While visiting a friend in San Francisco, you decide to drive around
the city. You turn a corner and find yourself going down a steep
hill. Suddenly a small boy runs out on the street to chase a ball.
You slam on the brakes and skid to a stop. The boy calmly walks away,
but a police officer watching from the sidewalk comes over and gives you
a ticket for speeding. You are still shaking from the experience
when the officer points out that the speed limit on this street is 25 MPH.
After you recover your wits, you examine the situation more closely. You
estimate that the street is inclined at 20 degrees, and the length of the
skid mark is about 50 feet. The owner's manual for your car lists a net
vehicle weight of 3450 lbs., and you weigh 140 lbs. Should you fight the
ticket in court?