[Atlantic Friend]

What are (or were) these "radar townships" ? Suburbs used as good examples for knowing if the crime figures go up or down ?

[BJClinton]

What are (or were) these "radar townships" ?

Small, rural communities with a small tax base that raise revenue by setting ridiculous speed traps to collect fines from travellers pasing through. For instance, dropping the posted speed limit from 70 to 45 as the road goes around a bend so you have only 20-30 feet to slow down by the time you see the new speed limit. Of course there will be a local cop right there with his radar gun to get you. 10-20 tickets a day at $50-$200 a pop is a major cash-cow for small towns.

[ninenot]

I used the term "radar township"--

There are a number of little postage-stamp towns in the South which derive huge revenues for their municipal budget from speeding fines levied on motorists who are driving to Florida for a vacation. It's an industry, not a safety or enforcement issue.

Same sort of stuff is beginning in the North. Not necessarily speed traps; a number of States now have "not wearing a seat-belt" as a primary motor-vehicle offense, meaning that one can be ticketed if the PO observes that he/she is NOT wearing a seatbelt while driving. Same goes for passengers in a vehicle.

In Wisconsin, one can be ticketed for NOT using one's headlights IF the windshield wipers are being used for rain or snow (!?!?!?) Some States have made using cellphones while driving into a separate moving vehicle offense, and more States are going that direction quickly.

Harassment crap, all invented by the States who want to be Mommies.