[Talk Host]

Every time a ticket is issued in any state, county or city, the fine that is imposed on the lawbreaker goes into the general operating fund of that political subdivision. Let's say at the end of a year, $2,000,000 in fines have been levied, based on, say, 250,000 speeding violations.

That $2,000,000 goes toward operation of that political subdivision. (Fines collected: A line item in the budget)

Now, let's go to next year. Fewer tickets are issued, fewer fines are levied, less money goes into the general fund. BUT that money was already earmarked, based on last years revenue. Let's say it's down by half....to $1,000,000.

Hey taxpayers, guess who's gonna make up the difference.

Now, I ask, who would you rather pay that difference, you as a tax payer, or a speeder as a lawbreaker?

JLK

[memason]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Every time a ticket is issued in any state, county or city, the fine that is imposed on the lawbreaker goes into the general operating fund of that political subdivision. Let's say at the end of a year, $2,000,000 in fines have been levied, based on, say, 250,000 speeding violations.

That $2,000,000 goes toward operation of that political subdivision. (Fines collected: A line item in the budget)

Now, let's go to next year. Fewer tickets are issued, fewer fines are levied, less money goes into the general fund. BUT that money was already earmarked, based on last years revenue. Let's say it's down by half....to $1,000,000.

Hey taxpayers, guess who's gonna make up the difference.

Now, I ask, who would you rather pay that difference, you as a tax payer, or a speeder as a lawbreaker?

JLK

This seems to validate the notion that the issuance of speeding citations is more about revenue generation than public safety.

I agree with that assessment.

I believe people break laws they feel are not reasonable. Many times, speed limits appear rather arbitrary and have little to do with protection of the traveling public.


Just my thinking ....

[Snowbird]

We live in a golf cart community, hence the lower speeds. Most people go 5 to 10 miles over the posted speeds. So if they are raised to 45, people will go 50 at least, then there goes a villager in a street legal golf cart doing its top speed of 25, bad things could definitely happen. I believe sections of Morse Blvd are posted at 45 and I have traveled it at 45 and been passed by much faster vehicles. We don't need Morse Blvd and Buena Vista to become shortcuts for speeding non-villagers at the peril of Villagers. So support the police and slow down. Just my opinion....

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Snowbird

We live in a golf cart community, hence the lower speeds. Most people go 5 to 10 miles over the posted speeds. So if they are raised to 45, people will go 50 at least, then there goes a villager in a street legal golf cart doing its top speed of 25, bad things could definitely happen. I believe sections of Morse Blvd are posted at 45 and I have traveled it at 45 and been passed by much faster vehicles. We don't need Morse Blvd and Buena Vista to become shortcuts for speeding non-villagers at the peril of Villagers. So support the police and slow down. Just my opinion....

I guessed that.

[BowleesCreekYachtClub]

Nothing is reasonable until someone gets killed.

In the United States in 2009 we managed to kill over 33,500 people in traffic accidents - it was a good year, down from 39,000 the previous year. Who knows how many were hospitalized and the degree of their injuries? It takes about 10 million road accidents a year to cause this carnage. Every day close to 100 more people gone and many more in hospital! These numbers make all of the disasters and wars we hear about every day in the news pale by comparison.

I think the traffic laws are reasonable and thank the police for enforcing them.

Allan.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

FYI NJblue: Buena Vista isNOT a 4-lane divided highway like 27/441--it is a RESIDENTIAL street. I'll bet you go crazy on Morse Blvd north of 466 where it is 30mph! I set my cruise control to 32mph because if I set it at 30 then people like you are riding my bumper. I have the opposite problem on 466: people driving 35 on a 45mph road! Go figure!

Just because people have their backyard facing a highway doesn't make it a residential street. If that were the case, there are interstate highways that would qualify as residential streets. Actually, 27/441 are more dangerous than Morse/BV from a traffic entering and leaving the highways perspective since there are many parking lots that cars exit to and enter from. With minor exceptions (e.g. rec centers), on Morse and BV the only place a car can enter or leave it are at controlled access points (roundabouts and traffic lights).

Also, I take exception to being characterized as a tailgater ("people like you") - here's a life lesson for you: just because someone advocates a change in a law, it doesn't mean that they are a law breaker or a discourteous driver. If you are behind me on Morse with your cruise control set at 32, you'll likely rear end me since mine is set at 30.

[rubicon]

The Talk Host explained that revnue from tickets is placed in the general fund. If less are collected the following year it is made up with tax increases. However based on taxpayers experiences over the years it more likely that despite the amount of revenue raised by issuance of tickets its likely they will see a tax increase. What the Talk Host didn't explain is what personal rewards or recognition a police officer is given for meeting departmental goals.Think about this such goals create a conflict of interests.

Another member points out that drivers usually o 5mph or more over the posted limits and so increase the limits they will just exceed that raised posted limit. But my experience after 5 years driving on these roads is that most drivers violate the highways by driving well below the posted limit. the same applies to carts and cartpaths. The fact is you have a great number of drivers of golf carts driving below 16mph.

Another member referenced the number of deaths on the highway but based on long term statistics both deaths and accidents are down despite the country moving from a 55mph speed to 70 mph or more. So you would think that the opposite would be true.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by rubicon

What the Talk Host didn't explain is what personal rewards or recognition a police officer is given for meeting departmental goals.Think about this such goals create a conflict of interests.
.

If you are a carpenter, you are expected to build things. If you are a doctor,your job is to treat patients. If you are a dog catcher, your job is to catch dogs. If you are a police officer, your job is to enforce the law.

If you are a police chief and have 20 officers. 18 of them issue about 50 tickets a month, but two of them issue 5 or none, who is not doing his job?

Every job has quotas, more specifically productivity requirements to meet. In my broadcasting profession, my job was to get listeners. If I hadn't met my quota, I would have been fired.

If a newspaper carrier delivers only 50 of his 75 papers, he's not doing his job.

If a bulldozer operator moves only part of the dirt, he's gone.

I believe that there is an understandable confusion between quotas and job performance.

What would you think of a cop who sat on the side of the road and watched speeders whiz by and did nothing about it.

One more question. For those who grind an axe about speed enforcement.

At what speed above the limit should a person receive a ticket, or should that decision be left up to the individual driver?

JLK

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

At what speed above the limit should a person receive a ticket, or should that decision be left up to the individual driver?

JLK

It should be left up to the driver.....no wait.....12 miles over the speed limit....hmmmmmmm maybe........oh forget it I can't decide.

Do whatever you want but be prepared to pay the price and don't complain if you're caught.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

If you are a carpenter, you are expected to build things. If you are a doctor,your job is to treat patients. If you are a dog catcher, your job is to catch dogs. If you are a police officer, your job is to enforce the law.

If you are a police chief and have 20 officers. 18 of them issue about 50 tickets a month, but two of them issue 5 or none, who is not doing his job?

Every job has quotas, more specifically productivity requirements to meet. In my broadcasting profession, my job was to get listeners. If I hadn't met my quota, I would have been fired.

If a newspaper carrier delivers only 50 of his 75 papers, he's not doing his job.

If a bulldozer operator moves only part of the dirt, he's gone.

I believe that there is an understandable confusion between quotas and job performance.

What would you think of a cop who sat on the side of the road and watched speeders whiz by and did nothing about it.

One more question. For those who grind an axe about speed enforcement.

At what speed above the limit should a person receive a ticket, or should that decision be left up to the individual driver?

JLK

Talk Host I agree with the aforementioned but many of the job position you cite may not create a conflict because they have quotas or goals.

Others however do because the goal becomes the goal. I had a New York ropper give me a ticket for going 60 mph in a 55mph. It didn't matter that I was just entering the on ramp and trying to gain enough speed to merge with traffic. the guy sat right there at the underpass waiting. Was this guy ensuring that he made his monthly goal? The insurance company I was with had strict underwriting rules and that one ticket forced me to pay higher premuims I have great respect for the work police do but again there are some guys out there that abuse their powers.. I would accept that in my chosen profession and so why would I accept it with another

[rubicon]

Correction I would not accept that in my profession . so I would not accept thatother professions. this is the very last time ever I will have discussion about the police because I suffer cognitive dissodance.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by rubicon

The Talk Host explained that revnue from tickets is placed in the general fund. If less are collected the following year it is made up with tax increases. However based on taxpayers experiences over the years it more likely that despite the amount of revenue raised by issuance of tickets its likely they will see a tax increase. What the Talk Host didn't explain is what personal rewards or recognition a police officer is given for meeting departmental goals.Think about this such goals create a conflict of interests.

Another member points out that drivers usually o 5mph or more over the posted limits and so increase the limits they will just exceed that raised posted limit. But my experience after 5 years driving on these roads is that most drivers violate the highways by driving well below the posted limit. the same applies to carts and cartpaths. The fact is you have a great number of drivers of golf carts driving below 16mph.

Another member referenced the number of deaths on the highway but based on long term statistics both deaths and accidents are down despite the country moving from a 55mph speed to 70 mph or more. So you would think that the opposite would be true.

Good point, rubicon. Another study revealed the number of fatalities per mile is greater on secondary roads than limited access highways in spite of higher speed limits on the latter.

My own experience, on a limited access highway, has shown someone in a pickup towing a overloaded trailer travelling at 45MPH creates a greater hazard than a car travelling at 75MPH.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by rubicon

I had a New York ropper give me a ticket for going 60 mph in a 55mph. It didn't matter that I was just entering the on ramp and trying to gain enough speed to merge with traffic.

Did you exercise your right to fight this ticket in court?

JLK

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Did you exercise your right to fight this ticket in court?

JLK

That's a great use of someone's time! Just because it can be fought doesn't mean the officer used good judgement in the first place.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

That's a great use of someone's time! Just because it can be fought doesn't mean the officer used good judgement in the first place.

No, but we have a recourse available to us. If we don't exercise our rights as citizens to defend ourselves, we are fostering the use of bad judgement on the part of a few police officers.

It's the same as complaining publicly about a meal at a restaurant but not discussing it with the manager.

JLK