Our trip of a lifetime

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Originally Posted by jonhobbs

Hi Lifey, I have tried calling the Boston office but unfortunately they are always busy and the phone system just redirects you to their international number :(

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That is a red flag to me. When switched through, I would insist that they put me back to the Boston office... that it is only the Boston office with whom you wish to speak. Don't discuss any specifics with them, just keep telling them to put you through to Boston. If they refuse (that would be another red flag to me), does the Boston office have an email address? Contact them there and tell them that you are trying to call (don't tell them why)... you wish to speak with them! If that is not possible, write them a snail mail letter, expressing the same sentiments. In each case I would give all my contacts, email, phone and mobile, but I would not tell them why I wish to speak with them, until I am actually speaking with them. And keep track of every attempt you make to contact them.

Sometimes ye just gotta be persistent. Remember, the squeaky door gets the oil.

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Originally Posted by jonhobbs

So, I've been looking for info on what happens to tourists when they're caught speeding ...

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I was, once! (Dave, I hope you're sitting down - private joke!)

It was in 2001, near Stockton CA, and I was on highway 99. It was in the days before I was used to using a cruise control. Of course with a cruise control, you won't exceed the speed limit. You just set it, and cruise.

Anyway, I pulled over, opened the passenger window and the guy (no idea if it was police or sheriff) asked me what I thought the speed limit was. I told him (but used the I-5 speed limit) - he corrected me.... but as soon as he heard my accent he asked if it was a rental car, wanted to see the papers and my licence, asked where I was going (to Yosemite).... and then proceeded to give me all the good oil on Yosemite, the best way to get there, what not to miss, etc.

He was such a nice man.

I have also been pulled up for doing an illegal left turn (2007), somewhere in NJ (how was I to know you could not turn there?) - and he was just as nice.

So just smile, be stunned, surprised, the ignorant tourist, or whatever else you feel like portraying... the moment they hear your voice, you'll find that they will end up asking you where you are from, how long you have been here, what did you like best, and so on. Let's face it, these guys don't meet many pleasant mannered folk along the road.

Just don't let it happen twice.

Lifey

I've been pulled over for less than 10 over (I was stopped for 7 over about a month ago) but I've never actually gotten a ticket unless my speed was in the double digits.

And I did say "typically," as doing even 1 mph over can potentially lead to a ticket, its just fairly unusual to get fined for doing less than 10 over when you're talking about highway driving. Also, when you get into towns, then that can change significantly and you can really be best off paying close attention to follow the letter of the law.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

If anything, the biggest problem I'd forsee is local cops not knowing how to handle an international license.

There really isn't much of a national database ...

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Michael, on the ocassions that I have been pulled over, three times now (can't remember what the third was for), they have taken my licence, gone back to their car, and checked something. When I asked how they could check a licence which was issued in Australia, I was told that it was checked against my visa, to see if I was legal.

Of course I have no idea if that is accurate information, but I have no reason to disbelief it. I've been tempted to try it out... but figured it may not be the wisest move.

Lifey

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unusual to get fined for doing less than 10 over when you're talking about highway driving. Also, when you get into towns, then that can change significantly and you can really be best off paying close attention to follow the letter of the law.

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That was my exact thought as I started reading the replies to this matter. Many towns have 25mph speed limits which seem tough to adhere to when the locals are going by you and you have been cruising for a while in the 60's or 70's, it's like you have stopped. I also noticed that either end of town was the most popular spot for a sheriff and his speed gun. That might not always be the case, just what I observed on my travels.

To the OP. You mention doing a lot of miles in a short period of time and if you start to play 'catch up' with time, over long periods, you are only increasing your chances of getting pulled. As much as possible I would concentrate on keeping things close to the limit and enjoying the ride. In the UK it seems much the same, a copper, er officer of the law, can book you whether it is 3mph or 30mph over but we trust them to use common sense and most of the time they do. A lot is to do with the car manufacturers who always veer to the side of caution when calibrating the speedometers and many 'true speeds are at least 5% less than your speedo reading, although don't take my word for it ! Lol.

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Lifemagician I was, once! (Dave, I hope you're sitting down

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I need a lye down !!

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Originally Posted by jonhobbs

Yeah, I think I'm going to hope the car has cruise control and learn how to use it. It's so easy in modern cars to not realise how fast you're going.

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Nothing to learn - you turn it on, and when you reach the speed you want to drive at, press SET. When you want to slow down, touch the brake.

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Originally Posted by glc

Nothing to learn - you turn it on, and when you reach the speed you want to drive at, press SET. When you want to slow down, touch the brake.

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Not sure that it is always as simple as that. I know quite a few people who are terrified of using a cruise control, and that includes a few senior family members. It is that feeling of the pedal pulling away from your foot, which terrifies them.

If people are made aware of what affect using a cruise control has, what they feel, how the vehicle reacts, etc. then they can learn to use it. But just saying it's easy, or just switch it on, without giving further information is not helpful to some people.

Lifey

Just a quick update.

We've been on our trip for 2 weeks and we're having a whale of a time. We've been keeping a blog here...

http://www.jonandjendoamerica.com/

Our rental company did mess up our booking (surprise!) so now I have to make a second and third booking before the first runs out. I've got the hang of cruise control and nearly got the hang of the roads here (except 4 way stops).

Anyway, just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you guys for helping us out.

Jon

Pleased to hear you are enjoying your trip.

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From the blog] before I got pulled over for speeding (It was a 55 limit on an interstate and I was only doing about 60!).

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Bummer! It just goes to show..........