There was a great example of bullying on the road by the driver of this white Ford F-250 pick-up truck. Wouldn’t you think that drivers of easily recognized trucks, such as ones with large tires and the body raised high on the frame plus a vanity plate, would know better?
After tailgating me eastbound on Lake Avenue, where the speed limit is 40MPH, and demonstrating his impatience with my poking along at the speed limit, all his hurry and tailgating didn’t help him get far ahead, because the light was red at U.S. 14.
When the light changed for drivers to turn left, he was to my left. He accelerated pretty hard to pass me and then changed lanes to the right without signaling and stepped on it. As he passed through the intersection at Culver’s, there were two cars in the left (through). The driver in the pick-up passed these two cars on the right just at the place where the right lane ends.
Unfortunately, this is really a tough place for the police to set up shop and catch this type of driver. There is no place to hide. So, how about setting up in a truck on the shoulder or even parking on the frontage road on the south side of U.S. 14? The angle might be too great to measure speed accurately, but they could certainly spot the reckless drivers who speed past other cars on the right at the lane-drop. Then a marked patrol car waiting at Turning Point could stop the violators and write the tickets.
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10 comments:
Why do the police have to hide? Because stopping the behavior you don't like isn't enough is it? Punishment is what it's all about. Punishment and hopefully the glee you can exhibit if you witness it. Admit it Gus it's all about your enjoyment. Nothing more nothing less.
I know that plate. He lives next door.....
BSTSTPR:
Body
Slam
That
Stupid
Timewasteing
PosterOfWhinyComments
RightAboveThisComment
Well, actually the police don't have to hide. Stupid things happen right in front of them. But too often the aggressive bully in the huge pick-up or SUV can spot the cop and then he cleans up his act before the cop can spot him - at least, until he has passed the cop, when his aberrant behavior resumes. The special enforcement teams could be assigned to this duty. Let's have more unmarked cars that don't look like police cars.
Is this punitive? You bet. But only against the violators. Is there something wrong with making our highways safer for law-abiding drivers?
Why not just give guns out when drivers licenses are issued? Free up a lot of the polices's time.
Well, now; there's an interesting idea. And I didn't even write that one as an anonymous commenter! Although possibly (probably?) posted in jest, does it bear closer examination?
What if all drivers were armed, and I don't mean just left- and right-?
Would aggressive drivers act as they do now?
Bullets flying from moving (or even standing) cars are not really a good idea, because they are not likely to hit the intended target. Many police departments forbid officers to shoot from or at moving vehicles. And even if the bullets do hit where aimed, who wants a moving car with a dead or injured driver careening down the road?
But maybe the fear of retaliation would slow some of the aggressive drivers.
Just as in states allowing concealed carry of handguns where crimes rates have dropped (where the criminals don't really know whether the intended victim might be armed), aggressive driving behavior might drop.
The bumper sticker, "Protected by Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson", could take on new meaning.
Whats the old meaning?
Is it illegal to pass in the right lane?All you do is complain!!!! Fined something better to do!!!!!!!!!
BSTSTPR:
Bull
Shit
Thoughts
Seeping
Through
Philpott's
Rear
Your not a cop anymore!!!Get a life and worry about yourself,not other people you dont even know!!!
What's illegal about passing in the right lane? It depends where the right lane is and if it's ending. When drivers in the right lane speed past cars moving at or just under the speed limit, and beyond the "merge lanes" sign, that's what is illegal. It's careless driving and could be reckless driving. Often the driver being passed on the right will commit his own violation, by speeding up and tailgating the car in front of him in order to prevent the vehicle in the right lane from merging.
I've seen this, and I've seen drivers have to use the shoulder when there was no right lane left. And I've seen vehicles in the correct lane then forced into the middle of the road to avoid being side-swiped.
That lane-drop situation just east of Culver's would be a great place for a remote videocamera to record violations. A cop at Turning Point or at the hospital could monitor the transmission and then just pull over the violator without having to chase him down.
This is probably too high-tech for Woodstock, but at $250/ticket they could pay for the equipment quite quickly. Unfortunately, it's the judge who sets the fine, but Woodstock might be able to create a penalty assessment law and ticket and keep the money here, instead of seeing the County and State scoop it up.
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