Christie (R-NJ) Hit Motorcyclist but Not Issued Ticket

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/04/christie_hit_motorcyclist_but_not_issued_ticket.html

Christie Hit Motorcyclist but Not Issued Ticket


Adding to Chris Christie's (R) campaign trail headaches over his driving record, officials confirmed the Republican gubernatorial candidate was in a traffic accident that injured a motorcyclist in the city in 2002 when he was U.S. attorney but was not issued a traffic ticket, the Newark Star Ledger reports.

When police director James Cosgrove was asked whether Christie's job title factored into the officer's decision, Cosgove said, "I don't think I want to make that kind of deduction, but I think the facts speak for themselves."

"Details about the accident came to light today as Democrats continue to hammer Christie over his driving record and accuse him of misusing his office as a federal prosecutor."

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. This guy is dirty as the day is long

He's Boss Hog in a business suit.

[waiting]

2. He was as pro-Bush as anyone could be.

And shares the same mentality. The idea that he is above those he represents. It's sickening.

[keith the dem]

3. Silly, silly, You know it's not wrong or a crime.....

if a republican does it! They are anointed by God to do anything they like.

[Renew Deal]

4. Why should he be issued a ticket?

You don't normally get tickets just for having an accident. And besides that, a driving record has almost nothing to do with being governor.

[Dogtown]

5. In many jurisdictions officers are mandated

to issue a citation.

As to your second query, it's about abusing the system and obeying the law. Public officials, especially prosecutors and police, SHOULD be held to a higher standard of conduct than other citizens.

Hypocrisy to prosecute one crime whilst committing other violations himself.

[Renew Deal]

7. That's bullshit

Should they be "mandated" to issue a citation to someone not at fault?

I'm sure it makes you feel good about yourself to nitpick, but the guys driving record is irrelevant to being governor. And we all know you couldn't care less about his driving record if he was a Democrat.

[Dogtown]

16. How rude!

Your personal attack was puerile and uncalled for.

1st, I don't make the rules for PDs to follow. Facts are facts, and many police departments require officers to write a ticket in *all* accident investigations. I didn't endorse that stance, I merely reported it to someone ignorant of the realities of bureaucratic procedure.

I suspect the requirement results from departments catering to insurance companies.

I don't know who you include in "we all", but you're "all" wrong. I'm pretty far left of most Democrats. I vote Democrat by default. Better Centrists than Righties. I absolutely do not support Democrats right or wrong. If forced to choose between a dishonest Democrat and a righteous Righty, I'll abstain every time.

If this candidate was a known adulterer (for example). I wouldn't give a rats-ass, UNLESS he was one of the phony "sanctity of marriage" hypocrites. We certainly don't need more liars in public office.

I'll cite the SC official that resigned for writing pornography: pornography isn't illegal and she shouldn't have resigned just for moon-lighting. On the other hand, she campaigned on a fundy platform touting Christian morality as if it were law. Another RW hypocrite.

At what point would you cut-off white-washing a candidate's vagaries? He prosecuted traffic offenses, yet committed those same offenses; doesn't that seem hypocritical too you?

I'd suggest you take a deep breath before you respond. If you have something to add to the discussion, I'd be more than happy to reply, but I won't tolerate your prejudice, foolish assumptions or personal attacks.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

15. Wrong way, On a one-way street.

[Rebubula]

6. The guy may be a jerk...

...but I hit a cyclist in North Georgia about three years ago and was not issued a citation since the cyclist ran a stop sign.

I felt horrible about it (he was not injured too bad - some cuts and scrapes) but was not at fault.

[FarCenter]

8. Wrong way, on a one-way street -- and no ticket?

Christie was driving a rented BMW sedan and apparently had lost his way when he attempted to turn right onto a street that was one-way in the other direction, according to the police report. A motorcyclist, Andre Mendonca of Elizabeth, was riding towards Christie, and both men saw one another and put on the brakes, police said. Christie's vehicle came to a stop, and the motorcycle then "fell on its side and slid into his vehicle," according to the police report.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/gop_gov_candidate_chris_christ_2.html

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Yeah-- them's the rules in Joisey. Anyone can say they...

made a mistake and started to back out of the street. Up to the cop if he wants to be a hardass or not.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. He definitely should have gotten one. Even if the cop didn't see it happen.

Cosgrove said it was up to the investigating officer to decide whether to ticket Christie. The officer, who did not witness the accident, opted not to issue a ticket, Cosgrove said.

"The officer has a lot of discretion at that point," Cosgrove said. "He could've issued a summons in that case, but he did not."

Asked whether Christie's job title factored into the officer's decision, Cosgove said, "I don't think I want to make that kind of deduction, but I think the facts speak for themselves."

Christie's driving record came under scrutiny last week after it was reported that he was issued three tickets for a stop in Lambertville in 2005. Police said Christie identified himself as U.S. attorney during that incident.

State motor vehicle documents show that since 1985, Christie, 46, has racked up 25 violation points (not all at one time), has been in six accidents and was cited 13 times for moving violations, including five without points.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. By NJ standards, this guy is a saint, even with...

his lousy driving record.

This time, he turned the wrong way into a one-way street, stopped, and the biker spilled, ending up in the hospital. No word on whther or not the biker successfully sued him, but I can see the cop not giving a ticket. Joisey rules are the cop has to actually see the violation, not just assume one happened.

I got hit by someone who ran a stop sign but didn't get ticketed-- cop didn't know my speed on the road, or wherther she actually stopped at the sign before hitting me. One-way streets are just as tricky-- you can make the mistake of turning up one and if you stop and back out, you're OK. Maybe.

I see desperation here. I couldn't stand that fucker Christie when I lived in Joisey, but Corzine's approvals are heading just south of gonorrhea's so the bastid has a good chance of taking over the statehouse. Better to try to paint Christie as a wingnut, because if Joisey hates anything, it's someone too far from the center. Left or right, it makes no difference-- stray too far from the center and you're toast.

[saltpoint]

12. I'm thinking that 2 out of the 3 major contenders for the New Jersey

gubernatorial race are kind of high-risk motorists.

Sheesh.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

13. i'm in NY but see his NJ ads. He runs anti Corzine ads all the time. He has big bucks

behind his run. Corzine on the other hand has hardly been fighting back. I've been finding this very curious.

[Obamanaut]

14. Just because the guy hit a motorcyclist doesn't necessarily justify

a citation. I ride motorcycles, have done so since 1961. It is possible for us to be concealed behind the windshield post. You can hold your arm out at arm's length, stick up your thumb, and we can hide behind your thumb (not a normal driving position, just an example of how easily motorcycles can be concealed.) If we are behind someone and cannot see the face in the mirror of the vehicle, the driver cannot see us.

A prudent motorcyclist is aware of this, and makes every effort to remain visible. From time to time, we fail to do so - to our dismay. Many imprudent motorcyclists do not make it to senior citizen status.