From: Brent on
On 2010-03-03, N8N <njnagel(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 3, 10:19�am, Scott in SoCal <scottenazt...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I have driven past many a CHP unit at 10 over without so much as a
>> second glance. I was doing at least 10 over in the carpool lane once
>> time when a CHP moto unit came flying up behind me. I moved left
>> slightly in my lane to give her more room to lane split, and she
>> roared right on past.
>>
>> With the state hurting for money, I was a bit worried that the cops
>> might start to lower their tolerances and/or run more sting operations
>> in order to raise more money, but thus far I've seen no evidence of
>> it. Speed enforcement remains relatively lax, at least in the areas
>> and at the times I normally drive.
>
> Lucky you; I have not seen evidence of that around here. If anything
> enforcement has become tighter, to the point where traffic flows
> noticeably slower than it did say 5 years ago. That's impressive as
> generally all studies point to the speed limit being basically
> irrelevant to the speeds people drive, so the only explanation is that
> people honestly feel at risk of getting a ticket. (I know that I
> do.) They're still exceeding the speed limit, don't get me wrong, but
> not by as much.

I've noticed people driving much slower as well. They slowed down a
little with the high gas prices but now with the state of illinois being
broke they are driving *MUCH* slower. May-july of 2009 I was doing a lot
of driving at the posted speed limit and was actually passing people! In
previous years I would very very very rarely pass someone... who would
then pass me later.


From: Brent on
On 2010-03-04, Scott in SoCal <scottenaztlan(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last time on rec.autos.driving, Brent
><tetraethylleadREMOVETHIS(a)yahoo.com> said:
>
>>> I see you have a RADAR detector. Wouldn't you know if there was a cop
>>> shooting RADAR and only slow down if it were really necessary?
>>
>>Huh? I don't have a radar detector. Radar detectors are not white.
>
> Your video is back-lit and I can't tell what color it is. It and your
> rear-view mirror look like black blobs.

Huh? It's right behind the rear view mirror. It's white, the mirror
plastic body is typical black.

>>That's an IPass transponder.
>
> My mistake.
>
>>>>I thought you've said
>>>>you stay ticket free without a radar detector by being alert to cops
>>>>and not speeding in stupid places.
>>
>>> I speed past my local police station all the time.
>>
>>Good for you. Lots of people do. I however get subjected to all sorts of
>>selective enforcement, so I don't.

> Well, that's your choice. But don't be surprised if you get tailgated
> because of it.

So you're basically saying that I'm obligated to risk speeding tickets
when I know that I often singled out for enforcement? Some of those who
have tailgated me speed away at about 50% over the limit (60 in a 40 for
instance) Am I obligated to go that fast? What is this moral minimum
you have in mind? And who has to pay the tickets and increased
insurance?

>>You're just damn lucky. I get pulled over for just looking at cops.

> Maybe, but that's a pretty long winning streak. I only wish I had that
> kind of luck in Vegas...

I can give you suggestions on where and when to drive over the speed
limit next time you're in town.


From: Brent on
On 2010-03-04, Scott in SoCal <scottenaztlan(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last time on rec.autos.driving, Brent
><tetraethylleadREMOVETHIS(a)yahoo.com> said:
>
>>On 2010-03-04, Scott in SoCal <scottenaztlan(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> Last time on rec.autos.driving, Brent
>>><tetraethylleadREMOVETHIS(a)yahoo.com> said:
>>>
>>>>> I see you have a RADAR detector. Wouldn't you know if there was a cop
>>>>> shooting RADAR and only slow down if it were really necessary?
>>>>
>>>>Huh? I don't have a radar detector. Radar detectors are not white.
>>>
>>> Your video is back-lit and I can't tell what color it is. It and your
>>> rear-view mirror look like black blobs.
>>
>>Huh? It's right behind the rear view mirror. It's white, the mirror
>>plastic body is typical black.
>>
>>>>That's an IPass transponder.
>>>
>>> My mistake.
>>>
>>>>>>I thought you've said
>>>>>>you stay ticket free without a radar detector by being alert to cops
>>>>>>and not speeding in stupid places.
>>>>
>>>>> I speed past my local police station all the time.
>>>>
>>>>Good for you. Lots of people do. I however get subjected to all sorts of
>>>>selective enforcement, so I don't.
>>
>>> Well, that's your choice. But don't be surprised if you get tailgated
>>> because of it.
>>
>>So you're basically saying that I'm obligated to risk speeding tickets
>
> Learn to read plain English, and learn to stop putting words into
> other people's mouths.

I'm following along with each of your replies in context with the
others. You're the one arguing that those who are tailgated 'deserve
it'. The obvious argument you're constructing is that if I drive the
posted limit, I deserve / should expect to be tailgated. This logically
means I'm the one doing something (socially) wrong. Hence, an obligation
to risk speeding tickets to be socially acceptable. But that's the rub,
see, when I do something that 'everyone else does', I get enforced upon.
('everybody does it' is not an acceptable defense either)

Although I really do like the lack of attention driving the replacement
for the torqueless wonder car. Still don't trust enough to speed around
surface streets like everyone else though.



From: Brent on
On 2010-03-04, Scott in SoCal <scottenaztlan(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last time on rec.autos.driving, Brent
><tetraethylleadREMOVETHIS(a)yahoo.com> said:
>
>>>>> Well, that's your choice. But don't be surprised if you get tailgated
>>>>> because of it.
>>>>
>>>>So you're basically saying that I'm obligated to risk speeding tickets
>>>
>>> Learn to read plain English, and learn to stop putting words into
>>> other people's mouths.
>>
>>I'm following along with each of your replies in context with the
>>others. You're the one arguing that those who are tailgated 'deserve
>>it'.
>
> Once again with the words in my mouth. I never used the word
> "deserve," nor did I imply it. I made a simple cause-and-effect
> observation.

Go back a few posts. You certainly made it quite clear that people who
got tailgated were doing something to deserve it. This thread wouldn't
exist if you hadn't.

>>The obvious argument you're constructing is that if I drive the
>>posted limit, I deserve / should expect to be tailgated.

> "should expect to be" is the correct phrase.

>>This logically means I'm the one doing something (socially) wrong.

> Suppose I drove my Corvette down to a 7-Eleven on the South Side, and
> left the engine running with the key fob inside while I ran inside for
> a Slurpee. Is it wrong if someone steals my car? ABSOLUTELY. Should
> this result surprise me? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Can I form an effective
> strategy to avoid having my car stolen in this way? EASILY.

And this trimming and bizzaro attempt at analogy is supposed to mean
exactly what? If I were to take your advice and avoid tailgating by
speeding past police stations (as you admit doing) I would get a ticket
as certainly as your corvette would get stolen if left running parked on
state street in front of the dearborn homes (CHA housing project @~29th
and state in chicago)




From: N8N on
On Mar 4, 10:41 am, Scott in SoCal <scottenazt...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last time on rec.autos.driving, Brent
> <tetraethylleadREMOVET...(a)yahoo.com> said:
>
> >>>> Well, that's your choice. But don't be surprised if you get tailgated
> >>>> because of it.
>
> >>>So you're basically saying that I'm obligated to risk speeding tickets
>
> >> Learn to read plain English, and learn to stop putting words into
> >> other people's mouths.
>
> >I'm following along with each of your replies in context with the
> >others. You're the one arguing that those who are tailgated 'deserve
> >it'.
>
> Once again with the words in my mouth. I never used the word
> "deserve," nor did I imply it. I made a simple cause-and-effect
> observation.
>
> >The obvious argument you're constructing is that if I drive the
> >posted limit, I deserve / should expect to be tailgated.
>
> "should expect to be" is the correct phrase.
>
> >This logically means I'm the one doing something (socially) wrong.
>
> Suppose I drove my Corvette down to a 7-Eleven on the South Side, and
> left the engine running with the key fob inside while I ran inside for
> a Slurpee. Is it wrong if someone steals my car? ABSOLUTELY. Should
> this result surprise me? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Can I form an effective
> strategy to avoid having my car stolen in this way? EASILY.

I can't speak for Brent, but due to various factors that I cannot
control (namely, the combination of grossly underposted speed limits,
constant police presence, and the lack of understanding on the part of
my employer of the fact that the area in which I live in work is
ticket hell) I drive like a freaking Boy Scout. If I'm not obeying
the speed limit, then at least I am the slowest driver on the road,
and in the right lane. Being tailgated is an occasional fact of life,
and I'm unwilling to speed up to accomodate the tailgater and thus
risk a ticket (and possibly loss of my job.)

I also use my mirrors and signal all movements, but I'd do that
anyway. Not that anyone seems to notice or care.

nate