Good reading

[1qckser]

This is from my good friend whom drives a reall nasty AUDI S4, I think its entertaining.

TO: EditorFROM: Interstate 84 commuter, Connecticut taxpayer DATE: January 22, 2004RE: CT State Police I84 activity counterproductive, even dangerous

As an Interstate 84 commuter to Hartford each and every morning, and furthermore as a State of Connecticut taxpayer, I’m compelled to speak out regarding CT State Police activity on this route during commuting hours. While I’ve witnessed numerous other instances of concern, the actions of a particular Trooper the morning of Thursday 1/22/04 cause me to be silent no more. The actions? High Occupancy Vehicle Lane (HOV) enforcement, ensuring 2 or more persons are in vehicles traveling in this lane.

Why the concern? My safety was put at risk. It is a simple equation... free flowing traffic will 100% of the time apply its collective brakes upon passing a Trooper on the roadside, it is merely human nature. While this enforcement is acceptable during non-rush hour instances, it creates a spontaneously occurring unsafe traffic condition when conducted during peak commuting hours. “Enforcement” that virtually caused numerous accidents this particular morning... all in the name of punishing those most unruly, dangerous, and public-endangering miscreants of society... beware, the HOV lane offender.

On this particular morning traffic had managed a smooth flow into the approach to Hartford at a reasonable rate of constant speed. This until, similar to so many other mornings, traffic detected the presence of the Trooper on the far left shoulder. This caused most drivers in traffic to brake heavily as they approached the scene. I had expected to pass a Trooper attending to an accident... maybe a disabled vehicle? No, I was completely disheartened to witness the Trooper standing on the roadside to pull over HOV Lane violators. This was to add to the collection of the already four vehicles he had pulled over, and created chaos for the rest of the three previously free-flowing lanes of traffic. I was nearly rear ended by a motorist who was less quick to react to the situation, and do not appreciate being placed in that predicament in the name off HOV Lane enforcement.

I can control my vehicle and my situational awareness and react accordingly. I cannot however control the behavior of those surrounding me. In a day and age where drivers are unfortunately distracted by cell phones, make-up application, reading, or even shaving, the sudden deceleration caused by this Trooper’s actions created a worsened threat to a motorist’s safety... worse than the threat to a motorist’s safety created by these HOV lane offenders I would argue. This fact does not even make mention of the general congestion the situation created; those issues could be debated to no end by environmentalists with regard to stopping and starting a vehicle repeatedly.

The pundits will argue traffic encountering ANY emergency phenomena likely results in sudden braking. Interestingly enough, not two miles later a CT DOT emergency truck was pulled over in the center median making off a disabled vehicle via its yellow-arrow lights... and in front of the truck, unseen by traffic until it passed, included a CT State Trooper with his lights on. Traffic continued on appropriately, and no adverse situation was created.

While I understand the CT State Police’s desire to eliminate high speed and dangerous commuting to ensure public safety, this type of “enforcement” exemplifies rather poor judgment on behalf of those who have directed the Troopers to perform this “service” to our community during rush hour traffic. Other mornings have witnessed Troopers’ “speed traps” producing the exact same dangerous situations; this one however was too overt to not comment on.

Almost as frustrating as the danger this situation caused, it rather infuriates me as a Connecticut taxpayer to witness my tax dollars being utilized with such frivolity. As I can determine at least seventeen dozen more effective uses of our respected Troopers, as an invaluable resource to our community, to be tasked with than HOV enforcement. I assumed those making these command decisions of brilliance were capable of the same; common sense should dictate CT State Police “enforcement” activities.

Frustrated and Unnecessarily Endangered,

I84 Commuter / CT Taxpayer

[maxnix]

This is standard behavior in Washington state for anything as serious as a flat tire. Only it effects both lanes directions of travel, and brings both directions to a near dead stop. It is totally nuts.

In Houston, in the old days when traffic actually moved, a seven car accident with burning wreckage and bodies everywhere would only warrant a slowdown to 70 for a quick body count before resuming speed. And only for the affected direction of travel.

HOV enforcement in WA is done at exit and merge points by stationary Officers, or by merging into moving traffic for lane violators.

In Austin, retired patrol cars are left in the median for visual reminders. Sometimes they are in places requiring a six foot drop to reach the road. Quite humurous until the non locals lock their brakes trying to avoid a ticket.

[1qckser]

This practice must be done all over the country.

[elwesso]

Surprisingly enough, In indiana its not that big of a deal. I know on certain times ive gone past troopers going 10+ over. They dont really seem to care that much unless your going OBVIOUSLY fast.....

That is stupid, its kind of a no win situation. The cops sit there to make it safer, but in result the people slam on their brakes. They then put more cops, and the cycle continues!!!

[maxnix]

Surprisingly enough, In indiana its not that big of a deal. I know on certain times ive gone past troopers going 10+ over. They dont really seem to care that much unless your going OBVIOUSLY fast.....

Kind of my question in Austin since all traffic moves at least 10 mph over on the freeways. And the police generally just drive by going faster. I always wonder what the people who get cited did to get the officer's attention? Bad driving, I hope.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[1qckser]

I think Qship and the other New England Q owners will agree that CT has some of the worst drivers in the nation, now throw in the knuckle heads that drive 45 in the fast lane while on the cell phones and then the troopers that drive 50 so no one will pass and it just really screws rush hour traffic and makes for a bad morning commute. Thats why I work 2nd shift:D

[maxnix]

Wow, they must have trained in Seattle. It's happened to Austin also.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[AZhitman]

HOV lanes in AZ are damn near impossible to enforce. The law states ANY vehicle w/2 or more occcupants (6-8 am, 3-6 pm) may use HOV lane, OR alternative-fuel vehicles* OR motorcycles. Why is it impossible to enforce? Unless the driver is in a Miata or a mini pickup, there;'s NO way of ascertaining the # of occupants. If you're pulled over for violating HOV law, and you have a baby in a carseat nestled in the back, the officer has a problem on his hands, as he didn't have "probable cause" to detain.

Further, our HOV lanes are the left-most lane - Pull someone over, and you have to negotiate them safely across four to five lanes of traffic, off an off-ramp, and into a safe stopping place. Major congestion results, and creates all kinds of mayhem.

I have LONG been a proponent of the following fix:

Issue everyone who wishes to use the HOV lane a "speedpass" that mounts on the upper windshield. Charge $500 annually for the pass. Under every overpass (there's one every mile in Phoenix), mount a camera (like photo radar). When a car w/o a "speedpass" passes under the overpass, *click* = busted.

The $500 per paying driver could be used to grant FREE bus subsidies to others in the Metro area, thereby relieving congestion. Don't get me started on the "environment", there's little to NO effect on pollution as a result of carpooling (but I'll save that for another thread).

*note: AFV does not have to be RUNNING on AF, it only has to be AF capable. It cn be running on good ol' gas-o-leeen, as long as it has a 3lb. propane cylinder under the bumper and a damn AFV decal on the rear. How's that for horsesh!t?

[don85259]

HOV lanes in AZ are damn near impossible to enforce. The law states ANY vehicle w/2 or more occcupants (6-8 am, 3-6 pm) may use HOV lane, OR alternative-fuel vehicles* OR motorcycles. Why is it impossible to enforce? Unless the driver is in a Miata or a mini pickup, there;'s NO way of ascertaining the # of occupants. If you're pulled over for violating HOV law, and you have a baby in a carseat nestled in the back, the officer has a problem on his hands, as he didn't have "probable cause" to detain.

Further, our HOV lanes are the left-most lane - Pull someone over, and you have to negotiate them safely across four to five lanes of traffic, off an off-ramp, and into a safe stopping place. Major congestion results, and creates all kinds of mayhem.

I have LONG been a proponent of the following fix:

Issue everyone who wishes to use the HOV lane a "speedpass" that mounts on the upper windshield. Charge $500 annually for the pass. Under every overpass (there's one every mile in Phoenix), mount a camera (like photo radar). When a car w/o a "speedpass" passes under the overpass, *click* = busted.

The $500 per paying driver could be used to grant FREE bus subsidies to others in the Metro area, thereby relieving congestion. Don't get me started on the "environment", there's little to NO effect on pollution as a result of carpooling (but I'll save that for another thread).

*note: AFV does not have to be RUNNING on AF, it only has to be AF capable. It cn be running on good ol' gas-o-leeen, as long as it has a 3lb. propane cylinder under the bumper and a damn AFV decal on the rear. How's that for horsesh!t?

This state is so backwards when it comes to automobiles it's not even funny. Let me count the ways:

1. You can blow a red light and kill somebody. The fine is less than half what you will pay for an HOV lane violation, if you get caught. In Arizona, the fine for violating the HOV lane is now $650.

2. Half of the drivers in Arizona have no insurance. This is one of the highest rates in the country. The mandatory insurance laws are a joke. One very common method of getting around the requirement is to take out a six month policy. You put one month down, get an insurance verification card that is good for six months, then make no more payments. Yet, by golly, as long as you have that "card" in your glovebox, a cop can't write you a ticket. And, the ticket is a farce. You can buy insurance after the fact and the judge will dismiss the citation entirely, or reduce the fine to $80. Wow! There's incentive.

3. We lead the nation on per capita hit and run crashes. Heck, even our Catholic bishop will run you down in the street and leave you for dead. :squint

4. People generally drive like maniacs here. On our wide surface streets, it's not unusual to see people driving 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. In fact, the slowest traffic is often found in the left lane of a freeway. This is where you will find the idiots doing 50 mph in a 65 zone. But, once they get off on McDowell, Shea or Baseline, it's "floor it to the next red light" routine.

Greg, I agree with you about the speedpass thing for HOV lanes. I'd do that in a heartbeat.



--don

[elwesso]

God im glad I dont live out there... It might be beautiful, but chaotic....

I Love the back roads of indiana.... Flat and no one is around. Hell, I dont even know what an HOV lane is!!!

[AZhitman]

Check THIS statistic (thanks Don for getting me started):

AZ is home to 3 of the top 4 DEADLIEST intersections in America. Yes, 3 of 4. As of last year, #1 and #2 were in the Phoenix metro area. #3 was in Miami, and #4 was in Phoenix. Also, Phoenix is the second deadliest city for pedestrians.

The AVERAGE impact speed of an intersection accident in Phoenix is 58 mph. Speed limit on the surface streets is 45. Every intersection is a right-angle, so that contributes to the fatality rate. If you've ever seen a T-bone accident where both cars are traveling at 58 mph, it's damn near catastrophic, and nearly impossible to survive. Lots of "collateral damage" as well.

One of the BIGGEST reasons I ditched the Civic Si in favor of the Q.

p.s. I have a video from Infiniti Corporate that shows a Q that was rearended by a bus at 50 mph. Very impressive - The doors still open.