Oregon State Troopers....are they all ......?

[Fritzo]

Highway Patrol in EVERY state are dicks. I got a $112 ticket for going 8MPH over the speed limit after I passed a tractor in Ohio.

 

[Ancalagon44]

How exactly was speed enforced before cameras were everywhere?

How did we communicate before cellphones?

Point is, a speed camera is a better and more honest device for catching speeders than a traffic cop. The first post I responded to is a case in point.

 

[boomhower]

How did we communicate before cellphones?

Point is, a speed camera is a better and more honest device for catching speeders than a traffic cop. The first post I responded to is a case in point.

While true, who's going to pay for it? The US is a very spread out country, the cost of installing them at enough frequency for it to actually work would be immense at best. It's not really going to cut down on the amount of law enforcement you going to employ either. They would be effective in areas that have chronic issues but in general they just won't work in this country. If you just put up a handful it will take a week for everyone to know where they are and they'll just slow down in those areas.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I've been pulled over by the highway patrol in Oregon, and my experience was the polar opposite of yours. I was in a rental car with out of state plates and I was doing 85 in a 65, so I figured I was basically fucked. I told the cop the truth: we were coming from the funeral of a close friend and I was the designated driver post-wake for a trip to Vegas that the recently-deceased young man was supposed to be accompanying us on. The officer simply said "Well, drive a little slower, Vegas won't be too fun if you get in an accident" and sent us on our way. A little courtesy goes a long way.

 

[BurnItDwn]

How did we communicate before cellphones?

Point is, a speed camera is a better and more honest device for catching speeders than a traffic cop. The first post I responded to is a case in point.

I'd rather get a ticket from a cop vs a camera.
Cops might have the capacity for dishonesty, but they also can make judgment calls and have the capacity for mercy.

 

[dainthomas]

The Highway Patrol does exists to enforce traffic laws, which consists of writing tickets.

Another reason for their existence is to help people who are in trouble. However I see troopers cruise right by people all the time who are broken down with nary a thought to checking if they have help on the way. Apparently if there's no cash involved, they don't give a crap.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Point is, a speed camera is a better and more honest device for catching speeders than a traffic cop. The first post I responded to is a case in point.

You're the first person I've ever seen who has advocated MORE speed cameras. Speed cameras are like mandatory minimum sentences; they take all thought out of the equation. While that might sound like a good thing, it also means that there's no space for human judgment. A good police officer recognizes that there's a difference between someone doing 70 during morning rush hour, weaving in and out of traffic, and someone doing 70 on an empty highway; a speed camera sees both as inappropriate speeding, and the citation is the same for both. That's stupid.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Highway Patrol in EVERY state are dicks. I got a $112 ticket for going 8MPH over the speed limit after I passed a tractor in Ohio.

Follow the law and no problem.

It is not the troopers that decide the fine, but the lawmakers.

The troopers are there to enforce the law and flag that the fact you violated it.

 

[Viper GTS]

Ten over on I5 in the rain? That was pretty much asking to get pulled over.

And for the "it's perfectly safe", what do you think your stopping distance is at 75 MPH in the rain + cold?

Viper GTS

 

[Fritzo]

Follow the law and no problem.

It is not the troopers that decide the fine, but the lawmakers.

The troopers are there to enforce the law and flag that the fact you violated it.

Umm...when I pass a slow moving vehicle, I want to be in the left lane for as little time as possible. The judge agreed when I fought it and the ticket was overturned.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Umm...when I pass a slow moving vehicle, I want to be in the left lane for as little time as possible. The judge agreed when I fought it and the ticket was overturned.

Judges discretion :thumbsup:

 

[EagleKeeper]

Ten over on I5 in the rain? That was pretty much asking to get pulled over.

And for the "it's perfectly safe", what do you think your stopping distance is at 75 MPH in the rain + cold?

Viper GTS

When dry, 1-2 car length per 10mph and good tires.

when wet,I would estimate at least 3-4 times that distance and loss of control to boot.

 

[bruceb]

If you do get pulled over, your best bet is stop as fast as is safe to do so. Stop so the officer is safe. At night, turn on the interior lights, and your flashers. Keep your hands in plain sight on the wheel. Speak polite to the officer. A little kindness and cooperation on your part, puts him at ease and in a better mood. You just might get off with a warning. Happened to me on a Sunday night around 9:20PM and the NJ Trooper did not cite me (about 15-20MPH over on RT80) .. Courtesy goes a long way. And when it comes to traffic court, sorry to say, but the Judge will usually believe what the Officer says and not you, unless you have proof or a witness.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

I mean first off. Hes job is to stop someone when they see they commit a possible offense. Not follow them for 13 miles to see what else they would've done. I mean what happens if there was a accident which could've been avoided if he did hes job like hes suppose to?

 

[RPD]

I mean first off. Hes job is to stop someone when they see they commit a possible offense. Not follow them for 13 miles to see what else they would've done. I mean what happens if there was a accident which could've been avoided if he did hes job like hes suppose to?

So it's his fault someone is driving recklessly?

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

So it's his fault someone is driving recklessly?

no. When someone has made a offense pull him over immediately. Dont follow him for a period and see how many more he does commit. If someone is driving reckless then that means hes a danger to the other people using the road. So you want to pull them off immediately. The idea is to avoid accidents not to follow one and see if he does make one

 

[coloumb]

Seems a bit odd he'd follow you for 13 miles...

Police can be weird at times.

A friend who is a former Oregon Police officer said he'd pull over people just to see what they looked like.

I was pulled over the other week because the officer noticed that the license plate frame on my car was partially covering up the license plate tag - he couldn't tell if they were expired.

 

[Printer Bandit]

A friend who is a former Oregon Police officer said he'd pull over people just to see what they looked like.

did he pull over women driving a bmw, mercedes, or lexus? i swear that 90% of them are hot.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Oh, and that's another thing. Did you actually see the cop for 13 miles, or were you just tossing out a number? If there's a cop on the road anywhere near me and I notice him, I make DAMN sure that I'm not violating any traffic laws; you never know whether he's out to meet quota or what. If you continue speeding for 13 miles KNOWING that there's a cop following you the entire time, you are insane.

 

[Patranus]

If it is raining then the laws all become subjective as there is usually a "conditions" provision written into the laws.

So if the officer thinks you were following too closely for the conditions (rain) then you were.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

no. When someone has made a offense pull him over immediately. Dont follow him for a period and see how many more he does commit. If someone is driving reckless then that means hes a danger to the other people using the road. So you want to pull them off immediately. The idea is to avoid accidents not to follow one and see if he does make one

My thoughts exactly.

Oh, and that's another thing. Did you actually see the cop for 13 miles, or were you just tossing out a number? If there's a cop on the road anywhere near me and I notice him, I make DAMN sure that I'm not violating any traffic laws; you never know whether he's out to meet quota or what. If you continue speeding for 13 miles KNOWING that there's a cop following you the entire time, you are insane.

He was driving undercover in a black dodge charger. No visible lights or anything. When the lights did come on, they were located INSIDE his car.

If it is raining then the laws all become subjective as there is usually a "conditions" provision written into the laws.

So if the officer thinks you were following too closely for the conditions (rain) then you were.

I personally keep a large distance from cars even when the conditions are perfect. If she was driving too close, reckless, or anything I would have called her out.

For the record, I made my statement AFTER he gave us the citations...so I didn't influence his decision.

Regardless, I'm done venting about it. I just need to figure out how we can fight 2 of the charges. I have never dealt with an out of state ticket before.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Next time knock him over the head and put him in your trunk

 

[Ancalagon44]

You're the first person I've ever seen who has advocated MORE speed cameras. Speed cameras are like mandatory minimum sentences; they take all thought out of the equation. While that might sound like a good thing, it also means that there's no space for human judgment. A good police officer recognizes that there's a difference between someone doing 70 during morning rush hour, weaving in and out of traffic, and someone doing 70 on an empty highway; a speed camera sees both as inappropriate speeding, and the citation is the same for both. That's stupid.

Let me define what I mean by speed camera. Well there could be two meanings, what I mean is the handheld device - a radar gun - that a policeman sitting on the side of the road, hidden in bushes if he has to be, can use to find out how fast cars are going, and get a print of it. That speed camera is auditable, so he can prove how fast you are going. However, he is still in control and can decide whether to let you off the hook or not, or punish you for additional offences. If that is what you guys were meaning all along, then we are in agreement.

if you were meaning a cop using his judgment and no measuring device to issue a speed ticket, I think thats wrong. He should be able to have an auditable record of how fast you were going.

I actually agree with fixed speed cameras, too, but I prefer them to be well sign posted. the thing is, the aim is not to make money from fines but just to stop you speeding. If they make the cameras obvious, its your bad if you get caught. You cant blame anyone.

the only problem with the first approach that I mentioned, is that in corrupt places like South Africa, where I live, bribery is so rife that I dont think many fines are paid. That is the problem with allowing the cop to make a judgment call. However, if he has to use a speed camera, at least he cannot say that you were speeding when you were not. He can prove it.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

theres normally a 10 to 15k's leverage they give with the devices. Here by us they need to be serviced often with a certificate that proofs their validation. But reckless driving is different from speeding

 

[SonicIce]

the thing is, the aim is not to make money from fines but just to stop you speeding.

i believe you are mistaken