Highway Patrol...Necessary or just a revenue thing?
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Duhockey
Senior Member
well, I cant say that No, I dont want state patrol out on highways, but I can say that I would prefer law changes to driving laws...
I am always in favor of less laws, but making sure the few that are enforced are written and enforced well
Im not so much a fan of speed limit in most areas as I am of enforcing "safe driving"
do we really need to go 25mph near an elementary school? I would say try 15... but near a high school?? really? high school kids dont know to stay outta the road yet?? thats a Darwin area for me!
as far as the highways? I could care less about speeders, Im more concerned about tailgaters and people jumping lane to lane or driving aggressively.
but police got to get their money... got to get their stats... go figure
Clemsonfan15
New member
I think they are important. They are helpful for reducing drug trafficking.
Although an Autobahn would be cool, there are too many people who drive in the United States. It would be too crowded would lead to accidents.
Although an Autobahn would be cool, there are too many people who drive in the United States. It would be too crowded would lead to accidents.
Duhockey
Senior Member
Clemsonfan15
New member
Highway Patrol?
Do you not know that a ton of drugs are driven along highways in the United States?
DEA should take care of drug trafficking, not highway patrols.
Duhockey
Senior Member
yeah, they drive on highways and trails and back road and main roads... but the speed limit doesnt keep that in check...
how many speeding tickets you think result in Drug trafficking charges??
manhunter
New member
Clemson15 is correct on the drug trafficking. Here in Texas, Interstate 30 from Dallas to Texarkana, and Interstate 20 from Dallas to Shreveport are major drug routes. Numerous drug seizures take place during traffic stops by the highway patrol and local sheriffs along both. Now, regarding the need of the highway patrol? In Texas, they are the only law enforcement presence in many rural areas of the interstates and highways, with Texas being as spread out as it is. I will be the first to tell you that there are probably too many levels of law enforcement, especially at the state and county level, ...., all with their own slice of pie to enforce, and generate revenue. But there still needs to be law enforcement presence even on the interstates and highways to enforce speeding and traffic laws, and to be available to respond to accidents or other situations. In most other countries, you will find one law enforcement agency that enforces ALL laws from speeding to murder. They are run by the goverment whether it be the president, dictator, premier, chairman, or whatever they call them in their respective country.
The left lane is designated for passing, but you wouldn't know it by driving on American highways. Regardless of speed limits (or the lack of speed limits) on our highways, there will always be people driving in the left lane (while not passing) and people tailgating. There are simply not enough police to enforce these basic rules of the roads (or should I say laws?) that too many American drivers tend to ignore.
But no matter how fast someone is going, there will always be someone else behind him who thinks he's not going fast enough, hence the tailgater mentality. The easiest way to avoid tailgaters is to just move the hell over when they are behind you and let them pass. But for some reason, we live in a competitive society and there are people who just don't like being passed on the road.
techno
New member
Yep, the way law enforcement is done in the US is ridiculous. The duplication of resources and logistics is simply amazing and has absolutely no benefit at all. The waste of money is massive. And take a look at the incredible levels of red tape, procedures, and hoops they have to jump through in order to simply work together. It really is quite embarrassing. Whoever came up with the idea that municipal boundaries should govern law enforcement needs their head read.
Do I think we need a highway patrol? Certainly not, it should be part of a bigger, state run police force. Should the highways be policed? Of course, the more the better. How many times have you wished a cop had seen what you just witnessed some other driver doing?
Should that apply to the shipping trucks (18 wheelers) as well? They drive on our highways too. I, for one, don't want a 100K lbs vehicle that has the ability to drive as fast as it wants on the same road as I do.
The Highway patrol also regulates the weight of these 18 wheelers and checks their log books (making sure that they haven't been driving for a week straight on no sleep).
Manhunter, you left out Hwy 59....comes straight out of Mexico, through Houston and up through northeast Texas.....Big drug trafficking route.
Personally, I dont have a problem with the Highway Patrol or having multiple regulatory bodies. I drive safely and I am not ticketed. If you drive unsafely, you should be ticketed....what does it matter who issues the ticket?
highway patrol
Speaking from personal experience there has to be a law enforcement presence on the interstate. Remember every agency has different policies and every officer is different from the next.
The biggest problem is not speeding. Its the person texting, eating, reading, talking on the phone, and frankly has there head up thier butt. I personaly could care less if someone is doing 10 to 15mph over the posted speed limit. As long as thier being safe.
Agencies use drug interdiction on the interstate to control the illegal narcotics, stolen property, guns, and currency coming in and out of this country every day. It also generates money for the agencies so they dont have to ask the public for higher taxes.
Speaking from personal experience there has to be a law enforcement presence on the interstate. Remember every agency has different policies and every officer is different from the next.
The biggest problem is not speeding. Its the person texting, eating, reading, talking on the phone, and frankly has there head up thier butt. I personaly could care less if someone is doing 10 to 15mph over the posted speed limit. As long as thier being safe.
Agencies use drug interdiction on the interstate to control the illegal narcotics, stolen property, guns, and currency coming in and out of this country every day. It also generates money for the agencies so they dont have to ask the public for higher taxes.
Jeff Kleb
New member
Highway Patrol
In VA, we have "State Police" - but some southern & western states call them "Highway Patrol" (both pretty much do the same thing regarding traffic enforcement).
Do we need them? Absolutely! Do they serve a purpose? Of course. Only a total buffoon would say that we should not have any cops on the highway. The issue is what they should be tasked with and where they need to concentrate their enforcement/visibility efforts.
As others have mentioned, the biggest problem is not speeding. It is ignorant, inattentive, lazy or idiotic drivers. The two biggest offenses - and the most dangerous - are those who "cruise" in the passing lane and those who change lanes or turn without giving proper directional signals. Every 'near miss' I have had is usually caused by one of those two acts. Both are infractions under the vehicle code in most states, but go ignored by the police.
:dammit:
Here in VA, our speed limit is going to be increased from 65 to 70 mph (most Interstates outside of cities) in July of 2010. This is definitely a good thing. However, our police are going to have to really go after the 'left lane bandits' and folks who run out of blinker fluid. Otherwise, we have a potential for more crashes (because of 'difference in speed'), more road rage and more congestion caused by people traveling in the wrong lane. Those signs that say "Slower Traffic Keep Right" are there for a reason.....but the state probably wasted money erecting them because nobody obeys them at all.
As someone who drives a big rig for a living, I can tell you that the state police - as well as some county agencies - are very strict about commercial vehicle operation. They don't need probable cause to stop us and I often get checked when I go through a weigh station. Even if I am not overweight, troopers can pull trucks around back for an inspection any time they want. Many police agencies also have portable scales that they can use just about anywhere they wish.
:ybrick:
As the old saying goes, "If I passed you on the right, you're in the wrong lane!"
In VA, we have "State Police" - but some southern & western states call them "Highway Patrol" (both pretty much do the same thing regarding traffic enforcement).
Do we need them? Absolutely! Do they serve a purpose? Of course. Only a total buffoon would say that we should not have any cops on the highway. The issue is what they should be tasked with and where they need to concentrate their enforcement/visibility efforts.
As others have mentioned, the biggest problem is not speeding. It is ignorant, inattentive, lazy or idiotic drivers. The two biggest offenses - and the most dangerous - are those who "cruise" in the passing lane and those who change lanes or turn without giving proper directional signals. Every 'near miss' I have had is usually caused by one of those two acts. Both are infractions under the vehicle code in most states, but go ignored by the police.
:dammit:
Here in VA, our speed limit is going to be increased from 65 to 70 mph (most Interstates outside of cities) in July of 2010. This is definitely a good thing. However, our police are going to have to really go after the 'left lane bandits' and folks who run out of blinker fluid. Otherwise, we have a potential for more crashes (because of 'difference in speed'), more road rage and more congestion caused by people traveling in the wrong lane. Those signs that say "Slower Traffic Keep Right" are there for a reason.....but the state probably wasted money erecting them because nobody obeys them at all.
As someone who drives a big rig for a living, I can tell you that the state police - as well as some county agencies - are very strict about commercial vehicle operation. They don't need probable cause to stop us and I often get checked when I go through a weigh station. Even if I am not overweight, troopers can pull trucks around back for an inspection any time they want. Many police agencies also have portable scales that they can use just about anywhere they wish.
:ybrick:
As the old saying goes, "If I passed you on the right, you're in the wrong lane!"
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
We can't have autobahn type highways here in america because the majority of drivers don't know how to handle that high of speeds or high speeds of others. In Germany you actually have to go to school to get a license and it costs upwards of $2000 and it's a completely different and a tenfold education than the minimal or any driver's ed that most americans ever see.
004Gunner
New member
I am all for reduction and consolidation of government entities and/or organizations. Overall I maintain an anti law enforcement sentiment although I will concede that some forms are obviously necessary. Highway Patrols/State Police should be comprised of specialized units that can not be reasonably fulfilled by municipal law enforcement (water borne ops, bomb squad, airborne ops, SRT/SWAT, etc.). You can not convince me that we should have a municipal level, county level, state level, and highly specialized federal levels of law enforcement. It just gets redundant with the CIA, DNI, NSA, DIA, NRO, DSS, DEA, ATF(E), FBI, DHS, ICE, and DOJ. Did I miss any? I bet I missed another half dozen or so! :wtf:
State Police in New Jersey are nearly always spotted performing traffic enforcement and I think they do a good job of sticking to the interstate. I think they should be more focused on tailgating, failure to observe signal, failure to keep right, and safety related repairs though (i.e. your HID retro is blinding people, your brake lights are out, your headlight is out, your mattress is improperly secured to your roof. . .) instead of speeding. And the autobahn works because the rules that exist are strictly enforced, so this entity can and should remain but with an attitude of complementing local law enforcement. I voted 'no' based on the current system.
State Police in New Jersey are nearly always spotted performing traffic enforcement and I think they do a good job of sticking to the interstate. I think they should be more focused on tailgating, failure to observe signal, failure to keep right, and safety related repairs though (i.e. your HID retro is blinding people, your brake lights are out, your headlight is out, your mattress is improperly secured to your roof. . .) instead of speeding. And the autobahn works because the rules that exist are strictly enforced, so this entity can and should remain but with an attitude of complementing local law enforcement. I voted 'no' based on the current system.
Not only that, but our highways aren't built for autobahn-type speeds.
MikesToy
Banned
If i don't see one, the better off i am. IMHO, I voted "No" (especially here in Colorado). When you see a state trooper, everybody slows down which causes congestion vs going the flow of traffic. In increment weather (snow, blizzard, etc.), the freeway signs are up saying "Report and Call ONLY when alcohol is involved or when there are injuries". Other than that, exchange info and you have 72 hours to report the accident.
So, driving at or below the speed limit causes congestion? You should try driving in Houston....the traffic here would force you to love your current situation. The slow drivers here are not causing the traffic problems....it's the bad drivers that do.
BTW, it's "inclement"...
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