OT: undercover cops in construction zones
07-24-2002, 02:53 PM
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Chris,
I respectfully disagree. The majority of tickets are paid by mail as most people consider it a waste of time to appear in court on these petty "guilty as charged" issues. If the fines did not cover administrative costs, the State, county, and municipalities would quickly resolve that issue. If the opposite were true, there would be much less emphasis put on traffic enforcement and the like. Without knowledge of the statistics, it seems apparent that the local government, and most probably the State, put a HUGE emphasis on traffic enforcement for revenue generation. Additionally, the manpower and resouces available for anything other than reactive response by police agencies are negligible. Given the current perception and exposure of police by the media, I can understand your desire to have as little contact with the general public as possible.
Sincerely,
Mark S.
I respectfully disagree. The majority of tickets are paid by mail as most people consider it a waste of time to appear in court on these petty "guilty as charged" issues. If the fines did not cover administrative costs, the State, county, and municipalities would quickly resolve that issue. If the opposite were true, there would be much less emphasis put on traffic enforcement and the like. Without knowledge of the statistics, it seems apparent that the local government, and most probably the State, put a HUGE emphasis on traffic enforcement for revenue generation. Additionally, the manpower and resouces available for anything other than reactive response by police agencies are negligible. Given the current perception and exposure of police by the media, I can understand your desire to have as little contact with the general public as possible.
Sincerely,
Mark S.
07-24-2002, 03:53 PM
#12
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Originally posted by Risk Taker
I got another one. Read a story the other day where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (don't know the town) are posing as squeegie bums to check for seat belt violators. Now it'll cost you to get busted !!!!
I got another one. Read a story the other day where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (don't know the town) are posing as squeegie bums to check for seat belt violators. Now it'll cost you to get busted !!!!
07-24-2002, 04:12 PM
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more grist for the mill.......
From: Eric Skrum (National Motorists Association) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 12:07 PM
To: National Motorists Association
Subject: Alert to all NMA Members
Dear NMA member,
In a recent issue of NMAF NEWS, Jim Baxter, President of the NMA, mentioned the strong possibility that local and state governments would be turning to traffic law enforcement campaigns to compensate for overspending and lost tax revenues. It appears that Mr. Baxter's prediction was not in error.
A combination of newspaper articles, member reports, and other indicators that we track suggest a tremendous increase in the use of speed traps, road blocks, ticket quotas, and intensified enforcement in general. Red light cameras and photo radar are being promoted across the country and the revenue enhancement potentials are thinly disguised by the claims of improved safety (a complete fabrication).
While our estimates are somewhat subjective, they are based on solid information. We believe the average motorist probably has twice the chance of receiving a traffic citation this summer, than they did last summer. The three big cash machines are speed traps (intensified enforcement of underposted limits), red light cameras (augmented through the use of short yellow lights), and DWI enforcement (encouraged by the spread of .08 BAC laws and the huge fine receipts).
We are recommending to all our members that they remain especially vigilant when traveling in communities or on highways where there is a history of motorist exploitation. You may also want to review the NMA's Speed Trap web site before traveling in unfamiliar surroundings, www.speedtrap.org . If you do find yourself a victim of this current "enforcement for profit" binge, remember the main NMA web site www.motorists.org has a great deal of helpful information for contesting traffic tickets.
Heads up and good luck!
Eric Skrum
Communications Director
Celebrating 20 years of protecting your rights!
National Motorists Association 608/849-6000
[email protected] www.motorists.org
Advocating, Protecting, and Representing the Rights of North American
Motorists
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 12:07 PM
To: National Motorists Association
Subject: Alert to all NMA Members
Dear NMA member,
In a recent issue of NMAF NEWS, Jim Baxter, President of the NMA, mentioned the strong possibility that local and state governments would be turning to traffic law enforcement campaigns to compensate for overspending and lost tax revenues. It appears that Mr. Baxter's prediction was not in error.
A combination of newspaper articles, member reports, and other indicators that we track suggest a tremendous increase in the use of speed traps, road blocks, ticket quotas, and intensified enforcement in general. Red light cameras and photo radar are being promoted across the country and the revenue enhancement potentials are thinly disguised by the claims of improved safety (a complete fabrication).
While our estimates are somewhat subjective, they are based on solid information. We believe the average motorist probably has twice the chance of receiving a traffic citation this summer, than they did last summer. The three big cash machines are speed traps (intensified enforcement of underposted limits), red light cameras (augmented through the use of short yellow lights), and DWI enforcement (encouraged by the spread of .08 BAC laws and the huge fine receipts).
We are recommending to all our members that they remain especially vigilant when traveling in communities or on highways where there is a history of motorist exploitation. You may also want to review the NMA's Speed Trap web site before traveling in unfamiliar surroundings, www.speedtrap.org . If you do find yourself a victim of this current "enforcement for profit" binge, remember the main NMA web site www.motorists.org has a great deal of helpful information for contesting traffic tickets.
Heads up and good luck!
Eric Skrum
Communications Director
Celebrating 20 years of protecting your rights!
National Motorists Association 608/849-6000
[email protected] www.motorists.org
Advocating, Protecting, and Representing the Rights of North American
Motorists
