I see these signs in some states. How does this work, or are they just bluffing? I mean, how could an airplane read my plate number?
They don’t. They communicate with officers on the ground and direct them to the offending vehicle. They time how long it takes your car to pass a series of lines painted on the road, and calculate your speed from that.
And if the cop car can’t catch you, there’s always the sidewinder missiles…
One of my sisters-in-law tells a story of how she once got out of a speeding ticket. I understand that such stories fall into the same category of generally exaggerated tales as fishing stories, so take it with a grain or more of salt. Anyway, she was driving on an interstate in Iowa, and approaching drivers flashed their lights. She slowed down, and then came over a small rise to see a state trooper flagging her down. After she pulled over, the following dialog occurred:
Trooper: The officer in the aircraft clocked you at 95 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. I’m going to have to write you a ticket.
Sister-in-law: I’m sorry, you can’t do that.
T: Excuse me?
S: According to Iowa state law, the officer observing the infraction must be the one who writes out the citation. I’ll be happy to wait here while the aircraft lands so that the proper officer can write the citation.
T: Wait here. (Returns to cruiser, talks on radio, comes back). I’m going to let you go this time, but slow it down!
S: Yes, officer.
She was bluffing. He presumably radioed back to HQ, and nobody there knew whether such a law existed either.
You know the first time I saw that sign “Speed limit enforced by VASCAR” I thought it actually said NASCAR. Hell, I was driving in Virginia… so I thought it was totally possible to see Jeff Gordon tailing me or something…
just wanted to share 
Officer, “Hey, pick it up there, buddy! Whaddya think this is, a school zone?”
When I was little, the main street in my town had this sign up and down its length. I thought it meant that an airplane would swoop down and bonk the top of our car until we slowed down. :D:D:D:D
Hrmm, I call UL on that SIL story.
So, given that VASCAR is unreliable and inaccurate unless the cop has stupendous reflexes, what do you think the odds are that I can beat a speeding ticket for 63.3 MPH in a 40 zone when I was timed for 2.28 seconds?
I really, really, REALLY don’t want to pay it. Even though I was speeding.
pay it. the expert witnesses (web sites generally don’t count) would be much more expensive.
or - general method - demand (if allowed in your jurisdiction) a jury trial - the prosecution hates that.
[sub]IOW -pay it[/sub]
Telemark, I am somewhat doubtful myself, which is why I recommended taking the story with some quantity of NaCl.
Telemark, I am somewhat doubtful myself, which is why I recommended taking the story with some quantity of NaCl.
Argh, my first double post. Mea culpa.
In New York, it’s quite common to get hit with the radar gun by one cop, and pulled over further down the road and ticketed by another.
The SIL story is BS.
A quick calculation gives me a length of 212 feet timed at 2.28 seconds gives 63.4 mph.
Keeping the distance the same, lets see
2.1 sec = 68.8mph
2.2 sec = 65.7mph
2.3 sec = 62.8mph
2.4 sec = 60.2mph
you’d need to be at 3.6 sec to be at the speed limit. He wasn’t that sloppy.
The Sister In Law story is not BS. In Texas this is the law too. The officer who saw you committ the traffic crime has to write you the ticket.
Gotta cite there, good buddy? I’m curious about this.
Maybe the radio call from one cop to another is indadmissible hearsay throwing a monkeywrench into the prosecution’s case???
I’m in Iowa, and if there’s such a law, I’ve never heard of it. Officers running radar (without aircraft) often work in teams.
They should let you because the signs are poorly worded. I mean really. The aircraft isn’t enforcing a speed limit. That would mean that if you went 61 in a 60, the plane would shoot at you to slow your ass down.
Ha! Just let em try it. I drive a Saturn. Oh, yeah.