Old & New

Ron,

Don't misunderstand. I agree with you on most points discussed, and your set of ideals are admirable. It just doesn't work that way here...

heinrich

That was tried locally and you must officially request the documentation in writing before the court date, no way to do that at the hearing date or via the officer at time of ticketing.

Ispeed

Here in Massachusetts, speed traps and slow speed zones are a constant problem. It is a constant battle to get where you're going and avoid collecting tickets.

I have a cheap Whistler radar/laser detector, but recently added a radar/laser jammer next to it. The jammer claims to work until you are 100yds away, then you can be picked up. The only test I have for the jammer is going by those speed zone things that flash your speed as you approach, and if you are over the limit it flashes your speed repeatedly. With the jammer on, I am not detected AT ALL (blank) until I am right up on it. So, the detector tells me to slow down, and the jammer gives me time to do it.

This set-up only helps me from traps from the front, and the battle continues. But I'll take every weapon I can get to win the day.

The jammer I bought $150. at www.technoscout.com
Hey, it works.

If I obeyed the speed limit, I would be dishonoring the work of the men that designed and built the 928. I just won't do that.

Ron_H

Time to re-test the procedure in New England. I will remember that when at the Porsche Parade in Pennsylvania, home of the LIBERTY BELL. The law on evidence is crystal clear. Someone said all it takes for tyranny to prevail is for a few good men to do nothing.

Old & New

Ron, It is an ongong battle.

http://www.motorists.org/

heinrich

RC51 ... have you personally verified that it works? I mean have you driven past one of those stationary measurers, and checked that it was not displaying your speed?

DG84S

I saw an interesting speed trap technique used here in Ft. Worth, TX last week. Two overpasses approx. 2 miles apart. An officer in a marked car was cruising at the speed limit between the two. Of course, he had a parade of eager leadfoots waiting for him to exit the freeway. As he took the off ramp, it was as if someone waved the green flag, and waiting under the overpass ahead were motorcycle officers with laser radar guns. The cop in the car crossed over the overpass and repeated his 'judas goat' routine in the opposite direction to a similar group of motorcycle officers waiting under the overpass there. I was lucky and didn't make a donation that day.

heinrich

http://www.radarreview.com/article.asp?articleID=8501

Ispeed

heinrich: yes that's what I did and the jammer did what it claims to. It's not a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card, but I'll take it. Especially for $150.

I speed. Damn right.

John Struthers

Ron,
Between the Raton Pass area and Amarillo they have these ridiculous Safety Zones, each of them is 20 miles in length where the posted speeds change often and radically.
In the Safety Zones ALL fines are doubled .
It doesn't take a legal beagle let alone the County Judge administering "Justice" to KNOW that this is a revenue stream for an underpopulated, jobless series of hamlets in the middle of nowhere.The Federal Gov't went thru a lot of trouble in the late 60's and early 70's stomping these nasty little places out.... thier baaaack.
To most law enforcement types we are all turds...if we aren't guilty of something it's only a matter of time, .
The mentality -justified or not- is to close ranks and defend fellow law enforcement even modifying the truth if the case warrants.
Due to the passage of the Patriot Act (sic), the formation of Homeland Defense (sic) , with all of the attendant, predictable, erosions to Constitutional Rights with a soon to be enhanced version that the administration denied for 8 months and now tells us is necessary to prevent yet another preventable attack on our way of life.So now the Supreme Court has either stopped hearing cases curbing personal invasions by Government/Law Enforcement in favor of Government asking for -and recieving- wider latitude in order to protect the borders and citizens of the good ole' USA.
To tie this in with the post's direction: cops here in Texas can now stop you on a "HUNCH". No reasons, no fact's, no warrants, no nuthin'...just a hunch! Once stopped here in Texas, wether for a citation or a hunch, they can search the car, the occupants, and even detain you. Legally you have no recourse as they are operating within the framework of the written law.
The next time one of the Wyatt Earp types is looking at you thru the sights of his .357mag, 9 or 10mm over a hunch try not to feel humiliated, scared -or seeing red mad-as that ***** is looking out for your safety and wellbeing.
I agree with you in principle but in the meantime I'll clam up and and find me a barrister.

Gregg K

Ron, thank you for waking me up again. Really. You have a healthy way of thinking.
I got a ticket a few months ago. Yesterday I came around the very corner where I was radar ticketed. I realized immediately that there was no way in hell that the cop could have possibly locked on to me and held it in such a short distance. I now know that had I asked to see his radar gun, it would not have indicated that he had locked on. I have since gone to speeding school. But this shows that knowing one's rights is empowering.
I'll be getting a jammer or some such thing, shortly.
Nice post. I've been wanting to hear more about this...

Ron_H

Old and New:
I am a supporting (monthly) member of NMA. I work closely with one of their activists who is much more informed than I, but I'm learning. I also carry a micro cassette recorder which I bring forth from the arm rest pocket and activate when I am stopped and Smokey wants to babble. I love that. I finally woke up to the idea after being stopped in Oregon and the Smokey said he was recording the entire bust on video. I got that video through Discovery,and it will likely be used in my appeal. If necessary, I tell them after they try to get me to admit to being a heinous piece of scum (which of course I deny, because only my mother could be right about that, being from Texas), and they then go "by the book".

John:

On two separate occasions, while travelling into Amarillo at night down that long gradual slope (which maybe where you have described) I have heard the V1 go off and looked into the darkness for the Smokey who then pulls into the fast lane from the median strip to chase some poor fellow who is without a detector. Sneaky buggers.

As for Texas, I love the fact that most people either stay out of the fast lane or move over as I approach. No problems with left lane hogs, but then your signs are specific: Left lane is for passing only. Great and simple. Most morons can understand that.

As for the Fatherland...oops, did I say Fatherland? ....of course I meant Homeland, there is another obscure law having to do with probable cause that is meant to prevent unreasonable searches and seizures. Curious how we have people dying as we speak daily to defend the right to be presumed innocent and to be secure in our persons and papers, while at home those rights are being eroded. Go figure, eh? Was Pogo right when he said we have met the enemy and he is us?

As for attitude, I always take mental note of the fact that Smokey has a gun(s). No need to be a statistic.

DG84S:

I hadn't heard that one. I will report it to NMA. Another insidious technique that Smoley has learned to use is whereby he parks his okole in the fast lane in a pickup or SUV and travels just below the posted limit. Of course, he won't budge no matter what. When you tire of following him and become angered you will move into the right lane and blow by him. That's when he's got you for passing on the right, exceeding the limit, and any other crap he wishes to dump on you. Of course the car is unmarked. Works for them. But there are defenses. And an old trick is for Smokey to poke along until you get frustrated, then he heads off the road onto the off ramp only to emerge behind you from the on ramp, and you're nailed. Give him time before putting the pedal to the metal to prove whether he is really off or trying to get you.

A site is being developed entitled www.safetynotrevenue.com which will expand efforts to reverse this unjustified and oppressive medieval trend.
Give us time.

heinrich

Ron I am on the same quest, I'd like to join the org. I've spent many years studying the psychology of the roads around me, and I believe that you have but one choice, that is to protect yourself or get ticketed. I have no doubt that just obeying the law is not enough, they'll get you for something, sometime. The bottom line as I see it, is this: There used to be subjective, reasonable-and-prudent enforcement of traffic laws. Speed in bad weather, do dangerous things, speed around schools and you were toast, but speed out there on the open road and smokey would just stop and chat, and tell you to cool it. And have a nice day.

Well, that same subjectivity exists today. However, it is used differently. If the officer likes you, or thinks you deserve a chance, or if you drive what he considers a "normal vehicle", you're let off. However, if you drive a fast expensive car or one they envy, or if you exhibit any kind of acceleration, even within legal limits, you're getting a ticket. They will follow you, they will watch you and if you so much as leave your lane while making a turn, they will ticket you.

Ron_H

Heinrich:

Go to the site Old & New suggested: www.motorists.org where you will find interesting tactics for understanding this quest, and/or email chad@hwysafety.com for information on how you can associate with the effort. Or you may reach me at 800-595-0235 in the evenings up 'til midnight. You can try later but that is when I get my work done so I may not answer. It is toll free.
Before you come along though realize there are prices to pay. And others question you. And then there are all the ****** at the bottom who can't spell Itegrity.