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by Katie101 from Calera

Last Post 67 days, 18 hours Ago


Taking the Highways Back from Whom?
Aug 18, 2008 | 1:21 PM
Category: Traffic
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I had to travel to LA again this past weekend to attend to some business. I traveled the back roads (Highways 5 and 25 to be exact) and did not see one law enforcement officer the entire 145 miles. It was a pretty good trip- I kept the cruise between 60 and 65- not too far over the 55 mph limit.

This morning on my way back, I took the interstate and I realized that the "Take Back Our Highways" campaign was generally over- the weekend had ended, and so had any type of patrol- no State Trooper, marked or unmarked, in sight. In the meantime, cars with Mississippi plates flew past me like I was creeping at a snail's pace and I was driving a good solid 77 mph. I don't get it. They "take back the highways" for a few days and write people tickets out the ying-yang. Then you have those troopers that won't bother you for driving 5 miles over, but then there are also those who ride you for driving 71. I know it may seem like I'm beating a dead horse here, but I don't pay state troopers to heavily patrol one weekend a month. We pay their salaries just like y'all pay my salary to teach. Taxpayers expect me to teach at all times- not when there are stakes present.

I've about had enough. My sweet daddy got a ticket for driving 61 in a 55 and that ticks me off. He got "caught" when they were "taking back the highways" a few months ago. But what about the idiot this morning who was probably doing every bit of 90 in fog? What about him?

Is there a state trooper in the house that can explain? Katie would surely appreciate it.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 19
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fargingbastige read my blog view my photos
Aug 18, 2008 | 1:43 PM

Katie, I just finished a very similar post/blog with some of the same issues. Interseting. And by the way, I'm with you. My 57 in a 55 zone in a non-construction, non-school zone on the interstate is just an example of someone trying to get a quota for tickets. Drives me nuts!

In a separate incident a several years ago, I got ticket for 72 in a 70 zone on the interstate. Others were zooming past me like I was sitting still. The difference, I believe? They were in more run-of-the-mill average cars (not knocking them, just trying to capture "average"). My car looked fast, so I must have been speeding. Going to court to contest the ticket does nothing but waste time. I still had to pay because by my own admission, I was, in fact, doing 72 in a 70 zone and the judge said, "that's speeding" - court cost and ticket was more than I made in two weeks at that point in my life.
Katie101 read my blog
Aug 18, 2008 | 3:22 PM

FB, your story just burns me up! I mean, consistency ACROSS THE BOARD is key. You know, if every trooper ticketed me for going 75 in a 70, I probably would drive 70 all the time and never go an inch over because I knew that I would receive punishment. I'm not questioning or bemoaning the law. What I am questioning, however, is the consistency in the application of the law.
sitruc-kluaf
Aug 18, 2008 | 3:26 PM

That's it. Enforce the speed limit or do not. It's not subjective. While I'm at it, you know what really gets me? The little signs under the speed limit sign that says "Strictly Enforced". You either enforce or you don't enforce. Is that an indication that in other areas they don't really enforce it?
fargingbastige read my blog view my photos
Aug 18, 2008 | 3:32 PM

Yeah, Katie - burns me up, too. I guess about every two years or so I get to contribute to the State Troopers despite trying to be a good little boy on the road. I just usually feel like I'm being singled out. Burns me up about your dad, too. I'm with you, I'd like to hear an explanation for our law enforcement officers for how someone can get a ticket for 72 in a 70 while some folks get away with much more. If EVERYONE got a ticket for 72 in a 70, I'd have no problem with it - and I wouldn't drive 72.
noshamejamezzz read my blog view my photos
Aug 28, 2008 | 3:18 PM

Ya'll do know that when you go to court,and if the cop that wrote the ticket is not there,you can usually get the Judge to dismiss it.The cop is the witness,if he's not there to acuse you they can do nothing but dismiss.It has worked for me in B'ham,Moody,Leeds,and once at St.Clair County cause a trooper got me in Riverside.I don't press my luck anymore but as of 2 years ago I got the one from the trooper thrown out.
fargingbastige read my blog view my photos
Aug 28, 2008 | 3:33 PM

Yeah, but regrettably the knucklehead was sitting right there smiling.
noshamejamezzz read my blog view my photos
Aug 28, 2008 | 11:36 PM

Yeah that sucks huh? Oh well pay it and forget it as long as you don't have a bunch it's not to bad on your record or insurance.
fargingbastige read my blog view my photos
Aug 29, 2008 | 8:36 AM

It came off my 3-year record last week! Unfortunately, I have a nasty habit of acquiring one about every three years.
noshamejamezzz read my blog view my photos
Aug 29, 2008 | 9:23 PM

Sounds like your foot's a liitle heavy!
game6065 read my blog
Sep 13, 2008 | 9:20 AM

who are we geting the back from lets see the feds,state,county all write tickets sounds like they own the roads to me.
noshamejamezzz read my blog view my photos
Sep 13, 2008 | 11:47 AM

Were getting them back from all you lawless thugs I think you all outta be shipped off!!!!! Just kidding LOL
AzJim read my blog view my photos
Sep 15, 2008 | 1:05 PM

When driving in the desert of AZ I was stopped on more than one occassion for doing 80 in a 70.Being respectful to the troopers, thay gave me a ticket both times for "squandering resources", a $15 fine and not reported on your record. They realize the need to slow you down, but not crucify you for doing what everybody does.Shame they don't have the same leeway here.
Katie101 read my blog
Sep 15, 2008 | 8:18 PM

No Jim, they don't.

They don't believe in grace, but they do believe in revenue.
noshamejamezzz read my blog view my photos
Sep 15, 2008 | 11:35 PM

For the love of money,he would lie to his mother,Ha you said it Katie dear!$$$$$MONEY$$$$$
ladyrebel100
Sep 17, 2008 | 10:31 AM

Katie, let me just say that I think you must be a very wonderful teacher to take your job seriously, unlike so many state workers that just collect a paycheck. That would be another 4 page blog. lol The problem is not with the troupers, but their bosses. The ones who decide the where/when of these blitzes. I'm with you though, it should be everyday. I try my best to do the limit through the junction and other places, when you look up and an 18 wheeler is almost in your backseat, it is only an accident waiting to happen. What do I tell the trouper if I get pulled over? "Im sorry, I had to go 80 to keep from being run over?" I thought the main crackdown was to keep the trucks in check! I did get pulled over for not wearing a seat belt-I had the lap part ON and the top strap ON, but under my left shoulder. He gave me a warning! I kept my mouth shut, but I DID have a seatbelt on. Still not too sure they can do that. Older cars only have a lap-belt. Did I mention it took me 15 minutes to get BACK on to the interstate? Burns me up.
game6065 read my blog
Sep 25, 2008 | 9:53 AM

heres the seat belt law if your car has a shoulder belt it must be on also if your car has only a lab belt your fine seems dumb to let one off and hold another but i had trucks that did not have seat belts or a way to put them in i have a 68 f100 has a steal dash that i put but belts in there nothing keeping them there just belts in the seat
Katie101 read my blog
Oct 9, 2008 | 11:45 AM

FYI- the other morning around 6:45, I'm driving along nice as I please from Calera. Between the Shelby County Airport exit and the Alabaster exit, a Jeep Commander gets right on my bumper as I was attempting to pass another car. Finally he barrels past me and had the nerve to have a vanity place with a Bible verse on it........anyway, by the time we get north of the Alabaster ramp, traffic is GRIDLOCKED as usual. I spy a state trooper to the right of me and he and I basically moved along beside each other. In the meantime, I see the Jeep ahead of us MAKING ILLEGAL LANE CHANGES AND CAUSING PEOPLE TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY. I'm sitting there amazed that this vehicle is driving this way with a trooper less than four cars behind. I'm waiting for the trooper to hit his lights.....does he?? NOOOOOOOO!!!!! He continues to chill in the right lane and acts totally oblivious to what the idiot in front of us is doing!!! You talking about HOT?!!! I was LIVID!!!

Soooo being the progressive and dutiful citizen I am, I promptly went to the DOT website and sent a complaint. I was contacted by the Birmingham area captain, but not sure of what exactly happened from there.
Copperhead63
Oct 15, 2008 | 9:45 AM

Katie, I understand your complaint and agree that a trooper that stops somebody for going five or six miles over is a jerk. I am not a state trooper but do work in law enforcement. I routinely set radar to lock in speeds of 13 to 15 miles over the limit. Although it depends on what type of roadway we are patrolling. To answer the main question, the name suggests taking back the highways from the aggressive drivers out there such as the jeep you encountered. Following too closely, exessive speed, cutting in without signaling, etc.. You know, the ones that drive like it is their road in you are in the way!! That is who these campaigns are aimed towards.
Cornerman read my blog view my photos
Oct 20, 2008 | 2:31 PM

I hear there's a new initiative to the "Take Back Our Highways" campaign. This one is going to really make driver slow down. For the first offense you are going to get TWO tickets the an Auburn football game. The second offense is that you are going to have to use the tickets to go to the game! :)
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Katie101

Christian, Educator, American- one who loves to see the lightbulb switch on in my children's minds and the love of Christ reign in people's hearts. Native of LA- lower Alabama, that is, and I am a Southern Belle of the New South....despite all that ails it, I love Alabama with all of my heart.

Member Since: 11/27/2006


 

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