Maybe Pittsburgh could run an ad like this to slow people down. (Warren: home, live in)

[greg42]

The city police certainly don't do a lot of speeding enforcement, that is true. In over 20 years I just haven't seen too many city cops with traffic stops of any kind.

I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, this is good. A lot of the enforcement that I see in surrounding communities is of the easy pickins variety, as in let's go out and run up some tickets today at a spot where we know a lot of xyz technical violations exist without regard to whether the spot is accident prone. (Since they don't get to use the super easy radar for speeding, they sometimes do it with other stuff during evening rush hour and so forth.) I don't find that to be particularly desirable. On the other hand, at a spot that IS accident prone, be it with vehicles or pedestrians, that is where some focused enforcement of speeding, red lights, stop signs, tailgating, whatever would be a good thing.

The city is going to get red light cameras, and this is not likely to be a good thing because in most cases they'll go up in spots that aren't particularly prone to any accidents.

[BarqCider]

Originally Posted by greg42

The city police certainly don't do a lot of speeding enforcement, that is true. In over 20 years I just haven't seen too many city cops with traffic stops of any kind.

I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, this is good. A lot of the enforcement that I see in surrounding communities is of the easy pickins variety, as in let's go out and run up some tickets today at a spot where we know a lot of xyz technical violations exist without regard to whether the spot is accident prone. (Since they don't get to use the super easy radar for speeding, they sometimes do it with other stuff during evening rush hour and so forth.) I don't find that to be particularly desirable. On the other hand, at a spot that IS accident prone, be it with vehicles or pedestrians, that is where some focused enforcement of speeding, red lights, stop signs, tailgating, whatever would be a good thing.

The city is going to get red light cameras, and this is not likely to be a good thing because in most cases they'll go up in spots that aren't particularly prone to any accidents.

red light cameras don't stop speeding. they just cause more accident and are just revenue for the city. I'd know, driving many years in DC and the suburbs of MD (Bethesda)

I've talked to a cop about this one day and from what he said is "we got bigger things to focus on, like gun violence, the gangs than dealing with traffic duties. doesn't help we are understaffed so as long as it isn't something so blatantly wrong, most city cops won't pull you over...unless you fit a certain profile of a vehicle who was spotted leaving a scene of a crime".

[Boomchee]

I was in traffic court one day for speeding of course. There was a guy in front of me who got pulled over on Banksville for speeding via radar. Anyways they guy said that the cop mentioned that it was malfunctioning (30mph over) and to go and fight it and that he wouldn't show up. Upon hearing this the judge was heated. Asked if anyone else got stopped on that day. About 8 other people stood up. All of their tix were thrown out. The city doesn't have the manpower or financial resources to enforce all traffic laws. Unless you're shooting an AK out you're window speeding is looked at the same as littering.

[BarqCider]

Originally Posted by Boomchee

I was in traffic court one day for speeding of course. There was a guy in front of me who got pulled over on Banksville for speeding via radar. Anyways they guy said that the cop mentioned that it was malfunctioning (30mph over) and to go and fight it and that he wouldn't show up. Upon hearing this the judge was heated. Asked if anyone else got stopped on that day. About 8 other people stood up. All of their tix were thrown out. The city doesn't have the manpower or financial resources to enforce all traffic laws. Unless you're shooting an AK out you're window speeding is looked at the same as littering.

I see this issue as a two sided sword. on one hand, if they enforced it the cities revenue would increase. The other side will have this forum filled with complaints of yinzers who now are much poorer due to "excessive speeding tickets".

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by Boomchee

I was in traffic court one day for speeding of course. There was a guy in front of me who got pulled over on Banksville for speeding via radar. Anyways they guy said that the cop mentioned that it was malfunctioning (30mph over) and to go and fight it and that he wouldn't show up. Upon hearing this the judge was heated. Asked if anyone else got stopped on that day. About 8 other people stood up. All of their tix were thrown out. The city doesn't have the manpower or financial resources to enforce all traffic laws. Unless you're shooting an AK out you're window speeding is looked at the same as littering.

I believe it!

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by BarqCider

I've talked to a cop about this one day and from what he said is "we got bigger things to focus on, like gun violence, the gangs than dealing with traffic duties. doesn't help we are understaffed so as long as it isn't something so blatantly wrong, most city cops won't pull you over...unless you fit a certain profile of a vehicle who was spotted leaving a scene of a crime".

Just like Boomchee's post, I believe this to be the mindset of Pittsburgh police and any other police force in a city this size or larger. I remember being pulled over by Erie Police in the early 2000's for having an expired inspection sticker by a day. Crime has become a much bigger issue in Erie, I wouldn't be afraid to bet the police force there operates with the same mindset.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Because it's nothing but a money maker.

Only if people are speeding. If people drive the "limit", it doesn't make a dime.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by BarqCider

I've talked to a cop about this one day and from what he said is "we got bigger things to focus on, like gun violence, the gangs than dealing with traffic duties. doesn't help we are understaffed so as long as it isn't something so blatantly wrong, most city cops won't pull you over...unless you fit a certain profile of a vehicle who was spotted leaving a scene of a crime".

As a city resident this is certainly an approach to policing that I am happy with. I don't care if someone safely makes a turn on red at a "no turn on red" intersection, or if they are going 55 on Route 65 when the speed limit is 40, or if someone stops at a green light in Oakland for 7 seconds to drop someone off. Those things can be annoying; but in the grand scheme of things they are not that big of a deal. If the choice is between ticketing minor traffic offenses and preventing violence and vandalism it's an easy choice to make.

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by ferraris

As a city resident this is certainly an approach to policing that I am happy with. I don't care if someone safely makes a turn on red at a "no turn on red" intersection, or if they are going 55 on Route 65 when the speed limit is 40, or if someone stops at a green light in Oakland for 7 seconds to drop someone off. Those things can be annoying; but in the grand scheme of things they are not that big of a deal. If the choice is between ticketing minor traffic offenses and preventing violence and vandalism it's an easy choice to make.

I just think it's too bad we can't have total enforcement, no matter how minor or major the crime.

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I often find people that complain about this are the type of drivers that insist on going 30 over the speed limit.

On my morning commute to Warrendale, most drivers are driving at least 70-75 mph. People in this region are to afraid of the police monitoring the speed on interstates. I pass a PA State Trooper on the turnpike multiple times a week doing anywhere from 70-74, often with him pointing his radar gun at me, with no issues at all.

The passing lane is to pass. You'll encounter slower drivers and faster drivers in it. Just make your pass and keep moving.