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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:49 am
by Nalian
In MA the amber light means specifically "Stop if you can safely do so" not "Go through the light if you can safely do so."

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:16 am
by NorthernPete
Nalian wrote:In MA the amber light means specifically "Stop if you can safely do so" not "Go through the light if you can safely do so."
It means that everywhere, not just MA.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:17 am
by dieziege
JFW,

You aren't saying anything I don't know.

However... the NRA sticker thing really happened, and really had to be shot down by the 5th circuit, and that was only in 2002 (not very long ago). There are other things that really happen though they shouldn't.

I don't know if the glock sticker thing happens as described... I just know that there have been multiple independent reports of it happening. And, truth be told, my larger point was that stickers are undesirable because they cause dumb people to make assumptions. An HRC sticker might tell someone, "This person's a hippie freak I bet I can cop some weed from their car." At that point, it doesn't matter whether they like weed or like to arrest people for having weed... damage is done.

Anyway, assuming the person is stopped and searched, once you have the gun, the drugs, or whatever, you have an arrest (which in its own right is a punishment most people want to avoid), and most perps don't argue that their rights were violated by the search when it goes to court. Most perps plea bargain.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:37 am
by Chris8187
Nalian wrote:In MA the amber light means specifically "Stop if you can safely do so" not "Go through the light if you can safely do so."
As you might imagine, that is very subjective definition. If i can get through before it is red, it is safer than hitting my brakes. I've seen some close calls where people brake once it turns yellow, and the person behind doesn't expect it.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:40 am
by CNF2002
Chris8187 wrote:
Nalian wrote:In MA the amber light means specifically "Stop if you can safely do so" not "Go through the light if you can safely do so."
As you might imagine, that is very subjective definition. If i can get through before it is red, it is safer than hitting my brakes. I've seen some close calls where people brake once it turns yellow, and the person behind doesn't expect it.
You know how you solve that? You stop driving 2 feet behind their rear bumper.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:42 am
by Nalian
NorthernPete wrote:
Nalian wrote:In MA the amber light means specifically "Stop if you can safely do so" not "Go through the light if you can safely do so."
It means that everywhere, not just MA.
I was attempting a little tongue-in-cheek response there. ;)

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:49 am
by Chris8187
And people tailgate because people won't move over for vehicles that are traveling faster than them. And it takes time to register that someone would actually start stopping when they see the yellow because who does that... :laughing:

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:44 am
by CNF2002
When you are driving 85 on a 65mph freeway no one needs to 'move' over for you, you need to slow down.

Tailgating is stupid recklessness...but I guess if you are in a hurry, and people are in your way, acting stupid is okay :laughing: you'll show those slow drivers when you're all piled up on the side of the road trapped in flaming wreckage!

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:48 am
by dieziege
If traffic is flowing 85 on a 65 speed limit road, the speed limit needs to be raised. A few people slowing down to 65 while everyone else does 85 is more dangerous than everyone doing 85.

You may not like that fact, but it is true. That is why increasing speed limits (from the days of 55) saved lives much to the surprise of the unscientific "safety experts".

The exception in the obvious one... if everyone drives 45 through a particular area (because of a curve or whatever) there is no reason to raise the limit to 60.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:51 am
by CNF2002
No, no one drives 85 around here except for a few, and they are the ones tailgating. Usually folks are at 5-10 over, which is not unreasonable if they are polite to each other. Moving over, NOT tailgating...really, when someone comes up behind me and demands that I move (especially if I'm in the middle lane - my favoritist lane ever) for them, it just strengthens my resolve to stay put. Especially if the left lane is totally clear :laughing: