Safety, Speeding, and Selective Enforcement |
First Part
As a well seasoned veteran Police "Patrol" officer, I will commit the ultimate heresy and plainly state that I did not "hunt" to "bag" speeders. In fact, I wish that we had more people on the roads that understood the concept of operation of a vehicle within the parameters of "speed appropriate for conditions". Before the entire law enforcement community starts screaming, let me digress a little.
So, here we are, on patrol, traveling about 10 miles above the posted limit. (Recommended patrol car procedure by the way, so we don't create a rolling roadblock keeping people behind us) Suddenly, out of the corner of our eyes (or eyes in the back of the head as we have been accused of having) comes a vehicle moving along at a speed greater than we are moving. Then probably about maybe 15 to 20 miles an hour above the limit. Rocket ship territory? Uh.....no, hardly that. So, for the sake of argument, I am in one of the sneaky pete interceptors (unmarked non stand out patrol vehicle for those that live in Yorba Linda California) and while the "speeder" is obviously alert, i.e.: head moving constantly surveying conditions, both hands on the wheel, good posture, and not playing bumper tag nor weaving between lanes, operating at assured clear distances by use of the accelerator pedal rather than the brake pedal, and his vehicle appears in good shape with decent tires......... well, guess what, since it is my discretion, that one did not get noticed by yours truly. Hey, it is MY discretion, little thing called "selective enforcement". We can't get all the speeders, so we pick out those that are available, hence, selective enforcement.
Why would I do that? Well, it is my observed contention that such a driver, male or female, even though they are "speeding" is probably more of an experienced and courteous operator than some of the idiots that the Motor Vehicle Department issues licenses to! I can tell you, that in the same sense if this individual were weaving, bobbing, braking, bumper tagging, they would get a real fast visit with me, especially the super stupid bumper tagger. Talk about road rage? Nothing made me angrier than some knot head riding on someone else's bumper, and I don't care what speed it is occurring at. Anyone that rides on someone else's bumper should be tied to a rear bumper for a week with a sign on their neck saying "I AM A BUMPER KISSER! COME GET YOURS". Speed? I think if we trained the drivers in this country to dynamics of vehicle operation rather than sloganeering things like "speed kills" (which it doesn't, otherwise we wouldn't have any airplanes in this world) we would have a real start on making things better on the roadways. That also means that they understand that the right lane is for traveling at or near the posted limit if you wish, and that the left lane is for those that desire, and can handle operation at a faster speed, as long as they are not interrupting the normal ebb and flow of traffic.
You can spot efficient operators when they move along in traffic changing with the flow by judicious use of their accelerator pedals and not heaving, jerking in and out by slapping the brakes and dodging rear bumpers at the last second prior to collision status.
Update
Let me make myself clear. Speed in and of itself does not kill! Knowing vehicle dynamics, handling characteristics, and operation within reasonable limits for the condtions present, are an equation that should set up for a higher rate of vehicle speed, safely above the posted limit. This takes into account the "left lane bandits" (50 in a 70 zone) cell phone talkers, coffee drinkers, newspaper readers, mascarea dabbers, yakty-yakkers, rolling child gymnasiums, poorly tuned vehicles, and assorted other "vehicle operators" that may be out there waiting to be the leading causes of collisions. It also takes into account the assertion put forth in the previous opinion page that "no one" can be a leading edge driver at all times because we are all lumped into one pot by the response of Mr. Applebee. Sorry Mr. A. Your assertion is exactly the one thing that I am referring to..... appropriate for condtions. So, do I drive fast and close when I see Ms. Mascarea Dabber within range. No sir, I do not. And thirty some years of high speed vehicle operation without a chargable accident is my testament.
I also resent that assertion that because YOU choose to adopt this sort of liberal interpretation to the equation you are infallibly correct. NOT! Part of being alert is the ability to spot the problem BEFORE you get to the situation. I always made it a habit to NEVER DRIVE INTO A SITUATION THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE OUT OF. When in doubt, don't. And it still works for me. No, I am not lucky, I am darn well trained. As well, I have a certain amount of inherited ability to "feel" situations and avoid them. There are some folks out there that can do that. I also know my limitations.
When I drive fast, it is when I am alert, the vehicle serviced, with above adequete equipment, no radio, no drinks nearby. Seat belt on, and 100 percent concentration on the road, in front, and in back of me. Otherwise, I crab along right amoungst the rest of the Applebee's and McGee's, only I am able to spot you before you spot me, and I have avoided you before you have even realized someone was there. That is driving for conditions, no matter what the rate of covering the ground may be.
