BR I think Keda was referring to BRussels post about going the posted speed limits on one lane roads, and holding up speeders. Which, while satisfying, is not a very good idea. I've seen the-determined-to-speed take outrageous chances on dangerous roads like Mullholland Dr. because they felt the car in front of them wasn't going fast enough. If that car is me, I'd rather just pull over. The a$$hole may cream another motorist coming in the next lane. I don't need that baggage in my life, thanks.
IIRC, Nevada(? and a few other US states) used to have a law making radar detectors illegal (maybe still do) and for a while in California police Radar itself was considered illegal - invasion of privacy or unconstitutional search, i think.
I recall a story from California during this period where a police officer decided to 'spook' motorists into thinking there was radar by pointing a hairdryer out his parked cruiser window. If memory serves he got suspended.
<strong>BRussell...I hope your joking. If not you are a serious dickhead. But, like I said, I dont tailgate. When Im stuck behind people like you, I just relax, wait for the right time, downshift, and watch you get smaller in my rear view.
"Watch me, I can go so fast because I'm a GOOD driver! All you drivers who use blinkers when you change lanes and use your mirrors and stay a proper distance away from other cars and go the speed limit, you must be BAD drivers because you drive so defensively!"
Sorry, you're the people who cause accidents. Accidents are caused by morons who watch nascar and so think they're "good" enough to bend the rules.
I don't know about whether speed or "bad driving" kills. I thought there were pretty clear studies that showed more deaths associated with higher speeds. But I do think that some people define "bad driving" as people who follow the rules and drive defensively, and they hold themselves as superior and not needing the rules.
I was joking though about flipping my headlights. I've never seen a radar trap in Montana anyway.
But part of my ranting comes from the fact that I ride a bicycle to work, and you really get a better view of how dangerous bad drivers are when you're on a bike.
BTW, I live in the only state in the US that has had no numerical speed limit. It was declared unconstitutional a few years ago because it was too vague.
Just a different point of view. I used to flash my lights until I heard a radio guy say something eariee. He said "What if you flash your lights at someone and they are just commited some horrible crime (like killing someone or molesting some child) and because you flashed your lights they slowed down and just avoided a getting pulled over and potentially arrested. They could have been escaped prison convicts or other fugitives. You just never know who your helping". I'd rather not take the chance of having something else on my head. I have a little girl (3 years old) and I kind of feel like I'm doing my part in protecting her. I get ticketed as much as the next guy and hate it, but I think it's worth the small price in fines to keep villians in jail and the dangerous motorist off the road. Just imagine, it's a friday night, you pass a speed trap, you go over the next hill and flash the pickup truck heading toward you. The drunk driver at the wheel slows down and escapes the speed trap. Up ahead he runs a red light and hits a school bus full of kids coming home from a friday night football game. Too bad they couldn't escape the way he did. This COULD happen and DOES happen. So I say, better keep your lights to yourself and let the guilty pay the fine...not the innocent.
<strong>BR I think Keda was referring to BRussels post about going the posted speed limits on one lane roads, and holding up speeders. Which, while satisfying, is not a very good idea. I've seen the-determined-to-speed take outrageous chances on dangerous roads like Mullholland Dr. because they felt the car in front of them wasn't going fast enough. If that car is me, I'd rather just pull over. The a$$hole may cream another motorist coming in the next lane. I don't need that baggage in my life, thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>I know I'm not going to go 55 in a 35 just to make some soccer mom high on Starbucks in an Explorer happy. If I'm going 35, I won't speed up for her. She can slow down and tailgate me all she wants.
But you're probably right. Just pull over and let 'em go. You're a better man than me. I guess if someone seemed particularly deranged that's what I'd do too. But not as a rule.
That last one should have been thrown out. Even a cruise control could not guarantee perfect 55 all the time. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Hey man, just some friendly advice for you. The po-po (police) here in PDX ticket you for crap like that too, so watch out. One time my dad was in an exit only lane on HWY 217 and he didn't signal (because it was an exit only lane) and he got a $170 ticket (I was with him, not fun).
I got back from Costa Rica, and this is a standard over there. At first, I thought I was doing something wrong, but then I noticed there were cops, and road hazards around the next turn. MOST AMERICANS DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE! :eek: If someone is driving slow in the fast lane in C.R, they honk, but they always wave when they pass by. Nobody is mean or angry. In Germany, you don'tdrive in the fast lane. In America, you own the road and drive like you want. (To hell with everyone else)
So yea, I alert others about cops, but I don't think they understand. (With all the honking and everything) <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
I don't know if they have the same kind of speed traps where all of you live, but around here the traps are embedded into the road. They are 2 squarish sencer wires carved into the road on every major road, and one every mile on every freeway. There are also photo sensors at very popular intersections. Those really make me mad.
[quote] Sorry, you're the people who cause accidents. Accidents are caused by morons who watch nascar and so think they're "good" enough to bend the rules.<hr></blockquote>
Bend them?...nah, break 'em. Seriously, I think speed limits were initially made in an attempt to save gas and lives. But, things have changed.
Now they have become a tool for the gov't to make $$ and pry into your life. Major highways (like 95 in the East) were designed to support cruising speeds of 85-90mph. This was in a time when car suspension was basically the same as that used on covered wagons. Today those same roads can easily and safely be driven at over 100mph. Of course, I don't advocate cruising along at 100, but I don't think it coincidence that the average speed on highways is @75. When large groups of people are cruising that fast, it is because hey have found the 'natural speed' of the road.
Also consider the fact that many roads have speed limits set much lower than the natural speed and the excessive enforcement of these limits by the cops. It is a revenue generating mechanism.
In recent years, laws have been changes to make it much easier for the police to search your car and person after a traffic stop. There was a time when I was searched at least once a month (I had long hair). Besides 'profiling,' there was NEVER any justification for the searches. In the incident I originally referred to (pulled for going too slow), I was handcuffed and made to stand at the back of the car while the cops called backup and searched my vehicle. I hadn't been a wise-ass or done anything 'suspicious.'
I think it is possible to drive assertively and defensively. But, add 'aggressive' to either of those words and you have a problem. The self-righteous types who take on the responsibility of enforcing speed limits by driving slow in the 'fast lane' only make the road more dangerous. Speed limits should be set with common sense in mind, not dollars.
BTW, I do consider myself a good driver. I have been professionally trained, auto-x, and semi-regularly get out on the track. You might be surprised what a good car is capable of. Also NASCAR sucks. Why watch a bunch a guys drive in a circle? Want to see a race, find a good road coarse w/real curves.
I've many times proposed the idea that there should be 2 speed limits: one for SUVs that can barely handle going 80 and another for, oh, say, fastlittlegermansportscars. *cough*
Oh, Spline's in here. Japanese, too.
The problem is that, if you've got a lot of morons with poorly inflated tires, 80+ gets dangerous. Frankly, with the floaty feel of most suspensions, i wouldn't feel safe driving at over 80 mph, just because it doesn't feel *safe*.
I got pulled over by a cop for doing 56 in a 35, when i had just litereally pulled out onto the road less than 500 feet back. Absolutely impossible, save if I had done some wild drop-clutch starsky & hutch type start, for me to have been going that fast that quickly.
'Moving Radar' is the bane of my existence. Just yesterday I was on I-70 going into Baltimore, cruising in the left lane, going about 80ish. Police car came along on the other side of the road, sees the little pack of 3 cars that i'm in on the other side, turns on his lights and juices it to get to one of the turnarounds. Luckily, there's an exit *right* there so i floor it and roar off onto some back roads before he can see where I went.
That last one should have been thrown out. Even a cruise control could not guarantee perfect 55 all the time. </strong><hr></blockquote>
She got the second two tossed out. The cops that day were the local county cops and not the State cops. It was Maryland too. The cops there are assholes on the hiways.
Here in Ireland they've done away with radar guns and are now using laser speed tracking guns which are also connected to a video camera.
I can tell you that these babies have a much longer range than the old radar devices and are much more accurate.
Not only can they tell you exactly what speed you were doing but they have a still video clip as evidence!
yes, we still flash the other road users to warn them but these new things are so portable that a bike cop can stand out of sight and still catch you, so you may not even see the speed trap 'till your actually past it
I think it's funny that people who drive too fast think THEY'RE the good drivers.
...
<hr></blockquote>
In Germany there are many bad driver that go very fast. Maybe they think they're Michael Schumacher, but I've been blown away by cars going 120+mph in the rain.
Doing 150+mph is not uncommon, and yet there's no carnage on the highway. Grandmothers in Golfs do a pokey 90 mph on the freeway here.
'Moving Radar' is the bane of my existence. Just yesterday I was on I-70 going into Baltimore, cruising in the left lane, going about 80ish. Police car came along on the other side of the road, sees the little pack of 3 cars that i'm in on the other side, turns on his lights and juices it to get to one of the turnarounds. Luckily, there's an exit *right* there so i floor it and roar off onto some back roads before he can see where I went.
<hr></blockquote>
I'll swap my Honda with your M3, so you can be less conspicuous. They get bad gas mileage anyway.
Moogs, it amazes me that people can't figure out how to be sneaky. If you're speeding, set your cruise control. If you see a cop, stand on that "coast" button to slow yourself down. Stay off the brakes. sheesh! If you got shot before you saw the cop, you're dead meat anyway.
I don't flash to warn usually: sometimes I do on the highway. Here's why:
I'm an avid cyclist and I've seen way too many idiots going way too fast on 2 lane roads with no shoulders around here. These roads also have limited sight distances, what with the blind curves and hills. Speeding on these types of secondary roads is incredibly dangerous for pedestrians (there are no sidewalks here) and cyclists, not to mention other drivers in the same lane or coming on. I don't care if you drive an M3 or a truck, its not easy to stay in your lane when going above the 30-35 mph speed limit posted on these roads. Driving or riding around here can be incredibly scary.
So, I'm all for the cops stopping people and giving tickets on these roads. Sometimes, speed traps are useful for more than just city revenue.
On the highway, though, there's very little reason for a low speed limit like 65mph, except that anybody who can parallel park can get a license.
Comments
Oh, sorry. I forgot-- the States.
I started flashing my headlights years ago in the States, after I saw truckers doing it. I'm all for helping others out.
I recall a story from California during this period where a police officer decided to 'spook' motorists into thinking there was radar by pointing a hairdryer out his parked cruiser window. If memory serves he got suspended.
now slow down or i'll give you '80s hair!
Best two investments I ever made. One for each car. Many of us at work have them.
<strong>BRussell...I hope your joking. If not you are a serious dickhead. But, like I said, I dont tailgate. When Im stuck behind people like you, I just relax, wait for the right time, downshift, and watch you get smaller in my rear view.
Speed kills? Bullshit, bad drivers do.
<a href="http://www.speedtrap.com/"; target="_blank">http://www.speedtrap.com/</a></strong><hr></blockquote>I think it's funny that people who drive too fast think THEY'RE the good drivers.
"Watch me, I can go so fast because I'm a GOOD driver! All you drivers who use blinkers when you change lanes and use your mirrors and stay a proper distance away from other cars and go the speed limit, you must be BAD drivers because you drive so defensively!"
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
Sorry, you're the people who cause accidents. Accidents are caused by morons who watch nascar and so think they're "good" enough to bend the rules.
I don't know about whether speed or "bad driving" kills. I thought there were pretty clear studies that showed more deaths associated with higher speeds. But I do think that some people define "bad driving" as people who follow the rules and drive defensively, and they hold themselves as superior and not needing the rules.
I was joking though about flipping my headlights. I've never seen a radar trap in Montana anyway.
But part of my ranting comes from the fact that I ride a bicycle to work, and you really get a better view of how dangerous bad drivers are when you're on a bike.
BTW, I live in the only state in the US that has had no numerical speed limit. It was declared unconstitutional a few years ago because it was too vague.
My mother was pulled over 3 times in an hour.
First time was 72 in a 55.
Second was 67 in a 55
Last (and I'm not joking) was 56 in a 55 zone.
<strong>BR I think Keda was referring to BRussels post about going the posted speed limits on one lane roads, and holding up speeders. Which, while satisfying, is not a very good idea. I've seen the-determined-to-speed take outrageous chances on dangerous roads like Mullholland Dr. because they felt the car in front of them wasn't going fast enough. If that car is me, I'd rather just pull over. The a$$hole may cream another motorist coming in the next lane. I don't need that baggage in my life, thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>I know I'm not going to go 55 in a 35 just to make some soccer mom high on Starbucks in an Explorer happy. If I'm going 35, I won't speed up for her. She can slow down and tailgate me all she wants.
But you're probably right. Just pull over and let 'em go. You're a better man than me. I guess if someone seemed particularly deranged that's what I'd do too. But not as a rule.
<strong>I got you all beat on being pulled over.
My mother was pulled over 3 times in an hour.
First time was 72 in a 55.
Second was 67 in a 55
Last (and I'm not joking) was 56 in a 55 zone.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That last one should have been thrown out. Even a cruise control could not guarantee perfect 55 all the time.
<strong>
That last one should have been thrown out. Even a cruise control could not guarantee perfect 55 all the time.
Hey man, just some friendly advice for you. The po-po (police) here in PDX ticket you for crap like that too, so watch out. One time my dad was in an exit only lane on HWY 217 and he didn't signal (because it was an exit only lane) and he got a $170 ticket (I was with him, not fun).
So yea, I alert others about cops, but I don't think they understand. (With all the honking and everything) <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
I don't know if they have the same kind of speed traps where all of you live, but around here the traps are embedded into the road. They are 2 squarish sencer wires carved into the road on every major road, and one every mile on every freeway. There are also photo sensors at very popular intersections. Those really make me mad.
[ 07-11-2002: Message edited by: Ebby ]</p>
Bend them?...nah, break 'em. Seriously, I think speed limits were initially made in an attempt to save gas and lives. But, things have changed.
Now they have become a tool for the gov't to make $$ and pry into your life. Major highways (like 95 in the East) were designed to support cruising speeds of 85-90mph. This was in a time when car suspension was basically the same as that used on covered wagons. Today those same roads can easily and safely be driven at over 100mph. Of course, I don't advocate cruising along at 100, but I don't think it coincidence that the average speed on highways is @75. When large groups of people are cruising that fast, it is because hey have found the 'natural speed' of the road.
Also consider the fact that many roads have speed limits set much lower than the natural speed and the excessive enforcement of these limits by the cops. It is a revenue generating mechanism.
In recent years, laws have been changes to make it much easier for the police to search your car and person after a traffic stop. There was a time when I was searched at least once a month (I had long hair). Besides 'profiling,' there was NEVER any justification for the searches. In the incident I originally referred to (pulled for going too slow), I was handcuffed and made to stand at the back of the car while the cops called backup and searched my vehicle. I hadn't been a wise-ass or done anything 'suspicious.'
I think it is possible to drive assertively and defensively. But, add 'aggressive' to either of those words and you have a problem. The self-righteous types who take on the responsibility of enforcing speed limits by driving slow in the 'fast lane' only make the road more dangerous. Speed limits should be set with common sense in mind, not dollars.
BTW, I do consider myself a good driver. I have been professionally trained, auto-x, and semi-regularly get out on the track. You might be surprised what a good car is capable of. Also NASCAR sucks. Why watch a bunch a guys drive in a circle? Want to see a race, find a good road coarse w/real curves.
///M Power
<strong>///M Power
I... don't think I can add much to this topic.
I've many times proposed the idea that there should be 2 speed limits: one for SUVs that can barely handle going 80 and another for, oh, say, fastlittlegermansportscars. *cough*
Oh, Spline's in here. Japanese, too.
The problem is that, if you've got a lot of morons with poorly inflated tires, 80+ gets dangerous. Frankly, with the floaty feel of most suspensions, i wouldn't feel safe driving at over 80 mph, just because it doesn't feel *safe*.
I got pulled over by a cop for doing 56 in a 35, when i had just litereally pulled out onto the road less than 500 feet back. Absolutely impossible, save if I had done some wild drop-clutch starsky & hutch type start, for me to have been going that fast that quickly.
'Moving Radar' is the bane of my existence. Just yesterday I was on I-70 going into Baltimore, cruising in the left lane, going about 80ish. Police car came along on the other side of the road, sees the little pack of 3 cars that i'm in on the other side, turns on his lights and juices it to get to one of the turnarounds. Luckily, there's an exit *right* there so i floor it and roar off onto some back roads before he can see where I went.
So, in summary, **** tha police. ;D
<strong>
That last one should have been thrown out. Even a cruise control could not guarantee perfect 55 all the time.
She got the second two tossed out. The cops that day were the local county cops and not the State cops. It was Maryland too. The cops there are assholes on the hiways.
I can tell you that these babies have a much longer range than the old radar devices and are much more accurate.
Not only can they tell you exactly what speed you were doing but they have a still video clip as evidence!
yes, we still flash the other road users to warn them but these new things are so portable that a bike cop can stand out of sight and still catch you, so you may not even see the speed trap 'till your actually past it
I think it's funny that people who drive too fast think THEY'RE the good drivers.
...
<hr></blockquote>
In Germany there are many bad driver that go very fast. Maybe they think they're Michael Schumacher, but I've been blown away by cars going 120+mph in the rain.
Doing 150+mph is not uncommon, and yet there's no carnage on the highway. Grandmothers in Golfs do a pokey 90 mph on the freeway here.
Speed does not kill. Stupidity kills.
'Moving Radar' is the bane of my existence. Just yesterday I was on I-70 going into Baltimore, cruising in the left lane, going about 80ish. Police car came along on the other side of the road, sees the little pack of 3 cars that i'm in on the other side, turns on his lights and juices it to get to one of the turnarounds. Luckily, there's an exit *right* there so i floor it and roar off onto some back roads before he can see where I went.
<hr></blockquote>
I'll swap my Honda with your M3, so you can be less conspicuous. They get bad gas mileage anyway.
<strong>
I'll swap my Honda with your M3, so you can be less conspicuous. They get bad gas mileage anyway.</strong><hr></blockquote>
M3's gone... insurance was a BITCH, and things started going wrong...
just a plane-jane 328 for now. still white, though
I'm an avid cyclist and I've seen way too many idiots going way too fast on 2 lane roads with no shoulders around here. These roads also have limited sight distances, what with the blind curves and hills. Speeding on these types of secondary roads is incredibly dangerous for pedestrians (there are no sidewalks here) and cyclists, not to mention other drivers in the same lane or coming on. I don't care if you drive an M3 or a truck, its not easy to stay in your lane when going above the 30-35 mph speed limit posted on these roads. Driving or riding around here can be incredibly scary.
So, I'm all for the cops stopping people and giving tickets on these roads. Sometimes, speed traps are useful for more than just city revenue.
On the highway, though, there's very little reason for a low speed limit like 65mph, except that anybody who can parallel park can get a license.
Thoth