Ticket Insanity (island, violation, citizen)

[TomMoser]

Good night to you too, Scott. It was fun. Get home safely.

[djdairyp]

Can people drive safely on the SSP at 70 mph, of course they can. Does that make it safe, apparently not because state dept of transportation data shows a high rate of accident and fatality compared to other roadways.

LIE, vs northern state, vs southern state ... they clearly are not the same road. Simple observation of the many turns, entrance ramps, and general state of congestion at almost all times leads to an inference that reduced speeds would be advised. The congestion and driving mentality of many make this road especially dangerous. A comparative example would be the taconic state parkway in upstate ny. A much more challenging (fun for many) drive with sharper turns through cliffs and mountains and many grade/elevation changes and many drive it at 70 mph. Less accidents and fatalities than the SSP due to less volume and a less cavalier attitude of drivers. Increase the volume and bravado of upstate drivers and it would be a road of death.

[xbure9x]

I feel there are two main points of contention that cause a lot of the issues we face: Driver skill and the technology (ie power) of cars nowadays. Driver skill is pretty straightforward. Someone who doesn't have adequate skill and drives 70 on the ssp, is an accident waiting to happen. How do you define skill? It's arbitrary, but I think you all can get the gist of what I mean by skill. For example, I do travel at 70+ on CERTAIN parts of the SSP and NSP, but I am not a fool, and I know when the curves are coming and I know I need to slow down. I for one do not fly over the eastbound part near Eagle Ave that goes from 4 lanes to 3 lanes with the big hill, you definitely cannot see what is on the bottom of that hill when you're going up, and a lot of times there is a backup there. It's about knowing the roads you drive on , and using your experience to know when to go faster or slow down.

As for my second point, well, my pathfinder rides at 80mph like I am cruising through the park going 20, it is that deceptive. So I am accelerating down the entrance ramp (at least an entrance that actually has a ramp) and by the time I merge into the middle lane, more often than not, I am already going 70mph. It is just too easy to go too fast in these big engine cars, especially with the smooth rides they offer. when I drive my other car which is a civic, I KNOW when I'm going 70, the whole car shakes, lol, but my truck, forget it. If I didn't have a speedometer in it, I would be going 90+ in that thing no questions asked.

Oh, and to add to the topic, how about the nassau cops on the entrance ramps to the 135 lately popping up everywhere looking for anything to bust you with,,,,oooh which reminds me, my inspection just expired! DAMN! better avoid rt 135 for a while

[v6x666]

Originally Posted by Johninwestbury

There was a checkpoint set up on Rt.112 yesterday in Port Jeff by the LIRR tracks. It was MTA PD, not SCPD. They were getting alot of people for seatbelts, and for stopping on the tracks. They also had a landscaping truck parked in a lot that wasn't going anywhere (INS?).
I'm glad to see them pulling these ppl over. Driving is a priviledge, not a right, and the safety regulations are there to protect you and everyone else on the road.
I couldn't believe how many people stopped on the tracks, even with the MTA PD in plain view. Unlucky for them, the next stop was getting a ticket.

Yea I'm sure they were there primarily for everyone's safety. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that the MTA is going broke and needs to raise cash. Wake up.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by xbure9x

I feel there are two main points of contention that cause a lot of the issues we face: Driver skill and the technology (ie power) of cars nowadays. Driver skill is pretty straightforward. Someone who doesn't have adequate skill and drives 70 on the ssp, is an accident waiting to happen. How do you define skill?

The only problem with that theory is the most skilled driver has to share the road with all the less skilled ones who have the potential to much everything up. Unfortunately, the roads are public and the parkways are not closed circuit courses for highly skilled drivers only.

Originally Posted by xbure9x

Oh, and to add to the topic, how about the nassau cops on the entrance ramps to the 135 lately popping up everywhere looking for anything to bust you with,,,,oooh which reminds me, my inspection just expired! DAMN! better avoid rt 135 for a while.

Thanks for the tip. Here are two more traps:

SSP, going east, getting off at exit 19N, Peninsula Blvd. -- when you are getting off here it curves around and you cannot see the police waiting to check everyone until it is too late and you are actually on the off ramp.

Cross Island Parkway, going south, exit 25 "Merrick Blvd." -- this is a long entrance ramp and the NYC police sometimes sit at the top of it and check people. If you see a lineup on this exit, they are up there. If you don't feel like chatting up the cops and showing your paperwork, get off at the next exit.

[captne76]

Originally Posted by v6x666

Yea I'm sure they were there primarily for everyone's safety. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that the MTA is going broke and needs to raise cash. Wake up.

Railroad cops writing tickets? I don't think I would seriously consider them as cops, if you're not a passenger on the railroad. let them stick to their jobs, which is not to bug motorists.

[scottzilla]

Originally Posted by captne76

Railroad cops writing tickets? I don't think I would seriously consider them as cops, if you're not a passenger on the railroad. let them stick to their jobs, which is not to bug motorists.

MTA police have the same powers as SCPD officers. They can abolutely write tickets and arrest you if necessary. They enforce railroad crossings and the such. They aren't very good at preventing your car from being broken in to in one of their parking lots though!

[spamsux]

I received a speeding ticket from an MTA cop on the LIE. I have been pulled over numerous times and this guy had more of an attitude than any SCPD, NCPD or NYS Trooper who pulled me over in the past.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by spamsux

I received a speeding ticket from an MTA cop on the LIE. I have been pulled over numerous times and this guy had more of an attitude than any SCPD, NCPD or NYS Trooper who pulled me over in the past.

What??? I have never heard of MTA police patrolling any public roadways, let alone the LIE.

Yes, they are desperate to get our money.

[LongIslandCitizen]

Originally Posted by spamsux

I received a speeding ticket from an MTA cop on the LIE. I have been pulled over numerous times and this guy had more of an attitude than any SCPD, NCPD or NYS Trooper who pulled me over in the past.

Imagine that...a cop enforcing the law. Kudo's. I believe that if someone breaks the law they should be prepared to take responsibility for it. Besides it is probably safe to assume that anyone that gets a ticket probably never got busted for the 99% of the other times he/she was speeding or whatever other violation they committed.