For the third night in a row (by my count), Nashville WTVF (News Cchannel 5) has reported on ticketing by Tennessee State Troopers. They report that the department has unofficially mandated a “ticket quota/standard.” A quota is illegal of course, and that is what is causing all the commotion. The State Troopers deny that any quota has been established. The report is full of defense attorneys and civilians (that have received tickets, of course) that are outraged about receiving their ticket. The journalist antagonizes them with a line that suggests the ticket that they received was probably in response to a quota.
Here is my thought…
What ever happened to responsibility? It should not matter if there is a quota or not. If you are caught speeding and in turn receive a ticket; you have received just punishment according to the law. There is nothing and no one to be upset at except yourself. In fact, we should be disappointed that the State Troopers are not able to stop and ticket every driver that speeds. Would it not be a safer highway if everyone obeyed the speed limit? And wouldn’t more people obey if the highways were monitored all the more?
Hmmm, just shooting from the hip and I am not sure where I stand (there are probably alot more facts that a geeky traffic engineer care about) but here are some facts. Some speed limits are determined by the reality that people want to get to their destination as fast and as safe as possible given the circumstance. In Texas we determine this speed by using a radar gun and determining what the 85th percentile is. You then have a speed limit based on a good sample size who is operating on the timely/safety rule.
Of course different scenarios also take some consideration. That is why one of the first questions a police officer will ask “Was there any reason….” If you were rushing to the hospital because your passenger in the car was dying it makes complete sense to speed. Speed limits are determined by the public and not so much by the law.
I guess that is where the rub comes from. I feel I can make a good decision about speed and I don’t want some outside force to overstep their role. Especially some random quota.
Were the people at fault for speeding? YES! Can a fear of enforcement make me drive slower than necessary? YES!
Ok I think I have had this conversation with people at least a thousand times. If you get a ticket for speeding (even if it’s on campus while you’re on your way to a gangster’s paradise themed social function…), it’s your fault! And it frustrates me to no end when people get so indignant about how unfair it was of the policemen to stop them. Ridiculous.
So basically, I agree.