Sigh... [Archive] - Two Wheel Fix

VatorMan

03-31-2010, 10:10 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-30-speeding-cushion_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

The recession may be claiming a new victim: the 5-10-mph "cushion" police and state troopers across the USA have routinely given motorists exceeding the speed limit.

Guess I need to upgrade my cop/radar detection.

Rider

03-31-2010, 10:31 AM

Not surprising. They have to make money somehow for the state. Tickets have always been about money and always will be. They claim it's in the interest of public safety but we all know better.

Kaneman

03-31-2010, 10:32 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-30-speeding-cushion_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Guess I need to upgrade my cop/radar detection.

So the article basically points out that speeding tickets are another form of local tax revenue, but nobody is pissed. People are stupid.

tommymac

03-31-2010, 10:33 AM

Not surprising. They have to make money somehow for the state. Tickets have always been about money and always will be. They claim it's in the interest of public safety but we all know better.

its the perfect scam. They can always claim its for safety and generat cash for the municipalities.

Kaneman

03-31-2010, 10:35 AM

its the perfect scam. They can always claim its for safety and generat cash for the municipalities.

We could stop them....but we're too lazy, too interested in Jon and Kate, and basically a bunch of worthless pussies when it comes to fighting corruption that we fund.

Rider

03-31-2010, 10:38 AM

We could stop them....but we're too lazy, too interested in Jon and Kate, and basically a bunch of worthless pussies when it comes to fighting corruption that we fund.

How are you going to stop it? There is a fine and penalty for every law on the books. You break the law you pay the penalty and or fine. How can you fight that? You want to beat them, don't speed..

smileyman

03-31-2010, 10:40 AM

Track days for the win! No speed traps.

This article rings of truth. I took a 4 hours jaunt to the home office last week and saw 9 State Troopers! I hate to think how rabid the back water county cops will be.

CrazyKell

03-31-2010, 10:41 AM

My issue is not that it's a revenue generating activity about money....but that they claim it's about safety. It's patronizing to claim you're doing this for my safety. Just call a spade a spade.

tommymac

03-31-2010, 10:46 AM

How are you going to stop it? There is a fine and penalty for every law on the books. You break the law you pay the penalty and or fine. How can you fight that? You want to beat them, don't speed..

its just a question of how vigorously said laws are enforced. Piss off acop durring a traffic stop and you can bet he will find more tickets to write you up for.

Sometimes with bikes its a little different since it seems some cops arent fully aware of the laws governing bikes.

smileyman

03-31-2010, 10:50 AM

Rider

03-31-2010, 10:51 AM

its just a question of how vigorously said laws are enforced. Piss off acop durring a traffic stop and you can bet he will find more tickets to write you up for.

Sometimes with bikes its a little different since it seems some cops arent fully aware of the laws governing bikes.

Cops aren't judges. They don't interpret the laws, they enforce them. 56 in a 55 is breaking the law so they SHOULD be giving you a ticket. Until now, they have been interpreting the speeding law(in your favor). Cops are not supposed to use "judgment". Their job is black and white. It's up to the judge to decide what you did is wrong. I know I'm giving a civics lesson.

tommymac

03-31-2010, 10:52 AM

They should call it law enforcement, and the laws were passed for the safety of society at large so they cut out the middle man and say 'for safety'.
Most LEOs do not enjoy traffic or speed control but they are pressed to it by guess who? Dpt heads and revenue hungry bureaucrats.

There are rare occasions where it is for a safety issue or civilian complaints but usualy targeted enforcement comes from above like you stated.

in NYC its worse with the parking gestappo. the city would go bankrupt if people parked legally, the city banks on x amount of dollars from parking tickets

smileyman

03-31-2010, 11:01 AM

I have always been close to city and county governments. Alot of those officers are under pressure to perform from the bean counters. At that small level you have to earn your pay, your ride, your equipment in order to subsidize the govt funds. Or you simply find another job...

Kaneman

03-31-2010, 11:04 AM

How are you going to stop it? There is a fine and penalty for every law on the books. You break the law you pay the penalty and or fine. How can you fight that? You want to beat them, don't speed..

If every citizen who got a speeding ticket refused to pay it something would have to be done to change it.

Cops aren't judges. They don't interpret the laws, they enforce them. 56 in a 55 is breaking the law so they SHOULD be giving you a ticket. Until now, they have been interpreting the speeding law(in your favor). Cops are not supposed to use "judgment". Their job is black and white. It's up to the judge to decide what you did is wrong. I know I'm giving a civics lesson.

Actually, cops are very much supposed to use their judgement and discretion. That is part of their training...or at least it used to be.

VatorMan

03-31-2010, 11:08 AM

The current-year budget cuts, proposed last month by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), were designed to get a jump on a shortfall next fiscal year that officials have estimated could reach $608 million.

But during the council's session Tuesday, Montgomery budget director Joe Beach said that a drop-off in state and federal revenue and in speed-camera proceeds, plus a rising tally of snow-removal costs, could push the shortfall to $690 million.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...020903482.html

They have already quit talking safety in my county-it's all about the revenue. Towns have started petitioning the state for a cut of the cameras located in "their" areas.

Rider

03-31-2010, 11:09 AM

Actually, cops are very much supposed to use their judgement and discretion. That is part of their training...or at least it used to be.

Sure on things that aren't clearly defined. Laws are very well defined so if you break the law, you get a ticket/arrested/fined or a combination of the 3. If it's bullshit, we have judges who can dismiss your case or lesson your charge.

sherri_chickie

03-31-2010, 11:10 AM

If tickets were about " safety" they would ticket the idiots on the road going 10 or 20 K under the speed limit pissing off the other drivers just trying to drive the posted speed (on clear roads of course) They are just as dangerous as speeders. This town is full of idiots in the fast lane going WELL under the posted limit..GRR

Particle Man

03-31-2010, 11:13 AM

I drove to work the other day (about 35 miles) and saw 10 cops.

A friend of mine had to call 911 because he got in a fender bender and it took the cops almost 3 hours to show up.

Safety my ass.

smileyman

03-31-2010, 11:24 AM

When I am in the cage or commuting I really don't speed, but if they catch me in the Ozarks back roads they wont have to use any judgment or discretion. All they have to do is figure out how to catch a ton up sportbike or 4. Which they can and sometimes do.

Particle Man

03-31-2010, 04:10 PM

Amber Lamps

03-31-2010, 11:37 PM

wanna make a ton of money for your particular organization LEO's?

Listen closely:

Ticket people who sit in the left lane and you can leave the speed cushion alone.

You'll probably make 5X the $$.

Problem solved AND you'll actually do some good preventing congestion.

This! I do agree with Rider though. The law is the law. I you don't like the speed limits in your area, start a petition, introduce a law, get it voted on and change them. We are breaking the law, pure and simple. If you really want to hurt them, stop speeding period. Organize a stop speeding drive and you could half the State Troopers in 6 months. No tickets, no money, no troopers.