OT: My rant on people and speeding tickets.

[Myxolidian]

Rediculous? Are you {censored}ting me? Cops are incredibly low paid for what they do - I make more my first year out of college than most cops with 4-5 years of experience.

 

San Jose Police make over $70K, entry level. Not what I'd call low, even for the Bay Area. Source: http://www.policeone.com/careers/1229073/

 

 

the speed limits are enforced because some people are stupid enough to risk everyone else's safety by driving 100 on the interstate.

 

If you've ever driven on the autobahn in Germany you'd know that doing 100 doesn't mean endangering people's safety. Drivers there know that the left lane is for passing, etc. The real reason why there's a lot of {censored}ty drivers in the U.S. is because of the {censored}ty driving instruction and lax testing that puts all the morons behind the wheel in the U.S. Sure speed can be a part of the reason for an accident, but it's not really a root cause.

 

How many times have you seen a left lane hog doing exactly the speed limit and holding up traffic here, even though the DMV handbook specifically states that the left lane is to be used for passing and that slower traffic must move to the right? I see this all the time. Then the guy behind gets pissed and starts tailgating. The the driver in front decides to do a brake check. Then there's an accident. If anything, the police should be ticketing drivers that are oblivious to the actual rules (the ones that make sense) of the road.

 

 

I'm sorry that you feel opressed by the speed limits in the nation, but they are there for a reason, like them or not.

 

Just because the rules are there doesn't mean they're not stupid. Laws here are dumbed down for the lowest common denominator. You say "what about the kid that runs out on the street?" I say the parents need to teach the kid not to run out in the street. The smaller object should always have to look out for the bigger object, not the other way around. Otherwise, why not make residential speed limits 15, 10, or even 5mph? Who says the old grandma in the beat up '70s car with drum brakes can react in time even at 25mph? What makes you think 25mph is magically "safe"?

 

The only thing some of these laws do is give people a false sense of entitlement and safety. I commonly see people just jump into a crosswalk, EXPECTING cars to stop for them, just because they're in a crosswalk. That's stupid. I see bicycles suddenly jump out on the street or hog the entire lane. That's stupid. If they tried that in China or something they'd get their ass run over. Thus, they'd learn real quick not to pull that {censored}.

 

Now, not all speed limits would be bad if they can somehow have different classes with REASONABLE speeds. I think it depends on the driver and the car. If we had better, more strict driving tests we can classify drivers. As for cars, a late model 2900 pound Porsche with 4 wheel, 4 piston anti-lock disc brakes is going to stop MUCH faster than a 6000 pound SUV with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. That's just simple physics and can't be argued. So if an SUV can do 65mph on the freeway, the Porsche should legally be allowed to do 90mph.

[6mmSid]

Which cops are you referring to? I'm not talking about big city cops, I'm talking about those whose only function is to hassle people that speed in places where the limits are artificially low. You know lots of those places, right? Suburban Chicago is FULL OF THEM. Minimum wage is too high for them.

Face it - lots (not all) of speeding limits are strictly for raising money. BTW, nobody said anything about doing 100 on the interstate. I'm thinking of the ticket I got for doing 57 in a 45 on a deserted country road - LAST MONTH.

Yes, the original poster struck a nerve....:>).

Sid

Rediculous? Are you {censored}ting me? Cops are incredibly low paid for what they do - I make more my first year out of college than most cops with 4-5 years of experience. And please give me a {censored}ing break on the Nazi {censored} - the speed limits are enforced because some people are stupid enough to risk everyone else's safety by driving 100 on the interstate. I'm sorry that you feel opressed by the speed limits in the nation, but they are there for a reason, like them or not.

 

[knucklefux]

there is one thing about speeding tickets that really pisses me off, and it's not the cops that write them, they are usually just doing they're jobs.

 

there are small communities that will lower the speed limit on a highway or interstate that goes through it, and then put cops there to write tickets, all day every day. they aren't interested in enforcing the law, they are generating revenue. it's just another kind of tax. going 84 in a 65 is a victimless crime. that's what i oppose.

 

in my locale, we have sheriffs, police, marshals, and troopers. all of them patrol the streets and roads/highways. all of them have ticketing quotas. so, what that means is that as we get closer to the end of the month, if a cop needs a few more tickets to make his quota, it gets real easy to get one. imagine what would happen if those law enforcement units were actually out trying to prevent crime. they could still be on the lookout for traffic violations, but all these guys under overpasses with radar guns is old.

[Chrisjd]

30 in a residential is fast enough. 55 to 60 mph, which is the speed for most of our highways is {censored}ing bull{censored}.

[GYBE!]

? Two people are on the interstate...person #1 is going 60mph (the speed limit) and person #2 is going 75mph. Both people are traveling the same distance...20 miles. Person #1 will travel 20 miles in 20 minutes at 60mph. Person #2 will travel 20 miles in 16 minutes at 75mph. OMG!!! 4 MINUTES IS SUCH A LONG {censored}ING TIME!!!

Except of course, when I drive home to visit my parents back in Indiana. Then you are talking a difference of ~14 hours for doing 60 and 10 hours for doing 75. To me, 4 more hours in a car seat is a long {censored}ing time:blah:

Yes, I agree you have no need to do 45 in a school zone, residential area, etc... But 60 or 65 on a 3 lane per side highway is pretty ridiculous. Sure, do your 60, I'll do my 75 and LOL @ you when the rest of my day is not spent in a numbing car seat

[nerol1st]

Guys need to practice kissing ass more.

 

Tips:

 

When the cop aproaches your car make sure your car is turned off (yeah that like that {censored}) and your hand are on the steering wheel in plain {censored}ing site. Already have the window open. Kiss there ass they love that {censored}, cops are usually on power trips so let them have it. Do what they ask (within reason).

 

Things not to do:

 

Talk like an asshole.

Have your radio on when he comes up.

Lie.

 

I have been pulled 5 times since I have been driving (3 were minor {censored} like headlights n {censored}). Only once was the fine more than $50 and it was for an exp inspection.

 

The best ever though was doing 65 in a 40, he only gave me a ticket for a cracked windshiel (I did have). Went to court and the ticket was thrown out since I fixed it

[Capulin rhino]

San Jose Police make over $70K, entry level. Not what I'd call low, even for the Bay Area. Source: http://www.policeone.com/careers/1229073/ If you've ever driven on the autobahn in Germany you'd know that doing 100 doesn't mean endangering people's safety. Drivers there know that the left lane is for passing, etc. The real reason why there's a lot of {censored}ty drivers in the U.S. is because of the {censored}ty driving instruction and lax testing that puts all the morons behind the wheel in the U.S. Sure speed can be a part of the reason for an accident, but it's not really a root cause. How many times have you seen a left lane hog doing exactly the speed limit and holding up traffic here, even though the DMV handbook specifically states that the left lane is to be used for passing and that slower traffic must move to the right? I see this all the time. Then the guy behind gets pissed and starts tailgating. The the driver in front decides to do a brake check. Then there's an accident. If anything, the police should be ticketing drivers that are oblivious to the actual rules (the ones that make sense) of the road. Just because the rules are there doesn't mean they're not stupid. Laws here are dumbed down for the lowest common denominator. You say "what about the kid that runs out on the street?" I say the parents need to teach the kid not to run out in the street. The smaller object should always have to look out for the bigger object, not the other way around. Otherwise, why not make residential speed limits 15, 10, or even 5mph? Who says the old grandma in the beat up '70s car with drum brakes can react in time even at 25mph? What makes you think 25mph is magically "safe"? The only thing some of these laws do is give people a false sense of entitlement and safety. I commonly see people just jump into a crosswalk, EXPECTING cars to stop for them, just because they're in a crosswalk. That's stupid. I see bicycles suddenly jump out on the street or hog the entire lane. That's stupid. If they tried that in China or something they'd get their ass run over. Thus, they'd learn real quick not to pull that {censored}. Now, not all speed limits would be bad if they can somehow have different classes with REASONABLE speeds. I think it depends on the driver and the car. If we had better, more strict driving tests we can classify drivers. As for cars, a late model 2900 pound Porsche with 4 wheel, 4 piston anti-lock disc brakes is going to stop MUCH faster than a 6000 pound SUV with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. That's just simple physics and can't be argued. So if an SUV can do 65mph on the freeway, the Porsche should legally be allowed to do 90mph.

 

 

 

 

 

good post:thu:

 

 

you articulated some very valid points!

 

 

and by the way. i stuck it out with my Strobo Stomp and tried the Sweetened tuning like you mentioned, and now getting along with it pretty good with it.

[deepblue]

I like when I get passed by some jack-ass only to end up at the same stoplight at the same time. I point and laugh at their dumbass.......

And if you ride my ass I will put a brick thru yo windshield

[anti-flag193]

I pretty much drive any speed I feel is reasonable and where I know cops usually aren't. On backroads in my town, where I haven't seen cops ever, I'll go as fast as I know I can handle.

On the way to school, I'll go speed limit if there's traffic, but if it's open I'll go 15-20 over. The only place I ever get ticketed is in 30mph zones. I got a 46 in a 30 and a 57 in a 30 both of which were dropped. I've only been pulled over once in the past year (79 in a 55) but wasn't ticketed. I am just more aware of where I speed.

[RMS]

And please give me a {censored}ing break on the Nazi {censored} - the speed limits are enforced because some people are stupid enough to risk everyone else's safety by driving 100 on the interstate.

 

 

The problem is that speed limits in most cases aren't set for any reason other than to generate revenue by allowing cops a hard number to work with for writing tickets. (Ideally we could skip speed limits and just allow dangerous driving tickets when appropriate, but obviously those are harder to deal with than something concrete like speeding.) In most other cases, speed limits were set years ago for vehicles of the time and have not been updated in any reasonable way. Take standard interstate speed limits. These were set in the 50s based on 50s vehicles. Rural interstates on the plains frequently had 75 or 80 mph limits then, and the roads were built for that. It's far, far safer to drive 100 mph in a modern car than 80 mph in any 50s vehicle.

 

FYI, 100 mph on rural interstate shouldn't be a problem with modern surfaces and vehicle technology. The only time it's dangerous is when drivers (the fast driver or slower drivers around) aren't paying attention. Ironically, it's frequently the slow drivers not paying attention to what's going on around them that actually causes the danger. (Yes, I do mention this since I note that you're in the TC where this is far worse than any other major metro area I've been in - no idea why either.) There's also a strong argument that allowing people to pick their own speeds actually improves the overall flow of traffic by not bottle-necking in the passing lane, and consequently improves overall safety.

 

 

I'm sorry that you feel opressed by the speed limits in the nation, but they are there for a reason, like them or not.

 

 

Yes, they are. In many cases they're there specifically to allow the local government to collect fees. In some cases they are there for safety, but it's far from the only reason. The research done by the DOT pretty well supports that if people are left to their own devices, they pick reasonable speeds for their skill, regardless of what many people believe.

[Phishmonkey]

good post:thu: you articulated some very valid points! and by the way. i stuck it out with my Strobo Stomp and tried the Sweetened tuning like you mentioned, and now getting along with it pretty good with it.

 

 

What exactly is sweetened tuning? I've heard the term but have no idea what it means

[cobrahead1030]

agreed with the original post...if you go over the speed limit you know there's a chance you'll get pulled, if you can't afford the ticket then leave your house a little sooner and slow down

my friends all laugh at me for driving like a grandpa...they pay double what i do for insurance tho and driving 750 miles/week average, i've got a much higher chance of getting pulled over than they do

[Kung-Fool]

So why is it ok for off duty cops to speed? A cop will never give another cop a speeding ticket no matter what. And for that matter why is ok for on duty cops to speed for no reason? If it's about safety then everyone should be accountable, right?

[Hegmatronicon]

So, you're telling me it's common sense to blindly follow every order you're given? Funny, I thought the very definition of common sense was the ability to assess a situation for one's self without outside input.

 

 

Yes but what you are missing is the fact that it has been passed into a law. And by living in society you make a decision - to follow the laws set down, or break them and suffer the consequences.

 

It has nothing to do with Nazi's or anything else like that.

 

It's simple - if a guy decides that stopping at a stop sign or red traffic light is a stupid waste of his time, and that the stop sign is only there to cause congestion - he drives through it - right into your brand new car killing your family.

Oh but its ok coz it was a stupid law that says you must stop at a traffic light etc and the cops are {censored}ing idiots for trying to book him.

He assessed the situation with his superior judgement and decided he knew better.

 

If this happens to you - i bet you will think twice before preaching that you have the ability and right as a citizen of the almighty USA - to disregard it's laws and substitute in your own judgement.

Or maybe you wont and thats the problem.

[TheGreatGreen]

 

Yes but what you are missing is the fact that it has been passed into a law. And by living in society you make a decision - to follow the laws set down, or break them and suffer the consequences. It has nothing to do with Nazi's or anything else like that. It's simple - if a guy decides that stopping at a stop sign or red traffic light is a stupid waste of his time, and that the stop sign is only there to cause congestion - he drives through it - right into your brand new car killing your family. Oh but its ok coz it was a stupid law that says you must stop at a traffic light etc and the cops are {censored}ing idiots for trying to book him. He assessed the situation with his superior judgement and decided he knew better. If this happens to you - i bet you will think twice before preaching that you have the ability and right as a citizen of the almighty USA - to disregard it's laws and substitute in your own judgement. Or maybe you wont and thats the problem.

 

 

We're not talking about blindly speeding and laughing as you blow by stop signs and traffic lights, giving the finger to all onlookers while throwing trash out the window and filming porn in the back seat... We're talking about the absurdity of ridiculously low speed limits and how it's not utilizing "common sense" just to see a rule and follow it just because it's there.

 

I'm not saying it's okay to go out and break laws, even speed limits. What I am saying is that you should understand that not everything should be taken at face value and you shouldn't always view the situation as "RULES GOOD! YOU BREAK RULES! YOU BAAAD!"

 

And yes, we do live in a society with laws and consequences for breaking them, but that doesn't mean that some of the laws themselves are any less absurd.

[tsunamijesus]

My stance: the speed limit is boring. i start to lose interest and space out, then i find myself veering or not completely in control. if im driving 10 over, im alert, aware, and perfectly safe. i drive a nice german car designed for fast driving, i get {censored}ty gas milage at
so to the OP, {censored} you, im not endangering anyone unless they decide to merge in front of me innapropriately. Pay attention to the road and you should be allowed to drive at a reasonable speed. NO im not saying 40 in a residential is ok, theres kids playing around, thats bound for disaster. but on a long country road like we have around here, 55 is more than reasonable.

Learn to drive your cars, or get off the road. sidenote: Ive never EVER driven at or below the speed limit, and ive never gotten pulled over. and we have some dick cops here.

Pay attention and learn how to drive

[Hegmatronicon]

We're not talking about blindly speeding and laughing as you blow by stop signs and traffic lights, giving the finger to all onlookers while throwing trash out the window all while filming porn in the back seat... We're talking about the absurdity of ridiculously low speed limits and how it's not utilizing "common sense" just to see a rule and follow it just because it's there. I'm not saying it's okay to go out and break laws, even speed limits. What I am saying is that you should understand that not everything should be taken at face value and you shouldn't always view the situation as "RULES GOOD! YOU BREAK RULES! YOU BAAAD!" And yes, we do live in a society with laws and consequences for breaking them, but that doesn't mean that some of the laws themselves are any less absurd.

 

 

 

So make an effort to ammend the laws? I fail to see why it should be ok for you to speed because YOU say its safe. What makes you an authority? Not really YOU in particular - but anyone for that matter. What about the dumb half blind redneck that thinks its ok for him to speed even tho his car is 100 years old and would stop if you ran into a wall?

 

Where does the line get drawn?

And by the way your first sentence made me laugh here at work!! Now everybody thinks i'm nuts!

[potaetoes]

how many of you people pissing your panties about speed limits being too low have gone down to your local city council meetings to raise the issue and try to get them changed? until you do, shut your whiny bitch mouths the {censored} up and do what the god damned sign tells you to do. if you have, which i'm sure some of you will falsely claim, because this is the internet after all - congrats! you're participating in society. part of participating in society is to do what the god damned sign tells you to do.

[Cosmic_Osmo]

People who purposefully speed and then get pissed off at the cop that pulls them over just simply need to shut the {censored} up. Period. Anyone who has the balls to lay the blame on the police officer because of that person's speeding habit is just a worthless, hypocritical, walking pile of {censored}. Every person who gets pissed off at a police officer when they knew they were speeding deserves to pay 10x the amount that's required on the ticket. If you ever get pulled over, do yourself a favor and just accept the fact that you were caught, pay the fine, and go on with your life. There's no need to fight the ticket, because 99.8% of the time you will lose. There's no need to get pissed off at the police officer, because he's just doing his job. Have a nice day.

 

 

Meh.. I'm a habitual speeder and I hate every cop who has ever written me a ticket. Why? First off, millions of people speed multiple times every day. Do they get pulled over and ticketed every single time? Of course not, so how can you blame them for getting pissed off on those rare occasions that they do? It's human nature! Second, multiple studies have shown that habitual speeders cause far less wrecks than those who don't because they are generally more aggressive and attentive drivers. I am a habitual speeder and in my 10 years of driving have never caused a single wreck. My sisters and several of my friends hardly ever speed and have all totaled at least 1 car. This tells me that speed is less of an issue that attention and reaction as far as safety at the wheel is concerned. Convince an officer of this? Good luck.

 

Traffic police get payed to sit on their asses and occasionally chase someone down and tack a huge annoying fine on them for doing something that they were probably not even consciously aware of, while dozens more SPEED by and watch the poor bastard get written up. Meanwhile drug deals, domestic violence, and theft go unpunished because officers' time is being spent where it shouldn't.

[Cosmic_Osmo]

Rediculous? Are you {censored}ting me? Cops are incredibly low paid for what they do - I make more my first year out of college than most cops with 4-5 years of experience. And please give me a {censored}ing break on the Nazi {censored} - the speed limits are enforced because some people are stupid enough to risk everyone else's safety by driving 100 on the interstate. I'm sorry that you feel opressed by the speed limits in the nation, but they are there for a reason, like them or not.

 

 

Yes, for what they do 99% of the day, cops are overpayed.

[cobrahead1030]

one thing to keep in mind...when you see a stupid low speed limit, there's a reason it's that low

if you can't understand why they put a 25 zone going thru a certain area consider yourself lucky, you didn't have to see or know the kid that got ran over there back when it was a 40

think of the absolute dumbest person you know, and consider that he can probably get a driver's license just like you even having little more intellegence than a sewer rat, look at all the young stupid kids with lead feet and no driving skills at all, or the soccer moms doing 10 things at once while driving their 6 ton SUV in a residential area...just because some of us can handle driving over the posted speed limit doesn't mean that everyone can

[TomCTC]

That's why I ride a bike.

 

[Myxolidian]

What exactly is sweetened tuning? I've heard the term but have no idea what it means

 

It's a long explanation, but the short of it is that the way a guitar is tuned is a compromise. Even perfectly tuned and intonated, some chords will play more out of tune than others. Sweetened tuning is a different compromise on the tuning. It allows the open chords to sound more in tune. This makes some barre chords higher up the neck play a little off, but for my style that's ok.

[Weathered]

Yes, for what they do 99% of the day, cops are overpayed.

Well, I guess in Utah, there is no real violence. In Minneapolis, police officers deal with a lot more stuff than just traffic law. If you woke up in the morning and didn't know if you were going to have to deal with giving a traffic ticket or having someone holed up in an apartment with a rifle, how would you like making $35,000/year (which is what most starting cops in MN make)?

It's not all about enforcing traffic laws.

[Deicide1]

On a side note for this thread...I'm thinking about buying another new bike this year and I just called a couple places for insurance quotes. For a 2007 Gsx-r1000, Geico wanted $4700 for full coverage, Progessive wanted $3700...


Makes sense to pay the $280 for liability.