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The other reason (that I like) is they run interference for you with the Smokies.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I wasn't the fastest on the road. A few cars were passing me. It would seem to make more sense to use one of them.
He was following pretty closely, too. And why sit in my blind spot so long? I mean, if you want someone smoke out the 5-0, wouldn't you hang back a bit further so as not to get caught at the same time?
What is the world coming to?
Once again "Thank Heavens for Mississippi!!
In one reported case, a poor lady had her car taken because the spare tire carrier at the rear of the car had been removed, and the police said that was evidence that the car had been used as a drug transportation car, by placing the drug in the gas tank above the tire carrier. Of course, the lady was not moving drugs, but it took months and many dollars to get the car back.
The '60 Minute' crew did a big bit on this also. They trolled I-10 in a rental Lincoln Contiental with out of state tags. After only a couple of hours the first day of doing this, a parish cop tailed them for a long time, finally pulling them over for 'weaving'. The CBS crew was running the camera all the time, and they were not weaving or speeding. The cop took them to town and gave them the third degree. Only when taken before the JP or whatever, and it was obvious he was part of the nasty deal also, did they tell who they were.
The parish sherrif was 'shocked'. And fired the deputy. And he was hired in the next parish or city over in a few days.
I decided then I would make every effort to never drive through Louisana. This included missing their casinos when I was on a gambling vacation.
Did your bosses Explorer have non-Louisana tags? If so, I think you were tailed by a cop who was attempting to make you break some law, probably speeding, so he could pull you over (or call in the marked cars) and yank everything out of your car looking for drugs......
The cop did mention drug dealers and drug trafficking, and he searched my car. Truthfully he didn't do a very good job though. In fact, looking back on it, I wonder if it might have even been a botched attempt at racial profiling? If you throw a baseball cap on me, hiding my brown hair, I do look kind of Latino. I'm wondering if the cop pulled me over thinking that, but once he saw me up close, and heard my rural Maryland accent, he realized he probably wasn't going to find anything, but then tried to save face by doing a half-arsed car search? Didn't stop him from writing me a ticket though. $189.75. 82 in a 70. But just so you all don't think I was driving foolishly, I WAS going with the flow of traffic! In fact, I was slowly passing an 18 wheeler at the time. Normally I like to get past the 18 wheelers quickly, in case they have to change lanes or something, but at the speed we were already going, I didn't want to go TOO much faster!
Sharing stories about what you see out on the roads is fine. PLEASE don't try to personally identify others here. The two posts that just went up with plate numbers in them have been taken down. Any further postings like this could lead to loss of posting privileges and I really don't want to see that happen to anyone.
Thanks for your cooperation on this!
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But I agree, what you say you did was enough to get you pulled over by a real cop.
I think also the states try to balance this a bit. Most states do not want to develop a reputation of being "anti tourista".
It actually might mirror the balance shown on the animal channel; with the crocodiles and the willdabeasts!
An out of stater is probably not likely to go back to the (far away) municipality to contest. But in CA, a highway patrolman gets app 300 dollars to appear in court for folks that actually contest their tickets. So it is almost a can't lose situation for the enforcement end.
I also have a problem when the light turns green and people let people in from a place of business. If the light is GREEN, it means GO, NOT STOP! How inconsiderate is it to make all the people behind you wait for 1 vehicle that has to yield to us. Then, I am the one that gets the next light and the guy ahead of me makes the light because of the person that let that car in at the GREEN light. Also, at intersections, why is it that people at stop signs think when the light turns green that they have right-of-way? I do the RIGHT thing and don't block the intersection. So, why they think I am suppose to sit there a few seconds longer to let them in from a STOP sign. STOP the last time I knew, it meant just that STOP. Green means GO. So, if I am doing the right thing and not blocking the intersection, then if you pull in front of me, then YOU are blocking the intersection until the light turns green. That is ILLEGAL. WHY do people always think of the people that are pulling out and NOT of the people BEHIND them? I am ready to get going at the light and YOU have NO right to just sit there and let them in when they have a stop or yield sign. Also, if they are just coming out of a business, they have to yield to the drivers on the roadway.
I also hate when people wait til the LAST minute to get into a lane. I have had people stop and keep braking, holding up all the traffic behind me and myself. When I honked on them to go, they had the audacity to flip me off as if I am the villian. I have made u-turns to be considerate of the people behind me when I have missed my turn before. Why are people so SELFISH? It is also illegal to block traffic.
I also hate it when I am going the SPEED LIMIT like the law states and people honked or tailgate me. Are they that stupid that they want to have an at-fault accident and hit me from behind? I have NEVER gotten a ticket of ANY kind in my lifetime and I have been driving since 1998. Yes, when I was young I have gone over the speed limit. Now, I really don't want to pay over $100 or so just to go fast, it's NOT worth it. It is also MUCH safer to go slower. I always go the speed limit unless people in front of me aren't going speed limit and I can't pass them or it is unsafe because of weather conditions.
People also don't understand that when you pull out of somewhere or an intersection you have to consider that the person in the middle lane may change lanes and when you pull into the right lane at the same exact time, it could cause an accident. I wait until it is completely clear to go because most people don't use their signals.
I also hate it when people don't use their signals. Like people are suppose to be mind readers or something. Even if it looks like they want to get in, I WON'T let them WITHOUT their signals unless it will cause an accident. It is the LAW to use signals to change lanes and to make turns.
People in parking lots I hate are the people that BLOCK the WHOLE lane to get one space and the people are still putting their groceries in their car. If they were backing out, that is DIFFERENT. One time I was at Wal-Mart and they had a van in front of me. They also had a truck behind me. I was LITERALLY TRAPPED! This van kept sitting there and I didn't honk. It was at least 2 to 3 minutes and they decided to drive off because the people were taking to long. WHY are people so inconsiderate? Why not try going towards the side of the lane instead of blocking the middle of it? When I see people coming, I MOVE out their way. I think of other people's feelings.
Well, okay, it wasn't a wise old prophet, it was Gil Gerard in the second season of "Buck Rogers"
I was going with the flow of traffic when I got that speeding ticket. If I deserved that speeding ticket, than so did everybody else on that highway. And trust me, that stretch of I-10 is so straight, desolate, and boring, with visibility for miles, so 10 over was certainly not "pushing it", given the conditions that day (nice, sunny day, dry roads, etc)
I'd rather see the police patrol areas where speeding is truly dangerous, such as school zones, residential streets, etc. Or go after the truly dangerous acts, such as weaving in and out of traffic, improper lane discipline, aggressive driving, driving too fast over the speed of the flow of traffic, not keeping to the minimum posted speed on limited access highways, left lane camping, etc. Leave the poor working stiff who just happens to be rolling along with the flow of traffic alone. When I see the police start to do stuff like that, THEN I'll be convinced that they're in it for public safety, and not profit.
And BTW, had I been doing the speed limit on that stretch of road, I would've been the slowest car on it, and created a bottleneck. Of course, if I was doing the speed limit I would've also been in the slow lane, and not left lane camping, so there's that, at least. But still, in this situation, doing 70 mph would've actually been MORE dangerous than doing 82, because of the difference in vehicle speeds.
After the police officer pulled me over for speeding, I asked him why he chose me out of the hundreds of speeders on the road as some were going much faster. He asked me "If I had ever gone fishing". I Said: "Yeah, Why?". He said: "Ever catch every fish?"
I also don't think it makes sense when I see drivers that speed like you and then don't pay attention when the light turns green and it is clear to go. That doesn't make sense. Why did the person ever speed to begin with if they were so much in a rush? Also, those same people that speed also let people in from gas stations or other businesses. I will NEVER understand WHY they sped to begin with? What is the point?
Since officers have wide discretionary powers, and wide discretion in how they use power, it can pay to see which way the wind is blowing so to speak. I literally have been passed many times highway patrol cars (with no particular place to go ) while going 90 mph in a 65 mph zone. I have also seen folks pulled over for 1 mph over the speed limit.
Actually in my very long driving career, the closest calls have been with cops. Once in the desert with literally unlimited visibility, a highway patrol almost side swiped me while he was merging because he was fiddling with something in the cabin. When he woke up, he sort of sheepishly grinned and I just looked away and shook my head.
Another time (in the desert) a truck enforcement highway patrol made an "illegal" U-TURN to change his direction 180 degrees. (there is really a reason why a u turn on a freeway is illegal?) Naturally it sent up dust clouds so I knew something was up and was in full defensive mode.. Of course he decides to enter the #1 lane while I was in the #2 lane, up along side of meat the same precise time.. Since I had slowed when I saw the dust cloud this caused a fully loaded tractor trailer to try to pass me in the #1 lane. I do not think the clueless truck enforcement officer saw the MASSIVE smoke stacks belching smoke as he made hurried downshifts or THE panic look on the big rig drivers face as he was praying to GOD , not rear end him in the #1 lane..
If you drive worrying about the "what ifs", please stay at home.
Yes and it should. Egregious speeders are a danger to other drivers. I have no problem in the cops giving a ticket to someone driving to excess. I have no problem in using it for revenue. Maybe the speeder will think twice the next time.
Cops give tickets to stop sign rollers. Danger. Nah. Revenue. Yes. Don't like the idea? Don't do it.
Not that I recommend you get into an accident in either place but: On a recent central valley CA interstate pile up during a tule fog, there was a 108 vehicle pile up and EVERYBODY lived!!?? with no life threatening injuries ( involved were suvs; large and small, small cars, big cars, big rigs, small rigs, etc. etc!)
As you have probably seen before, most fatalities happen at under 45 mph. Intersections are more dangerous than interstates.
By the way I have never received a "speeding" ticket or citation for stop light or sign violation. Why? because sign and light violations are inherently dangerous!!??
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Wasn't there a Congressmen who was recently convicted of manslaughter ? He was doing exactly what you are referring, executing: "rolling stops on back roads". Supposedly not a SOUL around for miles!? Seems was executing your advocated "safe move" and chose to do that when a 53 year old motorcycle rider was going through after he had stopped at a 4 way stop. So if the Congressman had actually stopped, he might have not been convicted at all even if he still killed the motorcyclist!? Yes you are right that is guess and conjecture. The for sure part was the motorcyclist was 100% DEAD after the "safe rolling stops" on back roads. Tell the Congressman about the statistics, and yes liars do figure. He plead NOT GUILTY. Evidently the evidence and "statistics" convinced a jury other wise.
I might be in the minority here, but I will pass on "your rollling stops".
As for "statistics lie and liars figure" - that's the refuge of those who either can't understand statistics and their application to the discussion at hand, or are arguing from a position not supported by the facts.
Funny thing was, they hounded me and the insurance company for two months about paying to repair the fence! And the other driver? Couldn't care less that he wrecked two cars, injured me, himself, and two passengers in his car- just upset that he would lose his license! Talk about inconsiderate......
You can twist and turn it anyway you want. The reason most of fatalities occur at 45 is statistically most traffic in the US moves at less than 45. Ever driven in Manhattan? Thousands of cars with an average speed of 7mph. My average speed according my on-board trip computer is about 25mph. Taking into account the fact the my daily commute consists of 10 miles at 55+.
For every example you cite I can cite a counter-example as well. It has been years (10+) in my town where someone was killed rolling through a stop sign at 2mph. Yet there are plenty of fatalities on the road that results from excess speed.
BTW - where did I ever advocate unsafe driving habits. If you read carefully, I was referring to the degrees in which the law was broken. Shall I post some links to articles detailing the fatalities on the roads while people were engaged in the "safe" practice of speeding as you advocate?
Well I think you are doing the twisting! To me in NYC it is even more imperative to stop at intersections (given the situations of course) Rolling stop through intersections is trolling for an accident/tragedy.
Driving in NYC to me is an absolute hoot. It is actually more fun when you are in a government vehicle or have diplomatic immunity!
However despite the stereotype of the quintessential NYC cabbie and the ill deserved bad rap that NY state drivers have , NY staters have conspired to make NY state one of the safer states in terms of fatalities and accidents!
And there we have it. I claim rolling through a stop sign at 2mph, which I don't do, is safer than speeding. You claim speeding is the safer law to break. Just like I don't have any evidence rolling through a stop sign is dangerous, you don't have any evidence speeding and othe excessive behaviours are dangerous. Right?
Thanks!
Another time at the same high school, we were atending a parent teacher conference, when a grey Saab 9-5 parked behind us. Somehow, we managed to wiggle the car out of the parking spot, as the spaces on our left and right sides were empty.
Both were very annoying experiences. If people can't find room to park, is it my problem? No way. They should find another place to park. Stupid guys.
Wrong! On both counts!
According to your own stated behavior, you dont roll through stop signs at 2 mph?? So even you don't believe your own assertions. GOOD!, for I don't roll through intersections either. (given the appropriate situations) YOU are the one claiming that speeding is the safer law to break- NOT ME!
Also, if the majority of fatalities happen at less than speed limit speeds (fully 80% of fatalities occur at 45 mph and UNDER., the smart money would be on that which is being glossed over.
I believe in respecting the driving regulations as much as possible and the spirit of the driving regulations. There is not a driver amongst us, that has not broken some driving law, somewhere somehow or the spirit of the law. So none of us are lily white. I'm teaching my kids that as well as they learn to drive.
And there are clearly those anti-social driving behaviors and rules, which when broken have a greater chance of injury or fatality than others. Any other thought to the contrary is not rational.
You can assert whatever you wish, You dont't believe your own assertion/s, as evidenced by your stated behavior and neither do I, for I don't roll through stop signs or lights either. So on THAT point we seem to agree, although sometimes I think you just need to express the contrarian in you.
..."Any other thought to the contrary is not rational."...
I am not sure why you would entertain irrational thoughts?
Another law-breaking behavior, I've seen is gunning through yellow lights. Most of the time this results in nothing. However there are times a ticket or accident will accrue from this.
We could be having an irrational conversation :sick:
'We could be having an irrational conversation "
I am glad you are finally starting to see....
Also as you are probably aware, most times law enforcement does not begin to give so called "speeding" tickets till about 9 mph over the speed limit. So as an experiment would you be willing to do your stop signal/ sign roll through at that speed? I don't know about you, but I would have NO part of that bet. We really need to move on. The position you have taken has been totally untenable from the start.
Now I'm going to "make like a tree and get out of here". :shades:
james
"make like a tree and leaf"
I tell you what. I'll take part in the experiment to see how many miles a cop will give a ticket above the speed limit, if you take part in an experiment to see how fast rolling through a stop sign it takes to get a ticket.
In the meantime, I'll make like a cow and hide.
Somebody out ther please do something stupid on the road... we can wait
The one who will get the most notice and the most tickets and probably get into the most accidents and takes the FAR greater chance on fatalities is the stop signal/sign roller (remember T boning can be a very serious accident?).
I think even though you say it isn't true: your stated behavior sez otherwise.
james (who lives and works in WA, but prefers his home state of OR)
Now, how was that for inconsiderate when he plowed into the manure truck and dumped the load into the convertible? Always wondered what a manure truck would be doing parked on the town square, but I might be taking this too seriously...
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
A strange thing has happened to me a couple of times lately. Last night I was driving through the city, at ~10 above, on roads that weren''t very busy. Two lanes in each direction, but one of them was taken by parked cars (weird how they do that... there are definitely lane lines for two lanes, but also parking meters - so unless no one's parked, there's really only one lane). I guess the guy behind me (who wasn't tailgating me, I should point out) got exhasperated, spotted a hole in the parked cars, and cleverly maneuvered around me. He must be in a hurry, I thought. Nice move.
But after a few seconds, he's only going 5-6 above! He's going a little bit slower than when he was behind me! Why?? A fun part of the road was coming up so it was particularly frustrating, and I still don't get the point.