Bad fucking timing

[MidnightViper88]

I got a speeding citation earlier today for speeding...I was doing 53 in a 35 (According to the report; Even though traffic on this road normally runs at least 10 over) trying to merge over into the right lane in front of this blue Toyota (Doing at least 45 next to me) because I got some green Mercury riding right up my ass...I finally overtake the Toyota, and doing so, I notice and pass up this cop that's sitting on the other side of the road in a blind spot from opposite direction traffic...Unfortunatly, there's only one cop to the three of us, and I was first pick for the radar gun...Even more unfortunate was the cop's presence in the first place...

Godfuckingdammit

$36 wouldn't seem so bad if it weren't for the $129 in court costs...My date's the 20th next month and now I need to arrange for traffic school so my record doesn't get cluttered with this bullshit...

I suppose it was inevitable, since I have a bad habit of doing 5-10 above when I'm actually not observing the speed limits (Funny I actually do that, sometimes ), but goddamn...The one day I unintentionally haul ass 20 over, and I get busted for it? I fucking love my luck sometimes...

[Thunder Pussy]

It doesn't seem like it to a lot of drivers, but it takes less real time to drop back and get behind the car on your right than it does to pass them. You don't have to brake, just let off the gas a little. As a bonus you get to a) annoy the guy that's riding your ass and b) watch him get a ticket instead of you. Too late for that now, I know.

[skryingbreath]

Just slow down to the speed limit. It pisses the guy that's riding your ass off but is legal...very legal.

[sgtfuzzbubble011]

Not necessarily. Impeding traffic is illegal as well... just like speeding. While I do agree with you in this situation, it's not legal in every situation.

[Mr Jones]

How can you be impeding traffic if you are doing the legal speed limit?, surely the guy behind you should also be doing the speed limit and the guy behind him etc etc

I never understand people who can't follow a simple speed sign, mind you I don't understand people who want to drive everywhere in the first place...

[Vil]

I drive the speed limit most of the time. I do it because if I drive 5-10 mph faster, I usually would save at most a minute or two on the trip. If I drove substantially faster (11-30 mph over), I would consider myself an unsafe driver (which I define as how my mother drives).

The only regular trip I make where driving 5-10 mph might make a worthwhile difference is to the other campus of the college I attend, but there is rarely a reason to drive over since I am rarely running late and have plenty of time for the trip at the speed limit (40 minutes).

[. - .... .- -. ....]

Originally posted by MidnightViper88
...I was doing 53 in a 35....

Can you claim that you are dyslexic???

[skryingbreath]

Originally posted by Mr Jones
How can you be impeding traffic if you are doing the legal speed limit?, surely the guy behind you should also be doing the speed limit and the guy behind him etc etc

Well, you're supposed to go with the flow of traffic. If everyone is doing 50, it really is unsafe to go 25.

[xzxzzx]

Originally posted by sgtfuzzbubble99
Not necessarily. Impeding traffic is illegal as well... just like speeding. While I do agree with you in this situation, it's not legal in every situation.

I believe it is always legal to go the posted speed limit, unless that's too fast for the conditions, or you're not in the right lane. I mean, if you can't legally go above X, how could it be illegal to go below anything more than X?

The speed limit laws are ridiculous anyway, though. In some areas, no one follows anything close to the speed limits (think much of Canada).

[ElChevelle]

Going with the flow of traffic, according to the Colorado CDL handbook, is legal and necessary regardless of the speed.

[sgtfuzzbubble011]

As an example:
Car A is driving on a 2-lane road where the posted speed limit is 45mph. Car A is driving 40mph. Cars B, C, D, E, and F were all driving 50mph one behind the other until they caught up with Car A, at which point, they all have to slow down to 40mph. Car A is now impeding traffic. Car A finally decides to get off his ass and then speeds up to 45mph. Car A is STILL impeding traffic.

Just like Chev said, driving with the flow of traffic is legal and necessary regardless of speed.

I believe it is always legal to go the posted speed limit, unless that's too fast for the conditions, or you're not in the right lane. I mean, if you can't legally go above X, how could it be illegal to go below anything more than X?

Like Skry said, if driving at the legal posted speed limit is causing traffic restrictions, that means it's also increasing the possibility of a wreck. Law enforcement would rather have everyone driving safely at the same speed rather than have one or two dumbasses driving at the speed limit causing traffic flow problems and possible wrecks.

The speed limit laws are ridiculous anyway, though. In some areas, no one follows anything close to the speed limits (think much of Canada).

I agree totally.

[. - .... .- -. ....]

Originally posted by sgtfuzzbubble99
As an example:
Car A is driving on a 2-lane road where the posted speed limit is 45mph. Car A is driving 40mph. Cars B, C, D, E, and F were all driving 50mph one behind the other until they caught up with Car A, at which point, they all have to slow down to 40mph. Car A is now impeding traffic. Car A finally decides to get off his ass and then speeds up to 45mph. Car A is STILL impeding traffic.

No. Thats not an example of how it should be done, it's an example of bad driving habits en masse. Taking your 2 lane road as an example, Car A is doing a reasonable speed. Last time I checked, the speed limit is exactly that - a limit, not a target that has to be met. If cars B, C, D and E want to go faster, then they have the option of overtaking.

You can't justify putting the boot to the floor just because the guy behind you wants to. At the end of the day there are other peopel on the road to consider - cyclists, pedestrians, motorbikes, not to mention the fact that these roads might well be in resedential areas.

[xzxzzx]

Originally posted by ElChevelle
Going with the flow of traffic, according to the Colorado CDL handbook, is legal and necessary regardless of the speed.

You bring up an interesting point, Chev, but take a look at the relevant section from the newest Colorado Driver Handbook:

11.4 ADJUSTING TO TRAFFIC
Keep pace with traffic in a reasonable and prudent manner.
If you are going faster than traffic, you will have to keep
passing others. Each time you pass someone, there is a
chance for collision. Driving considerably slower than
other vehicles can be just as bad as speeding. It tends to
make vehicles bunch up behind you and causes the other
traffic to try to pass you. Remember to obey all posted
speed limits.

And from the Colorado CDL Manual:

SPEED AND TRAFFIC FLOW
When you are driving in heavy traffic, the safest speed is the speed of other vehicles. Vehicles go-ing the same direction at the same speed are not likely to run into one another. In many states, speed limits are lower for trucks and buses than for cars. It can vary as much as 15 MPH. Use extra caution when you change lanes or pass on these roadways. Drive at the speed of the traffic, if you can without going at an illegal or unsafe speed. Keep a safe following distance.

Originally posted by sgtfuzzbubble99
...Car A is STILL impeding traffic.

Yes, but following the law.

Originally posted by sgtfuzzbubble99
Just like Chev said, driving with the flow of traffic is legal and necessary regardless of speed.

Necessary, perhaps, particularly for a commercial vehicle. Lawful? Not as far as I can tell.

Originally posted by sgtfuzzbubble99
Law enforcement would rather have everyone driving safely at the same speed ...

You're probably right, but don't fool yourself into thinking you can't get a ticket for it if some cop feels like it—you're still violating the law (in every state I've checked, anyway...).

[ElChevelle]

I cop will never pull me over for speeding while going with the flow, NEVER.

[sgtfuzzbubble011]

No. Thats not an example of how it should be done, it's an example of bad driving habits en masse. Taking your 2 lane road as an example, Car A is doing a reasonable speed. Last time I checked, the speed limit is exactly that - a limit, not a target that has to be met. If cars B, C, D and E want to go faster, then they have the option of overtaking.

Bad driving habits or not, large groups of people don't know how to drive worth a shit. I didn't say it was an example of how it should be done, I said it's an example of how impeding traffic is commonly done. And on lots of the 2-lane roads around here, passing a slower vehicle isn't always an option. Also, everyone's definition of "reasonable" is different. To me, driving 5mph under the speed limit on a road where people almost always drive 10mph over it is not reasonable.

You can't justify putting the boot to the floor just because the guy behind you wants to. At the end of the day there are other peopel on the road to consider - cyclists, pedestrians, motorbikes, not to mention the fact that these roads might well be in resedential areas.

Not to be overly picky, but residential areas usually never have posted speed limits above 25mph. Roads with 45mph+ limits tend to be state highways, truck routes, and sparcely travelled roads with few turnoffs. Also, you don't have to floor-it just because the guy behind you wants to drive at mach 2, but you should give him the opportunity to drive mach 2 if he so desires. If you're on a long 2-lane road where there are no passing lanes, just take a few seconds to pull off the side and let him pass. It's safer for yourself if you let that person go ahead to keep him from tailgating you, anyways.

You're probably right, but don't fool yourself into thinking you can't get a ticket for it if some cop feels like it—you're still violating the law (in every state I've checked, anyway...).

Trust me, I know. I've been issued tickets before for following traffic as well. When one cop asked me why I was driving so fast, I told him "just following the traffic." He looked at me, kinda smirked, and kept writing the ticket. He was an ass, anyway. He knew damn good and well that I was following traffic. He just pulled me over because I was the easiest one to get. Stopping any of the others would've required effort on his part.

[shakey_snake]

On a four lane controlled access road, I usually drive between 7-14 mph over the limit (because 15 over is reckless op).

If I'm coming up behind someone slower than me, and someone faster than me is in the left lane and going to cause me to brake off the cruise control, I'm sure as hell going to get in front of the fast guy and make him wait.

[sgtfuzzbubble011]

See, as far as I know, in that particular situation, the guy in the fast lane has the right of way. If he has to brake because someone pulled in front of him, then the person that pulled in front is in the wrong, regardless of speed. I hate it when people do that shit to me... I'll be cruising down the interstate at 7-10 over, nobody behind me for miles, closing in on a couple cars driving one behind the other in the slow lane. The following car sees me coming from a mile back, but the asshole fucking waits until I'm almost next to him before pulling in front of me so that he can pass the car that was in front of him in the slow lane.

Slower-moving vehicles have to yield right-of-way to faster moving vehicles to the left.

[shakey_snake]

I'm not cutting the fast guy off in this situation, just getting in his way. It not the kind of thing where he'd have to slam on his brakes, he'd just have to coast a little.

If he was really flying by, then he'd be well past me before I'd have to brake for the slow guy.
It's one of those situations where I have to choose who disengages cruise control: me or him? I choose him because if he wants to go way too fast, he can wait.

[261A5050]

Heh, I'm thinking when I get a car I'll wire a switch to the brake lights so I can turn them on without actually braking. Someone's riding my ass? Just flip the switch and watch them slam on the brakes.

Originally posted by . - .... .- -. ....
Can you claim that you are dyslexic???

Rofl.

[Psythik]

Originally posted by 261A5050
Heh, I'm thinking when I get a car I'll wire a switch to the brake lights so I can turn them on without actually braking. Someone's riding my ass? Just flip the switch and watch them slam on the brakes.

I do something kinda similar: Whenever someone's riding my ass I just flip on the headlights, which causes the tail lights to come on, resembling brake lights. In most cases, people don't notice the third brake light on the spoiler come on because they're too busy slamming on their brakes. Problem is it only works during the daytime.

Anyhow, here's my solution to the whole cop issue:

[rockouthippie]

Originally posted by Mr Jones
How can you be impeding traffic if you are doing the legal speed limit?

You can, my aunt got one for 55 in a 55. She was initially convicted, but got it reversed. It was more trouble than the ticket was worth, but she said it was a matter of principle. It was Tillamook, Oregon, which has a notorious police force. I got a ticket for 62 mph on the same road.

Of course, in Tillamook, if you are driving down the road they figure you must be guilty of something and if not they'll make something up.

[NJK]

If you get fined here you actually drove too fast.
whatever the equipment sees is corrected with 10% or 3KM

so if you get fined for driving 55 KM/H you can be sure you did at least 60.

if you drive 52 where 50 is the limit you can't get a fine.

[MidnightViper88]

A couple attorneys sent me advertisement letters (What the fuck are they; Sharks just waiting at the Hall of Justice to solicite every speeding ticket that gets processed?), and I read the first one I got just out of curiosity (It's a speeding ticket, not an alleged murder charge; I'm not gonna waste my time on their services )...It said something along the lines that they specialize in faulty OEM equipment, and could make a case that my car's speedometer is off...

...I'm sorry, but even attorneys can't be that stupid to notice that my speedo would have to be damn fucked up if I somehow did 53 in a 35 by accident, and then on the other hand have the police officer's claim backed up by a radar gun...

[rockouthippie]

It sorta works like this. If you are doing 62 and no one is around, you'll get a ticket. But if you are doing 62 and people are jamming up behind you, you'll get a ticket for impeding traffic, but if you speed up, they'll give you a ticket for speeding.

The way I see it, it should be possible to get a ticket for impeding traffic and speeding at the same time.

I expect a ticket for no reason about every five years. I just consider it a road tax. I'd almost like running into our mexican street gangs than the cops. The gangsters are cheaper. They usually settle for some smokes.

[xzxzzx]

Originally posted by rockouthippie
You can, my aunt got one for 55 in a 55.

Was she driving in the rightmost lane?

[rockouthippie]

Hwy 8 is a two lane, so yeah, I guess you'd be in the rightmost lane. She probably was slowing traffic down, but I'm sure she got right for all the passing lanes. She's a really good driver. At 70 years old, it was her first ticket.

Whats happened to me a couple times... I like to drive in between where people all get bunched together. You'll find me out away from the clumps of traffic.

When you are out there alone, you'll get a ticket, even though the traffic speed is as fast as you.

I got popped a couple times that way. Do 73 in a bunch of traffic, no problem. Be out there away from everyone, get a ticket, even though you're not going faster than anyone else and being safer by staying out of the tailgating party.

Radar detector. Don't leave home without it. I would suggest that you buy one with VG-2, because the state police have radar detector detectors. A VG-2 unit will shut itself down in the presence of a police detector. A cheap radar detector may cause you to draw more attention from the cops because it's detectable. The reason they have the detector is that it's illegal to have a radar detector in a commercial truck in most states.

I've drove by em at the speed limit and have had them do a 180 to follow me. I can only assume they detected my radar detector, because it hasn't happened with my VG-2.

[NJK]

Originally posted by rockouthippie


Radar detector. Don't leave home without it.

Don't even use it here.
By law a radar detector is not allowed to have onboard your car.
The cops have radar detector detectors.
If you get pulled over you can expect a ticket.

[Edterjoenceten1]

I like it in the ass.

[rockouthippie]

Originally posted by NJK
The cops have radar detector detectors.
If you get pulled over you can expect a ticket.

Yeah, like I said, get one with VG2, it detects the radar detector detector and goes into a quiet mode so it doesn't get detected.

Radar detectors are legal here in Oregon (except in commercial vehicles), but if you have a non-VG2 unit, it's like painting a big bullseye on yourself.

If you do get pulled over, a radar detector is sure not gonna help your case when the cop decides if he's gonna write you a ticket or not. That's why I put mine in the glove box, unless I am out on the freeway.

The VG2 detection has saved me from more speed traps than being hit with the radar. Their radar detector detector is pretty easily detected. And unlike the radar gun, they tend to leave it on all the time.

It's kind of funny really. The cops have a radar gun and a radar detector detector (VG-2), so as countersurvelliance, you need not only a radar detector, but a radar detector detector detector

[ElChevelle]

Using common sense is always better than any detector.

[NJK]

Originally posted by rockouthippie
Yeah, like I said, get one with VG2, it detects the radar detector detector and goes into a quiet mode so it doesn't get detected.

Just having it inside the car is illegal here.
quiet or loud mode make no difference.

Just keeping the speed limit is much cheaper.

[psycho_maniac]

What if you have one and go in different states? In Wisconsin its legal to have one but say I went to Minnesota? I'm not moving to Minnesota but visiting relatives.

[NJK]

@psycho
I don't know
I live in europe so driving into the next state in the USA isn't an option.
I got no clue if it's a state to state issue or if it's national.

[dlichterman]

Heres how it should work. If you want to drive the speed limit or under MOVE THE FUCK OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE(S). Leave the leftmost lane(s) for people to speed and get caught. Problem solved.

[MidnightViper88]

I-71 and I-264 can be pretty bad places for speeders...They both split off into each other, but I-71 is probably the worst, since it's only two lanes, and it takes you directly to I-64, I-65, and downtown Louisville in general...The speed limit is 55mph for both routes, though even 65 isn't fast enough; Seems like you can't even get into the left lane on 71 without doing at least 80mph, just to pass someone up...Right lane seems to average 70mph or faster...It's a wonder why Louisville has almost been forced to install those high-speed cable crash barriers in the median...

Although I've been noticing marked and unmarked Camaro pursuit cars on 264 for a while, Louisville has placed an unmarked Charger pursuit car on 71 since not long ago...I've seen a bunch of people get pulled over by the Charger cop car, more than any other single cop car, though at the same time, I probably notice this since I take 71 four days a week to get to JCC...The Charger is just black, stock 5-spoke wheels, tinted windows, 2 shorty CB antennae on the trunk, and regular civilian-issue plates...You can't even tell it's a cop car at first glance, and it only becomes obvious when the hide-away police lights are turned on...

I always find it hilarious whenever someone gets pulled over by the Charger...The culprits usually aren't surprising; 20-something guy with his girlfriend riding on a crotch rocket, a yuppie in a BMW 5-series, and other such people that would look like the kind to speed, based just on the nature of what they drive...71's a deathtrap if you don't pay attention...

[ElChevelle]

The Charger pursuit cars are bad ass

[psycho_maniac]

Originally posted by ElChevelle
The Charger pursuit cars are bad ass

Yeah there pretty cool. Although I didn't get to see a nice looking one. I saw one in Indiana. It was snowing out and the car had salt on it. It looked pretty cool. There intimidating