I got a speeding ticket on my way to a root canal

[undeterred]

The directions to the endodontist were terrible. I gave myself plenty of time but since there were 4 highway exits instead of one, I spent some time wandering around a town I had never been to. Finally I found the right intersection but the distance to the office was supposed to be 3 blocks- I was watching addresses and realized it had to be at least a mile. Just before I got to my destination, the police lights went on behind me. I turned into the lot and officer "revenue raiser" for this lovely small Wisconsin town approached my car, hand on holster, and asked to see my license.

Apparently I was doing 18 miles over the limit in a school zone. I have never had a point against my license and I always drive exactly at the limit unless I don't know what it is, as happened here.

I apologized and said I was unfamiliar with the area but that got me nowhere. He made me sit in my car and wait 15 minutes while he searched my records, which turned up nothing and made me late for the appointment. It made me extremely angry.

According to the folks in the office, this happens every single day, and it usually happens in their parking lot to their patients or sometimes to their staff.

I have to pay $634 for the root canal. The ticket is $104 and 4 points against my license.

I am angry and upset and broke.

[ThomCat]

1. I'm sorry.

:hug:

If the speed limit was not clearly posted anywhere, can you contest that ticket. I know that doesn't make today any better, but at least it might be something you an do.

I think you need another hug. :hug:

[newportdadde]

2. Get a Lawyer, cost you a hundred for them then they double the fine(bribe)

You end up with no points on your license.

[Mizmoon]

3. You poor thing - that's totally lame

I got a ticket I didn't think I deserved. $150 fine and 3 points. I fought it for a year without a lawyer and in the end I got it "pled down" to a $75 fine, no points.

But damn it was a battle. Had to go to court twice. They only reduced it when I demanded a full-fledged jury trial. I was determined to cost the county as much as possible.

[graywarrior]

4. Reading your post, I experienced your anquish.

Been there. What a crappy thing to happen.

[Sequoia]

5. I'm so sorry, the worst things that could happen

That root canal is bad enough. I hate going to the dentist and it shows. So more of that dentist's patients get tickets? Strange.

[undeterred]

6. He was a military kinda guy- not your typical small town officer

Here he was bravely protecting schoolchildren from middle aged women having trouble finding the dentist's office.

He actually told me to come to court and fight it.

Fuck him. I said some nasty stuff and I hope it got to him. He's just making brownie points with his boss.

[pitohui]

7. well i'd start by finding a different dentist

they knew there was a problem and didn't warn you to drive slowly when you made the appointment, which is pretty shitty

[undeterred]

9. Well its a chain of offices and at this one they just do root canals

My regular dentist- who I am getting rid of for other reasons- referred me. Their map is inaccurate and does not go into detail. I pointed this out as I was paying the $634 bill. I refused to pay a $90 fee from my regular dentist and told them why at this office- they said not to worry about it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I am SO sorry.....and pissed off at all those people too!

The cop, and the dentist's office too.....

They should have warned you, and provided you with a map!

And I agree with the other poster: Find another dentist.....ASAP!


How dreadful for you..... :hug:

[undeterred]

10. thanks for your support

:hug:

[LaraMN]

11. Criminy! That sucks.

I hope your tooth is feeling much better now, at least! My husband had to have a root canal a couple years ago. We have no dental insurance, and had to pay over a thousand dollars to have it done. It's ridiculous.