Speed Trap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 193
Likes: 78
From: North Dakota
Speed Trap
On my road trip last week a lot of cops between Rexburg and Idaho Falls. Most were busy passing out souvenirs to those northbound to Yellowstone. On the return trip had my cruise set at the 70 mph speed limit suspecting that they might still be there. Shortly after a mini van passed me going lickety split my radar detector started screaming and the HP came hauling up behind me so I slowed to 65 thinking he was after the van. Couldn't have been more wrong! He tailgated me for about a mile and then moved into the driving lane about 3 lengths behind and paced me about 4 more miles before taking an exit. About a 1/2 mile more and my detector goes off again. There he is behind me once again and paced me a couple more miles before giving up the chase. I thought it funny he could of made a few bucks from the van instead of wasting his time on a law abiding citizen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 409
From: Lake Placid, FL
I had a similar situation happen to me a few weeks back. Except the cop actually lit me up and proceeded to give me tickets for window tint, tail light tint and license plate tint! He said I could remove it all and get the ticket reduced. I said no thanks, have a great day.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 251
Likes: 83
From: So Cal
It's a technique. A good majority of folks will make a bad assumption and figure they're good to go when the officer exits the road. And speed up accordingly. And if the person who makes that bad assumption is driving a Corvette (or any other highly capable car) they may even take it up to 80-90 mph. And then the locals get some $$. I would be happy he didn't mistakenly write you a ticket for the other guy's speeding by you. I had a radar team do that to me some years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
It's a technique. A good majority of folks will make a bad assumption and figure they're good to go when the officer exits the road. And speed up accordingly. And if the person who makes that bad assumption is driving a Corvette (or any other highly capable car) they may even take it up to 80-90 mph. And then the locals get some $$. I would be happy he didn't mistakenly write you a ticket for the other guy's speeding by you. I had a radar team do that to me some years ago.
In fairness to LEOs, one let me off with a warning for 85 in a 55 on Thanksgiving Day. (Cute kids and wife in car, and I put on right turn signal and moved over as soon as he pulled in behind me, so I obviously was payng attention.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,887
From: Toronto
That's ridiculous. I was visiting Vancouver Island a few months ago. On a long straight stretch of road the speed limit was 120 kmh (75 mph). Then on the side of the road a small construction sign stating 50 kmh. There was no construction in sight. Everyone assumed this is leftover from a project.
Then around a corner a few miles up the cops were picking everyone off (I was lucky). Construction did start a few miles later. But this was clearly a money grab.
Then around a corner a few miles up the cops were picking everyone off (I was lucky). Construction did start a few miles later. But this was clearly a money grab.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 139
Likes: 97
From: North Texas
I drive a lot and the number of fake construction sites is amazing. Few slow down for them as they know they are fake. (signs up, even barrels or cones off the road, no evidence of any construction and certainly no workers or at other places, signs, no workers and only a token amount of construction started and it stays like that for many months). These fake construction sites are teaching people bad habits and also are a nice setup for the Revenuers when they want some extra cash.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 676
Likes: 111
Similar experience. A Leo saw me coming from a distance, and I saw him as well. He pulled behind me a tailed me for a mile or two. Then sped up and disappeared from my view. Few miles letter, I spot him in the side of the road point a radar gun on me.
Last week driving back from the track, I was tailed twice by cops. I always adhere to speed limit going and coming back from the track, which is painfully 35 - 55 miles limit.
I am very annoyed by Leos treating us differently. I pretty much don't enjoy driving my Vette on public roads any longer. I stick to speed limit, while no one else does. And everyone passes my and gave me the look.
Last week driving back from the track, I was tailed twice by cops. I always adhere to speed limit going and coming back from the track, which is painfully 35 - 55 miles limit.
I am very annoyed by Leos treating us differently. I pretty much don't enjoy driving my Vette on public roads any longer. I stick to speed limit, while no one else does. And everyone passes my and gave me the look.
Last edited by GoatHead; Jun 4, 2019 at 01:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
Oh good Lord people, LEO's do not ticket you just because you drive a Corvette. They only focus on the speed of that Corvette. My suggestion is if you don't want to have an encounter with an Officer is to not speed. It's as simple as that..................
Last edited by Rebel Yell; Jun 4, 2019 at 01:12 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,256
Likes: 4,745
From: SE WI
You might be partially right, but they do target sports cars. They know they can get a large fish from their bait. But where you are 100% spot on is you will never get a ticket going the speed limit. I don't care what you're driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
Joe, I'm a bit more partially right. I know, I'm a retired LEO. I didn't care what the car was if it was going the posted speed, or a little over. I've never given a speeding ticket to a particular car, but the driver is a different story. Now, there may some knuckleheads out there, but the vast majority of LEO's are the same as me.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 83
From: Eastern North Carolina
Not quite true. I was on cruise at the speed limit and ticketed for 15 over my true speed. Troopers radar was wrong due to overtaking cars in opposite direction. Never say never.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 1,167
From: Keswick, Virginia
I am a former deputy sheriff and I can tell you that radar is normally very accurate. However, there are times when an incorrect reading will result. When I was just 19 years old and got a ticket for going 81 mph in a freaking Chevy Chevette, I realized that there are some times when there is a huge amount of reasonable doubt.
LEOs are just like everyone else. Some have more of a "tolerance" for fast driving than others, but there are always those 'traffic *****' who love to write a lot of tickets.
Driving a red Corvette does make you a bigger "fish" in the eyes of some cops, though. You'll get more scrutiny than the chap in the silver Camry.
LEOs are just like everyone else. Some have more of a "tolerance" for fast driving than others, but there are always those 'traffic *****' who love to write a lot of tickets.
Driving a red Corvette does make you a bigger "fish" in the eyes of some cops, though. You'll get more scrutiny than the chap in the silver Camry.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 329
Likes: 101
From: Chiggerbranch, MS
I had a near miss recently. I was going the posted interstate speed limit and my Escort 360 went off indicating Ka band radar. Just 100 yards past the crest of the hill I was topping, there he was. The Escort did not see over the hill and I was on his screen before I could even slow down. Bet that dude knew exactly the spot to sit. But, like I said I was going the legal limit at the time so no harm.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 227
Likes: 68
From: GA
R3 + Waze and I still get nervous if I even go 10 over... No cop's going to miss a bright orange Corvette. So far my only one was in a 69 Camaro and I deserved it.
Last edited by thelastday; Jun 4, 2019 at 07:46 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
I always chuckle when I hear this. They use "near miss" a lot when talking about two planes almost colliding. But when you think about it logically it's not a near miss - it's a near hit! Meaning you almost hit but you didn't. Technically a near miss would mean you almost missed but you ended up hitting.
Then again - The Crazy English Language.
Then again - The Crazy English Language.
Last edited by defaria; Jun 4, 2019 at 09:00 PM.