23 November
2013
Traffic Cops!
Landed in Liberia (Costa Rica) and headed to the nearest supermarket to get some grocery stuff for the kids.
Started discussing speed zones and traffic tickets with the local driver. Found out something interesting.
The traffic cops cannot hide here to catch you speeding. They have to be clearly visible from some distance. At night, they have to keep their red and blue lights on.
Of course, I had a logical question – “But people will slow down if they see the cop. How is he going to catch them?”
The driver who has been to US, politely asked “Isn’t that the whole idea? Get everybody to slow down? It is not about making money by giving tickets!”
I quietly murmured “you actually have a point there”
We need these rules here in CA badly, albeit, that’ll speed up city bankruptcy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Police_Department
I have seen the same thing in England, they give you signs at east a mile ahead to alert you for speed guns, so you can slow down. In England, they employ lesser traffic cops, and more signs and cameras to play the fear tactics to slow people down….
The speeding tickets are $600 each. Be careful.
I presented that argument to an officer with an unmarked car. He made a fine counter point. That the visible cars are a deterrent when you can see them and the threat of hidden officers are a deterrent the rest of the time. A good point, but not sure it was worth the $80.
Matt 🙂