Local cops and radar

[Old_Dirty_Georg]

Dear Pennsylvania NMA Members,

Local police may soon be allowed to use radar!

House Bill 1050 would allow local police to use radar for speed enforcement. There is a provision in the bill to allow a “pilot project,” much like the “pilot” red light camera “project.”

Don’t be fooled with the term “pilot project.” This is just a term used to make it easier to pass legislation. Once a “pilot project” is passed, it swiftly becomes permanent.

On Wednesday, May 11, 2005 the House Transportation Committee will vote on H.B. 1050. It is very important that you contact your legislators and members of the House Transportation Committee to oppose H.B. 1050.

Here are some talking points that can be used. Feel free to use these when contacting legislators.

Pennsylvania has a history of radar misuse. In 2004, Pennsylvania newspapers discovered the state patrol knowingly used Genesis radar guns that were unreliable. And, yet they continued to ticket the public.

Arbitrarily low and unrealistic speed limits will allow the police to ticket drivers who are driving safely with the flow of traffic. Until speed limits are set correctly, the police should not be given tools that will allow them to issue a greater number of unjustified tickets.

You will be told that there are safeguards built into the bill, like capping ticket revenue at 5 percent of a municipality’s budget. This is no real protection for motorists. Budgets are increased every year, so there is no real cap or “safeguard.” This is still a tax on the motorist and municipalities will jump at the chance of more money coming into their coffers.
Phone calls are most effective, but any contact will be helpful!

You can find out who your legislator is or get their contact information by visiting the following web site: http://www.house.state.pa.us/index.cfm

You can find the House Transportation Committee Members’ contact information at http://tinyurl.com/9snh3

Best regards,

Eric Skrum
Communications Director

Celebrating 20 years of protecting your rights!

National Motorists Association 608/849-6000
nma@motorists.org www.motorists.org
Advocating, Protecting, and Representing the Rights of North American Motorists

Here’s a link to the bill…

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2005/0/HB1050P1206.HTM

[fshowcars]

fuckers… now i HAVE to sell my beltronics for a laser version

[S10Blazed_Si]

@fshowcars

fuckers… now i HAVE to sell my beltronics for a laser version

not if you contact your legislator and tell them NO! to H.B. 1050

:rolleyes:

[99CobraSC]

It wont pass…

[imported_showtime]

thats one thing that sucks about jersey…every cop has radar, State, local city, sheriffs, etc… SUCKS

[Darkstar]

@showtime

thats one thing that sucks about jersey…every cop has radar, State, local city, sheriffs, etc… SUCKS

its the same down here. Even the Podunk Ocean Pines cops have radar. I got pulled over for 7mph over (42 in a 35). Cop was going the opposide way on the other side of a slightly divided highway, busted a u-turn through the grass median and pulled me over. :ugh:

[munster_ek]

@Darkstar

its the same down here. Even the Podunk Ocean Pines cops have radar. I got pulled over for 7mph over (42 in a 35). Cop was going the opposide way on the other side of a slightly divided highway, busted a u-turn through the grass median and pulled me over. :ugh:

*off-topic: That’s pretty crazy. I was in Ocean Pines last year to pick up a concrete pump.

[Darkstar]

@munster_ek

*off-topic: That’s pretty crazy. I was in Ocean Pines last year to pick up a concrete pump.

yeah, I love the Pines. only place around that kinda reminds me of home.

[bobert517]

i dont think this will pass, my dad was telling me that it will cost the state too much to have all the police officers trained in using radar.

[1990_x6]

nah, itll pass i think. why not its PA

regardless i hope it doesnt, thats for damn sure

[dubdaze68]

a version of this bill comes up every legislative term, and each time scares me and pisses me off at the same time. Giving local yokel cops radar is like giving a 3 year old a bazooka…it WILL be misused. Local cops are nothing but tax collection agents for that particular borough, and the magistrates basically act as the same. VASCAR, for as unreliable as it is, is still visible enough to see from a distance if you’re a driver. It might not pass for the following reasons…

training for every officer in the commonwealth $$$$

radar guns, not only expensive, but have to be repaired and certified, and updated.

angry constituents (like us), being criminalized more readily

usually doesn’t pass…but that “Pilot program” provision gives me the idea that they finally figured a way around it…

[Old_Dirty_Georg]

[QUOTE=dubdaze68]

radar guns, not only expensive, but have to be repaired and certified, and updated.

QUOTE]

Unless you are a PA state trooper and the car you are in makes the rader unreliable and you do nothing about it… I still get angry about that stuff. :mad:

[HaNnIBaL64]

so did it pass?

[Old_Dirty_Georg]

Can’t find any info on it at the moment…

[imported_jim]

@dubdaze68

It might not pass for the following reasons…

training for every officer in the commonwealth $$$$

radar guns, not only expensive, but have to be repaired and certified, and updated.

angry constituents (like us), being criminalized more readily

usually doesn’t pass…but that “Pilot program” provision gives me the idea that they finally figured a way around it…

The insurance companies have a long history of giving away free radar guns and hosting free training classes for the police. They do it because they can jack up the insurance rates of everybody who gets a speeding ticket and that more than pays for their expenses. I’d be suprised if the insurance lobby wasn’t behind every effort to push this bill through.

[SP71Supra]

I believe this has already been passed… I could be wrong… but I could have sworn they already passed it… it sucks… PA you gotta love it… thats why the 1st chance I get im on my way to LaJolla, CA