[The Gaijin]

We have a place up state NY. I think I know what you are talking about. If you are driving at night - you will be swooped down on - and they will tailgate closely to get your plate and run it.. And follow you for a few miles and see if they can rattle you. Not to mention the speed traps and the road-blocks / check points. Literally 500 times the driver and law enforcement contact in rural New York compared to the city.

What I have heard was that the local governments were tired of paying for local police and they demanded of the politicians that the State Police be pulled of the Thruway and interstates and do more local highway enforcement. Years ago the local trooper barracks had M-F banker's hours and the answering machine referred you to another barracks 45 miles away at night and weekends.

So yes, they are fishing and are bored. But always professional in my experience.

But DWI remains a problem in these areas and at night everyone is fair game. I stay with friends or very close to home..

(As a side note - some small communities in these regions are developing some nasty Main St. bars and sub-cultures as the those with no driver's licenses move to town. More unintended consequences..)