Failure to Stop: Red Toyota Corolla S

I Second AND Third that motion. Absolutely correct.....
Its bad enough people dont take responsibility for their actions, but when our judicial system and courts dont enforce nor handout severe enough punishments to the law breakers, thats when society becomes demoralized. Why would someone not speed if the chance of getting caught is almost nil? If they, by chance, do get caught, they get a warning, maybe a ticket for $50 or something.....on and on. The punishments are a joke, yet the consequences could be someone's life. Wow! nice tradeoff.
Now if anyone who sped, got tacked with a $500 fine and points and higher insurance rates.....that would be a deterent. What we have in place now is a joke.

DwArFlOrD

 

nah, if they speed make them sit by the side of the road for a half hour. too many have more money than time (they think), so charge them what they perceive as the more valuable commodity.

 

I find it very hard to believe that those of you complaining about speeding, never speed. Glass houses people, glass houses.

 

Sure, I speed, but not in a residential area. This is far beyond simple speeding. I've seen some of your posts Latka, you dont adhere to that proverb either.

And if you all recall, I said this would happen when the speed limit on Claiborne was raised.

 

What is it about speeding that you seem to find acceptable? The risk to adult pedestrians? Children? Other drivers? Is getting there a minute earlier worth the downside potential? Is your judgment really that much better than State VDOT engineers?

 

Travelling at an unsafe speed is the third leading cause of accidents. Driver inattention (fooling with the radio, distraction by passengers, cell phone usage) is first. Now how many are not guilty?

 

I really don't think people are complaining about the 1-5 mph speeding. It is the morons who do 10 mph and over (non-emergency) that must be curbed.

 

So, speeding is ok, as long as it isn't in a residential area?

 

OK, let's just say that anyone driving recklessly (defined in VA as 20 MPH over the speed limit) is DEFINATELY and accident asking to happen.

 

No doubt, completely agree. Just because I was harping on speeding doesn't mean I don't consider other factors. Lack of focus at the wheel, ie, not giving full attention, is also a major problem IMO. Kids in back set, music, video, GPS, phone, hand-held devices, eating, drinking, smoking, etc, should not be excuses from devoting full-time, carefully considered attention to the act of driving.

Bottom line, I feel that safe driving, with all the things that this implies, is the responsibility of everyone with a driver's license and needs to be taken very seriously.

 

Most engineered highways are capable of sustaining speeds much higher then posted. Speed limits were the result of the gas crisis and not for safety. It all comes down to two things, oil and revenue from tickets. I really think safety isnt that much a concern to the state, why else raise the speed limit next to an elementary school in a community designed for walking and biking?

I speed on Interstates and highways like 28. There are no pedestrians, I've been driving for over 15 years, logging over 200,000 miles. My car is maintained and a spectacular piece of engineering. So yeah, I speed where I feel it's safe b/c IMO speed limits are set too low b/c people can't drive. BUT I follow the other rules, right of way, stopping at a sign, signaling, etc...

Speed is only one factor. I think the most dangerous drivers are on their phones, wether they are speeding or not.

 

FWIW ... at every HOA board meeting, the sheriff's liason with the HOA stops by to give us an overview of what's happening in the area, particularly Broadlands.

We did bring him up to date on the areas of concern about speeding, and we fully expect to see added reinforcement. We're also going to see about getting the 'radar trailer' at a few places, to show people what their speed really is.

I guess what he said about most speeding stops in Broadlands may not come as any surprise ... most are moms in minivans, rushing to get their kids to school or the next play date, and yes, a lot are on their cell phones when they are driving.




Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

We all feel better now knowing that you feel the speed limits are set too low and that you only speed when you feel it's safe to do so. It's that kind of me first, get out of my way, I'm the best driver, attitude that makes driving around here so aggravating. Yes the highways are engineered for higher speeds but it's an engineered safety margin. That's like saying it's ok to fly with only one engine. Sure an aircraft is capable of doing so but it's not a wise thing to do. In addition the engineered speed capabilities of a road are moot when you consider the fact that they are currently at or above the traffic volume they were designed for. Speed limits are set for safety. Speed limits before the gas crisis of the 70's are pretty much the same as they are now.
So go ahead and push the envelope of safety. I hope you don't kill anyone in the process. As for me I'll still be that guy in the right hand lane on 28 going 55 watching all you knuckleheads. Sure I'll get to the mall 2 minutes after you but what's the big hurry?
P.S. I have been driving over 29 years and my last ticket was 27 years ago in highschool.

 

If it's for safety, how come its not enforced and cops not at code 3 do 70 on 28?

 

As long as you stay in the right lane, you're good with me.

 

That's a whole other issue. Cops are the most aggressive drivers out there. They tailgate, they speed, they don't signal, they park wherever they please. I consistently see them parked in fire lanes in non-police related situations (lunch at McD's, Starbucks, 7-11, etc. It's ridiculous. They need to be setting a better example. Even if they are responding to a high priority call that does not give them the right to endanger the public by driving the way they do. If they need to be somewhere fast then turn on the lights, otherwise they need to obey the rules just as they expect us to do. As far as enforcement I strongly feel many times they will look the other way simply because they don't feel like getting out of the car and writing the ticket. Have you ever seen a speed trap on a cold or rainy day?

 

OP_Dude, I really do understand where you are coming from, really I do. But these roads are the equivalent of the Wild West. You can get in an accident just as easy doing 55 on 28 as you can speeding. I think you would be safer with the pack then going against it. Until the cops calm the road by enforcing the limits its not worth doing. The folks who do 55 on 28 are targets of tail gating and other cars pulling asinine stunts to get around them. Heck, this happens to me and I'm staying with the pack.

 

Hey .. I don't want to hear any complaints about the cops ... we're getting a Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts franchise, we'll have cops in the neighboorhood all the time !! []

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I guess the real issue is..... can you get your donut topped with ice cream? MMMmmm sprinkles........

 

sweet, that's one of the worst 4 way stops in the area too