Speed Traps and Light Crashing, Where's the Enforcement?

Thursday, October 27, 2005 03:35 AM

One of our commentators wrote the other day that he had heard the City might be getting one half of the traffic fine revenue that is collected.

Sorreee... they are already receiving that money.

As you drive down the street and traffic cops are hiding at spots that have nothing to do with accidents but lots to do with changing speed limits and therefore and excellent speed trap, you have to wonder, in who’s interest is the city working?

The ICBC study released across the province points directly at where those accidents are occurring, even listing the worst intersections in this city. But, stand at any major intersection and watch the vehicles crashing those lights and you quickly realize that law enforcement is not happening where the major accidents occur.

Foothills and Queensway are not major accidents spots, but if you watch the traffic tickets being written along these stretches of road you begin to wonder just what traffic enforcement is all about.

At one time we iused to joke about how, in some southern states, police made their living by handing out traffic tickets to unsuspecting motorists.

I wonder who they are joking about now?

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 03:35 AM in Views by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on October 27 2005 7:06 AM

I remember Kinsley 3+ years ago saying he was going to meet with RCMP and highways officials to increase the speed limit on the Hart south of the scales to 5th Ave after the John Hart was twinned. Today it is still speed trap at 60k.

Posted by: duffer on October 27 2005 8:14 AM

It's funny, but another favorite spot for a speed trap is at the top of the bridge at the east end of First Avenue. I live east of town and I have driven that road for ten years at least 3 times a day and have yet to see an accident there either.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 27 2005 8:30 AM

Interesting stats on accident locations. I want to see the stats on what locations in the city grenerate the most revenue! Of course the fact there are no accidents in the revenue locations is because the cops are there right? It's one of those self serving situations, kind of like getting up in the morning makes the sun rise, you do want the sun to rise don't you?

Posted by: Marty on October 27 2005 8:33 AM

Too tired to spew this morning...so will leave it at ***SIGH***

Posted by: SpeakingOut on October 27 2005 12:04 PM

Okay, I travel between the Hart and downtown on a fairly regular basis and it is a trip I always dread because the insanity of the drivers on that stretch of road is unbelievable. Now, though, I can at least bank on the driver's becoming a little less aggressive and hostile towards the bottom of the hill (heading into town), the peristant presence of a radar trap HAS caused an effect for a small stretch of that road. There has also been a noticeable change on a small stretch of the bypass by Pine Center Mall. Vehicles will slow down at least until they can see whether there is a speed trap today! Honestly, it's not about doing the right thing, it's about not getting caught doing the wrong thing. See - everybody wants to make a big stink about who gets the money from the tickets and forget all about the lawbreakers who cause the tickets. So for all you speed freaks who don't want to slow down and obey the rules of the road, well, be prepared to pay the price - if you don't like the charity your money goes to SLOW DOWN, and I will pray you don't pay the price with someone's life.

Posted by: Death to Socialism on October 27 2005 12:12 PM

Xmas is coming & soon the annual speed trap at the bottom of the hill on Massey, ticketing housewives returning from the mall for doing 60 in a 50. But it's all in the name of safety, right?

Posted by: Chadermando on October 27 2005 3:09 PM

I don't have many fines but I have got some ridiculious ones lately.

Last year I got three seat belt fines all at the corner of University Way and Ospika in the same month. I still don't wear my seat belt and probably never will.

Two weeks ago I got a $180 speeding ticket for doing 60km/h on Foothills where the speed limit should be at least 70km/h and not the 50km/h it is now. 70km/h after all is the flow of traffic on Foothills, and being a 4 lane highway with a divider....

Its just a money grab IMO and a selective and discriminatory one at that.

They don't hurt so much these days, but I remember when I was younger the cost was devistating. I think the whole process should be progressive based on the income level of those fined, as well as offer options for community volunteer work for those who are low income and yet need their vehicle to get to work.

It should be all about creating a safer driving experience and not collecting cash from the local discriminatory taxation police.

Posted by: fedup on October 27 2005 3:57 PM

I haven't got a speeding ticket for years now.But I did get a seat belt fine this spring come around the corner off the Carney bridge headed north.If this is about safety why do they have to hide and jump out at a guy like that I nearly had a heart attack.Not to mention I had to do a panic stop on the hill and nearly got rear ended safety ya right!

Posted by: Mike on October 27 2005 9:29 PM

But there was a column in last mondays paper saying the RCMP are now getting a cut of the speeding tickets. They are apparently putting more cops out after 5 for that reason. Gee golly heck! Do you think the cops have any incentive to give tickets? No use catching drug dealers any more--no reward!

Posted by: SpeakingOut on October 28 2005 10:54 AM

If the speed limit says 60 - it's 60, if you're doing 70, yer speedin', granted most times you won't be pulled over for doing up to 10k over. Between the J.Hart bridge and North Scales, the speed limit is 60, but most traffic moves at 80 to 90 and those attempting to do the speed limit are practically mowed over. If the speed limit were increased to - say 80, would that mean the speeders would be going 100 to 110? Is it possible the RCMP have accepted the speeders on the hill and just wish to slow them down at the bottom of it...maybe? There is a residential driveway off of that hill, would hate to have to turn off there with people coming at my rearend doing 100.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 28 2005 5:58 PM

Speak of the devil! The road cops were out today standing right at the bottom of 1st avenue just before the bridge.
They were catching people that attempt to get a running start at that hill. Clever!
I remember there was an accident many years ago at that location, but it was from the other direction! Ha Ha! A drunk clipped a pole in the CN Yard, so who says the road cops don't know their stuff, eh? LOLOLOL

Posted by: acrider54 on October 29 2005 6:40 AM

RCMP concerned about safety? I think not. I remember years back (1974) An officer asked me if I was stupid, driving in day time snow conditions with my headlights out. I remembered that day and have driven with my headlights at all times since then.

Today you see patrol cars driving with no headlights on in any inclimate weather. I called the detachment with my concerns about being seen on the highway stressing that driving with headlights on would improve safety on the road. I was told that the RCMP were not there to promote safety and driving with their headlights on would attract atttention. DUH.

Today, you see a white vehicle with headlights out 9 times out of ten it will be a cop.

Speed traps..... Hide in the bush and jump out in to the middle of traffic to pull some one over, yeah right that sounds like a safe way to do things.

Be visible, show a presence that will slow people down, hide in the bush and trying not to be seen is entrapment in my opinion.