Does the Triangle need more traffic law enforcement? (crimes, safer)

[luv4horses]

Just tossing this out there.

With the really casual approach drivers currently appear to have toward skilled driving and following traffic laws, would having more visible traffic enforcement make driving safer?

We talk about obvious things like inattentiveness, but I see so many drivers weaving within their lanes, not stopping before turning right (at signs and red lights), stopping partly in intersections, no turn signals, etc.

I am not talking about speeding, which is a separate issue perhaps, but all of the basics of good community driving.

[pierretong1991]

Yes - in other states I commonly see cops out on the road. In NC, it's pretty rare to see them unless they're doing targeted traffic enforcement at a certain location.

[BoBromhal]

you assume we have an excess of officers on the police force that would be available for such duty.

when a particular intersection or stretch of road receives enough complaints, they will often put an officer there for several hours.

[LordHelmit]

Yes, that would be nice. It would be nice if there were some who were dedicated to finding people diddling on their phones. One thing I've noticed lately is people cutting across multiple lanes on the interstates at one time. Saw someone last Saturday go from the far left lane on I-40 to the Davis Dr exit lane in one turn of the wheel and no blinker at all.

[luv4horses]

Originally Posted by BoBromhal

you assume we have an excess of officers on the police force that would be available for such duty.

Sorry but you are assuming that I assume Actually we may need to hire more officers who are both understanding and observant who could ease us into better compliance.

[poppydog]

I think it does help. One thing I have seen them do from time to time is just park a police car by the side of a busy road to deter speeders and leave it unoccupied or maybe with a dummy in it. It does slow folks down a bit and I think could help people be more conscious of their driving in general.

[TarHeelNick]

Originally Posted by poppydog

I think it does help. One thing I have seen them do from time to time is just park a police car by the side of a busy road to deter speeders and leave it unoccupied or maybe with a dummy in it. It does slow folks down a bit and I think could help people be more conscious of their driving in general.

This may reduce speeding on those specific roads but it doesn't help at all with the people who think it's OK to turn right into an entrance from the left-hand lane; believe they have the right of way turning left at a green-light regardless of through traffic, You can't fix stupid.

[pierretong1991]

Maybe there should be mandatory driver's education classes every few years to get your license renewed, or additional testing to renew your license.

[Gard]

Before they can even consider that, they need to get their own act together. I see cops all the time doing many of the things described here. I've even seen some put their lights in to go through red lights and then promptly turn them off when they get past it. Cops that I personally know don't bother with these things because many don't carry fines, points against your license, or even warnings if no accident occurs. They'd rather spend their time responding to crimes and incidents in which people could be in danger. I'm not saying I disagree that something should be done, but don't think that just having cops on the road just to intimidate people into following traffic rules is a solution.

[JaPaKoMom]

Maybe NC needs laws regarding cell phone usage in vehicles. I see more people here than anywhere else with their heads down looking/messing at/with their phones. And that is not just at lights, it is driving down roads and freeways.