Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Let's face it, it's all about the money, not what speed you are driving. If the speed was really the issue, then the cops wouldn't speed either if not in pursuit or on an emergency call. But I see them roll stop signs, speed, not use turn signals, but are quick to write you a ticket for the same thing. It's nothing more than extra money for the city, county or state.
State Patrols Collect Billions From Speeding Tickets
Speeding ticket revenue amounts to as much as $2.3 billion for 40 state highway patrol agencies, with a list of the top ten ticket states.
Forty state highway patrols issued over 8.1 million citations for speeding in 2003, generating as much as $2.3 billion in revenue, according to an analysis of data found in the Governors Highway Safety Association "Survey of the States: Speeding" report. The number reflects the maximum base ticket amount for a first offense, not including common surcharges such as court costs and driver responsibility programs. Ten states reported that they do not collect data on the number of speeding citations issued.
The number of tickets issued by state patrols is only a fraction of the number of speeding tickets issued statewide by local police forces. In Florida, for example, state police issued 396,252 tickets worth up to $99 million in revenue. City and county police in Florida issued an additional 394,752 tickets worth up to $98.5 million. Insurance companies also generate revenue by increasing the annual insurance rates for speeding ticket recipients, which often exceeds the cost of the citation.
Indiana Adopts $1000 Speeding Tickets
The Indiana Department of Transportation to collect work zone speeding ticket revenue beginning July 1. Maximum citation increased to $1000.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will soon be the direct beneficiary of speeding ticket revenue under a bill recently signed by Governor Mitch Daniels (R). The measure gives INDOT the power to decrease speed limits "without conducting an engineering study and investigation" in highway work zones. INDOT can direct police to enforce this lowered limit, regardless of whether workers are actually present. The law also mandates that no work zone speed limit exceed 45 MPH.
As of July 1, INDOT will collect the revenue from these fines which the law also boosts significantly. The first offense runs $300, the second $500 and the third $1000. Anyone contesting the fine in court faces an additional $70 fee if found guilty.
Tickets are often as much about revenue as safety. And now, as a soured economy or other factors further empty coffers, many are turning to law enforcement to serve as part-time tax collectors -- with guns and badges.
The above are just a few examples of this madness. As to the 2nd article - I'm 100% in favour of ensuring safety of highway workers; but to blatantly state that no engineering or safety studies are needed, and that these fines are in place even when workers are not present?
No;why pay for enforcement and then help people break the law?
(a) Maybe because the law has little to do with actual reality, of what the roads can safely handle.
(b) Maybe because the enforcement of this law is arbitrary.
(c) Maybe because the methods used are not as precise nor as accurate as some believe.
(a) Maybe because the law has little to do with actual reality, of what the roads can safely handle.
(b) Maybe because the enforcement of this law is arbitrary.
(c) Maybe because the methods used are not as precise nor as accurate as some believe.
Same old gripe about every law that someone does like.It will make you gald thenh when they have the new auto speed cameras that if you speed you get a ticket;no human involved. Everybody has a excuse;then go to court and prove your points.
Same old gripe about every law that someone does like.It will make you gald thenh when they have the new auto speed cameras that if you speed you get a ticket;no human involved. Everybody has a excuse;then go to court and prove your points.
lol, nice try tex... but no cigar. And no I won't be gald or even glad when GPS units are in my vehicle and/or auto speed cameras snap my picture. You are missing the point here: Make the speed limits based on engineering, scientific studies - NOT on what law makers believe the limits should be. One quick example: on a state highway for years and years the legislature deemed it to be fit to only go 60. Well, now, and w/o any studies, and w/o any changes/improvements to the road/shoulder/etc., the speed limit went to 65. Why? How? Because some state congressional folk now live on that road and decided that they wanted it faster... Oh, and as to your suggestion to go to court... done tried that, don't work - even when the officer admits that there could have been something amiss w/ the reading, etc. Maybe you've had different experience with this?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
done tried that, don't work - even when the officer admits that there could have been something amiss w/ the reading, etc. Maybe you've had different experience with this?
