[From July 23, 2014] Is Every Speed Limit Too Low?

Priceonomics.com ^ | July 23, 2014 | Alex Mayyasi

[Arlis]

The GENERAL rule in Virginia, from LEO’s themselves is this:

“Nine & under - you’re fine. (over the SL)

Over nine - you’r mine.”

Of course, there are always those who will still nail you at 5 over - and even those who will lie about your speed before the Court.......a poor (literally) friend was following me in my Porsche as I led him down the interstate in a parking lot moving at 70 in a 65.....It would have been dangerous to try to go 65.

I was in his beat-up 2000 Corolla. 4pm, Christmas eve, State Trooper was pissed that he had to work, pulled my friend thinking he was a rich man and gave him a ticket for 83 in a 65. I saw it all and pulled over in front of my friend - but was chased away by an angry Trooper - “Get out of here - I didn’t pull you! I pulled him! Or I’ll arrest you for interfering with an officer....”

I got a good attorney. Trooper boldly told other lies to Court about details of stop. Atty said you cannot accuse a LEO of lying - the Court would say, “Why would a LEO lie?” - my atty said he can give 100 reasons. Charge was dismissed with driving school for my friend.

What ticked me off even more is that judge said he could not accept my testimony. Reason? I confessed to being a friend of the defendant.

The whole system is corrupt.

[Hardastarboard]

Congress maintained the policy because they believed it led to safer highways

I'm sure it was to promote public safety, and not because there were insurance industry lobbyists in expensive suits standing over their shoulders waving gobs of cash. /sarc

[wbarmy]

Randolph, Missouri, generated 75% to 83% of its budget from traffic tickets

New Llano, LA, near Fort Polk was exactly the same kind of speed trap. Traffic between the military post and the bars in Leesville was used as a fund site for a whole host of police in a one horse town, if that.

[Titan Magroyne]

bmfl

[antidisestablishment]

California used to have some of the best roads and drivers in the nation, but that was decades ago. I remember my uncle getting upset when he got a ticket for going 55 on the Freeway. I just laughed and told him he deserved it—speed doesn’t kill; speed differential does. Speed limits and cameras are all about the revenue—many police officers are just as opposed to the policies as the public. It sets them up as bad guys, and keeps them from pursuing real crimes.

Safety has never been a major concern of politicians—they are more interested in power and revenue. Moore’s Law may not have translated directly into the automobile industry, but cars have and car safety have benefitted from it. Our highway system was designed for cars that wouldn’t be allowed on the road today.

Despite all our technological advances, our roads are much more dangerous today. It has nothing to do with speed—it’s all about texting and distracted driving!