Are speeding fines too low? (Phoenix: crimes, lawyer, high schools)

[Dewey59]

There are lots of people sitting in prison right now because they killed someone when they thought they should be able to go as fast as they want, or text while driving, or drive drunk, etc, etc. THAT is why the laws are on the books.

But the sad thing about the human species is most of us can't seem to learn from other people's mistakes. So we end up killing someone ourselves before we learn the lesson. Guess what? Those people in prison thought it would never happen to them either!

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by wase4711

one last thing on this issue..

some of you think its ok to text and drive; here's why I think its wrong

i was driving my son to school one morning in a brand new ford fusion hybrid, sitting stopped at a red light, and some jerk bait was texting and driving his daddys new pickup, texting and not paying attention to driving...here's a picture of what he did to me and my son, and thank god we were in a hybrid car with a giant battery in the trunk/back seat, or we would have met our maker that day... back seat got pushed into the driver and passengers back seat, since he hit us at 45 mph..think about this photo next time you are texting and driving..

No one said that it’s OK to text and drive. Why make things up?

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by made in china

I moved to Seattle 17 years ago from Phoenix. I HATE the drivers here. Subarus and gold or tan colored Toyota products just wandering around at -10MPH in the fast lane. You'll go to pass them (on the right, of course) and somehow they try and speed up. Someone who I was doing 50 behind is now doing 67, and I will pace them like that until my gap closes then I will cut them off. I don't know if it is them being passive aggressive or brain dead. Maybe they just follow whatever other moving object there is? And without a reference, they slow way down.
Our Highway Patrol has been doing left lane emphasis patrols it has become so bad.

When I visit Arizona, it is a breath of "fresh air", I let the turbo spool and enjoy the high average road speeds.

In Seattle, we have many CA transplants, so we are starting to see more and more people giving the slow drivers "on road lessons".

So, no. I would say everything is fine in AZ (Phoenix area) compared to places like Seattle.

Don’t think brain dead left lane hogs are not prevalent around here too. Everyday I see the exact situation you describe. People incapable of maintaining a constant speed or using cruise control are commonplace. It’s pretty infuriating.

[wase4711]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

No one said that it’s OK to text and drive. Why make things up?

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Honestly, if I have an email or text pop up and I feel it's safe enough to check, I don't at all consider the legality of it in the state I'm in. Yeah, yeah, I know I shouldn't do it, but it being illegal in certain places doesn't cross my mind.

I guess you admitting that you are ok with checking a text /email while driving if you feel its "safe" doesn't constitute texting while driving...

[Pretzelogik]

If you drive the speed limit you will get rear ended.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by wase4711

I guess you admitting that you are ok with checking a text /email while driving if you feel its "safe" doesn't constitute texting while driving...

Of course that’s texting and driving. When did I say it wasn’t? I said I know I shouldn’t do it. How does that equal my being OK with it? I know it’s not smart. We all do dumb things from time to time. It doesn’t mean we don’t acknowledge the potential risk. You saying that “some people think it’s OK to text and drive” is something you made up to try to prove a point.

[New Horizons]

Originally Posted by Pretzelogik

If you drive the speed limit you will get rear ended.

I disagree. You'd get rear-ended by braking hard, and as we know the norm here is to ride the next guy's bumper within a few feet. That's why when somebody is right on my rear, I resist the urge to be looking in my rear view mirror and getting flustered. Because if you do that, you might wind up hitting the car in front you if they brake suddenly. Don't be distracted by the jerk behind you. I'd rather be rear ended than to rear end somebody else. At least I wouldn't be the one at fault.

[kell490]

People that drive 85 90 all the time will eventually get caught just matter of time I do get up that fast for a few seconds sometimes trying to pass or get over. I did once get a ticket for going 90 mph 20 years ago on I-40 It wasn't a felony I paid a big fine and go to traffic school. I typically drive 10-12 over the speed limit in the city I just can't stand driving slow like 40 mph I usually do 50 haven't been pulled over in 15 years.

[sholomar]

Wait until cars are self driving and only go the speed limit... It will be a nightmare.

[Dewey59]

Originally Posted by stockwiz

Wait until cars are self driving and only go the speed limit... It will be a nightmare.

Actually, once ALL cars are self driving, it will be much safer, since everyone will be going the same speed. In the interim, it could be interesting!