AboutTerry Godchaux Expertise I can answer questions about vehicle safety issues, vehicular counter-terrorism training, police pursuits in general (specifically for california), emergency response in general (specifically for california), criminal justice, and police academy training.
Experience I have recently retired as a Deputy Sheriff from California. I have served in Patrol, Investigations and Narcotics.
My last position for 10 years was assigned to our Regional Training Center at the Police Academy. I taught at the Academy and administrated the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC). I also was a subject matter expert in narcotics and vehicle operations and training. I also served as a member of CalPOST.
I am a subject matter expert in vehicle operations, vehicle safety, code-3,
pursuit, and counter-terrorism operations. I have also served as a subject
matter expert for the California Police Officer Science and Training (CalPOST)
consortiums within the state.
Organizations
Former P.O.S.T. Board Member for EVOC
Former P.O.S.T. Board Member for Simulations
Former P.O.S.T. Board Member for the Sheriff’s and Police Academy
Former Instructor for the Las Positas College (A.J. EVOC)
Former Instructor for San Joaquin Delta College (A.J. EVOC)
Former Lead Instructor for EVOC at the ACSO Police Academy
Publications
Numerous within the S/O I had worked for.
Education/Credentials
Baccalaureate Degree in Pre-law
Management and Administration Certificate
Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate
Intermediate California P.O.S.T. Certificate
Advanced California P.O.S.T. Certificate
California P.O.S.T. Crises Management
California P.O.S.T. Crime Prevention Training
California P.O.S.T. Advanced Crime Prevention Training
California P.O.S.T. Environmental Engineering School
California P.O.S.T. Drug Recognition Expert
California P.O.S.T. DARE Instructor
California P.O.S.T. Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Tactical
California P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructor
California P.O.S.T. Driver Awareness Instructor (DAI)
California P.O.S.T. Pursuit Driving Training Instructor (DTI)
California P.O.S.T. Basic Motorcycle School
California P.O.S.T. Motorcycle Instructor
California P.O.S.T. Tactical Vehicle Instructor
California P.O.S.T. Dignitary Protection Instructor
California P.O.S.T. Counter-Terrorist Instructor
California P.O.S.T. Driver Simulator Instructor
California P.O.S.T. P.I.T. certification
Barricade Braking certification
California P.O.S.T. Counter Terrorism Driving School
Past/Present Clients I currently work as a contract Instructor for the Jutice Department when training needs concerning EVOC arise outside of the U.S.
Expert: Terry Godchaux Date: 6/29/2008 Subject: Unsafe Speed Ticket
Question I was traveling on a 3 lane interstate highway during a rainy day. I was in the right lane and moved to center lane to allow another vehicle to enter from the ramp. Another vehicle came up behind the person entering traffic and shot between us. I taped my brakes and started to skid. I ended up crashing into the retaining wall. No injuries of other vehicles involved. I was traveling 50 mph in a 60 mph zone. When the officer arrived he wrote me a ticket for unsafe speed. What can I do.
Answer Hi Steve and welcome to AllExperts!
I am sorry to hear about your situation and understand the difficulty of suffering an accident and then being cited as well.
It sounds like you car didn't have Anti-Lock Brakes, or that system was faulty, as you should not have encountered a skid. You might have this system checked if your car does have ABS.
Keep in mind that the maximum posted speed limit is based on best conditions, and we must adjust our speed according to one that is safe to operate our vehicle. Depending on the amount of rain, standing water on the roadway, debris such as oil, gravel and other things that prevent good adhesion with the roadway, traveling 50mph may have been unsafe for the conditions. It sounds like this is what the officer had cited you for.
If the citation was solely based on loss of control, and the officer felt this was due to an unsafe speed, then you might be able to argue that speed wasn't the causal factor due to malfunctioning ABS brakes, assuming you have ABS brakes.
If the citation was based solely on traveling 50mph under conditions that made this speed unsafe, regardless of the loss of control, then there probably isn't much you can do.
I hope this helps, and again, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. If you need further help, please email me back. Please keep in mind that tomorrow, I leave on vacation for a week.
