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We must have been surfing the news at the same time!
Thats B S man... They should not be able to seize private property just for driving fast.
They didn't really seize the cars. They impounded them to discourage the owners from endangering the public. It doesn't seem like there was ever a question as to whether they would get their cars back or not. They only need to pay a $196 ticket and pay for the towing. Not bad for that kind of behavior.
The latest news is that since they don't have enough to keep the cars under criminal law, they may use civil law to take the cars away.
My guess is that the tax payers will end up forking out way more than $196 times each of the 13 kids involved to mount the case, and at the end of the day the cars will be returned because the parents have good legal counsel on retainer. I think what upsets people the most is the meager fine, but the police have no evidence other than witness testimony, so it's tough for them to do anything more to satisfy the 'cries for blood' from the general public.
They could save everyone a lot of money by making a sincere public apology.
My guess is that the tax payers will end up forking out way more than $196 times each of the 13 kids involved to mount the case, and at the end of the day the cars will be returned because the parents have good legal counsel on retainer. I think what upsets people the most is the meager fine, but the police have no evidence other than witness testimony, so it's tough for them to do anything more to satisfy the 'cries for blood' from the general public.
They could save everyone a lot of money by making a sincere public apology.
quote:They could save everyone a lot of money by making a sincere public apology.
Who should apologize - the kids or the cops?
Both,
The kids - assuming they did behave inappropriately - since they've been caught, they should (without admitting guilt) give a simple statement 'we understand our actions may have inconvenienced or even irritated other motorists ...' - that sort of thing will satisfy a huge percentage of the populace more than a slap on the wrist fine. If they voluntarily took defensive driving training (even though they have probably been out to track days and had professional education already), that would calm the public further.
The cops - who weren't around and couldn't get to the scene fast enough to catch the alleged perpetrators in the act - no hard evidence means that they have virtually no case and the masses are left feeling the laws aren't sufficient. Next thing you know some new draconian legislation is enacted, and the general populace will think the roads are a safer place, but all that's happened is a reduction in the tolerance of the law for things like a little wheel spin on wet pavement etc.
It's not the cars that are the issue, you can do 200km/h in a lot of vehicles, it's a combination of the skill of the person behind the wheel, and the skill of those around them - I don't know if it's oblivion or indignation that makes someone change lanes in front of a car that's coming up quickly in the right-hand land, but the end result can be tragic.
The kids - assuming they did behave inappropriately - since they've been caught, they should (without admitting guilt) give a simple statement 'we understand our actions may have inconvenienced or even irritated other motorists ...' - that sort of thing will satisfy a huge percentage of the populace more than a slap on the wrist fine. If they voluntarily took defensive driving training (even though they have probably been out to track days and had professional education already), that would calm the public further.
The cops - who weren't around and couldn't get to the scene fast enough to catch the alleged perpetrators in the act - no hard evidence means that they have virtually no case and the masses are left feeling the laws aren't sufficient. Next thing you know some new draconian legislation is enacted, and the general populace will think the roads are a safer place, but all that's happened is a reduction in the tolerance of the law for things like a little wheel spin on wet pavement etc.
It's not the cars that are the issue, you can do 200km/h in a lot of vehicles, it's a combination of the skill of the person behind the wheel, and the skill of those around them - I don't know if it's oblivion or indignation that makes someone change lanes in front of a car that's coming up quickly in the right-hand land, but the end result can be tragic.
deniscCaretaker of 8MA1244 '70 Euro Mangusta DRIVE THEM, THEY WERE MEANT TO BE DRIVEN, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT ONE, BUY A POSTER!
It's not going to happen. A couple kids from the same group (an unpscale private HighSchool) have been suspended in the past for going to school in expensive exotics while still only 15) They have not/won't be identified as a minority (racially and financially).
http://www.ferrarichat.com/for...wthread.php?t=336089
http://www.ferrarichat.com/for...wthread.php?t=336089
"It's not going to happen"
I completely agree Denis! I just think that ignoring the situation and letting it blow over is not the right behaviour for someone who is likely to be in the public eye in the future. Sure, if some of them are minors just now, let it be, but if they're legally adults, they should act like adults and apologize for getting caught - it's just good PR.
I completely agree Denis! I just think that ignoring the situation and letting it blow over is not the right behaviour for someone who is likely to be in the public eye in the future. Sure, if some of them are minors just now, let it be, but if they're legally adults, they should act like adults and apologize for getting caught - it's just good PR.
I read that they had some of their cars slow down to hold back traffic so others could fly up ahead. Sounds like careful and considerate kids.
I think the problem is proving each individual driver was breaking the law.
I was pulled over in a national park (in the orange Pantera) for speeding, despite never going even one mile over the posted speed limit. I was told of complaints about an orange Lamborghini racing around like an idiot. He said he wouldn't ticket me because he didn't see me break the law, but I needed to slow down. Never once did he believe me that it wasn't me.
So, what if only 85% of the cars impounded where doing something illegal? How do you prove which were doing it?
I was pulled over in a national park (in the orange Pantera) for speeding, despite never going even one mile over the posted speed limit. I was told of complaints about an orange Lamborghini racing around like an idiot. He said he wouldn't ticket me because he didn't see me break the law, but I needed to slow down. Never once did he believe me that it wasn't me.
So, what if only 85% of the cars impounded where doing something illegal? How do you prove which were doing it?
Minority Report.
Fine, but it would have to apply to all - not just kids 'perceived' to have been speeding and so reported to authorities by those jealous of the rich kids and their cars.
How about all the sneaky politicians and scumbag industry leaders planning on subverting the laws, raping our governments and robbing taxpayers?
Let's arrest them for 'perceived' bad behavior before they ruin our economy and our trust in government.
Fine, but it would have to apply to all - not just kids 'perceived' to have been speeding and so reported to authorities by those jealous of the rich kids and their cars.
How about all the sneaky politicians and scumbag industry leaders planning on subverting the laws, raping our governments and robbing taxpayers?
Let's arrest them for 'perceived' bad behavior before they ruin our economy and our trust in government.
I'm not saying they should be able to charge these kids and keep the cars based on witness statements - the police have no proof of the 200km claims, so they can't charge them with that and have any hope of making it stick - some cars just look like they're going fast :-)
However, if the police received license numbers of cars that were impeding the lawful flow of traffic, then sure, give 'em a warning. The issue comes down to this getting publicized. If no one knew about it, there wouldn't be outrage - toward the kids and police. Unfortunately, it's being tried in the court of public opinion and, as a result, those who want to see more severe punishments and increased enforcement have gained a rallying point to build public support. Were the 'perpatrators' to make a contrite - but non-incriminating - statement (through a lawyer or directly), that would take some wind out of the sails of those who want to get speeding cameras installed everywhere.
However, if the police received license numbers of cars that were impeding the lawful flow of traffic, then sure, give 'em a warning. The issue comes down to this getting publicized. If no one knew about it, there wouldn't be outrage - toward the kids and police. Unfortunately, it's being tried in the court of public opinion and, as a result, those who want to see more severe punishments and increased enforcement have gained a rallying point to build public support. Were the 'perpatrators' to make a contrite - but non-incriminating - statement (through a lawyer or directly), that would take some wind out of the sails of those who want to get speeding cameras installed everywhere.