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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Ned said:Unfortunately, some people think the laws only apply to others
Those that have complete disregard of the traffic laws also have disregard for the safety of others as well as themselves. Same for the DWI folks.
Alaskansnowbirds
Site Team
In Scottsdale on the 101, the speed cameras are set for 11mph over the limit. And it is advertised that they are set that much over.
I could never understand that. If the speed limit is 65 the cameras should be set for maybe 67 giving some leeway for speedometer error. As Wendy said. It's a speed limit not a speed suggestion.
I could never understand that. If the speed limit is 65 the cameras should be set for maybe 67 giving some leeway for speedometer error. As Wendy said. It's a speed limit not a speed suggestion.
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Advertising that the speed cameras are set that much over the legal speed limit just invites the speeders to feel it is OK to speed.
Alaskansnowbirds
Site Team
I think the fastest they have taken a picture of someone so far was 136mph! They took a picture of one gal doing over 100mph three nights in a row. She said she was late for work.
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
In some cases, certain speed limits are mandated by federal funding requirements, which do not take into consideration the safe and efficient flow of traffic. In and around major metropolitan areas, strict enforcement of these speed limits would/could result in severe traffic jams and the tying up of 'safety' forces writing tickets when they may be needed for more important activities. As long as the traffic flow is safe and orderly, the risk is minimal. It's those that try to go 10, 20 or more mph faster than everyone else who make travel dangerous for themselves and others, and they should be dealt with harshly.
OP
OP
oldcurios
Guest
Well, the older I get the slower I go... If you drive the speed limit here, you better be in the slow lane because everyone will be passing you. If you drive 10 miles over the speed limit, you still better be in the slow lane for the same reason. And yep, the cops are out there giving tickets. I guess it takes a while for folks to realize that it's not how fast you get there, it's getting there alive that counts.
If you drive the speed limit here, you better be in the slow lane because everyone will be passing you. If you drive 10 miles over the speed limit, you still better be in the slow lane for the same reason. And yep, the cops are out there giving tickets. I guess it takes a while for folks to realize that it's not how fast you get there, it's getting there alive that counts.
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Alaskansnowbirds said:
IMHO the authorities were in the wrong for not arresting her the first time.
motojavaphil
Well-known member
I have to agree with Ron and others that there is just too much craziness out there. Good enforcement is necessary although I am not certain by what means it should be done. Cameras have been effective in Albuquerque. In fact cameras have recorded a lot of stuff and are not limited to just traffic. Therein lies the problem for me, Big Brother vs Safety? What are the ethics. What should the average citizen expect from the Government.
Is speeding on Rt 50 Nevada the same as speeding on the Beltway, DC? I realize technically it is but realistically it is not. Personally when I am on my motorcycle in the middle of nowhere I am more than likely breaking the law. If I was on the Beltway on my motorcycle, a very disturbing thought, I would be doing what I needed to do to survive, staying with traffic, watching everything possible and being ultimately careful. If it meant going faster than legally allowed to survive, so be it. If it meant going slower than legally allowed, so be it.
Just about every person on this forum lives by the wheel and I cannot think of a safer group of people. When I am driving the MH I am not breaking the limit for both economical and safety reasons.
If I am pulled over I will thank the Patrolman as he is dealing with a lot of crazy people I do not have to subject myself to routinely. Yes I will accept any punishment I am due. I also hope he will pull over the road hog in the left lane, the unsafe vehicle, the drunk, the mentally impaired person and all others who operate in an unsafe manner.
I define a speed trap as unethical enforcement for the purposes of generating revenue, personal gain such as revenge or a discrimination against a group of people such as racial or motorcycle. The local Sheriff Department sets up roadblocks just for motorcycles, allowing cars to pass unfettered, due to a few speeding bikers. I hope he never focuses on Motorhomes as it would be a pain to be pulled over and checked every time I was in the area with the MH.
Just some thoughts...Phil
Is speeding on Rt 50 Nevada the same as speeding on the Beltway, DC? I realize technically it is but realistically it is not. Personally when I am on my motorcycle in the middle of nowhere I am more than likely breaking the law. If I was on the Beltway on my motorcycle, a very disturbing thought, I would be doing what I needed to do to survive, staying with traffic, watching everything possible and being ultimately careful. If it meant going faster than legally allowed to survive, so be it. If it meant going slower than legally allowed, so be it.
Just about every person on this forum lives by the wheel and I cannot think of a safer group of people. When I am driving the MH I am not breaking the limit for both economical and safety reasons.
If I am pulled over I will thank the Patrolman as he is dealing with a lot of crazy people I do not have to subject myself to routinely. Yes I will accept any punishment I am due. I also hope he will pull over the road hog in the left lane, the unsafe vehicle, the drunk, the mentally impaired person and all others who operate in an unsafe manner.
I define a speed trap as unethical enforcement for the purposes of generating revenue, personal gain such as revenge or a discrimination against a group of people such as racial or motorcycle. The local Sheriff Department sets up roadblocks just for motorcycles, allowing cars to pass unfettered, due to a few speeding bikers. I hope he never focuses on Motorhomes as it would be a pain to be pulled over and checked every time I was in the area with the MH.
Just some thoughts...Phil
Jim Dick
Moderator Emeritus
wendycoke said:
Wendy,
You are correct, the "limit" is just that. The fastest you can legally go. You will find on many highways, usually major such as Interstate, there is a minimum speed limit as well. Usually, but not always, located on a hill. If under that you should be in the slow lane and have flashers on. Still not something one should do unecessarily as it can lead to bad accidents.
Alaskansnowbirds
Site Team
Ron said:
The system doesn't work that fast. A picture is taken one night. The next day someone processes the data and a "ticket" is mailed to the driver with a court date. DPS didn't know she had did it three nights in a row until they received the data from the camera company.
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Alaskansnowbirds said:
Then as soon as they became aware of her speeding at speeds of 100 plus they should pull her license at least till she attends an approved driver education course at her expense in addition to heavy fines. Failure to take that or similar action against her would be considered negligent IMHO.
Alaskansnowbirds
Site Team
Ron said:
Typical news media. They tell you all about an incident when it happens but never follow up on what happened when she went to court.
So I don't know what happened to her.
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Alaskansnowbirds said:Typical news media. They tell you all about an incident when it happens but never follow up on what happened when she went to court.
Unfortunately they don't followup worth a darn. IMHO if she had got what she deserved the news would have felt it worth reporting on.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
Here getting what they deserve:
Here in Detroit there are a number of Fine Upstanding Citizens who seem to feel: "I don't need on steenken license to drive"
So, even though, trust me, their license stinks so bad that Secretary of State (our DMV) has pulled it for all time (Suspended) they drive on and on.
One morning, oh, about 30 years ago, shortly after the start of my shift I read back a status to one of my troopers and they arrested the driver and escorted him to the hotel gray bar, 1st Pct branch, Detroit... Later that day, a few miles north, another of my troopers nailed the same jerk again, this time to the 11th pct.
Well, time passes and he's in court, two tickets for driving during suspension on the same day. He goes before the judge on the first ticket and explains he's gotten two in one day, Is that fair? (Judge says: You drove twice, so it's fair) He asks the judge for a deal "If I plead guilty to one will you dismiss the other?" Judge can not as only one of the tickets is in his court, the other is in Judge Woods' court, Judge Woods, by the way, was retiring at the end of his term. He is also known as a fair and honest jurist in cases like this.
So the defendant asks the 1st judge "If I plead Guilty before Judge Woods will you dismiss" Judge agrees, and dismisses conditional on the guilty plea in Judge Woods court.
The standard fine is for DWLS is $100 bucks
Now, it's a bit later in the day before Judge Woods: The defendant pleads Guilty as promised.
$300.00 and 90 days
As I said: Judge Woods had a reputation for being a Fair and Honest Jurist. And so he was
Here in Detroit there are a number of Fine Upstanding Citizens who seem to feel: "I don't need on steenken license to drive"
So, even though, trust me, their license stinks so bad that Secretary of State (our DMV) has pulled it for all time (Suspended) they drive on and on.
One morning, oh, about 30 years ago, shortly after the start of my shift I read back a status to one of my troopers and they arrested the driver and escorted him to the hotel gray bar, 1st Pct branch, Detroit... Later that day, a few miles north, another of my troopers nailed the same jerk again, this time to the 11th pct.
Well, time passes and he's in court, two tickets for driving during suspension on the same day. He goes before the judge on the first ticket and explains he's gotten two in one day, Is that fair? (Judge says: You drove twice, so it's fair) He asks the judge for a deal "If I plead guilty to one will you dismiss the other?" Judge can not as only one of the tickets is in his court, the other is in Judge Woods' court, Judge Woods, by the way, was retiring at the end of his term. He is also known as a fair and honest jurist in cases like this.
So the defendant asks the 1st judge "If I plead Guilty before Judge Woods will you dismiss" Judge agrees, and dismisses conditional on the guilty plea in Judge Woods court.
The standard fine is for DWLS is $100 bucks
Now, it's a bit later in the day before Judge Woods: The defendant pleads Guilty as promised.
$300.00 and 90 days
As I said: Judge Woods had a reputation for being a Fair and Honest Jurist. And so he was
Buddy Tott
Well-known member
As a general rule of thumb, most LEO's will give 10% over the posted speed limit before you become eligible for a ticket. However, that's not to say you couldn't get stopped for 1 mph over - and the officer might take it from there. If other violations are uncovered you may well 'get away' with the fine for the speeding ticket because the speed violation may have been the probable cause for the stop in the first place, but the 'speeding' violation may still appear on the cite and on your driving record. If more serious violations are uncovered the speeding violation may become a 'lesser and included offence'. A typical example is D.U.I. where the moving violation usually required before initiating a traffic stop.
On a typical radar or laser controlled area, often the speed and flow of the traffic is monitored before setting or resetting the equipment. Even though the speed limit may say 45 mph - if the traffic is travelling at 50mph, then the officer is really looking for the speeder, over and above the traffic flow and sets the equipment accordingly. In my experience that was 10% (which allows for error in calibration and / or speedometer malfunction) and 5 - 10 mph over depending upon the posted limit. Yes, all this is discretionary and will vary from officer to officer, location, time of day, complaints from the residents, traffic accidents etc.
It's hard to comment on generalities because each citation will have it's own merit (or demerit from the driver's point of view). The bottom line is, if the speed limit is posted, stay at it or close to and don't draw attention to yourself. If you are stopped the worst thing you can do is to become antagonistic and argumentative. If you have a dispute don't try to resolve it on the highway - that's what traffic courts are for. If you have an 'explanation' ask the officer to make a note of it on the citation. Don't forget that anything you say can be used in court. These are 'voluntary utterances' and not necessarily subject to a Miranda advisement. It's okay to ask the officer for copies of any print-outs which may have spewed out from the equipment and for any other pertinent information if you think you have a good 'excuse' but be careful you may get into deeper water than you intended. The officer will have significantly more experience than yourself.
During the stop, keep your hands at 10 - 2 on the steering wheel, don't make any movements toward the glovebox, under the seat etc. until the
officer 'approves'. They may appear furtive and will just make the officer more suspicious. By remaining calm, cordial and pleasant you are more likely to get a warning or advisement - especially if everything else is in order. Just remeber that more officers are killed effecting traffic stops than during any other activity - wouldn't you be on edge - just a little?
BT
On a typical radar or laser controlled area, often the speed and flow of the traffic is monitored before setting or resetting the equipment. Even though the speed limit may say 45 mph - if the traffic is travelling at 50mph, then the officer is really looking for the speeder, over and above the traffic flow and sets the equipment accordingly. In my experience that was 10% (which allows for error in calibration and / or speedometer malfunction) and 5 - 10 mph over depending upon the posted limit. Yes, all this is discretionary and will vary from officer to officer, location, time of day, complaints from the residents, traffic accidents etc.
It's hard to comment on generalities because each citation will have it's own merit (or demerit from the driver's point of view). The bottom line is, if the speed limit is posted, stay at it or close to and don't draw attention to yourself. If you are stopped the worst thing you can do is to become antagonistic and argumentative. If you have a dispute don't try to resolve it on the highway - that's what traffic courts are for. If you have an 'explanation' ask the officer to make a note of it on the citation. Don't forget that anything you say can be used in court. These are 'voluntary utterances' and not necessarily subject to a Miranda advisement. It's okay to ask the officer for copies of any print-outs which may have spewed out from the equipment and for any other pertinent information if you think you have a good 'excuse' but be careful you may get into deeper water than you intended. The officer will have significantly more experience than yourself.
During the stop, keep your hands at 10 - 2 on the steering wheel, don't make any movements toward the glovebox, under the seat etc. until the
officer 'approves'. They may appear furtive and will just make the officer more suspicious. By remaining calm, cordial and pleasant you are more likely to get a warning or advisement - especially if everything else is in order. Just remeber that more officers are killed effecting traffic stops than during any other activity - wouldn't you be on edge - just a little?
BT
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
Buddy,
That was an excellent presentation of how things work in real life! Lot's of good information there, especially about keeping your hands in sight at all times. What may be a 'routine' traffic stop to you, can and does turn quickly into a felony arrest for the officer all too often. Typically he/she will have run a 'wants and warrants' on the car before approaching your vehicle, but sometimes that isn't possible, and they may approach without knowing if you are just a one-time speeder or a wanted felon, and will be extra cautious.
That was an excellent presentation of how things work in real life! Lot's of good information there, especially about keeping your hands in sight at all times. What may be a 'routine' traffic stop to you, can and does turn quickly into a felony arrest for the officer all too often. Typically he/she will have run a 'wants and warrants' on the car before approaching your vehicle, but sometimes that isn't possible, and they may approach without knowing if you are just a one-time speeder or a wanted felon, and will be extra cautious.
Quite true, and this can be a double-edged sword. Many times an officer will say something like "Do you know how fast you were going?". Your best answer is "Yes, I do", and leave it at that. It may be just idle conversation, but depending on the officer and your attitude towards him/her, there may or may not be a notation on your citation that says "When asked, Mr. Smith had no idea how fast his speed was." or "Mr. Smith freely admitted to traveling 23 mph over the posted speed limit." You've essentially made the case for them in traffic court.
motojavaphil
Well-known member
Buddy, Sure appreciated your post. My wife works with the NMSP so thru her I have ridden motorcycle with the Blue Knights and some sportbike riders who are also Patrolmen. Honest, real and down to earth. It has to be one of the hardest jobs in the world and I say that working in a High School. Those Nevada roads sure are tempting though!
Thanks for the post, Phil
Thanks for the post, Phil
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Buddy, Good points to remmeber whether one is being stopped for a violation or what ever.
