride

Veteran Expediter
Agreed on the reality part,, Do I Think its right,,Nope.

Glad your comfortably with your driving skills,,but you or I am no better then the guy next to ya..
Yes there are really really stupid drivers out there and that takes us back to the free ride here..That you and me don't get a shot at.
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
I think this shows the disconnect in the state.

We have had a rash of serious accidents with those who got a lot of tickets and points and the system failed to protect the public. Some who lost their license and because the system allows them to get it back even after 'additional safe driving training', they got back behind the wheel and hurt or killed someone.

Many think it is a right to drive and tickets are not deserved.

Did anyone notice the title of the piece "Good drivers can avoid points for minor offenses"?

A good driver wouldn't be getting a ticket in the first place.
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
The only disconnect is that it took the state this long to institute what is common in most other states. A rash, by definition, is a multitude of instances of something occurring more or less during the same period of time, and does not represent the norm, nor does it last long enough to become the norm. Using your logic, if you get a heat rash then you should apply an ointment, and keep on applying it forever just in case it ever happens again.

Your litmus test that separates "good" drivers from "perfect" drivers is pretty severe, as there are many good drivers who occasionally incur an infraction that do not otherwise pose an inherent risk to the public. You want to toss imperfect drivers in with the habitually dangerous and reckless drivers, and treat them all as if they were a menace to society. That's a little silly, IMHO, especially considering that most speed limits are arbitrary with no supporting data whatsoever to support them, and the 85th percentile will drive a safe and prudent speed based on driving conditions irrespective of the posted speed limit, anyway. Most of those in the 85th percentile would be considered good drivers, but few would be considered perfect.

You get a ticket for a minor moving violation, pay the fine so the state gets their revenue, go to school, possibly become a better driver, don't accrue points and thus no increase in insurance premiums. Everyone is happy. Except those who think one speeding ticket should be grounds for forever losing your license.
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
We have issues here which has been caused by the problem people think it is a right to drive. The courts and the system has been poorly hacked up and stuck together and many times people pay a fine and let go. Where we need driver's training that is consistent, we don't have it - and where we need licensing system with proper punishment, we don't have it.

Having a state catch up while not addressing other issues (like newly licensed drivers getting drunk driving tickets and then being allowed to drive after they go to court) is part of the bigger problem that you may not understand.

Michigan needs some serious reform, allowing driver to get out of points while paying lip service to the offense is a cop out and does not do any service to the public at large.

As for my litmus test, I, like many others don't seem to look at myself as perfect drivers but good driver and it is not the perfect driver that is a goal, but a responsible one is. Having no tickets in the past 16 years - a total of two in my life - and having a wife who has only one in the past 20, doesn't make us perfect drivers but good one. It isn't hard to do, people I feel are too lazy to look at the speedometer or pay attention to their driving and don't take driving seriously at all.
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
Yeah, but you just got finished saying, "A good driver wouldn't be getting a ticket in the first place."

You got two and consider yourself a good driver, yet someone else (other than your wife) who gets one is not?
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I'm sure there are people who feel they have a right to drive regardless of how many violations they accrue, but I doubt whether there are enough who feel that way to justify the blanket statement made by Greg, that people in general feel that way.
"Too lazy to look at the speedometer"? Really?
That's not even defensible, Greg. Really.
I think safe driving class should be allowed - once in a lifetime.
 

jimlookup

Seasoned Expediter
Four years ago I got a $110 ticket in Starke Co., In. for going through A brand new stop sign on a road I travel often. First ticket in over 30 years. Because of my excellent driving record, I was given the "oportunity" to attend a $150 class and avoid the points. I believe they were telling me I could avoid the points by paying a bribe of $40. Shouldn't they be trying to get the drivers with bad records into class instead of the drivers with good records? Indiana, another state that can't quite get right.
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
If you ever get a chance to do a ride along with a cop, you can hear the crap first hand. One of the things I notice is people are too **** lazy to know what speed they are going, which means they are too lazy to look at the speedoit is called a violation. meter.
 
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