Speeding Tickets...

[Triskeliongirl]

That's different. When you're knowingly speeding - 75 in a 65 or whatever, when you blow the stop sign - you deserve the ticket.

After reading this thread I wondered how many kids have seen or heard their parents try to talk their way out of some wrong thing they did. And then the kid tries the same thing, because they learn by example.

V.

I totally agree. My rant concerns what I really believe to be the unfair application of the law towards cyclists where I live. Those of us who live in the city drive out to the country to ride where it is safer. Not only do they target us with their speed traps and traffic violations, they have tried to ban us from cycling in their communities, ban us from parking in their public lots, and force us to wear ridiculous triangles on our bikes, in hopes of discouraging us from riding on 'their' roads. Hey 'my' tax dollars support 'their' roads too, we are all in this together.

But I realize I was wrong in my initial reaction that men and women handle these situations differently. Its also clear we are not all describing the same situation.

[Bluetree]

I've never tried to get out of a traffic ticket if I know I was breaking the law. And the 'feminine wiles' thing is anathema to me... if I broke the law, I should pay. If men have to, so should women. That said, I bought a Volvo a couple of years ago after years of driving a sports car. Once you get behind the wheel of a Volvo you actually find yourself driving slower... and slower... and slower. Speed limits have become almost meaningless!

I do occasionally roll past stopsigns (slowly) while I'm on a bike, and I've made left turns at a red light when my bike didn't trip the light sensor, but I always make sure I'm safe. My area has tons of roadies and I've never seen anyone ticketed. Still, I asked some local policemen if they will ticket cyclists for it. None of them said they would, unless it is a blatant disregard of the law and/or safety. Other than one notorious group of roadies who are known to take up the entire roadway, they pretty much leave cyclists alone.

[KnottedYet]

I've worked with a few police officers who've been injured on duty and come to our clinic. Every single one of them has told me that traffic stops (pulling over a car) are the most dangerous part of their job. You never know what that driver is going to do or what is happening in that car.

These men and women are great fun to treat and nice people. It has really made me think of the attitude and manner they have to "put on" when they are working, if only to protect themselves from (and pre-empt) the people they encounter. It must be like putting on part of their uniform.

[mimitabby]

I've worked with a few police officers who've been injured on duty and come to our clinic. Every single one of them has told me that traffic stops (pulling over a car) are the most dangerous part of their job. You never know what that driver is going to do or what is happening in that car.

These men and women are great fun to treat and nice people. It has really made me think of the attitude and manner they have to "put on" when they are working, if only to protect themselves from (and pre-empt) the people they encounter. It must be like putting on part of their uniform.

You're right! we were driving somewhere near Mt Rainier one night in our PU truck. A cop stopped us (I don't remember why) but what strikes me about that night was the pure look of fear in HIS eyes as he approached our car. He was relieved to see a middle aged couple driving the car.
Sad, isnt' it?

[Teddyparker]

[QUOTE=KnottedYet;166363] Every single one of them has told me that traffic stops (pulling over a car) are the most dangerous part of their job. You never know what that driver is going to do or what is happening in that car.[QUOTE]

It is very scary. Many years ago, the dad of a child in the kindergarten class I taught was shot and killed in a routine traffic stop. My nephew is a police officer and I worry every night he works.