http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/29/MNG6M6CG7E19.DTL And no, TVRfreak, I do not agree with this practice.
Heh, I have received so many warnings about this. Bastards...someone come up with a countermeasure that will make the guns explode. Please!
The good thing about tag-team operations is that you have to have BOTH officers in court to proceed with the trial. So you have twice as much chance of at least one of the officers not showing up. And the ones in the airplanes are pretty busy...they don't usually show. Guess how I know.
The technology IS out there. It's called a police scanner and I just installed it one in my 996. You don't even have to listen to it... it will detect California state troopers by their radio extending services. No need for an extra antenna on your car either... splices into your existing antenna.
And what does it tell you, that there's an officer out there somewhere? Hardly helpful. Or am I missing something? Redhead, I looked into this about a month ago at ScannerWorld in San Mateo. Didn't seem too helpful. But I could be wrong. Matterhorn, how do you use it?
Here is a link to my installation: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=129659 Note that mobile scanners are not legal in all states, and work more effectively in some states over others. Basically the concept is simple: State Troopers have mobile extenders in their vehicle which automatically transmit all messages to their handheld radios (the things on their shoulders), and back from their handheld radios to their vehicle to the dispatch (since highway patrol are often far from anything and obviously their handheld don't transmit far enough, so they go through the vehicle). When a cop is parked off the side of the road his mobile extender is on, in case he has to leave his vehicle. A lot of scanners will just detect this signal and give you a "beep" warning, similar to a radar detector. The officer doesn't have to be transmitting, only receiving, which is of course all the time. The big myth is that you have to listen to the scanners and that is indeed a pain, but detecting state trooper vehicles is quite easy... assuming you live in a state that uses this technology. Most do. For those who want to get more advance, scanners will easily pick up air-to-ground communications for speed traps which involve a traffic helicopter or a small plane. They generally only pick up communications from within a few miles, so if you hear anything, yes, you know there is a unit near by. And if you're doing 80 in a 65 (GASP!) and happen to be in a "ultra enforcement" day, it can save you. They are also just a great backup to radar, since speedtraps will often use multiple vehicles with the first unit having its radar off.
matterhorn, my friend put one in his Lotus Esprit last month. He and I have been in a few high-speed "incidences" and we try to protect ourselves with technology/knowledge as much as possible. It is a useful tool to have in your arsenal, no doubt. I speed like a demon, and for some reason, I seem to zone out so sometimes even radar detector beeps don't register until it's too late. Or I might be speeding so much that slowing down means I still get ticketed, but at 85 instead of 125...thinking about this some more, it make sense to get a scanner. Every little precaution helps. So thanks! I will certainly be getting one put in. The first time I avoid a trap, it will have paid for itself. I do keep my eyes peeled, and I do try to speed only where I can see there are no cops, or where I can blend in (as much as possible). Still, I got ticketed last year, due to a CHP airplane-and-car tag team. Luckily, my awesome attorney *****-slapped the judge and I walked out of the courtroom smiling.
You and I think the same. I can't emphasize enough that a scanner is exactly what you said... a useful tool to have in your arsenal. It's not a silver bullet and it's not a substitude for a radar detector or attentive driving. But it's just a relatively cheap way to help level the playing field. I just went through a long process in deciding which scanner to get installed. PM me if you want to discuss any details. This is probably the finest example of using technology to your advantage: http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8540
Awesome installation. I was in the first leg of the Gumball3000...bu tI don't think I met you. Remember the nutcase in the silver GT2 with the Union Jack on the roof and 1 CPU license plate? He and I had a few "adventures" even before the start!
That wasn't mine, but a link to Ken's 600HP 996TT. Mine is a bit more humble... but I'm off to a good start. You doing the Player's Run?
Nah, don't see the point of paying someone else so I can drive my car and end up far from home Markus, just kidding!
Wow. One more way the Governator is bringing in $$$ to pay off all the red ink his predecessor left him, I guess. That sux.
God frickin damnit. Just what we needed. Hey, how about actually TRAINING officers how to drive (I still think giving officers high pursuit vehicles is just BEGGING for collateral deaths), and also NOT handing out licenses like they're candy??? And yeah, I'm sure this guy's really driven by saving one more life. Call me cycnical, but it's exactly as Dave puts it: revenue generation. Watch out, and this'll become like the UK! --Dan
i'm going to have to agree with you. it's like instead of busting the drug dealer you bust the drug buyer. it doesn't solve the problem. it's a simple solution and easy way to make money for the state. for a while i couldn't figure out why maryland was one of the few states making money the past few years. but after driving for a while i realized that the cops here are anal about the tickets.
Speaking of teaching officers how to drive, they should teach them how to ride too. One of San Jose's finest followed me (on a motorcycle) for 3 miles today, trying to catch me out. I stayed at a cool 65 and pretended not to notice him. When he saw that I wasn't spooked, he accelerated hard and then swerved out of my view. I had been watching him carefully, and, not sure of his intentions, decided to give him a wide berth. I started switching lanes, to the right, when I realized the imbecile had decided to overtake me from THE WRONG SIDE... wide open highway, no other traffic, 9am on a Saturday morning, and he can't overtake on the left. WTF?! My car almost took him out, but I swerved back in my lane. It sure made him sit up straight, and, realizing his mistake, he decided to lecture me while we are driving/riding along side-by-side at 65. His mistake (one which could well have been fatal), and he has the nerve to lecture me. I couldn't make out much between his helmet, the wind, and my windows, but I pretended to look very "stricken" and made nodding motions. What he didn't notice was that I had both my middle fingers extended discreetly . The hex worked and I sped up to 110 to make up for lost time as the ingrate peeled off for an exit.
"officers wrote 350 tickets during the morning shift alone".... Let's see, 350 tickets at ~$100 per ticket = $35,000!!!!! Over what, a 4-5 hour shift? $7000+/hr? No **** it's about revenue!
At least the article had a laugh: "Please, officer, all 11 of my grandparents died today and my dog and cat are living together, please gimme a break.'' Suck hard as it does, Money went to local Gov. - not State.
There are a lot of ways to get a California speeding ticket dismissed if you know the procedures and are willing to take the time and effort. I don't understand why people just send in their money and then pay the increased premiums or risk having their drivers license suspended. Many companies are now doing background checks which include your MVR. If they see a pattern of speeding they will not hire you. If it is a job driving a company vehicle you are SOL if you have two or more tickets in the last three years. Many insurers are now starting to exclude teenagers that have several tickets from the family policy. That means buying a separate policy for big bucks or taking the bus. It pays to contest every speeding ticket or take driving school so it will not show on your record. lwpat http://www.speedingticketcentral.com
