Hey Bradruth...this Q is for you

[AMCRambler]

It seems like every year around this time I see a lot more speed traps and traffic stops going on where I live. Is there something about this time of the year that police departments step up there traffic enforcement programs? Does your department do this also? Just curious. Seems like every year there's a period around April or May where I see tons of speed traps(this year seems like it's a little earlier).

 

[jagec]

That's when everyone's taking the Corvette out of the garage in preparation for driving season

 

[bradruth]

Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

 

[MisterJackson]

I doubt there's a nationwide policy on this, but my guess would be because more people are out driving around because of nice weather?

BTW, I like the quote in your sig, what thread is that from, do you remember?

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
I doubt there's a nationwide policy on this, but my guess would be because more people are out driving around because of nice weather?

BTW, I like the quote in your sig, what thread is that from, do you remember?

Which one, the Halik quote? Or MasterandCommander?

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

It's not so much that, but you don't want to get out every 10 minutes when it's snowing, sleeting, raining, icy, etc. because if you're doing selective traffic enforcement that's ALL you're doing.

 

[Stuxnet]

I've noticed this too... cops are out in herds right now, protecting the public from those nasty bastards who drive 70 in a 65.

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

I was thinking about that the other day - I don't think I can recall seeing a car pulled over on the highway for speeding when it was raining outside. Of course, I assume if a cop did pull someone over, it'd be a lot harder for the person to talk their way out of getting the ticket!

 

[3chordcharlie]

Yup, sadly there's an inverse relationship between how safe it is to exceed the posted limit, and how likely you are to be ticketed for doing so.

In really bad winter weather there's no way you should even be approaching the limit on some roads, but there's almost no chance that you will be pulled over for speeding.

It's not that I don't understand the reason for this, which has a lot to do with safety, but it's not a terribly good situation.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

Hadn't thought of that. That could be it, but after like a month it seems to slack off. I think it's a combination of people driving their corvettes again and just in general driving faster as well as the cops digging the weather too.

Another question, not sure if you can answer this one. How quick are those interceptor Crown Vics? I'm thinking if you've driven another car that was comparable what would you compare it to? Thinking it might be fun to get a retired cruiser some day, tinker with it and take it to a track.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Another question, not sure if you can answer this one. How quick are those interceptor Crown Vics? I'm thinking if you've driven another car that was comparable what would you compare it to? Thinking it might be fun to get a retired cruiser some day, tinker with it and take it to a track.

I can't really think of a car I could compare it to, but they do have some balls...especially the brand new ones. I work in a city, so we don't get to open them up as much as highway guys would, but when you stomp on the pedal you get more than enough push. There's nothing quite like running lights and sirens while listening to the engine roar and *smelling* the burn that comes off of it.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

Hadn't thought of that. That could be it, but after like a month it seems to slack off. I think it's a combination of people driving their corvettes again and just in general driving faster as well as the cops digging the weather too.

Another question, not sure if you can answer this one. How quick are those interceptor Crown Vics? I'm thinking if you've driven another car that was comparable what would you compare it to? Thinking it might be fun to get a retired cruiser some day, tinker with it and take it to a track.

I think the 4.6 crown vics are around 260hp (edit - maybe as little as 225), but they aren't too light; they probably manage a mediocre high-15 quarter, and maybe 130mph top speed, with good handling for a big car; they're built more for rugged medium performance, which is more than enough to catch just about anyone in the hands of a well-trained driver, and most cops are pretty well trained.

I doubt it's the best or cheapest way to a fun track car, especially given the automatic transmission.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

Hadn't thought of that. That could be it, but after like a month it seems to slack off. I think it's a combination of people driving their corvettes again and just in general driving faster as well as the cops digging the weather too.

Another question, not sure if you can answer this one. How quick are those interceptor Crown Vics? I'm thinking if you've driven another car that was comparable what would you compare it to? Thinking it might be fun to get a retired cruiser some day, tinker with it and take it to a track.

They're about as fast as one you would go out and buy. As far as I know, the main difference between the Police Interceptor version, and stock ones are: Beefier driveshaft, transmission fan/cooling, upgraded engine cooling, all the police internal (electronic and otherwise). I think there might be a few more little things. I think the engine in the CVPI is the same in the one you could buy.

They build the cars to take a beating, so they can sit and idle all day long, but when you need to jump on the accelerator and take off, it wont fall apart. The need for the better engine cooling is the fact that you are primarily idling all day, so air cant circulate over the engine/through the radiator.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

It's not so much that, but you don't want to get out every 10 minutes when it's snowing, sleeting, raining, icy, etc. because if you're doing selective traffic enforcement that's ALL you're doing.

Note to self: Speed more when it's icy!

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: bradruth
Traffic enforcement is a lot easier to do when the weather is nice...that probably answers your question.

thats what im thinking. no one wants to get out of their car on the side of the road when its 20 outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, etc.

It's not so much that, but you don't want to get out every 10 minutes when it's snowing, sleeting, raining, icy, etc. because if you're doing selective traffic enforcement that's ALL you're doing.

Note to self: Speed more when it's icy!

Yeah, you don't have to pay for tickets...just car repair.






Oh, and the tickets you get after the crash.

 

[AMCRambler]

I think the interceptors have got to be pushing more than 225hp. When they tromp on those things they really friggin' take off. My Contour SVT is a smaller, lighter car which new supposedly pushed 200hp and I think I'd have trouble keeping up with a cop car off the line. The driving school at the police academy must have been wicked fun with those bad boys!