RE: Speed traps and related phenomena

["Jorge Mazlumian" <jmazl@domain.elided>]

Michael Smith wrote:
>My philosophy on speeding is based on two principles:  speeding is not
>dangerous per se,
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agree with you on this one, to a certain degree.
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>and dedicated cops are looking for exceptional driving patterns,
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if that would be the case, in the boring freeways of California they would
go to sleep and make 2 tickets a day.  The system would go broke.  They do
look for the red car, the car in the fast lane, and of course the reckless.
Haven't you ever heard the term: "going with the flow of the traffic doesn't
stand in court"?  That means, if everybody is doing 80 mph, you, one of the
bunch may very well be pulled over, and served a citation.
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>In Alberta we issue "operator's licenses" not driver's licenses. This is
>truth in government in action, since no one here has to prove they can
>actually drive to get a license to steer a car around in public.
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In California the government *grants* you a Driver's license, but you must
understand that driving in California is a privilege, not a right.  Who
cares if the state has the worst public transportation system, and that if
you don't drive, you don't go to work or to school.  A license can be
suspended for having 3 speeding tickets in one year.  Tickets given thanks
to a laser or radar gun, or some ridiculous violation as to change lanes
without turn signals, when there is nobody around, (except that cop).
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>So, my modus operandi involves attracting as little attention to my driving
>as possible, ............Driving smoothly and unobtrusively is the best
defence to detection. it
>also happens to be the safest way to drive very fast on public roads.
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I can agree with you if you go to work every day in your little Toyota or
Honda, or that big Cutlass Supreme.  But why in the world do we drive Alfas?
(Here is the Alfa content)  Not just because they are nice and red (mine is
now black).  If my daily driver Milano has to stay under 3500 Rpm's EVERY
DAY, I just as well drive a Jeep.
And I don't mean being teen age reckless, or drunken dangerous.  I have high
respect for my fellows on the streets, specially because some of them
learned to drive in Sears driving school, or because they have "baby on
board", or just because I don't want to cause any accidents.  I am still a
very responsible driver (a cop will disagree here.)   But If because of the
fear of cops I have to "drive smoothly and unobtrusively", then the fun of
driving altogether is gone, and the raison d'etre of the Alfa is kaput.
Driving your Alfa hard is fun, but trying to avoid being caught all the time
is fun no more.  I know some will disagree on this.
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>And even in Canada, it's as well to remember that several of our finest
>have been shot, and some killed, by very dangerous and wild types that
>represent a hazard to us all, but were just driving along like the rest of
>us before the cop stopped them.
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Nobody argues that cops risk/gave their lives for us.  Canada!, try Los
Angeles for that matter.
but what is your point?
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>It's not pleasant, but it is sensible to
>acknowledge these risks and behave appropriately even when unjustifiably
>stopped by some enthusiastic officer. So, put yourself momentarily in the
>officer's shoes when stopped by one. Look like the innocent law abiding
>citizen you are, and accept the ticket with aplomb. Surprisingly, you will
>get fewer tickets this way. Most police officers are genuinely concerned
>about dangerous driving, not speeding.
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">My philosophy on speeding is based on two principles:  speeding is not
>dangerous per se, ....
you said that.   What gives?
If they are concerned with dangerous driving, then they should stop the guy
that runs a red light dangerously, the guy that cuts in front of you and
then brakes, the old little lady with 20/100 vision driving an old Chevy and
ignoring traffic totally(if it wasn't for the family, my 84 year old aunt
could still drive, she has a valid license), the teenager without experience
thinking he inherited Airton Sena's genes, etc, etc.  That is dangerous
driving, not driving fast.  Speed limits should be used as a safe guideline,
not as an enforcement of a many times outdated law.  The best I've seen
used, and I could not agree more is:

                               "Speed (or maneuver) unsafe for condition"

 I think that's what makes more sense.

respectfully submitted
Jorge
Redlands, CA, USA
89 Milano driven fast, but very safely.
P.S. on the other hand I'm grateful to our cops 'cause I don't have to worry
about being stopped just to bribe me.  Like in my home town, or south my
current border.

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