His ride-along was at night. I guess I should have stated that earlier...

 

As you stated Opossum, I should know the 85th percentile rule....speed limits, are set here (Missouri) in our municipality by the legislative branch or city council by ordinance. The traffic engineer for the city is the street superintendant....what a screwy mess. We actually have little to do with it other then to provide crash and violation statistics...On to my point, which was lost in my rant. The "argument" to which I was replying to is as silly as the way the "government" does things. Speed limits in many areas with older roads were set a long time ago....Also I can say I have this study and that study to back me up, but no one can argue if I am not specific in stating what the studies and standards belong to, or who authored them.

Furthermore, you again make the argument for me when you encourage drivers to blow past speed trailers.

When is fast enough, fast enough???????

Until you have to walk through a few body parts, on an accident scene, or locate someones head that is missing, or tell a family member in the middle of the night that their loved one was killed you will NEVER know the other side of things. (I have done ALL of these things)
If you guy's want to do further research, research the effect of speed on the severity of traffic crashes.

In some way's wish you could get your wish for a while and have no law enforcement on the roadways......(I have visions of Mad Max, on this scenario) You could all speed, run stop lights and signs, shoot at each other, smoke your crack while going down the road....but you would have to clean up the mess....

 

JeffMc202, Just t be clear I never thought the police set speed limits. And really in my area many of those limits are fine. But some make NO sence.

I'll try and tell you quick about just one roads limits in my area, that I drive most. This road is a real mess when it comes to speed limits. And FWIW I blame the 85th percentile rule.

This road goes between a small town and the city. While it's closer to that small town the road is a residental road narrrow and windy with driveways on both sides. So whats the limit on that section, 50MPH way fast, and I rarely reach it while driving it, but many do. Then when this road reaches the outskirts of downtown it becomes 5 lanes, 2 each way with a turn lane. And on the side all there is is strip malls and apartment buildings. So what's the limit there 35MPH. This is backwards and makes no sence.

That is until you understand the 85th percentile rule,which is what they use here. Because they use the average speed to set the limit. The outside of town 2 lane road never gets backed up, and people speed right along so the limit is too high where it should be low. And because the part of the road in town is often backed up the limit is too low.

I know this isn't any of your problem but I want you to understand how people can become really frustrated with these limits. I wish we just had a smart group of people set them using statistics, guidlines and common sence. But finding smart people with common sence in goverment it near impossible.

The other thing that really gets me is traffic lights. Not really the lights, but we no longer have ant "left turn yeild on green" lights. There all left turn only arrow lights. So to turn you gotta wait for another signal cycle, and everyone has to wait for that cycle to finish. We actually have a radio DJ that on the air advocates running these lights.

OK I'll put my soap box away for a while.

 

Opossum,

I think we have alot of common ground here...I couldn't agree more that the "government doesn't always make sound decisions. That is very frustrating to those that work within them and try to do the right thing. There are actually people from within that try to affect change...even us bad cops...HAHAHAHA
It's hard to argue with much of what you just posted. I would just be careful with the willful disobeying of traffic signals or signs. You will assume personal responsibility if you cause an accident. If there is serious injury or death just keep adding zeros to the end of the figure you would have to pay...
I think if I was a victim of an accident at those lights in your area I would try to sue the DJ.....might not win, but you could cost him some atty fees for his ignorance...

Anyway it was said earlier, its good to have conversation about such things and at least try to understand each other.....I think I'm actually done with this thread........

 

ok I found a video that i am happy to report is actually good press for the cops for a change.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30151019#30151019

some lady was watching her home web cams from work when she witnessed burglars walking around her house stealing her stuff. she called 911 and the cops were there within a minute, surrounded her house, and caught the *******s. awesome video. btw i am sure these were not motorcycle cops as they were busy handing out tickets...lol

 

I'm back, TigerDan.....Get the 'dump' button ready.......

 

Yeah. Just yesterday, there was a pit bull running around the area and the police took their sweet a** time getting to my house. A 10 minute drive to my house from the police station (the post office is next door to it), and it took a 30 minutes for them just to come. And this is a mean-looking dog running around that actually acted aggressive towards me and there are tons of younger kids around (not a neighborhood but an unincorporated town I live on the edge of). And after the whole ordeal, the cop didn't even bother talking to me or my mom, who made the call. No he started having a conversation with the neighbor across the road who HATES us with a passion.

 

Yeah....i am soooo tired of hering that story it is unreal. No joke. Yeah it sucks, I know. I've been robbed, but she kept going on about her cats....cats!?! I would be more worried about the stuff they are taking. Hell of course your cats are gonna hide. Her dogs ain't no good since they hid too. My dog would eat them sorry-a** burglars.

But yeah. Cool video.

 

A dog really a dog that's your complaint. I'm no fan of many police actions but I sure hope a dog that just looks mean to you, is low on there priority list. If you believe that the dog is dangerous be a grown up and just shoot it. There's no major case here, either it's an immediate danger and you can and should shoot it. Or it's not and just a stray, then you can either catch it yourself, or just wait a few minutes for animal control or police to have nothing more important to do. Like 30, sounds quick to me.