Traffic enforcement and budgetary shortfalls

[Pete]

As it seems the grotesque amount of taxes collected by the state of Maryland every hour of every day are not enough. There is a huge budget shortfall they are eying increasing fees, taxes and anything else they can. One of those revenue generators is pitting us against the man in the form of traffic.

I recently had to run up to the Eastern shore and back twice in a matter of a few days. On both occasions there were MTA cops by the dozens working both sides of the Bay Bridge. They had to be earning Uncle Martin at least $5K an hour given what fines are up to these days. Now I am all for traffic enforcement of dangerous people but really? There are places where you have the posted speed limit, and the real speed limit. From where RT2 enters 301 to the toll plaza the real speed limit is about 75. Everyday for eons people run 75 in packs in this stretch. The MTA cops are out picking them off because they are near the rear of a pack of 20 cars going 75.

the purpose is not traffic enforcement, it is not public safety, it is revenue generation pure and simple. 6 cops on either side of the BB can write 6 or 7 $300 speeding tickets per hour 24/7. Legal sure, they are exceeding the 55mph speed limit. It just irks me that cops have become the henchmen for the man, the tax collector rolling through Sherwood.

[bohman]

Have you forgotten that everything is done for our safety, to protect us from ourselves? How dare you insinuate that law enforcement is used for anything other than public safety.

As for that particular revenue generation location - that's nothing new. I've been making the trip over the bridge about 3 or 4 times a year for 15 years now to northern MD, and that is the ONLY stretch of road during the 3 hour trip that I don't maintain at least 10mph over the limit. If you get a ticket near the bridge, it's because it's your first time on that road, or you are an idiot. I don't think I've ever gone through Kent Island without seeing multiple troopers.

Matter of fact, enforcement is so intense on the bridge that it has it's own dedicated patrol. I once called 911 to report a drunk on the bridge doing at least 85. As soon as I reported location, the operator transferred me directly to a dispatcher for the cops on the bridge.

[kwillia]

I saw the same thing this past weekend with my trip to and back from Frederick, MD. I have a clean driving record and tend to obey speed limits, but on the beltway and on 270 if I let me speed drop below 65 I feel I'm in danger and you are correct in saying that the average speed was 75. There were troopers all along the way picking folks off.

[huntr1]

Originally Posted by Pete

As it seems the grotesque amount of taxes collected by the state of Maryland every hour of every day are not enough. There is a huge budget shortfall they are eying increasing fees, taxes and anything else they can. One of those revenue generators is pitting us against the man in the form of traffic.

I recently had to run up to the Eastern shore and back twice in a matter of a few days. On both occasions there were MTA cops by the dozens working both sides of the Bay Bridge. They had to be earning Uncle Martin at least $5K an hour given what fines are up to these days. Now I am all for traffic enforcement of dangerous people but really? There are places where you have the posted speed limit, and the real speed limit. From where RT2 enters 301 to the toll plaza the real speed limit is about 75. Everyday for eons people run 75 in packs in this stretch. The MTA cops are out picking them off because they are near the rear of a pack of 20 cars going 75.

the purpose is not traffic enforcement, it is not public safety, it is revenue generation pure and simple. 6 cops on either side of the BB can write 6 or 7 $300 speeding tickets per hour 24/7. Legal sure, they are exceeding the 55mph speed limit. It just irks me that cops have become the henchmen for the man, the tax collector rolling through Sherwood.

I would like to know how far from thr toll facility the Maryland Transportation Authority Police are allowed to operate.

[vraiblonde]

The majority apparently is in favor of this because they keep voting O'Malley and the Legislature into office. They also enjoy high taxes on everything from gas to cigarettes to water.

So my fervent prayer is that everyone who voted for these people gets pulled over and ticketed astronomically. Perhaps thrown in jail. I, on the other hand, will happily do the speed limit and not one mph more - I pay enough in taxes already.

[CrashTest]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

The majority apparently is in favor of this because they keep voting O'Malley and the Legislature into office.

The people voting for O'Malley ride Metro buses.

[seeamovie]

Originally Posted by CrashTest

The people voting for O'Malley ride Metro buses.

I voted for O'Malley and drive a 2010 Lincoln Cross Over. Last time I checked, a ticket for going 75 in a 55 was not $300.00.

More disinformation by the conservative elite!

[Gilligan (Premo)]

Originally Posted by seeamovie

IMore disinformation by the conservative elite!

Now that is funny.

[CrashTest]

Originally Posted by seeamovie

I voted for O'Malley and drive a 2010 Lincoln Cross Over. Last time I checked, a ticket for going 75 in a 55 was not $300.00.

More disinformation by the conservative elite!

My statement never said EVERY O'Malley voter rides a Metro bus. Another case of liberal elite ignoring the facts and details.

[Chris0nllyn]

Don't limit it to just traffic stops leading to speeding tickets.

They also rake in the dough from simple traffic stops where the officer says "I smell pot, mind if I search your car"?