  Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9358 Registered: 10-2003 |
Seeing that Mike Cox is crying about potentially losing State Troopers and so many cities are complaining that they are understaffed how can there be so many speedtraps. When will the state and cities just admit that the speedtraps are to generate revenue, not protect the public. Put the officers on the street, set up speedtraps in communities with children, put them on something that benefits taxpayers moreso than speed traps. Yesterday on my way from work I saw 4 people pulled over and 2 additional cops lurking in a span of 6 miles. F'in ridiculous. C'mon Michigan, admit they are a revenue source or have them 'protect and serve' Sorry for my rant for the day. It just seems to me that the worse our economy gets the more speedtraps you see. | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 740 Registered: 02-2004 |
Not so much as I was when I was the one speeding. Now that I've slowed down some, it seems necessary. 1) People drive crazy when the sun comes out. Case and point, coming in to work this morning, this A-Ho was swerving down 75, and I don't mean lane to lane, i mean far left lane to shoulder to far right lane.. all in stride. Looked very out of control. 2) Troopers gotta make their money somewhere and seems like the most logical choice. Get people to slow down and obey the law before something bad happpens. And with construction on a ton of streets here, an accident would have me cursing at a higher octave than I already do. You might see more stories like this: <b>Man in wheelchair has 'ride of a lifetime'</b> In an incident that stunned police, a 21-year-old man did not suffer an injury after his wheelchair was lodged in the grill of a tractor-trailer truck and pushed for about four miles before he was discovered stuck on the truck's front end. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/UPDATE/706070460 (Message edited by Genesyxx on June 07, 2007) | ||
Dannaroo Member Username: Dannaroo Post Number: 61 Registered: 05-2006 |
While I agree that speed traps are not the best use of the departments' resources, I have no sympathy for those speeding and in fact would welcome an occasional speed trap along my daily commute route if it would slow down some of the yahoos out there. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9359 Registered: 10-2003 |
I agree some speedtraps make sense to target the people Genesyxx mentioned and protect construction workers. There is a fine line between protection/enforcement and raising revenue. When you see 6 speedtraps in 6 miles I question the integrity of the claim that they are looking out for the best in the public's interest. I have no sympathy for people that get tickets they deserve but I think that speedtraps would be much better suited near schools, and neighborhoods. How often do we hear of children killed by speeding motorists? | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 651 Registered: 05-2005 |
If youre not speeding , it shouldnt be a problem. Driving 55 also saves gas | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 1929 Registered: 02-2004 |
Driving a small, efficient car saves gas too. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1402 Registered: 12-2005 |
No one likes to go less than 50 mph anymore, more if they drive a Dodge Ram truck or Ford SUV. Drivers speed through residential areas, shopping center parking lots. I am old enough to remember when police departments ran traffic patrols and actively pulled over speeders. Now they take it easy and run speed traps or easy-catch infractions like no right-on-reds with unusual hours. Then there is Detroit, where you are free to do as you please. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 924 Registered: 04-2006 |
>Then there is Detroit, where you are free to do as you please. I saw a few unhappy faces being pulled over when I was there a couple weeks ago... Also, the state police have been patroling the freeways in the city for quite some time. | ||
Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 549 Registered: 05-2005 |
43,000 Americans are slaughtered each year by automobiles. Another 250,000 Americans are maimed. Drivers are out of control and need to be reigned in. Speed traps slow these assholes down and save lives. Bring on 10x the amount of speed traps. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 925 Registered: 04-2006 |
"Drivers are out of control and need to be reigned in. Speed traps slow these assholes down and save lives. Bring on 10x the amount of speed traps." Is that caused by speeding or reckless driving? | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9360 Registered: 10-2003 |
So the state and the cities have unlimited funds for State Troopers and PDs? Good to hear. My issue does not have to do with my speed but the use of limited amount of officers. I haven't had a ticket in almost a decade and don't plan on getting one since I am a reasonable driver. I would just prefer the resources being out in the community. | ||
Belleislerunner Member Username: Belleislerunner Post Number: 309 Registered: 12-2003 |
An added benefit of the "speed traps" is that the officers then have the ability to run the driver's license and check for any outstanding warrants/criminal activity. Since we can't arrest those who jump subway turn styles maybe this can be our method to crack down. No one is entrapped. The sign gives the speed limit. Everyone going over the sign is guilty of breaking the law. It comes down to who is mature enough to accept responsibility for their actions. | ||
Downtownguy Member Username: Downtownguy Post Number: 23 Registered: 07-2004 |
"Also, the state police have been patrolling the freeways in the city for quite some time." Really? Where? About the only time I see a state cop on the Detroit Freeways is when there's an accident. I heard a statistic on NPR yesterday that more accidents are caused by speeding than drunk driving. Sure, many of us are guilty of going 5-10 mph over, but the yahoos that drive recklessly should be stopped. It used to be fun to drive, but not anymore! | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1532 Registered: 11-2003 |
quote: I got pulled over for speeding by the state police in Detroit on I-75 at Grand Blvd way back in 1998. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 926 Registered: 04-2006 |
>Really? Where? They used to patrol I-96 heavily between the Southfield Fwy and I-94, and the Lodge as well. I'm not sure if they still do as often since I don't live in Michigan anymore. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1533 Registered: 01-2005 |
Gang, if you simply obey the speed limit signs you'll have no trouble. I'm heading back for Michigan tomorrow morning via I-40. Arizona and New Mexico have a 75 mph speed limit on that freeway. I'll set the cruise control for 72, stay in the right lane except to pass, and I'll have no trouble. If I hit construction, I'll obey the reduced speed to the number. Been driving since 1952 and never had a ticket. | ||
Downtownguy Member Username: Downtownguy Post Number: 24 Registered: 07-2004 |
Susanarosa, that's my point. It's been a while since I've seen speeders get tickets on Detroit freeways. And, as Belleislerunner says, it's also a form of community policing. | ||
Blueidone Member Username: Blueidone Post Number: 82 Registered: 03-2007 |
The recent "traps" are not to catch speeders so much as to catch those not using their seatbelts. There is a huge push on for this. Admittedly this push, as well as saving lives, is for the purpose of raising revenue, whether they admit it or not. They need to balance the budget somehow :-) | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 213 Registered: 04-2006 |
The thing is, speed traps don't target "yahoos." Many of them are designed to catch nearly everyone, even people who don't usually speed. The section of Woodward where it passes under 696, for example, has concrete retaining walls and "feels" like an expressway, plus it runs steeply downhill. It's very easy to go over 45 there without realizing it, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area, and there's often a Pleasant Ridge or Royal Oak cop (strategically parked where they're blocked from view by the multiple overpasses and the grade of the road) waiting to pull people over. That type of thing is pure revenue. | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 346 Registered: 11-2003 |
Glad to hear the police are working and keeping the speeds down. I would like to hear this more, that is until I get pulled over. Maybe they can get the slow Ontario/Ohio/Michigan drivers out of the far left lane and into the right lanes. Also, it would be nice to get some of the people text messaging and talking on their phones off the road also. | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 214 Registered: 04-2006 |
I'd rather hear that the police are working and keeping armed robberies, murders, carjackings, and rapes down, but on this thread I seem to be very much in the minority. | ||
Kevgoblu Member Username: Kevgoblu Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2007 |
Exactly. If our local police force was truly concerned about public safety they would sit in the most visable spot possible, to slow down traffic. Rather, you find them parked up the onramp or sitting on the back side of a curve or hill. Hence, the phrase speed"trap". | ||
Dexterpointing Member Username: Dexterpointing Post Number: 114 Registered: 05-2007 |
if detroiters learned how to actually drive and acted responsible then you would'nt have these problems. i have not recieved 1 ticket in the last 25 yrs. Sorry, detroiters are the worst drivers ever and no damn courtesy. | ||
Belleislerunner Member Username: Belleislerunner Post Number: 310 Registered: 12-2003 |
This is what as known as preventive enforcement. By policing the community and removing criminals who are out driving, the police are preventing potential future crimes from occurring. Going after a murder or armed robbery is detective enforcement in that a crime has already taken place and now the police are trying to identify the responsible parties. In "speed traps" the police are the proactive parties - removing the criminals before they strike. | ||
Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 550 Registered: 05-2005 |
Excellent point. | ||
Yvette248 Member Username: Yvette248 Post Number: 581 Registered: 10-2006 |
I agree with Bear. While vast amount of law enforcement are ticketing people going 5 miles over the speed limit (which by the way, does NOT create traffic accidents), crime in our neighborhoods are going through the roof. Drug dealers, child pornography, and thieves can roam around scott free - as long as they obey the speed limit. STUPID! | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 215 Registered: 04-2006 |
Belleislerunner, I'm somewhat confused by your logic. How could issuing a speeding ticket to someone who may or may not go on to commit a crime possibly prevent anything? By the time someone has an outstanding warrant or other cause for arrest they've already committed a crime. The only difference with speed traps is that cops waste an awful lot of time writing up otherwise law-abiding people for an extremely trivial infraction. And nobody's going to decide against murdering someone on Tuesday because they got a speeding ticket on Monday. (Message edited by BearInABox on June 07, 2007) | ||
Bongman Member Username: Bongman Post Number: 1488 Registered: 12-2003 |
There isn't a person in this town who speeds when it rains. It must drive cops nuts. Worst rain drivers I've ever seen...most are doing 37 in a 50. You leave a little bit more time to stop....no reason to crawl like there's 3 inches of snow. On a Sunday, forget it. Everybody's touring. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 584 Registered: 01-2007 |
Genesyxx that is one of the funniest stories I have seen yet. I say get rid of the speed limit all together, and let the cops fight crime, not us innocent speeders. BTW, if you don’t want a speeding ticket, don’t stop! They wont chase unless you did a "real" crime, or have a guy lodged in your grill. Also, I think if drivers are all armed, there would be a lot less 'road rage'. | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 652 Registered: 05-2005 |
Driving a small, efficient car saves gas too. ------------------------------ ---------------- haha! we are having 40 -50 mph gust of wind up here right now, with gusts up to 75 mph expected tonight along with severe thunderstorms, you drive your little car in that. I will drive my Explorer 55 and save gas, thanks | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1398 Registered: 12-2004 |
The speed limit on Detroit city freeways should be 70 mph, just like every other freeway in the state. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 927 Registered: 04-2006 |
"BTW, if you don’t want a speeding ticket, don’t stop! They wont chase unless you did a "real" crime, or have a guy lodged in your grill." Yeah, it's only a felony... | ||
Belleislerunner Member Username: Belleislerunner Post Number: 311 Registered: 12-2003 |
Bear - Fair question. The logic is that perhaps 80% of the people who are pulled over are normal law abiding citizens. Numbers are purely hypothetical. The other 20% are criminals, or engaging in criminal activity, (e.g. drugs in vehicle, carrying an illegal gun, outstanding warrant). In these instances, the police are able to charge these individuals with their crime/jail outstanding warrants before they have the opportunity to commit a more heinous crime. This follows the logic that the majority of criminals, while certainly not all, have a pattern of criminal activity. It's a theory that the NYC police have used with great success and you do have the right to disagree as it's merely one way to aid in riding the streets of crime. What methods would you employ to catch prior criminals before they strike again? | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 512 Registered: 06-2005 |
If our state police force is so understaffed why are they wasting their time targeting drunk drivers? Oh yeah; because they kill 1000's of innocent people every year! As someone mentioned earlier sober speeders cause even more fatalities than drunk drivers. I've passed many a speed trap and have never been pulled over at 5-10mph over the posted speed. Those that have to worry are normally well over the speed limit and are endangering others. They are just as guilty of breaking the law as a drunk driver. | ||
Dannaroo Member Username: Dannaroo Post Number: 64 Registered: 05-2006 |
quote: Do you have some sort of report to back up this statement of fact? | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 643 Registered: 06-2005 |
This is nothing new. Municipalities such as Rochester Hills, Livonia and so on have 'performance evaluation' scores within the force. So, if you want to keep your job, you know what you need to do. Don't take my word, help yourself to a Google search by typing in keywords such as traffic, ticket, detroit, michigan, speed. | ||
Downtownguy Member Username: Downtownguy Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2004 |
"Why we Speed" is the current topic on NPR program "Talk of the Nation" on now: 101.9 Detroit or 91.7 Ann Arbor. A stream of the program is available later today from: http://www.npr.org/ | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 1937 Registered: 02-2004 |
Every Friday night, there is a state police car parked at the merge lane of I75 at 696. It wouldn't be worth mentioning, except when I see them, I have just completed a typically hair-raising drive home from downtown (this is at 2:15-30 am when I finish my afternoon shift). I dodge so many drunks my commute seems like a video game. Where are these guys where they're needed? If it isn't some mo-ron in an Escalade drifting from lane to lane at 80MPH, it's the fleets of those little buzzy fucking motorcycle guys freaking the drunks out. | ||
Awfavre Member Username: Awfavre Post Number: 124 Registered: 08-2005 |
I’m probably going to regret doing this, but oh well. Miss_cleo, I genuinely do not understand your “logic.” My understanding of physics tells me a larger object, such as a Ford Explorer, may, in fact, experience greater problems in high winds than a smaller object, such as a “little car,” based on the amount of area being exposed to said high winds. Of course, there are many variables, including the force behind gusts, and the rake, sheer, weight, and so on of the object at issue, but the principle remains the same. (I won’t include the mechanical condition of the vehicle at issue or the capabilities of the driver in this discussion.) Of course, I was but a simple English major in college, so I could be wrong. And with all due respect, your being “up [wherever the heck you are North of I-69]” does not automatically mandate an SUV to be able to safely navigate the roads. I have relatives who live a hell of a lot further North than you (do Negaunee & Marquette count?), & they drive your standard Chevy Lumina, Chevy Cavalier, etc., etc. Having driven said types of vehicles their entire tenure in the U.P., they have never had any problems getting through the high winds & the lake effect snow coming off Lake Superior. | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 653 Registered: 05-2005 |
I totally fail to understand the continued comparision as to where I live and what I drive to others that you *know* and what they drive....lol have I ever told any of you what my family drives in Detroit and that you should feel safe in the same? NO, yet you contniue to insist that I dont need my Explorer, get over it will ya. This is what I drive, what I FEEL I need for safety, hauling my family and getting through the dirt, hilly, winding roads that I live on. Good grief, its like a broken record around here. *so and so lives here, so you should drive what they drive* *I know some one who is farther North than you so you should drive this* Maybe, just maybe, those people you know live close to or in the cities where hugh snow drifts are taken care of right away and driving isnt a problem. My area sure isnt high on the plow list and I have to get through til they get to us. Hey, I know people who drive go carts to work in the D, THATS what YOU should be driving, its no problem for them! | ||
Flybydon Member Username: Flybydon Post Number: 136 Registered: 01-2005 |
http://www.speedtrap.org/speed traps/ste.asp?state=MI&city=De troit | ||
Awfavre Member Username: Awfavre Post Number: 125 Registered: 08-2005 |
No, Miss_cleo, I am not insisting you drive this, that, or the other thing. I’ve never once suggested you don’t need your Explorer. Frankly, I don’t care what you chose to spend your money on. I do, however, take issue with generalizations that in certain climes, small cars are unsafe for those areas. That simply is not true, based on my experience, as well as those of my close friends & family. Moreover, with respect to my sounding like a “broken record,” I believe you once solicited ideas for a suitable vehicle to drive in your area. I, apparently, made the mistake of responding to that request by telling you what people who live in similar areas drove. Please do forgive me for responding to your request on that single occasion. I promise I will never make that mistake again. | ||
Detroitfan Member Username: Detroitfan Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2007 |
I spend a lot of time on Detroit freeways and pass speed traps going 77 all the time. This never even gets a look up from the officer. You really need to be going 20 over in a 70 to draw their attention. If you are going that fast you deserve a ticket. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 587 Registered: 01-2007 |
Awfavre, I dont get much of that scientific mumbo-jumbo, but from what I gather bigger is better. That is why my next vehicle is going to be a Ford F-650. At 90 MPH I will get about 2 BPG (blocks per gallon) and I'll have plenty of mow over power. My winning smile will get me out of tickets. | ||
Hpgrmln Member Username: Hpgrmln Post Number: 17 Registered: 06-2007 |
I see no excuse for people going 70 on Jefferson (which I have seen) and people at 80 on Freeways going from lane-to-lane majorly cutting off other cars. Sadly, if theyre dumb enough to try, theyre likely dumb enough not to learn a lesson when they get ticketed. | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 1525 Registered: 01-2004 |
Speed traps and hiding police are bullshit. Get out in the damn traffic and patrol. Nothing slows traffic faster than SEEING the police. Hiding like a spider waiting for a fly is cowardice and a cynical revenue ploy. Nothing to do with law enforcement. It is a form of tax, and Michigan is famous nationwide for being the worst place for speed traps. Another thing is that at high volume times like morning and night rush hour - cops are all gone. They should be in the traffic at these times, but that would be frustrating, so they dont bother. Since State Police have been basically grounded with a 40 mile a day limit, suddenly I see them hiding on every single expressway ramp. This is humiliating for the officers, and just a waste of police presence. I recently got my first ticket in about 16 years driving through East Detroit on 8 mile. Theres a speed trap at that abortion clinic that has been there for decades. I got a $200 ticket with 2 points for 5 over. Hm. That seems fair...not. I pled 'no contest with explanation' and got it down to $100 with no points. WTF ? Stay otta East Detroit, they're broke and lookin for your dollars. oh, sorry - east "pointe"....heh | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 1526 Registered: 01-2004 |
"and protect construction workers. " Heres an interesting pickle, I was driving on I-94 headed north/east after entering on the 13 mile ramp. As soon as I got on the road, I observed extremely heavy construction. Second thing I see is a fat ol St Clair Shores cruiser sitting on the side picking off easy meat. Third thing I see is the "45 MPH when workers present". I scan the horizons but see no workers. I also see no alternative sign, i.e. how fast I can go when no workers are present. The cop came blazing out of his spider hole and nabbed the person right next to me going the same speed. I was going about 50 when I got onto the expressway, but started to slow when confronted with all the conflicting indicators. After going around a turn and over a slight hill, I see workers off on the horizon (two men standing next to a machine) , and finally a "60 MPH" sign, and then another "45 when workers present". Does the "workers present" sign mean workers somewhere down the road, even out of sight ? Or does it mean in your viewable driving area ? I sure dont want to get a ticket to find that out. Tell me that the SCS officer wasnt sitting in that spot on purpose, where he could feed on the confusion, and reap those double fines for the construction zone. He was visible and I saw him - and still could not figure out what exactly I was supposed to be doing. No - people should not speed or drive recklessly, and no people should never endanger workers. But there is a responsibility on the part of the State or County or the companies or whoever to make these areas very clear in their signage. | ||
Unclefrank Member Username: Unclefrank Post Number: 61 Registered: 03-2006 |
Mauser765 makes some excellent points. A visible police presence has an excellent influence on how people behave while driving. Also, I call these areas revenue traps. They can be a sudden speed reduction around a corner, a fast yellow light,etc. They may make money, but they kill community support for law enforcement. Eastpoint is a perfect example. They couldn't get a law enforcement millage passed if they were getting invaded by the Mongel Army. | ||
Sturge Member Username: Sturge Post Number: 21 Registered: 05-2007 |
Wish they'd stop worrying about the people drifting a little over the speed limit. Don't they have bigger crimes to worry about preventing? | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9419 Registered: 12-2003 |
Mauser, I'm sure they designate an area where the workers can roam free without having to relocate the damn signs. Either way, it should NOT be up to the driver to judge whether they perceive workers or not. Orange signs and cones, 45 mph, all seem reasonable in a designated construction area. That said, I cannot believe this is a surprise, it was only a few months ago when the city was boasting about the new police cruisers loaded with high technology goodies to aid in their surveying traffic. Somebody has to pay for 'em. I'd bet the increased traffic ticketing was part of the package sold to whomever made this purchase decision. Cheers, driving the speed limit in the far-right-hand lane. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9420 Registered: 12-2003 |
Of any newfangled 'tax', I think I like this one best. |
