Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
I received a camera-based speeding ticket several years ago.¹ This was for exceeding the 20 or 25 mph speed limit in a school zone. I went to court and explained what happened. There were several others present who were charged with speeding in the same exact location. The speeding violation was changed to a minor infraction while the fine was cut approximately in half. I learned that camera-based speeding tickets in my state (WA) are not reported to car insurance companies. So car insurance rates would not be impacted forever. The reporting policy is probably different is some other states.
¹ I'm normally a law-abiding citizen, but I have operated my vehicle at speeds which were "slightly" higher than those posted on traffic signs.
The problem we are facing is the camera vendors often get rewarded with a cut of every issued fine, per their contract. Thus, they are given an incentive to reduce the state or county's margin of grace that exceeds the posted speed limit; yes, one can normally exceed the posted limit a bit without consequence. When a large number of plaintiffs show up in traffic court for relief the vendor simply claims the equipment was faulty, pockets the profit from those who did not seek relief, and carries on.
You want speed bumps?!? Try Cozumel. They've got world class speed bumps. 0-5 MPH or you're dropping an axel. Oh, and they have various and sundry types. They've got the triple steel bars, the double dip depressions and my favorite - the 3 foot wide array of steel pyramids, each 6+" tall. It does get your attention.
Ticket by mail? Pennsylvania. My first one was a warning but it slowed my ass down the next couple of visits. They also do turnpike tolls by mail. Love it. Just fly thru and a couple of months later, you get a bill.
Glad @rono chimed in. Michigan has the shittiest drivers on average I've seen anywhere in the country. (Other states driven in the past 10 years: Arizona, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, North & South Carolina + Ontario, CA)
I don't want speed bumps or tickets-by-camera. But better enforcement please. You can be driving 8-10 miles over the posted (55 mph) speed limit and still get tail-gated to hell. I nearly got wiped out yesterday by some dude passing on a 2-lane highway where he/she shouldn't have been. Barely missed a front-end collision.
I'd favor laws and cameras to cut down on tailgating - with a "warning" for first offense. And why do they still put headlight dimmers on new vehicles? Lots of bozos driving high beam 100% of the time day and night. "In your face." Some of these are obviously illegal after-market installs. Give cops some "AI" to detect the illegal ones. At least issue warnings and a reasonable time to refit to standards.
I'm considering dash cams front & back. Would like to know more about how they work. So much road rage. Hell, there's been cases of pizza delivery boys who angered another motorist being followed to their delivery site up in the northern part of the state and beaten up when they exited to make the delivery. Enough.
Big fan of the Uniden R7 radar detector and Waze (Google Maps) for good measure.
Worst state's highways to speed on? Indiana. I once had a motorcycle cop literally leap in front of my car while I was doing 65 MPH, in order to point a radar gun at me. They had a huge line of cars pulled over waiting to receive their tickets. They were hiding just over a slight rise, and around a bend in the highway.
The whole thing was freaking dangerous as hell. But, apparently just another day in Indianapolis.
I live in an unincorporated area that is nonetheless quite urban. Our law enforcement is the county sheriff who has no traffic jurisdiction. Because drivers know that tickets are unlikely,,,speeding is common. the county response is tons of speed bumps. And don’t get me started about dogs off leash in parks where dogs are required to be on leash. Since laws are not enforced, laws are ignored. I sound like a real law n order guy.
Comments
This was for exceeding the 20 or 25 mph speed limit in a school zone.
I went to court and explained what happened.
There were several others present who were charged with speeding in the same exact location.
The speeding violation was changed to a minor infraction while the fine was cut approximately in half.
I learned that camera-based speeding tickets in my state (WA) are not reported to car insurance companies.
So car insurance rates would not be impacted forever.
The reporting policy is probably different is some other states.
¹ I'm normally a law-abiding citizen, but I have operated my vehicle
at speeds which were "slightly" higher than those posted on traffic signs.
You want speed bumps?!? Try Cozumel. They've got world class speed bumps. 0-5 MPH or you're dropping an axel. Oh, and they have various and sundry types. They've got the triple steel bars, the double dip depressions and my favorite - the 3 foot wide array of steel pyramids, each 6+" tall. It does get your attention.
Ticket by mail? Pennsylvania. My first one was a warning but it slowed my ass down the next couple of visits. They also do turnpike tolls by mail. Love it. Just fly thru and a couple of months later, you get a bill.
and so it goes,
peace,
rono
I don't want speed bumps or tickets-by-camera. But better enforcement please. You can be driving 8-10 miles over the posted (55 mph) speed limit and still get tail-gated to hell. I nearly got wiped out yesterday by some dude passing on a 2-lane highway where he/she shouldn't have been. Barely missed a front-end collision.
I'd favor laws and cameras to cut down on tailgating - with a "warning" for first offense. And why do they still put headlight dimmers on new vehicles? Lots of bozos driving high beam 100% of the time day and night. "In your face." Some of these are obviously illegal after-market installs. Give cops some "AI" to detect the illegal ones. At least issue warnings and a reasonable time to refit to standards.
I'm considering dash cams front & back. Would like to know more about how they work. So much road rage. Hell, there's been cases of pizza delivery boys who angered another motorist being followed to their delivery site up in the northern part of the state and beaten up when they exited to make the delivery. Enough.
Worst states to drive in 2026:
https://www.livenowfox.com/news/best-worst-states-to-drive-2026-wallethub
Worst state's highways to speed on? Indiana. I once had a motorcycle cop literally leap in front of my car while I was doing 65 MPH, in order to point a radar gun at me. They had a huge line of cars pulled over waiting to receive their tickets. They were hiding just over a slight rise, and around a bend in the highway.
The whole thing was freaking dangerous as hell. But, apparently just another day in Indianapolis.