Article

2009-07-17 -Lurid Crime Tales-

Police chief denounces 'cowardly' iPhone users monitoring speed traps

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by gorb 2009-07-17 12:32|| || Front Page|| [8 views ] Top

#1 I think they give themselves away. Assuming everyone has iphones and this software, those people would slow down for speed traps right? That is the point: to maintain a safe highway system right?

I mean, unless those with iphones+ are blowing through all the other intersections they will be driving safer (and maybe a cascade effect with the car or 2 behind them), which causes less accidents, which keeps insurance rates checked and people unhurt.

Now my solution would be to convert to an equine system. I'm sure that George Washington would agree that the act of riding invigorates the body and mind which would lead to better governance, or at least generate enough horseshit to cover the stench of DC politics.

Posted by swksvolFF 2009-07-17 16:42|| 2009-07-17 16:42|| Front Page Top

#2 I seem to remember reading something recently about breathalizers and DUIs. Something about the right to face your accuser and the breathalizer itself could not convict a person only support the testimony and field test of the police officer. Now if that is right, then could that same principle be applied to traffic cameras?

Posted by swksvolFF 2009-07-17 16:57|| 2009-07-17 16:57|| Front Page Top

#3 Saw some stats somewhere that claimed %47 of accidents were due to poor traffic engineering....

When one considers the average low salary of traffic engineers in some suburbs.... one wonders why the figure isn't larger.

Posted by 3dc 2009-07-17 16:58|| 2009-07-17 16:58|| Front Page Top

#4 swksvolFF, in Chicago at least it's very clever. The violation is not a 'legal' violation but an 'administrative' one -- thus, no right to face your accuser. Indeed, no rights at all, as you'll find out if you get a notice. It's pay and shut up. The courts have allowed that in Illinois, but then, we have the best government money can buy.

Posted by Steve White 2009-07-17 17:31|| 2009-07-17 17:31|| Front Page Top

#5 Well, Steve, you don't HAVE to pay the tickets.
I just saw a car parked across from the elevator bank at O'Hare with a big yellow boot on it... That is where the real money is anyway.
He should be arriving back right about now, patting himself on the back for finding such a great parking spot on his way out of town last Tuesday.

Posted by Capsu78 2009-07-17 18:15|| 2009-07-17 18:15|| Front Page Top

#6 #3 Saw some stats somewhere that claimed %47 of accidents were due to poor traffic engineering....
When one considers the average low salary of traffic engineers in some suburbs.... one wonders why the figure isn't larger.
Posted by: 3dc 2009-07-17 16:58

I find that % way too high (just IMHO). The vast majority of accidents (I'm guessing here) is caused by inattentive/unsafe drivers. There's a good % of "weather conditions" (another "unsafe speed" thing) accidents. There are, for sure, some poorly designed roads and streets, but State and AASHTO standards dictate most standard road design. IMHO, the drivers are usually the issue, whether speeding or not. I consider myself a pretty good driver, but on long-highway trips, I break out my Escort Radar Detector - it picks up the laser/radar signals from he guns and cameras so I slow down in time. Awesome investment to beat the revenue-generators

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2009-07-17 18:53|| 2009-07-17 18:53|| Front Page Top

#7 Sounds good to me, a blow at Officials trying to fleece the citizens, and a exposure of a semi-corrupt Police Chief, looking to "Create", Lawbreakers.

My father was a civil engineer who worked (Partly) on traffic flow, I'll bet most folks don't know there's a three second "Dwell" between the changing of a light to red, and the other street's changing to green, that's his idea, designed to cut down on collisions, when someone could NOT stop, (Short lights) and allow the lanes to clear.

This Police Chief is trying to exploit that installed "Safety Dwell" and create criminals on those who simply cannot stop abruptly safely.

In fact several different cities were sued over short lights (Meaning the time between red to yellow to green times, and putting policemen with electronic "triggers" to change lights deliberately for "Catching" people who simply could not stop in time.

After several lawsuits, all states cities and communities were Forced by federal law to make ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS the same length, and include the same "Safety Dwell", mentioned earlier.

But the Real killer of "Short Lights" was the law that all fines went to the state, the community could NOT keep them.(Not profit)

I'd investigaate wher the fines go.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2009-07-17 20:25|| 2009-07-17 20:25|| Front Page Top

#8 I agree that most of the accidents are from inattentive and, basically stupid, drivers.

I ride the bus to Seattle each day and have a chance to watch what other people are doing while driving. Applying makeup (both women and men...), eating breakfast, having a heated conversation on the phone. Driving with dogs on their laps.

Posted by CrazyFool 2009-07-17 22:51|| 2009-07-17 22:51|| Front Page Top

23:36 anymouse
23:19 trailing wife
23:00 CrazyFool
22:51 CrazyFool
22:36 JosephMendiola
22:26 Barbara Skolaut
22:25 JosephMendiola
22:18 Skidmark
22:16 Steve White
22:08 Glenmore
22:08 Frank G
22:04 Glenmore
22:02 JosephMendiola
21:58 NCMike
21:56 JosephMendiola
21:50 Rambler in Virginia
21:25 Angie Schultz
21:16 Mike Kozlowski
21:13 Frank G
21:12 Frank G
21:03 49 Pan
20:54 Hupesing Brown4878
20:40 Phil_B
20:29 Thing From Snowy Mountain