Local Sheriff says going over the speed limit is not speeding

[hcoles]

I want some thoughts on this. Maybe there are some Sheriff deputies here.

I've lived on the same street for almost 30 years. Speeding has IMO always been an issue. The street is listed on the city "local" streets list so a survey is not required to use radar as I understand it. The posted limit is 25. There are about 900 cars per day on the street including both directions. There is a high school and a grammar school very nearby, so there are a lot of pedestrians. I've been to the local traffic safety committee meetings a few times and speed enforcement was increased on my street.

Now that I'm home more I see many cars going over 25 but probably not too many going over 40. A traffic survey done years ago showed a significant number over 40 and a few in the 50s. I think the 85% point was 32mph. One thing I don't like is the noise generated by the higher speed vehicles and it is rude. There is also the safety issue.

I was talking to one deputy stopped on my street and ask why I hadn't seen any speed enforcement on my street in the last few years. He said that it could be a survey is more than 5 years old they can't use radar. OK - fine. Then today I find on my city website that my street is listed as a "local" street. This apparent conflict prompted me to go talk to the Sargent that oversees the traffic units.

The Sargent said going over the speed limit is not speeding - speeding is defined as the speed that traffic and conditions allow. He would like me to indicate times I think have the most speeders and they will post a unit from time to time to see if they can catch anyone. If they don't catch enough they won't go back. He says the usual ticket limit is 40mph. It could be lower if pedestrians are on the road or some other factor. He also said he has higher priority and busier streets to patrol.

What is going on here - going over the speed limit is not speeding? I feel like the Sargent is making the situation my problem by requiring input on times when there are the most speeders. At some point people will determine they can go 39 and not get a ticket - right? If the street has no enforcement for long enough I feel like the average traffic speed will increase.

What do you all think about this? Am I being too much of a whiner? I guess I need to go to the traffic safety committee meeting again and get them to raise the priority of traffic enforcement on my street.

[masraum]

I've heard several times that in Cali, you can get away with going over the posted limit if the speed that you're going is reasonable for conditions. But I have no idea about the truth or facts about that.

[Bill Douglas]

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Look out for those Porsche drivers. Them's the worst




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[KFC911]

Originally Posted by hcoles

....
What do you all think about this? Am I being too much of a whiner? I guess I need to go to the traffic safety committee meeting again and get them to raise the priority of traffic enforcement on my street.

You're wasting your time....sorry, but that's reality. Ain't a snowball's chance you're gonna have an impact....well, you might get them to raise the priority, but it will have ZERO net effect on the traffic flow down your street imo.

[Chocaholic]

You need to find another pass-time. Chase kids off your lawn or something. Life is good.

[A930Rocket]

The cops are posted on the main street going out of our neighborhood at least one a week.

There can't be that many speeders?

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by masraum

I've heard several times that in Cali, you can get away with going over the posted limit if the speed that you're going is reasonable for conditions. But I have no idea about the truth or facts about that.

You can get away with it, or they could write you a ticket every single time they catch you.

The posted speed limit is just that, the officer mentioned above is FOS. You are wasting your time even talking to them. Complain to your state assembly rep or your city council person, do it in writing.

[Ayles]

Lots of law enforcement in my family. Step dad was a state trooper for 35 years... that was his opinion. Easy to get a ticket for going too fast for conditions... I've gotten one and definitely wasn't going over the speed limit.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

You need to find another pass-time. Chase kids off your lawn or something. Life is good.

Start hanging out curbside, with a "sign", and rant & cuss like a curmudgeon....folks will slow down imo.

Temporarily anyways

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Ayles

Lots of law enforcement in my family. Step dad was a state trooper for 35 years... that was his opinion. Easy to get a ticket for going too fast for conditions... I've gotten one and definitely wasn't going over the speed limit.

Cops I've known (a few) won't bother with anyone not going at least 15 over.....unless they want too

Posted school zones being an exception...

[doug_porsche]

We live in a time of "Alternative facts". Speeding doesn't mean your going faster than the posted speed limit. Illegal immigrants are undocumented guests. If you're an outie, you can still use the women's restroom and innie can use the men's room.

My understanding is that Colorado has a similar interpretation on "speeding"
My understanding is that the "Speed Limit", in Colorado, is a judgement call by law enforcement of a "Safe and Prudent" speed.
But funny enough, if law enforcement think you are not going a "Safe and Prudent" speed they base your offense/fine off the posted speed limit, not the delta of your speed and the "Safe and Prudent" speed.

Seems there are two things that can happen to get them to adjust the interpretation of "Safe and Prudent"

1) somebody gets killed/seriously injured.
2) a city official (police caption, councilperson, judge, etc) moves into you neighborhood.

[LakeCleElum]

Sergeant......Squeaky wheel gets the grease......Go over his head to his Lt, then Capt, etc....You might get a few extra patrols, but not long term. I feel your pain. My road gets busy on summer weekends when the freeway is stopped. Good luck.

[Gogar]

They want people to be comfortable going over the limit, so when they do show up they get a good return on their time spent.

[Baz]

A strategy that I think is worth trying is to present an argument - and one that is PUBLISHED routinely - that in your opinion there is inadequate enforcement of speeders and ONE DAY SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED......AND THE CITY WILL BE LIABLE.

I used caps there to emphasize....you are calling attention to the fact that there is a SAFETY issue NOT being addressed by local safety officials (including the city itself).

Put that in the local fish wrapper and keep sending in letters until action is taken.

At some point, your letter to the editor may get the attention by someone in power - and in particular your BOLD statement that the city might be held culpable. Putting it out there where everyone can see and "on record" that there is a safety issue - that might get some results.

[RKDinOKC]

Do something in your garage with door open and every time a fast car comes by run out, wave your arms and point at them yelling "Hey! Slow it down."

Buy some cheap cars and park them on both sides of the street in front of your house to make the street more congested. Be sure to move them around though so you don't get ticketed for derelict cars.

If the street is asphalt, get a pick axe and start some pot holes they have to slow down to avoid.

[Por_sha911]

As others have said, you're wasting your time talking with the local LEO. Write a letter to your mayor ore representative and send a copy to the newspaper and TV station. Use the "before someone gets hurt and the city gets sued..." angle. See if you can get your neighbors to sign something with you to make it less of a "one old grumpy man" issue.
Lastly, make sure your lawn is always mowed, you don't display any out of code flags, you don't do any work on your car in the driveway, and that you drive below the speed limit at all times because the LEOs will be looking for the troublemaker who caused them extra work.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Do something in your garage with door open and every time a fast car comes by run out, wave your arms and point at them yelling "Hey! Slow it down."

Buy some cheap cars and park them on both sides of the street in front of your house to make the street more congested. Be sure to move them around though so you don't get ticketed for derelict cars.

If the street is asphalt, get a pick axe and start some pot holes they have to slow down to avoid.

Genius! (especially that last one, I recommend doing that midday as well)

[fintstone]

Most folks that I know who complained about lack of police patrolling in their hood ended up being the ones who get a ticket (or two). Karma, I guess.

[stomachmonkey]

Is the speed limit sign in question yellow or white?

If yellow that's known as an advisory speed limit.

Exceeding it is not a violation unless conditions make the exceeded speed unreasonable.

Basically it's discretionary for both drivers and law enforcement.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by KC911

Cops I've known (a few) won't bother with anyone not going at least 15 over.....unless they want too

Posted school zones being an exception...

It was more comment on speed and conditions. On many occasions I saw my step father turn on his lights just to get someones attention and didn't pull them over. One time in the early 90s riding along when he had one of those Mustang 5.0 patrol cars