From yesterday's inbox:
I would just like to voice my opinion that I find it unfair that an officer gives a person a ticket for speeding without asking the reason why they were going above the speed limit, or even having a conversation about it. The interaction I had tonight was a joke; no, on second thought, it was rude. What a surprise from a law enforcement official! Keep on protecting and serving, you're doing a great job using those hiding places on speed violations instead of meth houses and communities full of rapists!!!
I know, I know, I've blogged about
this issue before, but I thought this complaint that we failed to ask why the driver why he was speeding was a novel approach. I think we could come up with an interesting list of excuses we've heard.
Here is a funny excuse. I wont be out here long. And, That car in front of me was going faster. The post says:
ReplyDeleteyou're doing a great job using those hiding places
My comment is. Good, hide some more on Superior and 19th. This person is sour because he got a speeding ticket. One of my pet peevs is what I call "The gutless driver" This driver speeds and drives like a jerk. No signals and abrupt lane changes are his way. But when he spots a police car he hits the breaks, he signals lane changes. He becomes a law abiding driver. Then when the Police are not in sight he resumes his wreckless ways again further endangering the drivers that strive to be safe. Also how about those drivers that RUSH to a red light. Then when it changes to green, they RUSH to the next res light only to stop again. The drivers manual should teach TIMING.
This person might have a point. As I pointed out yesterday, a police officer SHOULD have some natural curiosity. Maybe they should ask in order to have something to file away in the "Things that don't really matter" file. LOL
ReplyDeleteTo all of you citizens who post on here this is how it is when it comes to almost all traffic violations; we do not have to prove you intended to break the law, just that you did break the law. Also, UNLPD rocks!
ReplyDeleteI have a dream of uniform acceleration for all cars when it switches from red to a green light.
ReplyDeleteKudos, for the cop on being a trained observer of traffic violations. I see him or her as doing a benefit to the driver by not asking why they were speeding. It'll be used against you in court should the ticket ever go.
Sounds like the cop was professional in their silence. While it may be rude to issue a ticket like that I would think it is better than trying to explain to a family why their child is now dead after having chased a ball into the street and the driver failed to stop in time.
Oh that was a bit harsh. But I can bet that your ticket was lower than having your car fixed after a fender bender.
Sounds like the officers ARE doing their jobs along with tackling the big nasties of the world.
Take your ticket Mr. Driver and correct your driving performance you so obviously neglected.
Chief - I look forward to reading the list of excuses you come up with.
ReplyDeleteI could never be a police officer because I don't have the patience to deal daily with this mindset. I guess one would get used to it and tune it out, but even my 3-year-old understands simple traffic laws and why they exist. Kudos to all the officers.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite excuse was from a guy driving a hybrid vehicle. He claimed that his vehicle generates electricity when going down hills so it caused the car to speed itself up.... Hmmm, sorry try again.
ReplyDeleteMy runner up excuse was a guy who was going over 50 mph who claimed that the wind was pushing his car past the speed limit.... is this hurricane season?
how about the usual list of excuses..i wasn't speeding you must have been clocking the car in front of me, i thought i was allowed to go 5-10 over the limit before i got a ticket, i wasn't paying attention to my speed, and the obvious i have to go the bathroom really bad!!!
ReplyDeleteI find it funny that someone who got caught speeding is complaining to the CHIEF of POLICE. C'mon man I bet the cop was not rude he just did not get into into a shouting match with you when you dropped a couple of f-bombs toward him. You got caught and are mad about it. I bet the guy that got caught is the first to call the cops when some driver he cuts off pulls up next to him and flips him off.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet that "I was going to be late for work" is a common excuse for speeding. Of course, "You should get ready earlier and leave five minutes sooner" pretty much deflates that one.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, Lincoln is so small (relative to the nation's largest metros) that going +10 clear across town trims very little off your trip. Leave early, arrive early, and take that stress out of your life.
The other thing people fail to realize is that speeding doesn't get you there that much faster. Perhaps a minute or two is all and for those several seconds, one risks a heightened chance of accidents, tickets, vehicle damage, injury, insurance costs, civil suits, etc etc.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, a ticket is the least of a persons concern as compared to being successfully sued because they are found at fault.
Most people speed because they are running late or in a hurry and somewhere people have forgotten that effective time management is an important dynamic of being a responsible driver. We live in an age of multi-tasking and patience is on a sharp decline while the number of motorists increase. A bad mix to be sure.
Bottom line is, there are very few "legitimate" reasons for violating a law and if a person weighs the odds in their own mind and takes the risk (because they are late or don't feel good or have to go to the bathroom, etc etc) they have to know if they shave that minute or two, it could get them a ticket. No excuses.
I don't want to be told, "Sorry! My alarm didn't go off when I'm sitting in my wrecked car."
Well, in the future perhaps the officer could stop a couple of other motorist, they could all have a group hug and sing "Kumbaya"! Then once the offending motorist FEELS better they can all get back to their lives. Or maybe they should bring a friend to hold their hand.
ReplyDeleteWhat was unfair about not asking this person why he/she was speeding? I for one don't care why you speed. If you're caught going over the speed limit you get a ticket. It's not rude to not have a ten minute conversation about your speeding issue. Our job is not to lecture you. Our job is to educate you, via a citation and reduce traffic accidents. Finally why do citizens throw out the "why don't you take care of the" crack house, rapist or murderer thing when they get in trouble? That line is getting real old...please come up with something new :)
ReplyDeleteHow often are speed limits reevaluated? If enough people are speeding, shouldn't we look the rules over again and raise them by five or ten miles?
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me that the reason this driver was speeding was that they were: (a) rushing to get to one of the many meth houses in Lincoln or (b) running from one of the many rapists this city is full of.
ReplyDeleteThe best excuse I ever heard -- and it could be applied to virtually any situation -- "I had some bad potato salad."
ReplyDeleteif your reason is good enough to speed than the ticket should be the least of your concerns.
ReplyDeletethe only time i want the police to care about your reason for speeding is if the situation is dire enough that they are willing to take you the rest of the way in their cruiser.
And just for the record we're diligently working on the crack houses, rapists and murderers ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Impressive? We know.
ReplyDeleteThe kid of a friend of mine got their drivers license around 9am and had his first speeding ticket by noon. Apparently in addition to "sneaking around" to catch speeders there must be some sneeky neon sign over folks with new drivers permits that tell police officers who to "pick" on!
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will give this young person a big wake up call about safety in the car - especially with the fresh pain in his wallet!
Drivers in this city should realize that it doesn't matter whether you speed or drive the speed limit, you will still be stuck at one of Lincoln's non-syncronized stop lights.
ReplyDeleteThe minute or two that you saved by speeding will quickly be gone as you start and stop at every stop light between your starting point and your destination.
There are also many, many self proclaimed mechanics out there. It seems that many people are speeding in an effort to identify car problems. So many people I contact are speeding to evaluate their choppy transmission, figure out whats wrong with their clutch, or see if the "check engine" light will go off if they accelerate quickly. The symptoms of poor vehicle performance must be amplified with higher speeds.
ReplyDeleteHey Anonymous 2:17, I'll wager every commenter here (including myself) has been ticketed for something but thanks for the lecture on time management.
ReplyDeleteWell I no longer have a car - by choice. In part because I was fed up with being closely tailgated while doing the speed limit. The police regularly set up speed traps on 27th. near my house in Wood's Park. I applaud whenever I see their day-glo orange vests and applaud again when I see them pull someone over. Driving is no pleasure with fellow drivers like that.
ReplyDeleteJerry E. Kinney, of 6724 Francis St
ReplyDeleteThats right, it is Havalock area.
What do I win?
anon 1:36 p.m.
ReplyDeleteThe next time they tailgate you just slam on your brakes.
Like it or not, 2:17 is right. Sure, I've had a few moving violation citations in my earlier years, but never one that wasn't legit.
ReplyDeleteOfficer to speeder: "I've been waiting for you all day."
ReplyDeleteSpeeder to officer: "Well, I got here as quick as I could."
Totally off the subject, but are police scanners legal if I was to buy one? They sell them at Radio Shack but I need to know before I purchase one. I just would like to hear where emergency personnel are going when they're going by with their sirens. Thanks
ReplyDeleteNor should they ask why a driver was speeding. Or any other question that does not pertain to the business of delivering the citation(or warning) or any subject matter that doesnot involve a possible violation of the law.
ReplyDeleteI have a complaint about selective enforcement. I was driving west on Holdrege and stopped at a light and signled my left turn onto 48TH street. Before I turned with the arrow I looked across the road to make sure that there was no one trying to make a right turn. When I went around the corner I took the curb lane a I have done many times and a crusier came out after me. I got a warning for improper turn. I have done this several times in front of a crusier and not been pulled over for it. I was informed by the officer I could have caused an accident if someone was turning there. If I have an arrow 1st of all I should have the right of way, and 2nd of all I have been driving 20+ years and pay close attention to my sorroundings. Why sould I be stopped when not all officers will enforce this? Also, it is much easier for me to get into the lane I will be needing than to try to fight to get over into it.
ReplyDeleteMay 2, 8:42-
ReplyDeleteScanners are not illegal.
Silly me-
The reason that officers often ask is that the motorists often offer an excuse that can be evidence in court if the case goes to trial.
May 5 2:42-
You have described a legitimate improper turn violation, and I'd say a warning ticket is appropriate.
To May 5, 2008 2:42 AM
ReplyDeleteI do the turn the way the law says to do it. I then signal and move to the lane I want. Then the car that was behind me that did not use a signal and turned like you did, slams the gas pedel and whips back to the lane he should have been in like I was. All the time not watching behind him/her. in time this is going to cause a great accident and all because I follow the law and tick people off by doing so. YES, this law was ment for me.
Can more officers "hide" on 84th street? Some seem to forget it is a residential area and not Hwy 84!
ReplyDelete