I just got nailed in my second speed trap this year. I wasn't even driving my car. This time it was in Vermont.

There's no point discussing the details, but I'll just make these observations by way of venting:

1. Low speed limits are an affront to the public. How can people live with this abuse?

2. When you're out of state, the cops see you as a meal ticket. You won't contest a ticket when you're a long way from home -- as much as the contest is worthy!

3. In America, lots of people disrespect the law and law enforcement; big surprise...

4. Cops... Cops... I'm just burnin' up. They have this conflict of discretion vs. patrol as an assignment. The whole notion of a speed trap is seriously flawed. I don't understand why towns allow this crap to continue. I am feeling extremely hostile to law enforcement right now, and I've already proven that being polite has no impact on these losers.

5. I am a law-abiding citizen, but speed limits make me feel like an outlaw.

6. I am likely to lose my license if this trend continues. This after 25 years of very clean, very safe driving.

 

Misery loves company, eh?

I'm with you 100%. My record's clean at the moment, but I've averaged one every 2 years before that.

I consider speed traps a completely unwarranted use of police resources, both ethically and practically.

JonasM

 

Thanks for the support, Jonas. Really friggin' burns me up.

 

Chaz,

I know the feeling, I was nailed in Maryland last summer with two other out of state drivers. The interesting thing is that I wasn't going any faster than anyone else on that road. My crime was that I was in Maryland with New Jersey plates on my car.

To make matters worse, here in New Jersey there is a surcharge payable to the state. If you have over 4 points on your license, you have to pay $25 per point (from point 1). It's called an "Insurance surcharge" but it's really another way the state is trying to raise revenue. And since Maryland cooperates with New Jersey, I had to pay about $100 for the ticket and $75 per year every year until some of the points come off of my license. I am also paying $75 per year for the other ticket. Since I got them within two months of each other, I will be paying $150 per year for 3 years. Ironically, neither of them came while I was driving the S.

I agree with you, there is something very wrong with this whole system.

 

Revenue enhancement.

Just be thankful that you weren't pulled over in certain jurisdictions in Louisiana and Florida. If their drug dog detects the presence of drugs on any cash that you are carrying they can confisacate all of the cash that you are have..no trial, no ticket. and over 80% of all cash in the U.S. has traces of cocaine on it. Go figure.

 

Aaaaaaaargh! I hear you, Rob. What utter !

There's some stuff I don't know. Who makes speed limits in a town? Who sets the town police's agenda, or more importantly, who has oversight?

This crap is bad for everybody. It needs to be fought. I'm seriously considering taking a day off and contesting this Vermont ticket just because it shouldn't stand!

I'm so annoyed and burned up!

 

Louisiana and Florida, eh Jeff? What the hell's up with that?

Oh, and all that plays directly into my position on the drug "war," which you guys are all familiar with, so I won't get into it here.

 

[QUOTE=Chazmo,Jun 6 2005, 09:38 PM] Aaaaaaaargh!

 

Yes. I saw a report on American Justice and just about lost my lunch. The Feds do it too. They have ticket agents narcing on people buying short fuse tickets with cash..and the Feds come in and confiscate the money. Good luck getting it back.

 

I'm just shaking my head.

Maybe I really do need to run for president and straighten up this crap.