MikeyTX

Yeah that ! Damn those were the good 'ol days ............

GREENTAHOE

This may be a bit off target, but I see these posts as the reason for the underlying fear of LE by law abiding citizens. Our speed limits and traffic laws are enacted by legislation without public or LE input, by legislators that have no knowledge greater than that of the average citizen. It is put there in an effort to create an intangible tax. Officers descretion is the key here. Many law abiding tax paying honest citizens will have no contact with Police other than traffic infractions. I don't "play games" I let them choose the outcome. Be honest, apologetic, and respectful and show me you are a citizen of high moral character. In turn I will be respectful, polite, friendly, and WILL NOT cite you. As far as raising revenue, I raise a tremendous amount. Let's see what comes to mind this year... a Bently along with no less than 15 other cars, several hundred thousand in cash, a meth lab, and hundreds of thousands in narcotics. That is my job. Traffic is a tool on my belt. Some of you may have to hold on to your seats for this one, but I have ASSISTED people driving possibly over the limit more than I have arrested them. No I will not let them drive. I take their keys and get them home with a stern warning that I will return their keys at the end of my shift. Attrocious you say? Why? Because they are human? I have gotten someone off the street who could be a threat and made a positive impression of a good citizen. Now those who pose a real threat and are being reckless and obviously know they shouldn't drive do not receive this treatment nor do those with prior DUI convictions. I work in one of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country and am federally deputized. I lost three of my "brothers" this year in the line of duty. I will not sacrifice my ethics or morals nor will I be a hypocrit. This is just my stance on the topic. Look at the number of Govt Officials being federally indicted all of a sudden. Is it just now that Govt is seeing corruption?! I think not. They are throwing out a few sacrificial lambs. I work for the people even if the Govt doesn't.

MikeyTX

Nicely stated !

RUBYREDVET

I can claim 3 out of 4.

Gearhead Jim

Following a speeder is a good technique, and used to be about 90% effective. When traveling in an area where they use laser, not as good:

In Illinois, I have seen the ISP with one trooper on an overpass shooting the laser, and 3 chase cars hidden on the on-ramp on the other side. So they can easily get 3 cars as quickly as the trooper can take the readings.

Similar setup in Georgia, except they had 4 patrol cars parked in an eschelon formation, around a curve and well back from the road. Each officer could wait for the one forward of him to hit the lights for one pursuit, then #2 would clock the next speeder on the road.

Systems like that are almost impossible to beat without a laser jamer. Several states make the jammers illegal, and some of them make the jammer a misdemeanor. That doesn't sound like a big deal, except you might:

Now have a criminal record instead of a normal traffic ticket.
Get cuffed & stuffed, free ride to police station.
Mugshot, fingerprints, maybe even post bail.
You nice Corvette gets towed by a Neanderthal who doesn't give a hoot about damaging your car.
You also pay towing and impound fees.
May have to come back and appear in person in court.

That's kind of a worst-case scenario, but keep in mind what can happen if you use an illegal jammer.
Similar issues for speeding above a certain amount in most states, and in some states the threshold is pretty low.

EDIT:
Yes, speed limits in many areas are absurdly low. But that does not change the penalties for getting caught if you meet "officer unfriendly".

MikeyTX

And in IL, Pulaski county is one of the worst. I-57 mainly. When I go to visit family I set the cruise on 65 and let the other blow by me.

category4

Speeding is a misdemeanor in GA as is a lot of states, TX as well.

Gearhead Jim

According to the newspapers here (they are always correct, right?), you have to be speeding above a certain amount for speeding to be a misdemeanor instead of a a traffic/petty offense. But the stories indicate GA sets that threshold pretty low, something like 80 mph which is only 10 over on an interstate.

Details from local LEO, please...

category4

All traffic offenses in GA are misdemeanors as defined by GA statute

40-13-26. How sentences for traffic offenses served; disposition of fines and costs; definition of "urban interstate system"


(a) Defendants who plead guilty or who are convicted under this article shall be required to serve their sentences in such manner as is provided for by law in misdemeanor cases. In case a fine is imposed and paid, the officers of court, where on fee basis, shall first be paid their costs arising in such case. After the payment of all costs, the remainder of such fine shall be paid into the county treasury in the event the case is disposed of by the probate court; if the case is disposed of by the municipal court of an incorporated municipality, the remainder of such fine or fines shall be paid into the treasury of the municipality where the court is located, except that where such courts have jurisdiction beyond the corporate limits of a municipality, and the offense occurs outside the municipality, the fine shall be paid into the county treasury; provided, however, that in any case where a fine was imposed for violation of any traffic offense provided in or authorized by Chapter 6 of this title on any "urban interstate system" if the arrest or citation in such case was made or issued by a member of the Uniform Division of the Department of Public Safety's motorcycle enforcement unit, the remainder of such fine shall be remitted to the Department of Public Safety for the maintenance and enhancement of the Department's motorcycle program. The judge of the probate court or the person presiding over the municipal court must pay into the county treasury, municipal treasury, or Department of Public Safety by the fifteenth day of each month the remainder of all fines for the preceding month. Such payment must be accompanied by a list showing the name of the defendant in each case, the fine imposed in each case, the costs in each case and to whom paid, and the balance which is being paid into the treasury. The official making such payment must be given a written receipt by the person receiving the payment. No officer receiving a salary will receive any fees for arresting or attending court in any case arising under this article, but the usual fees must be assessed, and, if the arresting officer is not entitled to the costs, they must go to the county or city to which the fine is paid or Department of Public Safety as required by this Code section.

TX and SC are the same way. all TX speeding tickets are class C misdemeanors, just as the radar jamming law is a class C misdemeanor.

Some states minor traffic violations are only infractions, such as CA. You would have to research your state laws to see where traffic violations fall.

Gearhead Jim

Thanks!
Gotta behave myself in GA.