VBirginia State Police...Be Careful

[LancePearson]

Just a note to tell you that the State police in Virginia have the legislature's backing with among if not the toughest speeding laws in the country as far as I can tell. Further, they have figured out that the department can be self funding writing tickets and have a new tactic rolled out last weekend with six big BMW cycles under an underpass with radar and one car and they sit on the interstates, the interstate circular bypasses like I 295 where I saw them while in my Z and going the speed limit and not a mph more. Virginia is a state a lot of out of state people pass through going north or south and has heavy interstate traffic.

There is a local non state police sheriff in a local town below Richmond, the town of Hopewell, Va., who on interstate 295 in a one mile stretch around mile 10 or so writes more than Two Million Dollars of tickets a year. Almost always see the Sheriff's four cars there stopping people on a 70 mph Interstate. State cops say it's legal and the local papers now call it "the two million dollar mile." Hopewell's biggest single revenue source. The state police appear to have taken a message from it and are getting set up to do the same.

It is all in the name of safety according to the Hopewell Sheriff and the state police commissioner but when police departments are self funding those chiefs get raises and politicians love them. That is the case in Va.

A speeding ticket here by a state guy if you are going 20 over and more than 80 mph is $3,400 over three years plus loss of license for a year and can be jail time if considered reckless by the judge. My going 145 in a 55 zone would qualify for all of that if I had ever done it. Same for you.

As an aside which I agree with, driving under the influence in this state now if caught the average total cost according to the police for one ticket without considering insurance is now $12,000. You are generally required to put an interlock alcohol testing device on your car, driving and alcohol schools, tickets, fines, loss of license, etc.

Radar detectors are illegal to have in the car or use in Va. and they do confiscate them. I have one but haven't used it yet on the Vette as I have not taken it out of state.

So, a word to the wise regarding Virginia Highways...stick within the laws as this state is becoming like the old speed trap revenue generating states of decades ago...every bit of that and more just using the Interstates to do it where it is safer for them to run people down and write the tickets.

The national stats for tickets for 2011 I saw were $6.3 billion dollars for speeding, $300,000 written per trooper involved in writing them.

That was a year ago before Virginia really got organized as above.

I have not gotten any tickets but beware of Virginia.

[Kevin]

virgina doesn't mess around. anything 20+ over or over 80mph is reckless driving. I used to set the cruise at 75 and enjoy getting passed by people doing over 80 knowing I wouldn't be hassled.

I read an article about a group with MP4-12c's, gallardos, and the like getting nailed for stupid driving and they got their cars towed...well the ones they could get on the trailer, the others were driven to impound

what we learned here is don't **** around in VA

[LancePearson]

Kevin,

You are right...the other thing that got that group of exotics touring at 100+ mph was they hired policemen to escort them and the police also got in trouble.

If I had done 145 mph on a country straight road 2.3 miles with no driveways that was 55 mph speed limit ever it sure would have landed me in jail if an officer were around any of the theoretical times I might have done so. He would not have needed radar at 90 mph over.

Our interstates in long straight-ish stretches would be perfect out away from the cities but you dare not unless you can see everything the entire way you plan to run it through the gears hard and that it is clear. If I had done 145 I would have been very pleasantly surprised how well the car handled the speed with the suspension. Shifting full out into fifth would be a goal sometime to see what fifth can do at that starting point above 140 mph.

One can't forget that this is the state pre interstate that U.S. 1 used to run through and everyone from the NE going to Florida had to take it. Every little town was a worse speed trap than the next one. Some have not forgotten and are just applying the logic to the Interstates.

Lance

Lance

[Racinfan83]

Thanks for the warning! Guess that means I will stay out of that state.. I HATE that garbage. Kinda like here - the drug dealers, car break-ins, robbers, shooters, and rapists run rampant in the little towns closer to the City - while the cops in their shiny new Chargers with all the bells and whistles sit out on their little 1/4 mile piece of interstate writing tickets for 70 in a 60...

While we are on the topic - I-70 from the Mississippi river to I-270 (St Louis) is nothing but speed cops as well. Some of them only have like 200yds of interstate in their jurisdiction - but they are out there all the time.
Here in Missouri we have a law called "The Macks Creek Law" which states that ticket revenue can only provide 45% of a town's total funding. That came from a little town of about 100 people (now defunct) down by the Lake of the Ozarks that used to drop the limit from 55 to 25 and they wrote anyone who was doing 26. They had like 8 fulltime cops and new cars for a town of 100 people... One day they got the wrong guy - a State Legislator who audited the town and got the law passed. Even with the law - I bet some of these punk towns here are violating it. I am actually pushing to get a couple of them audited right now..
If I were to EVER become a State Legislator - the first two bills I would put in would be #1 - Ban all forms of ticket issuing cameras (don't EVEN get me started on those scamming :censored: And #2 - prohibit town cops from writing tickets on any interstate highway unless they have 5 miles or more in their jurisdiction. The cops need to be PATROLLING THE TOWN - not out sittin on the highway making money!

Sorry - but this kind of garbage really TICKS ME OFF....:rolleyes::frown::frown:

[scottfab]

Use Trapster.com

http://www.trapster.com/

[Daniel_Mc]

Speed "traps" are common IMHO. Where I live is no exception I have gotten numerous "High Speed Awards" over the years. Two towns that are within a few miles of me (I live in one) are on the States and Country's worst list.

Ball, LA (http://www.speedtrap.org/city/4044/Ball)

Woodworth, LA (http://www.topix.com/forum/city/woodworth-la/TLGSO7E8IG826QMQ4)

I travel a good bit for work and got one for 4 MPH over down around Baton Rouge, LA 2 weeks ago. Granted I was speeding but 4 MPH c'mon... You can't be mad you do it to yourself and the Officer(s) are only doing their job. One thing radar detectors and jammers are legal here.

Not that I would do such a thing but we have miles of strait road and 165 and 175 is easily doable with all the room and no on or off ramps…. With tracks so scattered throughout the US it is easy to go somewhere that has a closed course (no moms with mini-vans to worry about) medical personal and no tickets. But then again there is always that urge :rolleyes::mrgreen:

-Daniel

[efnfast]

Thanks for the heads up bro. Headed through VA tomorrow. I'll have to hide the radar detector. And keep the speed down. Thanks again.

[Kevin]

Thanks for the heads up bro. Headed through VA tomorrow. I'll have to hide the radar detector. And keep the speed down. Thanks again.

Ditch the radar detector, stay under 80 and you'll have no issues

[efnfast]

Can't ditch the radar detector, headed home to NH from NC. I'll stow it away though.

[DennisC]

Sounds like a Story for ABC News, we had one here in Texas, Selma to be exact that was the same way until media did a story on them, then all of a sudden the units slowly disappeared off IH-35.

[Racinfan83]

I wish I could get them to come here and do a story. We have it all here - from a town with 400 yds of I-70 just west of the airport that leases a 3rd floor office in a building right next to the highway - and the only reason they lease it is because they put in a sliding glass window in it to shoot laser out of --- to the town next to me who has an :censored: cop who runs an unmarked Explorer, and his favorite game is to park on the shoulder of the highway with an orange "breakdown" sticker on the rear window, and sometimes he will even raise the hood and put the flashers on. Shoots radar out of it for about 6 chase cars that are on the next on ramp. :mad::mad: To me that is CHEATING and has nothing to do with SAFETY - and all about REVENUE. I drive 70-75, and have gotten a few driving awards (which all get fixed by one of the Traffic Lawyers here). What ticks me off about the whole deal is that I am not an unsafe driver. My going 10-15 over the limit is not putting anyone in danger. I probably have a million miles under my belt in about everything with wheels on it, from tractors to cars/pickups to dump trucks to semis. I know what I can and can't handle, and it really ticks me off to have some cop cost me money just because some legislator decided 60 was fast enough without knowing my abilities. Not trying to make it sound like I'm a better driver then everyone else - cuz I know I'm not - but I am certainly capable of controlling my vehicle at 10-15 over (or more). I just think cops have MUCH better things to do then sit and pick on motorists who are not really posing a danger to society.....

[USAFPILOT]

I can't effing stand traffic cops traffic laws and traffic penalties. They are doing nothing, I Repeat, NOTHING, other than generating revenue. I think the solution is to require police department monitored community service for all traffic violations. There should be no monetary penalty, that way the punishment will fit the crime. The police would only write citations they are willing to enforce, rather than for profit. Dont worry, we are on our way there. Once the liberal progressive communists steal the rest of our money, the cops wont have a choice.

[scottfab]

I wish I could get them to come here and do a story. We have it all here - from a town with 400 yds of I-70 just west of the airport that leases a 3rd floor office in a building right next to the highway - and the only reason they lease it is because they put in a sliding glass window in it to shoot laser out of --- to the town next to me who has an :censored: cop who runs an unmarked Explorer, and his favorite game is to park on the shoulder of the highway with an orange "breakdown" sticker on the rear window, and sometimes he will even raise the hood and put the flashers on. Shoots radar out of it for about 6 chase cars that are on the next on ramp. :mad::mad: To me that is CHEATING and has nothing to do with SAFETY - and all about REVENUE. I drive 70-75, and have gotten a few driving awards (which all get fixed by one of the Traffic Lawyers here). What ticks me off about the whole deal is that I am not an unsafe driver. My going 10-15 over the limit is not putting anyone in danger. I probably have a million miles under my belt in about everything with wheels on it, from tractors to cars/pickups to dump trucks to semis. I know what I can and can't handle, and it really ticks me off to have some cop cost me money just because some legislator decided 60 was fast enough without knowing my abilities. Not trying to make it sound like I'm a better driver then everyone else - cuz I know I'm not - but I am certainly capable of controlling my vehicle at 10-15 over (or more). I just think cops have MUCH better things to do then sit and pick on motorists who are not really posing a danger to society.....


It is fair but is majorly chicken $*H%

[scottfab]

.... snip...

I travel a good bit for work and got one for 4 MPH over down around Baton Rouge, LA 2 weeks ago. Granted I was speeding but 4 MPH c'mon... You can't be mad you do it to yourself and the Officer(s) are only doing their job. One thing radar detectors and jammers are legal here.

...snip...


wow that beats my 65 in a 60 just North of Olympia her in WA back in 04. Real world chicken #)#( cops. Doing job or not.

[rhipsher]

Well Virginia just sucks then. Check out the speed limit in Texas.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/IMG_20130817_144544_516_zps4ebf9acd.jpg
Plus the state legislature just passed a bill that no longer requires Texas state residents to have a front license plate anymore. Now I don't have to worry about my forced air intake. Did I mention I love living here?:-D

[SteelBlueZR1]

Where I live in Maryland is just as bad or worse, however, VA laws are downright scary with an 81mph in a 65 meaning loss of license, $3,400 and possible jail time. I refuse to drive in VA after living there. The police state is part of the reason I am planning on moving out west to Colorado to get away from this BS!
I drive just 3 miles to work in Owings Mills at Maryland Public Television and pass 4 cops on average per day, 3 speeding cameras and innumerable red light cameras. NO, I am not making this up - I have driven my ZR-1 just 4,000 miles in 2 years and been pulled over 4 times! Each time for no front license plate or going less than 5 miles over the limit. ONe time the officer asked why I was on Historic tags on a Monday, and I told him I was headed to a "Car Show." I work at MPT and was using my car for a John Davis stand-up promo for MotorWeek car show, which was actually the truth! The cop smirked and sent me on my way...
The last harassment started with a PO following me, starting just 1 mile from my house on the way to a WAZOO event, and I had cruise set at 40mph, but the officer followed me for 5 miles and finally pulled me over.
When I told him my Z had just 8k miles on it and is 22 years old, he said, "Oh, I thought it was a new Vette," and never told me why I was being pulled over. He was nice enough to tell me he had put a note in the system so that I would stop being hassled by officers every 1k miles for "No front license plate."
Oh, I almost forgot, at 6k miles I was pulled over a 5th time in PA on the way back from Lance Miller's ZR-1 Net Registry event, and just finally got out of the speeding ticket at court, but it cost me $236 in court fees to be found not guilty on appeal?! The police officer pulled me over more than 5 miles after he allegedly got me on radar at 14mph over the limit. The officer told me he was going to arrest me for evading him, since I exited the highway into Maryland (that is where I live?!).
But, the public defender dropped the case on appeal immediately. The fun part was driving to central PA to go to court twice, and a third time to file the appeal?!
What public good is there in hassling car collector enthusiasts, who according to insurance data are the lowest risk drivers?
Kinda makes you want to sell the Z and take a bus everywhere...

[carter200]

Plus the state legislature just passed a bill that no longer requires Texas state residents to have a front license plate anymore. Now I don't have to worry about my forced air intake. Did I mention I love living here?:-D

Ricky,
Need to look a little closer at that:

HB 625 clarifies that the penalty for operating a vehicle on a public highway without displaying the two license plates assigned to the vehicle is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

IF you have better info please send to me as I would like to only have the one plate.......:cheers:

PS: I love living here, too...

[scottfab]

Here is some more useless information
http://dc.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SPEED-articleLarge.jpg

[Racinfan83]

Here is some more useless information
http://dc.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SPEED-articleLarge.jpg

Now THERE is one I would probably never break!
And the only way I'm moving to Texas is if they turn the heat down in the summer about 15 degrees.... :p

[LancePearson]

It is well understood that this is a way police departments in large towns and states can be very nearly revenue and cost neutral and self funding. Pretty darned far from the laws originally designed so roads would be safe. Honestly, I don't know any group of generally safer drivers than those of us with these classic Corvettes or other older Corvettes. Speed, yes. It isn't fictional when I talk about 145 mph and wish I had a place I could let it out up to much more and see what fifth gear would do. I guess I'll have to ship the car to Texas some day. That Big Bend race would be very interesting and an 85 mph max speed limit just barely begins to let the Z breath an run a little. There are a few idiots driving Vettes but I'd put us Z owners up against anyone for safety records...except Paul who drives off the end of runways! LOL>>>>>>only kidding Paul!

Lance

[batchman]

Back a while ago, when Car and Driver used to do real journalism, I think it was Pat Bedard who wrote about insurance companies distributing free radar guns to police departments where they had concentrations of customers. The big player with the most radar "gifts" was the outfit with the big ad budget and the green lizard. The point was, of course, to drum up insurance surcharges, which up here last for 7 years!

Needless to say I'll never give them my fifteen minutes. Funny that it stuck with me since at that time they were not big advertisers.

Now for what you're all seeing, now you know why I get my jollies on the autocross track - it only took a couple years before I turned from "habitual offender" into just using the streets to get from one event to the next.

Later,
- Jeff

[BigJohn]

Did you ever notice that your hood looks like it is going to blow off when you are driving above 200 mph???

:neutral:

[efnfast]

Made it through VA without issue. Thanks for the heads up. Made it all the way home without issue. Bertha was a sweetheart, she knows she has upgrades pending.

[Mystic ZR-1]

Did you ever notice that your hood looks like it is going to blow off when you are driving above 200 mph???

:neutral:

That's what happens when your hood's made out of 8 pounds of carbon fiber...