# A great traffic safety idea. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 23, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136 "2007-06-23T17:34:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/1 "2007-06-23T17:34:51Z")
Today on the freeway I noticed (again) how everybody slows down when there’s a cop around. So, why not make a law that _all_ traffic cop vehicles “fly aloft” a lighted beacon that must be visible @ 360 deg. for a mile or so. That ought to work! Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/2 "2007-06-23T17:44:01Z")
They slow down because they think the cop can see them, not merely because they know there’s a cop around. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/3 "2007-06-23T18:00:48Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] They slow down because they think the cop can see them, not merely because they know there’s a cop around. [/QUOTE] What! Ah, you’re trying to whoosh me, right? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/4 "2007-06-23T18:11:49Z")
> [@](#): > > by mangeorge \* So, why not make a law that all traffic cop vehicles “fly aloft” a lighted beacon that must be visible @ 360 deg. for a mile or so. \* Why not speed bumps on the freeway? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/5 "2007-06-24T00:18:45Z")
[QUOTE=Morgenstern] Why not speed bumps on the freeway? 😛 [/QUOTE] Well, it’s kinda hard to calibrate speed bumps to be effective at exactly 1 mph over the limit. Maybe spikes, like in parking lots? Besides, I’m trying to go after the root of the problem. A pole light, like [this](http://www.yachtlights.com/item--NaviLED-360-2-NM-Fixed-Mount-Anchor-Lamp--959910011) one. Right in the middle of the roof. Only in blue. It’s my idea, I get to pick the color. Peace, mangeorge See you at Chieftans. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/6 "2007-06-24T00:48:28Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Ah, you’re trying to whoosh me, right? [/QUOTE] No, it makes perfect sense. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/7 "2007-06-24T01:03:14Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] No, it makes perfect sense. [/QUOTE] They think the cop can see them because they can see the cop! I think that’s the point of the OP. What, is my grammar failing me again? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/8 "2007-06-24T01:03:57Z")
Keep it simple. Imagine your typical solar powered garden lights. Except that flashing blue. Drop one at every curve. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/9 "2007-06-24T01:10:26Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] They think the cop can see them because they can see the cop! I think that’s the point of the OP. [/QUOTE] No. Seeing where the cop _is_ is not at all the same thing as being able to see the cop (or, more pertinently, the cop’s eyes). ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/10 "2007-06-24T01:21:33Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] No. Seeing where the cop _is_ is not at all the same thing as being able to see the cop (or, more pertinently, the cop’s eyes). [/QUOTE] The cop’s _eyes_? Aren’t you reaching a little there, **Mr. Q.E.D.**? Picture a cop parked in plain view on an overpass above the freeway. All you can see, probably, is the car. Very effective nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/11 "2007-06-24T03:39:10Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] What! Ah, you’re trying to whoosh me, right? [/QUOTE] I submit that if traffic is proceeding in a safe manner slowing down because a cop is stopped by the side of the road does not make things safer. It does the opposite, it brings up a very real potential for a rear end collision. [true story] One night my buddy and I witnessed a collision on the San Diego Freeway. The cars involved stopped on the center divider. We stopped to render aid. One car was leaking fuel. A CHP motorcycle officer arrived, and I was asking him for a fire response to deal with the fuel leak (It was bad). The officer was still on his bike, and I was standing on the center divider side of him. So some idiot in a van decided to [del]slow down[/del] stop to be safe. The guy behind him rear ended him 3 feet in front of my face. :eek: Scared the living shit out of me.[/true story] The interest of safety would better be served if people learned that when an officer that is hauling a drunk in, will not suddenly cut that guy loose, and come bust your ass for driving 3 miles per hour over the speed limit. :rolleyes: It is not freakin necessary to slow to 10 MPH under the speed limit when you see a cop by the side of the road. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/12 "2007-06-24T03:49:41Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] I submit that if traffic is proceeding in a safe manner slowing down because a cop is stopped by the side of the road does not make things safer. It does the opposite, it brings up a very real potential for a rear end collision. [true story] One night my buddy and I witnessed a collision on the San Diego Freeway. The cars involved stopped on the center divider. We stopped to render aid. One car was leaking fuel. A CHP motorcycle officer arrived, and I was asking him for a fire response to deal with the fuel leak (It was bad). The officer was still on his bike, and I was standing on the center divider side of him. So some idiot in a van decided to [del]slow down[/del] stop to be safe. The guy behind him rear ended him 3 feet in front of my face. :eek: Scared the living shit out of me.[/true story] The interest of safety would better be served if people learned that when an officer that is hauling a drunk in, will not suddenly cut that guy loose, and come bust your ass for driving 3 miles per hour over the speed limit. :rolleyes: It is not freakin necessary to slow to 10 MPH under the speed limit when you see a cop by the side of the road. [/QUOTE] I’m not sure about anyplace else, but in Illinois, it’s mandatory (read: you can get a ticket for not doing so) to pull over OR slow down for an emergency vehicle stopped at the side of the road. So, if you can’t get over into the other lane, the cop could indeed “bust your ass” for going 3 over. ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/13 "2007-06-24T04:02:08Z")
Everyopne who is driving should have to smoke a joint… “Woah man! Everyone looks like a cop!” (just kidding) FML ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/14 "2007-06-24T06:17:33Z")
[QUOTE=Garfield226] I’m not sure about anyplace else, but in Illinois, it’s mandatory (read: you can get a ticket for not doing so) to pull over OR slow down for an emergency vehicle stopped at the side of the road. So, if you can’t get over into the other lane, the cop could indeed “bust your ass” for going 3 over. [/QUOTE] Got a cite for that? I have heard of lane changes, but not the slowing down. I would love to see just how that is worded in the law. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/15 "2007-06-24T06:24:18Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] Got a cite for that? I have heard of lane changes, but not the slowing down. I would love to see just how that is worded in the law. [/QUOTE] [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/moveover.asp) has one for Texas you can read while I see if I can find one for Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/16 "2007-06-24T06:39:06Z")
Illinois’ is less specific than Texas’. > [@625 ILCS 5/11‑907](#): > > c) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, blue, or red and blue lights or amber or yellow warning lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall: > > (1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right‑of‑way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least 4 lanes with not less than 2 lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or > > (2) proceeding with due caution, **reduce the speed of the vehicle** , maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, **if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.** (from [here](http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-907)), bolding mine There’s a breakdown [here](http://people.smu.edu/acambre/move_over_laws.asp), but I don’t know how accurate it is (the link it gives for the IL statute is broken, for instance). ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/17 "2007-06-24T14:28:22Z")
There are always good, logical reasons for not; Slowing down. Wearing a helmet. Fastening your seatbelt. et al. No matter the facts. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/18 "2007-06-25T10:00:48Z")
[QUOTE=Garfield226] Illinois’ is less specific than Texas’ Originally Posted by 625 ILCS 5/11‑907 (2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, **maintaining a safe speed for road conditions** , if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe. [/QUOTE] I think you bolded the less relevant bit…! To my mind, slowing to a crawl is absolutely unsafe - the law is obviously to avoid you whistling past an officer’s left shoulder at 65mph - that doesn’t mean it would be better to be doing 25mph instead…! ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/19 "2007-06-25T13:04:52Z")
I say go for spikes attached to a radar unit. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-great-traffic-safety-idea/409136/20 "2007-06-25T13:19:04Z")
People slow down when they see a flashing blue light because a flashing blue light very often means that the police are within visual range and there is therefore a risk that they will be caught speeding. If you increase the presence of the warning signal without increasing the risk that people will get caught, you’re just diluting the stimulus and eventually what will happen is that people will be _less likely_ to slow down when they see a blue flashing light.