PA wants to put radar guns in the hands of local police. (Carlisle: 2014, insurance)

[fisheye]

In my local newspaper this story is running today: Lawmakers want to put radar guns in the hands of local cops | PoconoRecord.com. Apparently it is gaining some momentum - this push to give local law enforcement radar guns. According to that article: "The National Motorists Association has long opposed bills such as Vulakovich's proposal.."

I also oppose giving radar to local enforcement. What I fear is that it will be unfairly enforced and turn one locality against another. The proponents claim that it will not be used to generate revenue. They claim the money is divided between the courts, emergency medical services and there is little left over for the police. I still feel that 'little' is more than they would get if they simply had to rely on their salary - it is still more money into the system and less in the hands of the people they 'protect'.

With local radar we will have to fear a trip across our State. Some local enforcement will be lax with the new power and some will be aggressive. It will divide us; instead of bringing us together.

Our local police already have the power to shut down and fine any dangerous drivers - they have the power to cite for driving too fast for conditions or reckless driving.

I just don't feel this is the right move for PA. Your thoughts?

[Ohiogirl81]

Fine, but then no radar guns in unmarked cars.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by fisheye

...
Your thoughts?

Sorry, but I don't see a problem with doing what EVERY OTHER STATE already does.

Why, oh why, do we think that doing things our own way in PA is better?

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Sorry, but I don't see a problem with doing what EVERY OTHER STATE already does.

Why, oh why, do we think that doing things our own way in PA is better?

For awhile I operated truck out of Carlisle, PA. The Middlesex police were notorious for local law enforcement. Almost everybody I knew got a ticket - except me. Did we feel safer; I don't think so. Many just felt poorer. There were still accidents from Saturday night drunks and kids still raced on the back roads.

Many of the people speeding along side of us on our highways are off duty police, lawyers and politicians. Most of them would not have to worry even if they did get pulled over.

But, I will not fight with you; many feel the same way as you do. My feeling is that it will not make us better.

[North Beach Person]

Local law enforcement in PA already have VASCAR.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by fisheye

I just don't feel this is the right move for PA. Your thoughts?

You're not the only one; it's a dangerous idea. All this will do is enable every little ****hole town that happened to win the highway lottery to balance their budgets with ticket revenue. 'Cuz, you know, it's all about $afety.

I actually like that Pennsylvania is the only state that doesn't let Barney Fife have a radar gun.

[PAhippo]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Sorry, but I don't see a problem with doing what EVERY OTHER STATE already does.

Why, oh why, do we think that doing things our own way in PA is better?

Guess I don't see why we should do it just because other states do. Our decision shouldn't be based on theirs.


I'm not sure how these things work. If they point it a vehicle, it measures the speed? and id's the vehicle?
Is it possible for them to point it at one car, and say it was another?


If someone is driving really fast, is it their word against the policeman's?

[joe from dayton]

Originally Posted by fisheye

In my local newspaper this story is running today: Lawmakers want to put radar guns in the hands of local cops | PoconoRecord.com. Apparently it is gaining some momentum - this push to give local law enforcement radar guns. According to that article: "The National Motorists Association has long opposed bills such as Vulakovich's proposal.."

I also oppose giving radar to local enforcement. What I fear is that it will be unfairly enforced and turn one locality against another. The proponents claim that it will not be used to generate revenue. They claim the money is divided between the courts, emergency medical services and there is little left over for the police. I still feel that 'little' is more than they would get if they simply had to rely on their salary - it is still more money into the system and less in the hands of the people they 'protect'.

With local radar we will have to fear a trip across our State. Some local enforcement will be lax with the new power and some will be aggressive. It will divide us; instead of bringing us together.

Our local police already have the power to shut down and fine any dangerous drivers - they have the power to cite for driving too fast for conditions or reckless driving.

I just don't feel this is the right move for PA. Your thoughts?

You are going to fear driving across your state because the local police can enforce the law? Really? My thoughts are you are silly and over reacting.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

You're not the only one; it's a dangerous idea. All this will do is enable every little ****hole town that happened to win the highway lottery to balance their budgets with ticket revenue. 'Cuz, you know, it's all about $afety.

I actually like that Pennsylvania is the only state that doesn't let Barney Fife have a radar gun.

That is what had happened down South many years ago and we made fun of it with characters - like Barney Fife. But it wasn't funny if they nabbed you and took you to the cleaners. I had a ticket in Tennessee about fifteen years ago. There was absolutely no way I could have been going 45 in their 35 mph speed zone. I was just starting to move from a dead stop at the stop light with an over weight load - they could have fined me for that if they weighed me! It was the first ticket I had in 30 years and it wasn't worth driving back to Tennessee to fight. I am tired of government telling us they are doing things for our safety. They have been screaming about cell phones and texting - but allow the new digital billboards on the side of our roads! A billboard, by definition, is a distraction. How can they claim that distractions take lives and still allow flashing billboards? If this legislation does pass I am sure that local police will imitate our State Police tactics. They will set up traps on downhill sections to get motorist that don't keep their foot on the brake. We have one local, wide, State road and they keep the speed limit at 35 mph down the one hill to the bottom and then go to 45 mph - there are no businesses or houses and no driveways on the side of this straight road. But that is where the police set up their traps. The uphill opposing lane has a 45 mph speed limit. Now, if they would consider raising the speed limit to the road's average speed and then going after motorist that exceeded that; then I might change my mind.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by joe from dayton

You are going to fear driving across your state because the local police can enforce the law? Really? My thoughts are you are silly and over reacting.

The traffic on any given road in PA is probably going 5 to 15 mph over the speed limit. Some of the people speeding along side of us are the ones responsible for enforcing our laws. However; the people that will pay for this legislation will be the ones that cannot afford fines and higher insurance cost.