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For people from Ontario and Quebec, I think the difference in average speeds once they cross the border is so glaring (everyone just seems to drive slower in the US) that people just instinctively slow down.
I also think US cops (especially highway patrol) have a reputation for being very stern and no-nonsense, and most Canadians want to avoid any unnecessary encounters with them.
Also, there was once a story (or urban legend) that if you got stopped in the US and were from another country, you had to pay your ticket in cash on the spot or else they'd haul you into jail. I think some people still have that in the back of their minds.
That ain't no urban legend. It darn well used to be the norm in many states.
Back in the sixties while on leave from the RCN I was stopped (either north Dakota or Minnesota) and escorted to a rural farm where the "justice of the peace" got up from his chair at the pumpkin stand out by the end of his driveway and followed us up his drive to an ante-room off his kitchen whereupon he entered while donning a judicial black robe, sat behind a table and brought the gavel down to declare "this divisional court # XXXX is now in session ~ what are the charges?"
I was told to stand and face the judge while the cop read off the charge at which point he asked me if I had anything to say contrary to the statement made by the constable and not having fallen of the turnip truck that morning I wisely stated "no your honour".
That will be a $30.00 fine payable to the court! Dang; if the whole process took over 20 minutes, I'd be surprised. Me and my mildly souped up 55 Pontiac drove veerrrry carefully down his driveway and out of that State.
My driving experience in the U.S. has been Washington State, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona.
I drive the speed limit mainly because there seem to be so many more cops out on U.S. freeways especially hiding behind overpasses etc. I don't see than in B.C.
In B.C. you can generally get away with doing 10 K over a freeway speed limit, a little less in town. In the U.S. I've found there doesn't seem to be that fuzzy line.
I tried to find the fines for various speeding offences and it's a tricky business. Here's B.C.
I don't notice plates from the states in Canada driving any faster than us Canadians, ( unless the driver somehow missed the fact the signs of in k/h) in fact like anyone who is not sure of the area they tend to drive slower and more cautiously as well.
There is also the hassle of border crossing with unpaid tickets. It's probably rare, but all it takes is on border guard having a bad day to make your day hell.
From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
"Will I be arrested when I re-enter the U.S. if I have unpaid traffic tickets?
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly advise you to pay your traffic tickets, particularly moving violations. While unpaid tickets would not subject you to arrest unless a warrant is issued, you may be subject to a more intensive inspection if your record is not clear."
I used to go blazing down the highway in New York State, playing tag teams with other Quebec drivers. No point in both of us getting stopped. I'll lead at 160 k for about 50 miles, then it's your turn.
They just can't really grasp, it seems, that police would exist in some places solely as revenue collection thugs, as this is not a Canadian concept.
LOL, my friend. You do need to visit here a little more often. When I go into the US, I'm always struck by the fact the US Customs officers seem to be protecting their country. When I come back into Canada, I'm reminded that Canadian border officials are nothing but glorified tax collectors. The second question (after "Where do you live") is invariably "What is the value of all goods purchased while out of Canada", followed by "Any tobacco or alcohol".
LOL, my friend. You do need to visit here a little more often. When I go into the US, I'm always struck by the fact the US Customs officers seem to be protecting their country. When I come back into Canada, I'm reminded that Canadian border officials are nothing but glorified tax collectors. The second question (after "Where do you live") is invariably "What is the value of all goods purchased while out of Canada", followed by "Any tobacco or alcohol".
You do realize that Americans returning to their home country get asked the same " what have you purchased" questions by their border guards?
In conversation with a US border guard about this, the one I spoke with had little concern with US citizens shopping above their duty limits - based on the price of alcohol and tobacco in the US, I could see why.
American penalties are also very low for being over your limit:
Try getting away with bringing an extra 24 back to Canada after a weekend and paying only $1.30/per extra. I'd have the car loaded to the gills!
The guard stated their main concerns are protecting against invasive species or diseases, which includes restrictions on the importation of certain food products. They are also concerned with protecting US trade embargos, which includes (sorry my US friends) restrictions on Cuban cigars. And of course, they are constantly looking for security/terrorism threats.
The difference (to me) is the US wants to know what you bought for societal safety - the Canadian guard wants to squeeze any tax revenue they can out of you (other than the firearms/fireworks question).
In conversation with a US border guard about this, the one I spoke with had little concern with US citizens shopping above their duty limits - based on the price of alcohol and tobacco in the US, I could see why.
American penalties are also very low for being over your limit:
Try getting away with bringing an extra 24 back to Canada after a weekend and paying only $1.30/per extra. I'd have the car loaded to the gills!
The guard stated their main concerns are protecting against invasive species or diseases, which includes restrictions on the importation of certain food products. They are also concerned with protecting US trade embargos, which includes (sorry my US friends) restrictions on Cuban cigars. And of course, they are constantly looking for security/terrorism threats.
The difference (to me) is the US wants to know what you bought for societal safety - the Canadian guard wants to squeeze any tax revenue they can out of you (other than the firearms/fireworks question).
They still ask though. I do agree that that U.S. guards seem more intense regarding looking for security threats, but then again, history shows that they probably do have more threats to worry about than Canada. Doesn't mean the Canadian border guards are lax in this regard. Also it is the job of a both the U.S. and Canadian guards to enforce customs regulations, after all one is called US Customs and Border Protection, we don't use customs in the name Canadian Border Services Agency but their mandate is to enforce the flow of goods and people.
It's not just Cuban cigars it's also Yahoo! News Canada - Latest News & Headlines
LOL, my friend. You do need to visit here a little more often. When I go into the US, I'm always struck by the fact the US Customs officers seem to be protecting their country. When I come back into Canada, I'm reminded that Canadian border officials are nothing but glorified tax collectors. The second question (after "Where do you live") is invariably "What is the value of all goods purchased while out of Canada", followed by "Any tobacco or alcohol".
Point acknowledged, because I've dealt with that myself. I almost had to either pay about C$50 in duty on two six-packs of microbrew that I was taking up to Trail as a gift, or abandon it at the border. Amazingly, I didn't have to pay, probably because I a) gave an answer that was too stupid to be a lie, and b) didn't let the Customs Canada officer get my back up (which they try to do, and if they succeed, then they have basic cause to make your life harder). I was asked to pull around the back and wait, and expected to be turned inside out, but after about five minutes he came out the back, handed me our passports and wished me a good trip.
Why don't you speed up more? I'm sure the police won't target you before other cars with US plates It's good you follow the speed limit, but it could be quite annoying driving too slow.
I, for one, am glad that we have foreign neighbors who know how legally enter our country and obey our laws.
Personally, I can't think of a much bigger pain in the *** than getting caught up in the legal system of a foreign country because of some asinine and totally avoidable thing that I did, like speeding.
But maybe, that's just me.
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It's good you follow the speed limit, but it could be quite annoying driving too slow.
