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Re: radar on CA freeways



Kenneth E. Long (klong@violin.aix.calpoly.edu) wrote:

: I was wondering the same thing.  Ever noticed how you never see the 
: "Speed enforced by radar" signs on a bonafide stretch of Freeway (tm)?  
: But, like on Highway 101, when the stretch of freeway ends to a four-lane 
: stretch with cross traffic, you'll see such a sign right after the "end 
: freeway" sign.  

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but check out Interstate 10 near 
Baker (the Baker Grade)-"Speed Enforced by Radar".  I called the Highway 
Patrol about this because I was shocked.  I was put in touch with their 
Radar evaluation team (that doesn't sound good does it).  He confirmed 
that there has never been a law banning the use of Radar, but that there 
was never a budget.  They get the units from municipalities, the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Commission, and insurance companies.

One of my basic gripes about the California Highway Patrol using radar is
that unless it is moving mode radar, the Highway Patrol is no longer
patrolling.  I saw many a time in Michigan, where the officer is sitting
there shooting radar, while some poor woman is stranded in her car just up
the road with no one to help.  Now a days, with all of the violent
criminals (e.g. gang members) there is probaly a lot more danger in being
stranded, even as a guy, than there is from someone speeding.  He did 
assure me that the CHP uses moving mode radar, and that their laser 
systems also will be moving mode with a video camera used for sighting 
the car from behind.

My question is, is this really all worth it?  The CHP seems pretty adept 
at getting speeders without any radar, and I rarely hear anyone complain 
about their ticket after being paced.  It is kind of like, "You got 
caught fair and square".

Michael Adams

-- 
                                             msadams@netcom.com