I just wanted to say I'm glad we got the troopers out there to try to keep our roads safe from unsafe drivers. While on my way home a week ago a car-load of "kids" probably around 18 decided that they owned the freeway and could drive as they pleased, cutting off a number of vehicles mine included. I almost flipped them the bird when they swerved into my lane cutting me off, but I stayed cool, I was thinking to myself where is a cop when you need one. Sure enough less than a minute later they were sitting on the side of the road with a state trooper right behind them. It brought me great satisfaction.
How a State Trooper know which vehicle he clocked?
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Also, new laser lets you pick a car out of the pack. You're scrooged.
Laser Jammer FTW...worth every penny
Originally Posted By: brandini
Also, new laser lets you pick a car out of the pack. You're scrooged.
So did old laser. Think in terms of a laser pointer with a sight on it.
Also, new laser lets you pick a car out of the pack. You're scrooged.
So did old laser. Think in terms of a laser pointer with a sight on it.
MolaKule
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One of my first jobs quite a few years back was that I repaired and tested radar units as we were a communications and radar repair facility for FM two-way radio and Maritime and police radar.
The radar units back then had the transmitter head clamped to the glass (it looked similar to a spotlight) and the readout unit was inside.
After calibrating them in the shop, we took our service truck out to the main drag and sat there taking readings to make sure we could "detect" vehicles at certain distances. Boy, was it fun watching people hit their brakes.
The radar units back then had the transmitter head clamped to the glass (it looked similar to a spotlight) and the readout unit was inside.
After calibrating them in the shop, we took our service truck out to the main drag and sat there taking readings to make sure we could "detect" vehicles at certain distances. Boy, was it fun watching people hit their brakes.
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MolaKule
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Quote:
While on my way home a week ago a car-load of "kids" probably around 18 decided that they owned the freeway and could drive as they pleased, cutting off a number of vehicles mine included. I almost flipped them the bird when they swerved into my lane cutting me off, but I stayed cool, I was thinking to myself where is a cop when you need one. Sure enough less than a minute later they were sitting on the side of the road with a state trooper right behind them. It brought me great satisfaction.
On I-80 one morning on my way to KC I had this guy in a sports car leap-frogging me. He would slow and I would have to pass him, then he would get behind me and tailgate, then pass, then he would repeat this scenario all over again. We'll I got kinda POed and to cool down I decided to turn into the rest stop about a mile ahead. Before I could slow down, this other black sports car (out of nowhere) flew past me and got up behind the sports car and pulled him over. Gosh, that was sweet!
While on my way home a week ago a car-load of "kids" probably around 18 decided that they owned the freeway and could drive as they pleased, cutting off a number of vehicles mine included. I almost flipped them the bird when they swerved into my lane cutting me off, but I stayed cool, I was thinking to myself where is a cop when you need one. Sure enough less than a minute later they were sitting on the side of the road with a state trooper right behind them. It brought me great satisfaction.
On I-80 one morning on my way to KC I had this guy in a sports car leap-frogging me. He would slow and I would have to pass him, then he would get behind me and tailgate, then pass, then he would repeat this scenario all over again. We'll I got kinda POed and to cool down I decided to turn into the rest stop about a mile ahead. Before I could slow down, this other black sports car (out of nowhere) flew past me and got up behind the sports car and pulled him over. Gosh, that was sweet!
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Originally Posted By: MolaKule
After calibrating them in the shop, we took our service truck out to the main drag and sat there taking readings to make sure we could "detect" vehicles at certain distances. Boy, was it fun watching people hit their brakes.
LOL
After calibrating them in the shop, we took our service truck out to the main drag and sat there taking readings to make sure we could "detect" vehicles at certain distances. Boy, was it fun watching people hit their brakes.
LOL
Lasers are better at 'selectivity' than the older radar, but they still require some 'interpretation' from the LEO.
A auto magazine some years ago tested radar units and found that they were all over the place as to which vehicle it would key on.
One time it would be a semi (largest echo), the next time the fastest, the next, the closest to the unit.
Shape of the vehicle did matter. Laser is about the same.
While laser has a better and has a smaller 'cone' of sensing, neither type works worth a darn from the side. The Doppler Effect works best in a straight line. (360º or 180º to the unit).
Out of state plates get more attention.
A auto magazine some years ago tested radar units and found that they were all over the place as to which vehicle it would key on.
One time it would be a semi (largest echo), the next time the fastest, the next, the closest to the unit.
Shape of the vehicle did matter. Laser is about the same.
While laser has a better and has a smaller 'cone' of sensing, neither type works worth a darn from the side. The Doppler Effect works best in a straight line. (360º or 180º to the unit).
Out of state plates get more attention.
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
that's the beauty of radar, it can track speeds accurately from the front, side, rear, moving, stationary. laser (currently)
Do they teach you about cosine error?
I once saw a cop running radar way off the side of the road on an on-ramp. I wonder if he had any clue why his readings were so low.
that's the beauty of radar, it can track speeds accurately from the front, side, rear, moving, stationary. laser (currently)
Do they teach you about cosine error?
I once saw a cop running radar way off the side of the road on an on-ramp. I wonder if he had any clue why his readings were so low.
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
(editorial) PA has an unbelievable amount of ridiculous 55mph zones - where neighboring states maintain them at 65mph - and charges a huge toll to go through the state, and to top it off, the roads are in awful shape.
That's why I'd rather use I68 than the PA Turnpike. It's free and the speed limit is higher...and it's a much newer road, too.
(editorial) PA has an unbelievable amount of ridiculous 55mph zones - where neighboring states maintain them at 65mph - and charges a huge toll to go through the state, and to top it off, the roads are in awful shape.
That's why I'd rather use I68 than the PA Turnpike. It's free and the speed limit is higher...and it's a much newer road, too.
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Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
(editorial) PA has an unbelievable amount of ridiculous 55mph zones - where neighboring states maintain them at 65mph - and charges a huge toll to go through the state, and to top it off, the roads are in awful shape.
That's why I'd rather use I68 than the PA Turnpike. It's free and the speed limit is higher...and it's a much newer road, too.
You've got to mean I-80. It's starting to show its age too as far as condition. The design is more appropriate for high speed since it's a post WWII/Cold War creation, unlike the turnpike which is very old (banks/width/curves/etc.).
http://www.pahighways.com/interstates/
Don't they use VASCAR/VASCAR+ anymore? That's how a cop could be sitting on the berm in dense traffic and cherry pick whomever he wanted and the driver was totally clueless of how he singled him out. I found it a very clever system. Maybe tying it into/certifying the PCM/VSS had issues making other methods preferred.
Moving toward you: Pick a landmark that the offending vehicle passes: TIME ONE
Vehicle passes car: TIME TWO/DISTANCE ONE
Pass landmark selected earlier: DISTANCE TWO
He knows how far you've traveled and how long it took you. You basically made your own version of the painted lines anywhere you wanted. I never got the full story on the V+
It's probably obsolete now.
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
(editorial) PA has an unbelievable amount of ridiculous 55mph zones - where neighboring states maintain them at 65mph - and charges a huge toll to go through the state, and to top it off, the roads are in awful shape.
That's why I'd rather use I68 than the PA Turnpike. It's free and the speed limit is higher...and it's a much newer road, too.
You've got to mean I-80. It's starting to show its age too as far as condition. The design is more appropriate for high speed since it's a post WWII/Cold War creation, unlike the turnpike which is very old (banks/width/curves/etc.).
http://www.pahighways.com/interstates/
Don't they use VASCAR/VASCAR+ anymore? That's how a cop could be sitting on the berm in dense traffic and cherry pick whomever he wanted and the driver was totally clueless of how he singled him out. I found it a very clever system. Maybe tying it into/certifying the PCM/VSS had issues making other methods preferred.
Moving toward you: Pick a landmark that the offending vehicle passes: TIME ONE
Vehicle passes car: TIME TWO/DISTANCE ONE
Pass landmark selected earlier: DISTANCE TWO
He knows how far you've traveled and how long it took you. You basically made your own version of the painted lines anywhere you wanted. I never got the full story on the V+
It's probably obsolete now.
No Gary, I 68 runs east from Morgantown WV through Maryland. A fine highway built long after I 80 in Pennsylvania.
Think how many lives would be saved if traffic enforcement was oriented to safety and not revenue.
Or how much money could be saved by enforcing the keep right laws. Last time I went through Ohio on I 71, it was 3 lane much of the way. Occasional trucks in the right lane, some slower traffic in the center, and the left lane bumper to bumper moving aboutthe speedlimit or less. A complete waste of money to add that 3 lane, traffic was still moving about the same. Of course, Ohio still has the interstates at 65.
Think how many lives would be saved if traffic enforcement was oriented to safety and not revenue.
Or how much money could be saved by enforcing the keep right laws. Last time I went through Ohio on I 71, it was 3 lane much of the way. Occasional trucks in the right lane, some slower traffic in the center, and the left lane bumper to bumper moving aboutthe speedlimit or less. A complete waste of money to add that 3 lane, traffic was still moving about the same. Of course, Ohio still has the interstates at 65.
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
While we have people in the law community posting in this thread, I want to ask - What does "targeted enforcement area" mean? Driving through Pennsylvania, you'd see that sign on the highways all the time.
(editorial) PA has an unbelievable amount of ridiculous 55mph zones - where neighboring states maintain them at 65mph - and charges a huge toll to go through the state, and to top it off, the roads are in awful shape.
I think PA "invented" the double fine in work zone phenomenon. A pretty good idea actually. But then they had perpetual work zones, zones where the "end construction sign" was miles beyond any equipment. When that wore thin (IMO) they came out with above; there's a corridor outside Wilkes-Barre that suffers this.
PA used to have signs in the early 90s that said "still 55 MPH, deal with it, signed the governor."
While we have people in the law community posting in this thread, I want to ask - What does "targeted enforcement area" mean? Driving through Pennsylvania, you'd see that sign on the highways all the time.
(editorial) PA has an unbelievable amount of ridiculous 55mph zones - where neighboring states maintain them at 65mph - and charges a huge toll to go through the state, and to top it off, the roads are in awful shape.
I think PA "invented" the double fine in work zone phenomenon. A pretty good idea actually. But then they had perpetual work zones, zones where the "end construction sign" was miles beyond any equipment. When that wore thin (IMO) they came out with above; there's a corridor outside Wilkes-Barre that suffers this.
PA used to have signs in the early 90s that said "still 55 MPH, deal with it, signed the governor."
Originally Posted By: eljefino
PA used to have signs in the early 90s that said "still 55 MPH, deal with it, signed the governor."
Yep. I remember those. You know what PA's excuse as to why their roads are so terrible is? They have too many. Yep, that's it. The state has too many roads to maintain.
Now, in VA, the state maintains every single road other than private roads or roads in cities and towns (and there are very few cities and towns in VA)..and they seem to be able to manage to take care of them. According to one source, VDOT has the 3rd largest state-maintained highway system in the country. I don't know who #1 or #2 is. EDIT: Texas and North Carolina.
PA used to have signs in the early 90s that said "still 55 MPH, deal with it, signed the governor."
Yep. I remember those. You know what PA's excuse as to why their roads are so terrible is? They have too many. Yep, that's it. The state has too many roads to maintain.
Now, in VA, the state maintains every single road other than private roads or roads in cities and towns (and there are very few cities and towns in VA)..and they seem to be able to manage to take care of them. According to one source, VDOT has the 3rd largest state-maintained highway system in the country. I don't know who #1 or #2 is. EDIT: Texas and North Carolina.
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Quote:
Yep. I remember those. You know what PA's excuse as to why their roads are so terrible is? They have too many. Yep, that's it. The state has too many roads to maintain.
It's a big state. Lots of through traffic non-toll roads. Mountains ... They do have too many roads going to too many places where there's really no reason to be there. They would be better turned back into wilderness ..well, more than they already are. They have the critters ..just the flora is missing.
Yep. I remember those. You know what PA's excuse as to why their roads are so terrible is? They have too many. Yep, that's it. The state has too many roads to maintain.
It's a big state. Lots of through traffic non-toll roads. Mountains ... They do have too many roads going to too many places where there's really no reason to be there. They would be better turned back into wilderness ..well, more than they already are. They have the critters ..just the flora is missing.
Originally Posted By: labman
Think how many lives would be saved if traffic enforcement was oriented to safety and not revenue.
I wholeheartedly agree with the spirit of what you're saying. I just wanted to point out that, with the possible exception of some corrupt districts, the reason the police enforce speed is not "revenue" per se.
Of all the possible contributing factors to danger on the road, speeding is the only one that's easy to measure and relatively indisputable. Was the gun working? Yes/no. Was it pointed at you? Yes/no. Was the number over the posted limit? Yes/no. Done.
There is just no reliable way to enforce the real dangers (inattention, recklessness, etc.) until they get WAY out of hand. Yet, people want to feel like the police are keeping things in check. So, the police go for the low-hanging fruit.
Think how many lives would be saved if traffic enforcement was oriented to safety and not revenue.
I wholeheartedly agree with the spirit of what you're saying. I just wanted to point out that, with the possible exception of some corrupt districts, the reason the police enforce speed is not "revenue" per se.
Of all the possible contributing factors to danger on the road, speeding is the only one that's easy to measure and relatively indisputable. Was the gun working? Yes/no. Was it pointed at you? Yes/no. Was the number over the posted limit? Yes/no. Done.
There is just no reliable way to enforce the real dangers (inattention, recklessness, etc.) until they get WAY out of hand. Yet, people want to feel like the police are keeping things in check. So, the police go for the low-hanging fruit.
So why does enforcement go up in slow times like this?
Aside from the apologetics of how good radar is, my main concern is that there is no photo record of the actual timing event.
Any nearby car could be the offender.
Whether by intent, bad technique, accident, or whatever.
Any nearby car could be the offender.
Whether by intent, bad technique, accident, or whatever.
Originally Posted By: labman
So why does enforcement go up in slow times like this?
Maybe accident rates do, too? I'd never go as far as to bet on that but most of the enforcement hikes I've seen have been justified by some sudden spike in accidents or fatalities.
I'm sure revenue generation tweaks the balance here and there. No way around that in a wholly human institution. Just saying it's not the root cause (or at least it's a gross oversimplification of the root cause).
So why does enforcement go up in slow times like this?
Maybe accident rates do, too? I'd never go as far as to bet on that but most of the enforcement hikes I've seen have been justified by some sudden spike in accidents or fatalities.
I'm sure revenue generation tweaks the balance here and there. No way around that in a wholly human institution. Just saying it's not the root cause (or at least it's a gross oversimplification of the root cause).
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