VA Cops on 495 express lanes

[OrbitalEllipses]

Hey, Canuck...this is the Mid-Atlantic region. Please see yourself out.

[BoostinIX]

Yeah.....I'm going to take the views of an experienced older driver that's been here for quite some time, and a local business owner over someone from a completely different country on how this area works. Lol :P

[Grishbok]

I dont see how the guys point of origin makes what he said any more or less relevant. Thats like dismissing sun tzu for being oriental. Doesnt make any sense. The officers also don't get paid per ticket issued, they are paid out of a completely different budget. Most tickets are prepaid, and those that arent, have court and processing fees in addition to the fine on the ticket. This is all really well documented as well, a quick google search can confirm it.

For what its worth, I happen to know a few on the current ffx pd force, and a few that are no longer on the force. One in particular who was involved in a press conference in which he revealed the targeted practice of ffx county traffic programs for county revenue, confirmed the prescence of a quota program, and discussed the appauling safety and budget issues leaving some police officers to go out with half filled ammunition clips. So, take it as you will, but it is what it is, state revenue.

[Jahdai42]

My cousin is a retired Mountie from Toronto and he had an undocumented quota to fill. I wonder why MD and DC keeps putting up speed cameras and traffic cameras. It really doesnt make it any safer. Oh right $85M in tickets for the city and they dont have to pay the cops to sit around waiting to bust people.

[Jahdai42]

Originally Posted by Mach V Dan

I don't think so. Figure the average speeding ticket takes the officer 45 minutes to stop you, write up the ticket, send you on your way, and pull his car around to be in position for the next ticket. Say the ticket is for $200. The officer makes $25 an hour including benefits. The court processing costs maybe $50. The police cruiser costs another $10 an hour. Payment processing costs another $10. Maybe 10% of the people never pay, so that's $20 off. I'm up to $110 out of your $200 ticket, just in costs, and I'm sure there are costs I haven't thought of. I don't think this kind of ticket is any kind of substantial cash generator for the state.

--Dan
Mach V

It is what the government calls a self licking ice-cream cone.

[swift996]

Their operating costs are for the most part fixed. Police will be on duty whether they are issuing tickets or responding to crime activities. I'm sure they face pressure to offset some of those cost by bringing in "revenue" for their city/county/municipality.

I'm guessing there is somewhat a gamification element to their ticketing activities. Perhaps they see no direct benefit but either they gain respect/other collective psychological factors or are considered to move rank quicker. All jobs in a bureaucratic organization are going to have some "rules to the game."

My issue is that we as citizens decided it was in the best interest to society to build a patrolling police force to help mitigate crime. This scheme is another hidden tax to society. Sure there is a ton of value that police provide but also abuse power and resources. Like any job, you get good people and bad people. I just worry with governments becoming more cash strapped they will become more desperate. I wish more of the regulation involving driving, traffic, and automobiles was enforced on the entry. Meaning it's harder to obtain a license and the onus to meet safety and emissions was on the manufacturer (which they predominantly are).

Collective and mutual governance has demonstrated to work in a lot of areas. I just don't see a need for speed limits in certain areas, front tags, inspections, emissions, etc. My Porsche 911 fully spec'd is much safer at higher rates of travel than a Toyota Prius or a Lincoln Navigator. I just wish people would be required as part of drivers education to go through an accident avoidance/learn the physics of cars program.

[Jahdai42]

Originally Posted by swift996

Collective and mutual governance has demonstrated to work in a lot of areas. I just don't see a need for speed limits in certain areas, front tags, inspections, emissions, etc. My Porsche 911 fully spec'd is much safer at higher rates of travel than a Toyota Prius or a Lincoln Navigator. I just wish people would be required as part of drivers education to go through an accident avoidance/learn the physics of cars program.

:happy0180: I might have to buy you a beer... I like the way you think.

Do you know why Scandanavia has the best rally drivers? Everyone has to go to school to learn how to really drive, not just pass a test so someone can sell you a car.

[BoostinIX]

The issue was never which budget funded their salaries. The point was the state is paying xx, and taking in xx. Not sure why to argue over confirming it's a clear source of revenue?

[Mach V Dan]

Originally Posted by Jahdai42

It is what the government calls a self licking ice-cream cone.

Heh! I love that expression. There's no doubt that issuing tickets gives a group of people the appearance of doing something. And hey, tickets DO function as a deterrent to speeding to some extent. I don't think there's any doubt we would all driver faster if there was NO speed enforcement.

--Dan
Mach V

[Jahdai42]

Originally Posted by Mach V Dan

I don't think there's any doubt we would all driver faster if there was NO speed enforcement.

--Dan
Mach V

I concur, If it wasnt for Smokey hiding behing the wall on the 495 to 66 on ramp I would probably be full throttle all the way to the traffic at the next exit.

[infinite012]

Originally Posted by Mach V Dan

Heh! I love that expression. There's no doubt that issuing tickets gives a group of people the appearance of doing something. And hey, tickets DO function as a deterrent to speeding to some extent. I don't think there's any doubt we would all driver faster if there was NO speed enforcement.

--Dan
Mach V

I'm always amazed at how calm you are on the forums, especially after someone tries to call you out.

[Flat Black VW]

And this is the exact reason I have a radar detector. I dont feel safe driving around NoVA without one.

[infinite012]

You have a radar detector...for now.

I'm sure you are already aware that radar detectors are illegal in VA. What do you have and how did you mount it so that it doesn't obviously look like a radar detector ?

[SneakyPete]

Originally Posted by Flat Black VW

And this is the exact reason I have a radar detector. I dont feel safe driving around NoVA without one.

I have a V1 (which I turn off going through VA, since it's detectable). I don't pass through VA too often, otherwise I would've gotten something undetectable, like an STI-R+.