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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Should Citizens Warn Drivers?


Should volunteers stand up against these speed cameras and warn drivers so law enforcement will get a clue that citizens really don't want them?

This is becoming a growing trend across America. Citizens are finding ways of fighting back by volunteering their time. Things that make you go, hmmmmm.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

The courts ruled that flashing your headlights at oncoming cars to warn them of speed traps was a form of freedom of speech. I agree that using signs is also a form of free speech and should be respected as such.

Anonymous said...

The stated objective of the cameras is to enforce the speed limit to save lives; those who warn drivers of speed camera (and radar enforcement teams) add to that effort and should be commended.

Cathy said...

if you really have nothing better to do with your time then go for it. i have better things to do with my time then trying to make sure that SOMEONE ELSE doesn't get a speeding ticket.

Anonymous said...

If they feel like wasting their time.... There are already signs that warn of the cameras. If people weren't so blind when they drive they would see them. Why will people see these signs any better.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand the issue here. Camera's issue tickets, but they if people slow down to avoid the tickets then the cameras served their purpose. If the cameras make you slow down in the designated areas then they are working, so essentially holding the sign just makes them even more effective.

lmclain said...

Apparently some people are much more selfish and self centered than others....its a good thing that rich ol' Thomas Jefferson didn't say "Hey, I'm rich! I have a lot more better things to do with my time than try to make sure OTHER people have freedom." Or Geworge Washington ddn't say "I'm rich, too! Why should I spend MY time making sure OTHER people don't suffer at the hands of an oppressive government". Warning of an upcoming speed (read: revenue) trap ahead is on a smaller scale, but the same principle. Thank God SOME people have some concern for others outside their own little world.

Anonymous said...

Put it on the referendum and let the voters decide!

Anonymous said...

I guess the next thing you guys will want is no speed limit signs.
We have and have had speed limits to protect your butts and mine.

Anonymous said...

Only those who want to ignore the speed limits are the ones complaining. If everyone followed the speed limit, then there would not be a need for speed cameras since the cost would not be justified.

Anonymous said...

159-Speeding does not kill. Examine the accident statistics, speeding is the cause of less than 5% of all driving fatalities.

Anonymous said...

The SPD were chasing 2 guys who dared to walk across the new bridge in the park.Judging by that,those who warn drivers of speed cameras should be arrested.

Anonymous said...

These speed cameras are getting ridiculous. I say go ahead and warn people. My husband got ticketed two days in a row for going 67 and 69 on I95 in Baltimore County. 99% of the people were going the same speed as he was (general flow). It is not about safety, it is about $$$$$.

Anonymous said...

I wish I had time to stand around. Besides federal and state law requires that the speed camera zones e posted and all that I have seen are posted so clearly you would have to be an idiot to get caught.

Anonymous said...

Ya why not at least they are not sneaky slime bags like our local Police / Sheriff depts with hidden cameras.

Anonymous said...

I agree...freedom of speach and if they want to waste their time making sure I don't get a ticket...more power to them. Thank you volunteers.

Anonymous said...

I believe if you obey the rules of the road you won't have to worry about speed traps! Besides, slowing down helps save lives.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Cathy. I got a ticket in the mail the other day. Was I mad at the system? No. I was mad at myself for speeding. Guess what? I won't do it again where those cameras are. They are also strategically placed by schools to slow drivers down so that they don't hit students. A portion of that money also goes to said schools. If you break the rules, there are prices to pay. But, I would also be very appreciative of anyone standing on the side of the road to warn me. Personally, I have better/more important things to do with my time.

Anonymous said...

1:56 Which courts? In Maryland it's against the law for any vehicle, not an emergency vehicle, to have flashing white lights visible from the front. I've seen many motorists ticketed and found guilty of this offense when they were flashing their headlights to warn oncoming traffic of speed enforcement.

dleo9148 said...

This is a money issue period. How is getting a ticket a week after the event enforcing the law? All it is, is imposing a fine. There is a disconnect between the the action and the punishment. it was never designed to correct problem behavior like speeding becasue any idiot with a psych degree will tell you that with behavior modification techniques there needs to be IMMEDIATE consequences. Delaying the punishment has zero effect on changing behavior. So to say this is for safety is a farce.

Anonymous said...

3:11 Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. The
economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is estimated by NHTSA to be
$40.4 billion per year. In 2008, speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all
fatal crashes, and 11,674 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.

Anonymous said...

Spray paint be faster.

Anonymous said...

3:48 A Flordia court ruled today that it is lawful to flash your lights to warn other drivers over a speed trap. We all nothing ticks to the police off more then showing them up or helping your fellow motorist and now it’s completely legal! Well it atleast falls under the first amendment.

You see a man named Ryan Kintner in Florida was ticked for flashing his lights at on coming traffic to warn them that police were just down the road. The Circuit Judge ruled that an officer misinterpreted a law making flashing lights that mimicked an emergency vehicle illegal. However this does not apply to flashing your headlamps at traffic to communicate a message with them.

Score one for the motorist!

Anonymous said...

4:25 Hate to tell you this, but Florida laws and courts aren't Maryland law and courts. Anything a little closer you can show me?

Anonymous said...

Lets just say for arguments sake that it is a revenue grab. Why not be glad that those breaking the law will help fund public safety rather than your taxes go up. Consider it a user fee. The lawbreakers pay for the law enforcement. Spin this logic.

Anonymous said...

What is it that you all call a "speed trap"? If you exceed the speed limit, you are breaking the law. If there is a police officer or camera there to catch you speeding, it's still your own fault. They didn't "trap" you.
They are doing their job of enforcing traffic laws.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:48. That is FLORIDA. Not MD. There is a specific law in fact three that deal will flashing white lights, utilizing your high beams within 500 dt of another car, the Florida law is flawed and has to do with 1st amendment violations. Md law states nothing about flashing police to warn others. Many drivers have been ticketed, tried and convicted of this violation. If your so confident of the applicability of a Fl state ruling try it out in Md and try your luck in court.

Anonymous said...

4:03, I drive over 50,000 yes thats right 50,000 miles a year. the number one factor for accidents is inattentive driving, whether it be texting talking on your cell eating playing with the radio or just plain stupidity. If speeding was the number one reason for accidents then the state police would be crashing cars day in and day out!
I wonder how idiots like you make it through life. must be hard bumping up against reality in your rose colored glases!

Anonymous said...

The 6th amendment is so violated with else cameras

Anonymous said...

The 6th amendment? or the 1st or the 8th oe
the 21th , obamie don't recognize these you dummy.

Anonymous said...

The cameras are necessary to help the police state watch over us.

maurice said...

i cant help but say i recently lost my job and have some fun by sitting in my frontyard drinking beer and have a sign that says radar ahead leaning against a tree.what fun it is to watch all the cars hit brakes to slow down.never seen a cop running radar in my area but it makes people slow down.

Anonymous said...

hey maurice,
so you like messing with people, ain't that the cops and the governments job?
ever heard of karma?

Anonymous said...

I'd like to post signs along 50 to warn drivers of hidden Troopers but was told I would be arrested for "Interfearing with a law enforcement offer in the preformance of his duty", BUT, I feel it is my 1st. Ammendment right to warn others of the state police cashing in on the tourist.

Anonymous said...

5:28 It appears your reading comprehension is a bit shaky. Maryland's law is no vehicle, with the exception of emergency vehicles, will have flashing or oscillating lights visible from the front. That's the section in the transportation code police cite drivers who warn other motorists of speed enforcement ahead, and I assure you judges in the District Court of Maryland have found those motorists guilty.

5:42 - Sorry the facts for the National Highway and Safety Administration excited you so. Speed is, in fact, the #3 reasons for traffic collisions. I don't see any where in my post where it indicated it was the #1 cause. My post was in response to another post prior to mine that inaccurately stated that speeding accounts for only 5% of all traffic accidents. As for the insults slung at me, suffice it to say if you and I had a battle of wits, I'd win because I would obviously be battling an unarmed man.

Anonymous said...

There will be a posse of volunteers
on Rt. 50 to warn tax paying motorists of the mercenary actions this weekend.

If you see a state mercenary carpetbagger on the highway be sure to warn your fellow motorists of the criminals actions via headlight flash or set up a mile away from their ambush position with signs.
Also, report speeding mercenaries with their tag # to local authorities with a mile marker, time and approximate speed.
Do not approach these criminals. They are armed and dangerous and will arrest you on trumped up charges maliciously and vindictively just to intimidate you. Stay away from them.

Anonymous said...

Also, report (pester) your local politicians with the information about the law breaking police with tag #'s, vehicle description such as
SG 29651, E-13 etc. Ford Taurus, green. This particular speeding cop lives in Selbyville, Delaware.

Anonymous said...

8:57 exercise authority much

Anonymous said...

There is no problem here. the police welcome anything that slows drivers and makes the road safer for them. Isn’t that what it’s all about,,,,,yea righty

Anonymous said...

The police did not obtain the cameras, the city applied for the grant. Thus, blame the city and not the police.

Anonymous said...

So what can we do to slow them down! The cops are number one abusers of speeding. Rt. 50 is horrible for them - they ride up on your bumper and intimidate you to pull into the slow lane. Actually saw one scare an older lady so bad she almost changed lanes and caused an accident. They cause accidents. intimidate people and nothing is ever done. Several times people have reported the problem on this site.