speeding nonsense...

[iiipopes]

The tickets for one or two miles over are ridiculous. This is from a guy who used to be an assistant prosecutor. I didn't have time for all the crap. Most of the highway patrolmen I worked with were of the same reasonable bent. There are much greater crime prevention and apprehension priorities. One particular patrolman I used to converse with frequently said he simply didn't write tickets less than 8 mph over because of all this nonsense, especially with the vagaries of speedometer error, tire pressure differences, downhill rolling, people simply trying to get where they're going during rush hour, etc., when most of these drivers are decent people, otherwise driving safely and prudently, and trying to obey the laws generally, and are just trying to live their lives accordingly.

About a two hours' drive or so north of where I live there is a municipality that sits on a US highway. The speed limit on that particular highway generally is 55 or 60. This little municipality arbitrarily set the speed limit through town, with no safety justification, or traffic intersection justification, at 45, and used to rake in thousands of dollars of revenue on the speeding tickets they would write. Everybody in the entire state complained. When I was in defense practice, and had clients with speeding tickets through this particular municipality, I complained. Finally, the state made them rescend this arbitrary drop in speed limit on the threat of withholding other state funding to the municipality. The news media state-wide got involved. Finally, the speed limit signs were removed; the city ordinance was repealed. The entire state literally celebrated. I drove through there just last weekend on the way to a sunny weekend outing at a regional state park with my family. As I approached the point where the old drop in speed limit signs were, I grinned broadly and celebrated privately that for once, rationality prevailed.

Now, make no mistake: reasonable speed limits are necessary for civic safety. I've read way too many accident reports, including fatalities, involving speed, that were totally preventable and would nauseate even the most iron-clad constitutions. Again, the key word here is "reasonable" for the circumstances.

Please, everyone drive safely for the conditions at hand. Regardless of what the speed limit sign may or may not say.

[OOMPAH]

[tubafatness]

About a two hours' drive or so north of where I live there is a municipality that sits on a US highway. The speed limit on that particular highway generally is 55 or 60. This little municipality arbitrarily set the speed limit through town, with no safety justification, or traffic intersection justification, at 45, and used to rake in thousands of dollars of revenue on the speeding tickets they would write. Everybody in the entire state complained. When I was in defense practice, and had clients with speeding tickets through this particular municipality, I complained. Finally, the state made them rescend this arbitrary drop in speed limit on the threat of withholding other state funding to the municipality. The news media state-wide got involved. Finally, the speed limit signs were removed; the city ordinance was repealed. The entire state literally celebrated. I drove through there just last weekend on the way to a sunny weekend outing at a regional state park with my family. As I approached the point where the old drop in speed limit signs were, I grinned broadly and celebrated privately that for once, rationality prevailed.

Anyone going north on I-51 through Illinois will recognize this situation. Between the center of the state and Bloomington, IL, there are three spots that dip from 10-20 mph below the regular highway limit, (which, in Illinois, is itself lower than the surrounding states, and, basically the entire country.) All three are small towns resting on the highway, and all three rake in the money with speeding tickets. My oldest brother, who is as law-abiding as anyone out there, got a couple of those when he was commuting every day to teach at ISU. But, seeing as the state government in Illinois is ridiculous, this situation will probably never be resolved. Besides, in a roundabout way, it is just another way for the state to take more people's money...

[Tubaryan12]

I always laugh when people complain about speeding tickets. Speeding tickets are easy to not get. Don't speed and pay attention and you will probably not get one. I've gotten a couple in my day. I deserved every one I got. I don't blame the cop, the government, or anyone else for the fact that I got one. I blame me. End of story.

For the last 5 years or so I have been driving using the Smith Driving System and 3 things have happened. First of all, driving has become a lot more relaxing. I set my cruise to the speed limit and watch people pass me all day. I get where I'm going a few minutes later than I would if I was "keeping up with the flow of traffic", but it's a much more relaxed ride. No more slamming on the brakes because someone cut me off, or, heaven forbid, drive the speed limit in the fast lane. Second, I get much better gas mileage, and third, lower maintenance cost. The brakes on my Elantra lasted 99,950 miles. I only changed them at that point because I was getting a wheel bearing done.

I challenge anyone to try it for a week and report back on how it went. I'll be surprised if you don't like it.

[Donn]

Throughout my life, I've found that folks who (within a given discussion) pick over which "brand" of socialism (Russian Communism/Cuban-Venezuelan Communism/Chinese Communism/1930's-1940's German National Socialism/present-day Euro-Canadian-socialism/etc., etc., ad infinitum...) are usually some sorts of advocates of some sort of socialism.

Yes, I believe Wade is in fact an advocate of some sort of socialism - probably the sort that has been practiced by every modern state for generations. Of course under the circumstances, it's more about recognizing what planet you're on, than advocacy in a meaningful sense. Greetings, Earth Man Wade!

[Tuba Guy]

I hate to admit it, but you're all wrong.
Anarchy is the way to go.