Illinois State Police M/C cops.

[Bud]

In the St. Louis Post Dispatch yesterday there was an article about the 40 member strong ISP motorcycle officers. Told how it cost's less per mile, easier to get to accidents etc.

 

Then the most telling stat of all: Since last summer they have written over 37,000 speeding tickets.

 

Hmmm...... Maybe it is all about the money.

[H C Edwards]

When I've seen them operating on the interstates in central Illinois, they're working in packs. They sit on the side of the road, with one kneeling and operating the radar gun. The others chase and write tickets. Business appeared to be good on the days I've seen them out.

 

You bet it's about revenue. Think of all those funds for our corrupt politicians to divvy up.

[W. Mazelin]

Yea, it's about the $$$, when I was working motor-traffic, back in the day, nobody ever told me I wrote too many tickets. On the other hand, I was in the Captain's office 3 times during my first year on the bike for "lack of productivity" - even though when all was said & done I wrote more tickets than anyone else in the traffic division.

[Eschelon1]

Hmmm....Do they ride RTPs? I'll be comming from the South on the way to the MOA National in WI, I'll need to know what to look for...

[motorman587]

Yea, it's about the $$$, when I was working motor-traffic, back in the day, nobody ever told me I wrote too many tickets. On the other hand, I was in the Captain's office 3 times during my first year on the bike for "lack of productivity" - even though when all was said & done I wrote more tickets than anyone else in the traffic division.

 

Maybe you were called in because you were a slacker.

[motorman587]

Prove to me that it is about the money???

 

Never mind cause this will turn into ANOTHER LEO BASHING FEST. So let's begin.

 

So of you guys get off on this stuff.

[Agent_Orange]

Can't we all agree that SOME of it is about the $$$$$?

Then we can piss and moan about just what % of the $$$$ it is about.

[Quinn]

Gee, maybe if someone could just decide on the maximum allowable speed limit for each road, they could put up signs and then we would all be able to travel below that maximum allowable speed limit and not get tickets.

 

Hey, isn't there already something sorta like that in place? I think I saw some signs on the interstate that said "Speed Limit" on them. Maybe we could use those. It might even work better than the "I'm an above average driver, I've got new tires, and I'm not going that far so I'll just factor in about 15 miles per hour over that sign that is really only meant for pulpwood trucks and school buses" system that we're using now.

 

Seriously folks, the problem with speeding tickets is that they just don't come often enough to act as any kind of deterent. Too many people get away with speeding too often for the punishment to follow the crime. Most comments I've heard here feel that a speeding ticket is a random act of the capricious gods. If we took a poll here, what would the normal speed be? At the limit? 5 over? 10 over? 20 or more over during rush hour?

 

Do I speed? Of course I do. If I didn't, I'd get run over out there. It would be nice, however, if I know how much I was allowed to speed before getting stopped. The public has bumped and fudged and cheated the system so much that I've got no idea if the guy who whizzes by me is breaking the law or if I'm an obstructionist idiot who missed a footnote in my driver's manual. If he got a ticket every single time he whizzed by me, then the system would have a value over and above an almost random lottery contribution to the state government.

[wbrissette]

Seriously folks, the problem with speeding tickets is that they just don't come often enough to act as any kind of deterent. Too many people get away with speeding too often for the punishment to follow the crime. Most comments I've heard here feel that a speeding ticket is a random act of the capricious gods. If we took a poll here, what would the normal speed be? At the limit? 5 over? 10 over? 20 or more over during rush hour?

 

This is exactly right. One of the "back roads" I take every single day to and from work has posted signs of 35 MPH. Yet, if you're not going 40-45 your going to get run over. Recently both the city police and county sheriff departments have really started cracking down. I myself have been guilty of doing about 20 over on this boring stretch of road at times. I also realize that if I got caught I would in fact deserve it, if for no other reason, because I hadn't gotten a ticket for all the times I was going 20+ over on that stretch of road.

 

I don't know that there is a good answer to this issue. It's been with us for a long time and it will continue to be an issue. Maybe we should all move to west Texas where the posted speed limits on I-10 are now 80 MPH.

 

Wayne

[velomoto]

Prove to me that it is about the money???

John, there is no proof, no "smoking gun" just a bunch of articles floating arount the internet from like minded indivituals. Perhaps there was a time when towns made revenue this way, and perhaps there are some small towns which do benifit significantly from this, but in the end there is nothing concrete - just speculation and conjecture.

 

Now remember - a rumor becomes fact after it is repeated three times, so John please join in the chorus "It's all about the revenue. It's all about the revenue. It's..."

[gottabmw]

It would be nice, however, if I know how much I was allowed to speed before getting stopped.

A friend of mine is a public prosector here in Lane County Oregon. Last time I rode with him (in a car), we were going to Portland from Eugene. We were in kind of a hurry and I was stressing about it. He told me as long as I was under ten mph over the limit, the state cops wouldn't bother. Of course that's no guarantee but I'd have to say that is about right considering my own experiences, at least here in Oregon.

 

I know for a fact that some small towns (Coburg, OR for one) have, or do, use traffic fines revenue to pad the coffers. But I think it's a stretch (and a paranoid conspiracy theory) to blame state cops to be on a revenue-gathering mission. The amount of traffic fines they garner is a drop in the bucket considering the size of state budgets. I think it's primarily about deterrent, even though there are not enough cops on the roads to fulfill that goal.

[Quinn]

I have heard that a lot of the stops on I-95 between Fla. and DC are really looking for drugs. If you can get a drug bust, you get to keep the car and any money found in it. So the local yokels are targeting expensive cars with out of state plates and looking for any infraction. Speeding is the most obvious excuse to stop someone and see what you can shake out.

[rmurwin]

Speeding is the most obvious excuse to stop someone and see what you can shake out.

Like a friend of mine always says, "Don't break the law while you're breaking the law."

[harleyjohn45]

those little west texas towns with their 35 mph speed limits and no traffic lights thrive on revenue from speeders. i feel i'm on their radar every time i go through. trust me, its all about the money.

[T__]

Gee, maybe if someone could just decide on the maximum allowable speed limit for each road, they could put up signs and then we would all be able to travel below that maximum allowable speed limit and not get tickets.

 

Hey, isn't there already something sorta like that in place? I think I saw some signs on the interstate that said "Speed Limit" on them. Maybe we could use those. It might even work better than the "I'm an above average driver, I've got new tires, and I'm not going that far so I'll just factor in about 15 miles per hour over that sign that is really only meant for pulpwood trucks and school buses" system that we're using now.

 

Seriously folks, the problem with speeding tickets is that they just don't come often enough to act as any kind of deterent. Too many people get away with speeding too often for the punishment to follow the crime. Most comments I've heard here feel that a speeding ticket is a random act of the capricious gods. If we took a poll here, what would the normal speed be? At the limit? 5 over? 10 over? 20 or more over during rush hour?

 

Do I speed? Of course I do. If I didn't, I'd get run over out there. It would be nice, however, if I know how much I was allowed to speed before getting stopped. The public has bumped and fudged and cheated the system so much that I've got no idea if the guy who whizzes by me is breaking the law or if I'm an obstructionist idiot who missed a footnote in my driver's manual. If he got a ticket every single time he whizzed by me, then the system would have a value over and above an almost random lottery contribution to the state government.

 

Quinn, basically if everybody is speeding they have the incorrect speed limit posted on the signs.. If more areas would do bi-annual speed studies then post the max speeds accordingly we wouldn’t have the problem of just doing the speed limit making you a traffic hindrance.. There are an awful lot of road speeds posted as a carryover from many years ago or because someone living along the road has some clout.. Unless the traffic enforcement is continuous & fair most people will just drive at the speed they feel comfortable at, even if that speed is in conflict with the posted speed signs..

 

Twisty

[Paul Mihalka]

With my recent speeding ticket history ( http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/824816/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1 ) I'm trying to behave myself. One problem I find is the constantly changing limits, going up and down by 5mph increments, not necessarily making sense by the conditions of the road. I find myself constantly looking for speed limit signs instead of other things, and still miss them once in a while. System in Europe: in built-up areas 50kph (about 30mph) no speed limit sign, when you see a town name sign it starts, when you see a town name sign with a line across it, it ends. Two-lane roads 100kmh (63mph). Freeways depending on country 120 to 140 or no limit (in Germany). There are marked exceptions, but not too many and they usually apply to a long stretch of road.

[Bud]

Hmmm....Do they ride RTPs? I'll be comming from the South on the way to the MOA National in WI, I'll need to know what to look for...

 

RTP's?

 

HD's?

 

OTOH You should have no problem out running or out stopping them.

[Bud]

When I've seen them operating on the interstates in central Illinois, they're working in packs. They sit on the side of the road, with one kneeling and operating the radar gun. The others chase and write tickets. Business appeared to be good on the days I've seen them out.

 

You bet it's about revenue. Think of all those funds for our corrupt politicians to divvy up.

 

As an Illinois citizen I resent the implication of that remark. In Illinois we have the best government .......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

money can buy.

[Mike]

Hmmm....Do they ride RTPs? I'll be comming from the South on the way to the MOA National in WI, I'll need to know what to look for...

 

I've only seen them on Harleys, so as long as you keep your speed above 90, they'll never catch you.

 

The ISP folks that I've dealt with tend to be good guys (and gals). They take their jobs seriously, but like most state troopers seem to shy away from B.S. citations. To give credit where credit is due, the ISP also does actively advocate motorcycle safety, encouraging motorists to be aware of the fact that cagers share the road with two-wheelers.

[Lineareagle]

The operative word is indeed 'capricious'.

I would be all for a strict MAXIMUM speed and intense enforcement.

Here in Ontario the 400 series highways are 100kph by sign, 120 kph in actuality over that you are begging for a ticket.

I have been rolling along at 120 and look behind me to see a LEO; I pull over he goes by at 130 and waves 'Thanks' at me!

 

Now what are you supposed to think of the speed 'limit'?

 

Set it at the 'safe' limit and enforce it. I can live with that.

 

And please, please enforce the limit on trucks!

 

 

 

[St_Louis_Don]

Think of all those funds for our corrupt politicians to divvy up.

 

Corrupt Polititions in Illinois? What's next? Corrupt Politions in St Louis City?

[celebrationrev]

It's not always about the money. I have a very good friend who just retired as a captain with the CHP. Back when he was a TO I did some ride-alongs. We also ran together 6 days a week so I got to know him and his motivations well.

Part of it was his very competitive nature; he considered it a challenge to catch the speeder, and the more extreme their speed the bigger the challenge.

But more important to him than the competition was his absolute conviction that speed kills, often an innocent victim. The driver/rider going over the limit was endangering everyone else on the road.

For that reason he would always pass up a car doing 15 over to get a semi doing the same. That trucker had more weight, a smaller margin for error and a greater potential to take out others.

But his absolute favorite, his top prize, was a Greyhound or equivalent. They got NO slack. That driver knew the law and had as his charge a bus full of passengers with no control over the speed or care the driver used.

He wrote more speeding tickets than anyone else in the office and was proud of it. He saw it as his contribution to the safety of the rest of us on the road. He really did care about protecting us from the dangers of excessive speed.

[SWB]

I have a very good friend who just retired as a captain with the CHP. .... But more important to him than the competition was his absolute conviction that speed kills, often an innocent victim.

 

I don't think anyone on this forum would be upset at LEO's just doing their duty. Nothing is "fair" in life. Some good people are going to get ticketed for just living life (a few mph over the posted limit), and some true scofflaws will never be ticketed.

 

However, the cops I knew 20 years ago told me that 50% to 75% of accidents (or maybe traffic deaths; can't recall) involved substance abuse. Remove alcohol and drugs from the equation, and you see a sharp reduction in traffic deaths across the board.

 

I guess what bothers some folks (including myself) is the number of areas where the speed limit is deliberately set below engineered standards for that roadway, and it's due to political reasons that have nothing to do with traffic safety.

 

But, last I heard, the LEO's have nothing to do with making law. If you don't like the laws, then get off your be-hind, find a worthy candidate that puts public safety over socialism, and GO VOTE. LEO's have some discretion over enforcing the law (or ignoring silly laws), but one man's "discreet" law enforcement officer is another man's "slacker". It's a tough line to draw.

[Motors]

I am qualified to speak on this subject.

The revenue arguement for ISP is not winnable. The fines are awarded to the county, county clerk, and the township--not to the state or ISP.

 

The gentlemen and ladies who are assigned to the MEB (Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau) are a dedicated, hard working bunch of pros of whom I am proud to be associated.

 

The above 90 mph suggestion will not work due to usual traffic congestion and Mr. Motorola.

 

When you come through our state, please drive carefully, have a great time and WATCH for motorcycles (they may be us).

Thanks,

Motors

[Bud]

I am qualified to speak on this subject.

The revenue arguement for ISP is not winnable. The fines are awarded to the county, county clerk, and the township--not to the state or ISP.

 

The gentlemen and ladies who are assigned to the MEB (Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau) are a dedicated, hard working bunch of pros of whom I am proud to be associated.

 

The above 90 mph suggestion will not work due to usual traffic congestion and Mr. Motorola.

 

When you come through our state, please drive carefully, have a great time and WATCH for motorcycles (they may be us).

Thanks,

Motors

 

I have nothing but respect for the MEB folks. One of the original 10, Jim Turner, was from my home town and a good friend of mine. Unfortunately, he and his infant son died in a plane crash at KY Lake several years ago. I still remember the over 2,000 people who showed up for the visitation and the hundreds of LEO's at the funeral, including the ISP Director and the other 9 MEB riders.

 

I also know that they are following the directives of someone higher up in the chain of command.

 

What I was pointing out was that the ISP did not list enforcement in their reasons for justifying MEB personal but it appears that is the majority of their duties.

 

I do wonder why the ISP does not provide protective clothing for their riders. I wouldn't ride with just a short sleeve shirt instead of an armored jacket. With all of the gear suitable for warm weather riding, why do they have to ride so exposed to personal injury?