Maybe speeders will have to slow down in our region (Pittsburgh: low crime, house)

[gg]

Looks like it is possible this bill could actually pass. Local police could actually bust people for speeding if they can use radar.

Pa. local police hope to use radar | TribLIVE

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Once upon a time I thought this would be a horrible encroachment on my freedom. Then I moved to the city 4.5 years ago and witnessed a boatload of people nearly get crushed on narrow residential streets by people doing twice the limit. Now I welcome this.

Unfortunately, I don't have high hopes that it will do much on the side streets anywhere, and probably not on the main streets in the City of Pittsburgh as the cops don't have time for traffic-related stuff anyway. This will end up being helpful to a select few municipalities with speeding problems but otherwise low crime and will end up being a revenue generator for far more municipalities with a lot of pass-through traffic.

[Faerunner]

I hope it doesn't pass, and that they raise speed limits instead.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by Faerunner

I hope it doesn't pass, and that they raise speed limits instead.

Fae, do you want to elaborate?

I ask because I think things have gotten insane. Last weekend, I was almost knocked off my bike by a woman in a minivan that felt she had to squeeze in front of me to be first in line...at full speed...at a red light. The same day, I saw a girl driver fly through an intersection (on a green) with her head looking down into a cell phone.

People are more careless now than ever. Comforts of modern automobiles have made people lazy and have compromised their attention and alertness.

I had an aunt who was hit by a car - she was on the sidewalk. The driver did not negotiate the turn and cute the corner with a huge arc. The nerve of my aunt taking up space on the sidewalk.

I do not hold pedestrians and bicyclists as faultless - not at all.

[North Beach Person]

The local police departments have been trying to get radar for decades. The PSP always opposes it. Has that changed? Enough small departments have LIDAR/VASCAR traps that radar isn't really needed.


Pennsylvania Speed Traps | The National Speed Trap Exchange

[lprmesia]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

Fae, do you want to elaborate?

I ask because I think things have gotten insane. Last weekend, I was almost knocked off my bike by a woman in a minivan that felt she had to squeeze in front of me to be first in line...at full speed...at a red light. The same day, I saw a girl driver fly through an intersection (on a green) with her head looking down into a cell phone.

People are more careless now than ever. Comforts of modern automobiles have made people lazy and have compromised their attention and alertness.

I had an aunt who was hit by a car - she was on the sidewalk. The driver did not negotiate the turn and cute the corner with a huge arc. The nerve of my aunt taking up space on the sidewalk.

I do not hold pedestrians and bicyclists as faultless - not at all.

While I sympathize, the speed limit doesn't appear to be the culprit in these situations. These all appear to be reckless drivers who could and would still be cited by a police officer. Good drivers can handle higher speed limits due to increases in automobile functionality (specifically braking and cornering abilities).

Anecdotally though (I could be wrong), it seems that there are too many bad drivers and not enough good ones. Some of the people I see driving I truly question how they passed. Then again, I think it couldn't hurt to have a longer written test that actually has more of the driving laws, and have driving tests done with increased frequency (instead of at the time a license is issued and after 65). With the increased speed limits up to 70 on the Turnpike and I-80, it's amazing how many people still drive 62 MPH in the left lane with no one in front of them or to the right of them. And don't get me started on lack of turn signals...

[Craziaskowboi]

Allowing local police to use radar will do nothing but ensure that every little ****hole borough or township lucky enough to win the highway lottery will lower their speed limits and use a radar gun to balance their municipal budgets. Consider me vehemently opposed.

[erieguy]

Sounds like a great idea, especially with all of the talk about speeding...and it will be easier to hold up the offense in Court should the violator protest it.

[baconlegs]

[quote=lprmesia;44802238]While I sympathize, the speed limit doesn't appear to be the culprit in these situations. These all appear to be reckless drivers who could and would still be cited by a police officer. Good drivers can handle higher speed limits due to increases in automobile functionality (specifically braking and cornering abilities).

Anecdotally though (I could be wrong), it seems that there are too many bad drivers and not enough good ones. Some of the people I see driving I truly question how they passed. Then again, I think it couldn't hurt to have a longer written test that actually has more of the driving laws, and have driving tests done with increased frequency (instead of at the time a license is issued and after 65). With the increased speed limits up to 70 on the Turnpike and I-80, it's amazing how many people still drive 62 MPH in the left lane with no one in front of them or to the right of them. And don't get me started on lack of turn signals...[/QUOTE]

ugggghhh, this is my biggest pet peeve among local driving nuances. Just because u can make it safely doesn't mean you don't owe other drivers riders and peds courtesy! Seems like it is getting worse by the year. Could be the entitled attitude of my fellow millennials... sorry, speed traps suck too

[RyanR]

Originally Posted by Craziaskowboi

Allowing local police to use radar will do nothing but ensure that every little ****hole borough or township lucky enough to win the highway lottery will lower their speed limits and use a radar gun to balance their municipal budgets. Consider me vehemently opposed.

Just so you're aware, the borough or townships don't really make any money off of speeding tickets.

I spoke with our police chief and he told me they (the township) gets a fixed $15 for the citation. The rest of the money goes up the ladder (County & State). By time they send the officer to the court house and all the time/fuel expended they don't really make anything.