Driving Freedoms NMA Foundation

Vol. 21 • Issue 3 May/June 2010 A Constructive Approach . . .

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Driving Just One Percent Freedoms by James J. Baxter, President, NMA TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 21 • Issue 3 I have just had one of those know about the NMA, and who have long winded conversations with a been steadfast in refusing to join and Just One Percent ...... 2 non-member with lots of ideas about support our efforts. Some say “it what the NMA should be doing. He, costs too much,” ($35?) but when we Fast Driver? There’s an App ...... 3 of course, had nearly zero knowledge test that complaint by slashing our of what the NMA has been doing. dues they still don’t join. NMA Washington Report ...... 4 Further, despite his fervent interest Another refrain is non-members Beating a Speeding Ticket ...... 5 in driving issues, he has no inclina- support our position on X and Y but tion to join the NMA and support not on Z. A variation on that theme A Finely-Tuned Ohio Mayor’s Court . 6 our work. This all too common is “I don’t care about X and Y, how experience caused me to reflect on a come you’re not working on Z?” A Constructive Approach ...... 7 question I have pondered a thousand Tens of millions of people belong to times over a period of 25 years. or support organizations that they are Lane Courtesy Month ...... 8 “Why is it so incredibly difficult not in 100 percent agreement with. 2010 NMA Legislative Drive ...... 8 to attract people who should share What makes the NMA different in our vision of what a large successful this regard? Members Write ...... 9 drivers’ rights organization could My personal and most resilient accomplish?” excuse for our inability to reach The Expert’s Corner ...... 11 There are over 200 million critical mass is that the NMA doesn’t SCCs & Activists List ...... 12 drivers in the US and Canada. offer a unique “in your pocket” An infinitesimal number of these membership benefit to attract and News From Around The Country .... 13 people belong to the NMA. One hold members. This excuse is can only estimate, but there are tens wearing thin. of millions of drivers who receive We do offer unique and valuable traffic tickets while doing nothing benefits and provide real services dangerous. to our members. Furthermore, there Copyright © 2010 by NMA Foundation. Virtually none of these people are other successful organizations All rights reserved. belong to the NMA. On a daily basis, that are devoid of personal member Driving Freedoms$ CA.8<@*$ S$ "4FU11UIV%JD$ @>$ *?.$ state and federal legislators, bureau- benefits and yet can count their !"#$%&'( )*+'%$&,%!-( !"( ,./( 012( 3!*-4&,%!-5( 6-$7( ( Driving Freedoms$@>$A,=G@>?.($=@<7'*?G6$=6$*?.$9:;$L7,'(+*@7'/$ crats, and local officials hand down members in the hundreds of thou- 6-$75( 89:( ;7( :-4( <,75( ;&*-&=//5( ;6( >?>@A7( ( BC9DED8@FC999G( Q<+@GW$ '<+X<7*78@>*>&78Y$ $ %.=$ >@*.W$ $ ZZZ&<7*78@>*>&78Y&$$ edicts that make life miserable for sands or even millions. 0!-)H!#,(+*'=()/HI%,()&%4(1&4%J!-5(;67((2--*&'(I/I+/HJ.%)(%-( ,./(0&,%!-&'(1!,!H%J,J(2JJ!$%&,%!-(%-$'*4/J(&(J*+J$H%),%!-(,!( motorists. Again, virtually none of I have long held a vision of a Driving Freedoms& these motorists belong to the NMA. National Motorists Association with Editorial Staff Right now, over a million people millions of members. Such an organi- visit NMA web sites monthly, and zation would have political clout and :+'+Y@'Y$Q(@*78$&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&N+86$[@GG.8 only a tiny percentage of these the ability to shape public policy, )*+55$%8@*.8$&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&\+<.>$\&$[+B*.8 )*+55$%8@*.8$&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&;+87'$],@'' visitors are NMA members. Years from the smallest community and )*+55$%8@*.8&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&K7=.8*$M+GG.6 ago we used to console ourselves state legislatures right up to the US N,.>*$%8@*.8$&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&)A@-.$K7=.8>7' N,.>*$%8@*.8$&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&K%I(3&L$/,, with the belief that not many people Congress, and even beyond. To get knew we existed. That song doesn’t from here to there we have to find a 3&789 sell anymore. Yes, there are millions 75(8"!3'%*.'-0,(5$$%"/.9( who don’t know about the NMA, (Continued on Page 4) :"(5!(;!3,''<-!)(=>$,%-,!.,? but there are also millions who do 2 Driving Freedoms May/June 2010

Fast Driver? There’s an App for That! by Spike Roberson, NMA Michigan Member

For many years, the tools available threat as either valid or false; every user In its present form, Trapster is to enable Fast Drivers to carry out their gets rated based on the number of true extremely cumbersome, complex and mission have been stagnant. Effective and false ratings given by other users, distracting to use to the point that safety radar detectors have been around for so regular false reports will result in the can be an issue. The program includes a decades and although they’ve been offending user being ignored. In short, vast array of information options, most of steadily refined, there hasn’t been a big it’s a self-policing feature to help ensure which are of questionable value. breakthrough since the first super-het the credibility of the reporting. In an apparent effort to be everything designs of the 1970’s. to everybody, Trapster has been designed CB radios remain virtually to provide a moving-map display unchanged since their heyday over thirty despite the lack of any GPS navigation years ago. Laser detectors and jammers capability, although the same company are a minor bright spot, although does, in fact, offer a separate expensive they are illegal in many states and application that does just that. haven’t changed significantly since the Rather than using easily recogniz- mid-1990’s. able tones for various alerts – a conven- In short, it’s been a long dry spell tion long ago adopted by radar detectors, before the Next Big Thing for us Trapster insists on using voices played “speed-criminals” – but I think we’re just over the weak smartphone speaker to beginning to see the light at the end of communicate warnings. the technology tunnel. Reporting/confirming/denying That light is represented by the threats is too difficult at speed, alerts current generation of smartphones and occur too late and, as noted, are hard to a free downloadable application called hear. Nonetheless, the concept is brilliant “Trapster.” While it is very flawed, and and only needs revision to a better format further development and refinement is in So basically what you have here to be truly useful. The download is free order (and many more users are needed is a device that cannot be banned, and (www.trapster.com) and any fast driver for it to be truly effective), Trapster and doesn’t need to be hidden, that does the with a smartphone ought to check it out applications like it have the potential to job of a good CB radio without all the and submit suggestions for improvement be genuine game-changers for the fast Jerry-Springer-quality trash talk and to Trapster. driving motorist. without an ugly antenna, and that has a In my opinion, it’s only a matter of While Trapster is available for a much broader base of equipped motorists time before Trapster or a competing app number of smartphones, my experience rather than just a percentage of heavy develops this technology into the Next with it is solely with the iPhone 3G truck drivers. Big Thing. !$ version. Reporting is virtually instantaneous Trapster works with your GPS- and can be taken with a high degree of enabled smartphone to allow you to see confidence, without having to listen to a Editor’s Note: Mr. Roberson’s the position of police, speed cameras bunch of radio noise. No police officer review was edited for length. You can and other points of interest ahead of you will be able to hide if this app takes see his full review on the NMA Blog that other Trapster users have marked. off – users will know his exact position (http://blog.motorists.org/). If you Trapster lets you do the same by simply well before they come into range. have used a mobile app or automotive pushing a button on your iPhone screen In time, as the Trapster community product that may be of interest to as you pass a threat – effectively illumi- grows, this could spell the end for NMA members, please submit your nating a cop’s location for every Trapster conventional speed enforcement on review of 650 words or less to the NMA user to see. freeways as we know it. Foundation by email at nma@motor- To cut down on false markings, you That’s the good news; so what’s not ists.org or by regular mail at 402 W. have the opportunity to rate each passed to like? Quite a bit, as it turns out. 2nd St., Waunakee, WI 53597. May/June 2010 Driving Freedoms !

NMA Washington Report by Robert Talley, NMA Lobbyist

When is a tax not a tax? At its core, the presumed legisla- programs including deficit reduction. As the Congressional calendar tive proposal that will be considered is Senator Kerry took great pains slowly progresses closer to election designed to promote the development to point out that the oil companies day, the political rhetoric increases of domestic oil and gas resources, and would pay this fee, not consumers, and and the chances of Congress accom- to encourage efficiency and clean fuels therefore the proposal was not a gas plishing substantive work decreases. by putting a price on emissions of the tax. This is odd, because the entire Though the elections are not until greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. For purpose of the program is to send a November, many Members of the driving public, this is important price signal to consumers to encourage Congress are already in primary battles because transportation emissions us to be more mindful of our wasteful back home. Additionally, in election account for close to a third of the total ways. years the historic cut-off for significant US emissions of greenhouse gasses. Importantly, President Obama policy work has been August. Many Drivers will have to reduce fuel recently reaffirmed his opposition to of the President’s policy objectives consumption in order to meet the goals gas taxes – complicating the discussion remain incomplete, and there is still set forth by the President. on how to raise the price of gasoline time to fulfill his election promises. To create the incentive to use less for consumers without calling it a tax. Notable to the driving enthusiast is fuel or to switch to cleaner fuels, the So this begs the question: when is the effort to reform our national energy proponents of the proposal have a plan a tax not a tax? Is taxing a barrel of oil policy with an eye towards weaning which Senator John Kerry (D-MA) not the same as taxing a gallon of gas? us from foreign oil dependence, and described to a group of executives If Congress wants to raise the cost of lowering our emissions of greenhouse on April 22, 2010. The proposal energy for a public good, don’t hide gases. The President has said this is would add a surcharge on a barrel of it. Don’t pretend the oil companies his highest remaining priority this year. oil which would be paid by the oil will altruistically pay the fee and not Senate leaders have promised to bring companies. The revenues from this pass it along to us in the form of higher a proposal to the floor this summer to surcharge would be returned to the gasoline prices. Be up front. Is it any match with a proposal passed by the Treasury and from there, a portion wonder Congressional approval is in House last summer. would be redistributed for various the 20 percent range? !

Just One Percent maintaining and improving streets, all the laws that were put in place to (Continued from Page 2) roads, and highways? fleece conscientious motorists of their • What would you do to rid our hard earned money? way to get other motorists to buy into streets of obstacles like unneeded stop • What would you do to feel our vision. Perhaps we should start by signs, speed bumps, one-way mazes, safe, free, and comfortable in your asking these kinds of questions: and other devices intended to obstruct own automobile? • What would you do to have and confound traffic? Would you join and support rural Interstates with advisory speed • What would you do for the National Motorists Association limits, like the German Autobahn? realistic speed limits that reflect actual to achieve these goals? If just one • What would you do to and reasonable vehicle speeds, on all percent of North American drivers say drastically reduce congestion through streets, roads, and highways? “YES,” and join us in this vision, we infrastructure improvements and • What would you do for a will be well on our way to realizing sophisticated traffic management? court system that wasn’t dependent on these goals and becoming a true • What would you do to have bleeding motorists for its existence? national association of motorists. your gas tax dollars solely spent on • What would you do to repeal Just one percent.$$$! 1 Driving Freedoms May/June 2010

Beating a Speeding Ticket With Detailed Preparation @2(A/4,3B(/!(CD5(8/<-E"%!-/(D,4@,%

Editor’s Note: There are several approaches to fighting and winning in traffic court. James, who prefers we don’t publish his last name, makes the dismissal of the speeding charge against him – cited for going 56 mph in a 40 mph zone – sound like a simple matter, but his preparation was very thorough. In addition to several email messages and phone calls with the NMA, he details below some of the other resources he utilized. It also helps to have some knowledge of state regulations. California’s speed trap law (California Vehicle Code 40802) requires, in part, that a recent engi- neering and traffic survey be available for a section of non-local, non-school Ticket Fighter CD that is provided to even though California law says you can zone road in order for the police to use each new member. I also spoke with only take traffic school once every 18 an electronic device such as radar or NMA California State Activist Paula months. lidar to clock the speed of vehicles in that Martin, who directed me to the “Help, I I asked to see the Engineering area. Got a Ticket” website (www.helpigotat- and Traffic Survey to look at the 85th Here is James’ account: icket.com). percentile limit, to which he responded, I used information from those “I don’t have it but I can go downstairs I went to trial and my case was sources and from the “Fight Your Ticket and get it.” He came back and said it summarily dismissed. I had prepared my and Win in California” book (David was “missing an addendum” and that my defense on three things: Brown) to prepare “scripts” for different case would be dismissed. My copy of the 1) Gathering information to bring scenarios I might encounter. Survey had an addendum on the front of into question the accuracy of the laser I prepared pictures of the roadway it, but I obviously wasn’t going to offer to reading of my speed. and Google aerial images of the area with share it with him. 2) Given that the posted speed limit notes, and made copies for the judge, the Thank you for the help, NMA. I’m was a prima facie one, showing that my officer and myself. Additionally, I had glad I joined your organization.$$$$! speed was a reasonable one based on the copies of the aforementioned Engineering current conditions, and which did not and Traffic Survey so I could point out endanger other people or property. pertinent facts in my defense, given my 3) Proposing that the existing belief that the survey did not justify the Engineering and Traffic Survey I posted speed limit. obtained two weeks prior to my trial Before the trial the ticketing officer actually did not justify the posted speed showed me a folder with his laser limit. (Based on the 85th percentile certification, and after adding that, “56 in and the traffic data from the survey, 90 a 40 is pretty high,” he asked if I would percent of the vehicles observed in “my like to do traffic school to keep the points part” of the road were speed “violators” off my record. of the posted limit). I told him I already had done traffic I found information on the NMA site school in the last 18 months. He said, and on the NMA Foundation’s Guerrilla “that’s okay, we can take care of that,” May/June 2010 Driving Freedoms U

A Finely-Tuned Ohio Mayor’s Court @2(A-4(F/1.,''B(CD5(G9-"(D,4@,%

I received a speeding ticket on researching and gathering materials. &$$!H4%-M(,!(,.!J/('&LJ7 January 13, 2010 for allegedly going 40 I was prepared to present photo- 6"(6(.&4(&$,*&''N($!II%,,/4(&-(*-I mph in a 25 mph zone, and was sum- graphs of the street showing how easy it '&L"*'(&$,(,.&,(,.H/&,/-/4(,./(L/''F+/%-M( moned to appear at the Ohio Mayor’s was to miss the “Reduced Speed Ahead” !"(,./($!II*-%,N(!"(Q'!!IR%''/5(S.%!5( Court on February 3rd in Bloomville. and “Speed Limit 25” signs. I brought ,./-(&(#-/(L!*'4(+/(&))H!)H%&,/7(($8.>*78.($ created by the municipality to hear Manual for Uniform Traffic Control De- Z?.'$0$G.+8'.($*?+*$*?.$>A..($G@<@*$G+Z>$ traffic cases and other misdemeanors. vices that showed a picture of the proper <+-.$>A..(@'Y$,'G+Z5,G$7'G6$@5$,'>+5.$ A magistrate appointed by the mayor signs to use, thanks to the NMA’s help. (8@^@'Y$@>$@'^7G^.(& presides; it is typically not a court of I was also prepared with a copy of a %?6$Z.8.$*?.$Z78(>$_A8@<+$ record. January 22, 2009 Ohio Court of Appeals "&$%/T(%-$'*4/4(%-(S.%!(U/R%J/4(V!4/( The summons required me to be Opinion that included the 1952 Cleve- !1FF&#F`$$%7,G('a*$@*$?+^.$=..'$.+>@.8$ at court at 6:30 p.m., so I arrived 15 land vs. Keah syllabus where it is made ,!(/-"!H$/(&+J!'*,/('%I%,JW((X/J5(&-4(L/( minutes early. The door to the city hall clear that a speed greater than the prima '%=/(J%I)'/('&LJ(,.&,(&H/(/&JN(,!(/-"!H$/5( was closed, and no one was around. facie limit is a rebuttal presumption +*,(,./()!%-,(!"('&L(%J(,!()H!,/$,(,./( After a few minutes, a minivan pulled which may be overcome by showing $%,%P/-J7((S-/(,.H/&,(,!(,.&,()H!,/$,%!-(%J( up and an older man asked if I needed that the speed was neither excessive nor *?.$+=,>.$75$*?.$G+Z$=6$*?7>.$Z@*?$*?.$ something. I explained the timing of my unreasonable. Even though the 2009 &*,.!H%,N(,!(/-"!H$/(%,7((((! required appearance. The man looked at appeal was unfavorable for the defen- his watch, said “she” would be showing dant, the court upheld the 1952 ruling !"#$%&'(!))$*&'$*+,'-. up shortly and then drove off, no doubt regarding prima facie speed limits. making a few quick calls. My research about the Ohio Shortly afterward, an elderly Mayor’s Court system left me with the woman arrived and unlocked the slid- impression that you cannot predict what ing door to the building. I recognized to expect, so I spent extra time preparing ALERT! ALERT! her as the 77-year-old mayor and soon to defend my case. It turned out that the Speed Trap Ahead! discovered that she would be handling Mayor’s Court could only perform the Slow Down! my arraignment. It took me awhile to arraignment and deal with guilty pleas; realize that the mayor was unsuccessful- defendants willing to fight their tickets ly trying to contact the clerk of court to were processed into the county court see where my ticket was filed. Madam system where the proceedings would be Mayor asked if I had a copy of my held in a court of record. ticket, which I had left in my car. I of- Luckily, my case never got that far. fered several times to retrieve the ticket, The mayor dismissed the charge against F,'& !<,('-& #G& H#I(& but she kept saying I didn’t need to. me because they couldn’t find their copy F9-&#(& *,<<& 9J#G,& After a little more scuffling around, of my ticket. Before I left, the mayor Download 400,000+ enforcement a local council member suggested made sure to get my name so that if and locations(POI) & receive timely and accurate alerts while you drive. that the case against me be dismissed. when they did find the ticket, they could Speed traps, red light cameras, While the mayor continued looking for note the dismissal. speed cameras and school zones. a record of my ticket, I explained that I R.>A@*.$*?.$+<,>@'Y$'+*,8.$75$*?.$ You will see them before they see you. Covers US/Canada. Works with would be pleading “not guilty.” Rather !*,$!I/5(6(&I(M'&4(6(L&J(H/&4N5(L%''%-M( Garmin, TomTom, Magellan GPS, than keep quiet (a lesson I’ve since &-4(&+'/(,!(/O/H$%J/(IN(H%M.,(,!(4*/()H!I Google Android, iPhone & BlackBerry SmartPhones. learned), I filled the time during their $/JJ7((6,(%J(!*H(4*,N(&J($%,%P/-J(,!(I&=/( SUBSCRIBE NOW! Starts at $9.99/month search by explaining the basis of my de- >,8.$*?+*$*?7>.$Z?7$?+^.$=..'$Y@^.'$ -//&012&34&21567&84&908:41;!<,('=>1;& fense. After all, I had put in a lot of time H/J)!-J%+%'%,N(,!(/-"!H$/(,./('&L(4!(J!( ?=@AA=BCA=DE@? 4 Driving Freedoms May/June 2010

A Constructive Approach To An Unsettling Experience :9,(8/<<(E"%(/(7H%-0,%(I-<<("E(J-)9'3(E"%(:%/E&.(K'"$3? Member Edward Honig of Nassau and screamed at Honig for ignoring the Honig again insisted on having County, New York was subjected to an flashing lights. a uniformed officer on site. The call unnerving traffic stop at the hands of two Edward asked the man if he was was made, and a patrol car arrived in NYC police officers in plainclothes and a police officer. The question was left order to deliver some blank tickets to an unmarked vehicle. unanswered, so Honig asked to see the sergeant, but the patrolman did not His story and his subsequent identification and further requested that get involved in the discussion despite reaction are worth telling because, if the man was, in fact, with the police, Honig’s pleas. while a majority of police officers and that a uniformed officer be dispatched The sergeant wrote up four tickets, state troopers handle traffic stops with a to the scene. These requests were also but did not print his name on any of the professional demeanor, the exceptions ignored, raising doubts by Honig that the tickets as required. At this point, Honig to the rule can be both daunting and man was a legitimate officer, particularly apologized to the officer, noting that he dangerous, particularly considering how because of the aggressive behavior being sincerely did not know for sure that he many times motorists are required to exhibited. After about three minutes of was dealing with genuine police officers interact with law enforcement on a daily ranting, the man took out a silver badge until the patrol car showed up. basis. and pinned it onto his coat. The badge The tickets issued to Honig were for On a slushy December 2009 day, was not in a wallet, just a standalone going through a red light, two counts of Honig was driving his wife’s Lexus badge. failure to signal a lane change, and not GX470 SUV in Manhattan. While After more yelling, the supposed having proof of insurance. waiting at a traffic light, he noticed an officer simply said, “Alright, I’ve had Honig submitted a formal complaint old blue jeep behind him, flashing its enough. Give me the keys to your car.” to the NYPD Civilian Complaint Review bright lights. The jeep did not have usual Honig refused, and actually wondered if Board about this episode, noting that his police lights such as a “cherry” or any this was an elaborate carjacking. main concern throughout was to verify other type of colored or strobing lights. The man’s partner, also in casual he was being stopped by police officers, As Honig drove a bit further, the clothes, emerged from the Jeep and and not by criminals or gang members. jeep continued flashing its headlights approached the passenger door of the He had a concern for personal safety at him so he pulled over. The driver Lexus. He opened the door with his when the response to his request to see of the jeep, dressed in a kangol cap, a other hand on his holstered gun and ID was met with belligerence and a long dress coat, and a sweatshirt with a said, “Answer the sergeant when he talks demand to turn over his car keys. wild design on it, approached the Lexus to you.” In the process of writing the complaint, Honig found a June 2003 Interim Order to the NYPD Patrol Guide Don’t miss out on NMA Member Benefits. Procedure 203-09, “Public Contact Please make sure we have your current: – General” that stated, “Courteously and clearly state your rank, name, shield number and command, or otherwise e-mail address telephone number provide them, to anyone who requests mailing address you to do so. Allow the person ample time to note this information.” Then Edward Honig did something To update your contact information, contact us at: unusual for someone subjected to such an unsettling experience with the police. E-mail: [email protected] He proposed a solution to better protect Phone: 800-882-2785 motorists in such situations, realizing that Mail: 402 W. 2nd St., Waunakee, WI 53597 (Continued top of next page) May/June 2010 Driving Freedoms T nothing good can come from the driving So we put the call out to you, the public or police officers misreading readers of Driving Freedoms: What or misunderstanding each other in the items would you include in a “Driver stressful environment of a traffic stop. Bill of Rights for Traffic Stops” that Honig wrote a letter to the NYPD can clearly and concisely be conveyed, Chief of Patrol describing the incident perhaps on a small laminated card? and stating, “I strongly believe that What steps/actions can a motorist there has to be a uniform procedure take when being pulled over to ensure that every driver must be made aware his/her safety, yet be responsive to of in the event that they are pulled over requests from legitimate law enforce- by an unmarked car, or by an officer ment officers? out of uniform.” renewal. This would serve to protect Your feedback, based on diverse Honig continued, “One possible the public, by bringing awareness to viewpoints and experiences, will help solution would be to contact the drivers about their right to verify that the NMA develop an effective “Driver appropriate politicians and agencies an officer is in fact genuine when he is Bill of Rights for Traffic Stops” that to formulate a “driver bill of rights out of uniform. A bill of rights would can be publicized in a nationwide press when being pulled over” which would serve to diffuse any hostility that an release prior to an upcoming summer be sent out separately, or printed on officer may project onto a driver for driving holiday, such as Labor Day. !$ the back of every drivers license upon requesting their ID.” $$

June 2010 is the Eighth Annual Help the 2010 Lane Courtesy Month NMA Legislative Drive

The NMA Foundation first speed limits that are improperly set, You likely have already received declared June as Lane Courtesy Month state legislatures should push for more a letter from us announcing the 2010 in 2003. We have taken the opportunity enforcement focus on “keep right” laws NMA Legislative Fundraiser, and the every June since then to raise public than on minor speeding infractions. specific issues we will target with your awareness of lane courtesy through He puts it succinctly, “Address the help: national press releases and measures efficiency, and the safety will follow.” ! Establish proper speed limits such as the launching of the website, Nick Jones, a New Mexico based on the 85th percentile principle, LaneCourtesy.org, and the issuance of member, notes that road signs indicating ! Gain nationwide acceptance sample letters to the editor for use by “Keep right except to pass” are immea- of yellow light standards based on the concerned and interested public. surably better than the more typical scientific criteria, Make no mistake about it; encour- “Slower traffic keep right” message that ! Change right-turn-on-red laws aging motorists to yield the leftmost tends to be ignored by many drivers to require yielding the right-of-way lanes to faster moving traffic on multi- who, willfully or not, don’t recognize rather than stopping completely before laned highways is an education process. themselves as being in the “slower” the turn, and, While several states have laws on the category. ! Repeal laws that require traffic books to stop drivers from hogging the Be sure to tell friends, relatives, and to move to the left when emergency left lanes, the practical matter is that colleagues why it is important that all vehicles, with flashing lights, are parked those laws are rarely, if ever, enforced. drivers practice lane courtesy. Send a on the shoulder. There is so much to be gained by letter to the editor of your local paper. This year, we are offering four allowing traffic to flow more freely (The 2009 May/June issue of Driving sweepstakes prizes to donors including through the practice of lane courtesy. Freedoms has a sample letter on page 7. an Apple iPad tablet computer. Having drivers move to the right when If you don’t have a back issue, go to Each $30 contribution will result in not passing other traffic leads to fewer motorists.org/newsletter/09MayJun.pdf one sweepstakes entry and a chance to pockets of congestion, less driver stress, or contact the NMA directly.) win one of the prizes. You can donate and ultimately, fewer accidents. We are all educators when it comes online at www.motorists.org/donate/ or Georgia Member Paul Freeman to spreading the word about the value of by returning the Contribution Form from wryly observes that as long as we have lane courtesy. ! the NMA mailing. ! 3 Driving Freedoms May/June 2010

it would improve traffic flow, thereby improving the efficiency of our existing Members Write roads, and minimizing the need to spend money building new roads or improving existing ones. If it aggravates you too, do A while back, you printed an article something about it. Start with writing a on why under-posted speed limits are How can we stop slower drivers letter to the editor. actually a detriment to safety. It was from blocking the passing lane? They Jim Nelson very informative, however, you left out may be concentrating on texting, day- Marietta, GA what I believe is the biggest hazard of dreaming, or engaging in real live conver- under-posting: inattention. sation, and have no idea they are clogging Editor’s Note: See the Lane It has to do with human nature, the traffic flow. Are they playing speed Courtesy article on page 8 of this issue specifically the inability of our brains to enforcer trying to control the speed of for details of a sample letter that can be maintain concentration on a task that is cars behind? Either way, they are rais- adapted for use. non-challenging. Through all of human ing blood pressures, causing anger and, development, these sorts of activities on occasion, instigating ROAD RAGE have been part and parcel of our daily episodes. Your article in the March/April issue lives, so our brains evolved to use this When that happens, there is seldom a (Can You Hear Me Now?) ignores the down-time to ponder other things. mention of what caused the incident. All fact – after paying lip service to it – that Dawdling along at a speed well of the blame goes to the person that lost it the danger of cell phone use is that it below our capability, and that of our and resorted to violence. True, that person diverts the driver’s concentration from vehicle, is guaranteed to have the same should have devised a way to control his the road, and that it has nothing to do effect. In that circumstance, maintaining temper, but that left-lane driver provoked with one-handed driving. So the fact a high state of awareness becomes the situation, breaking a law that is rarely, that accident rates have stayed constant impossible. This explains why I (and if ever, enforced. following hand-held cell phone bans I am sure many of you) have such I try to remember that my goal is to tells us nothing about whether talking difficulty obeying the speed limits; get there a little faster than you, which on a cell phone while driving causes subconsciously we realize that it is I enjoy if I can get freedom in the left accidents. dangerous to drive like that! lane. If a car is passing, they should be As for enforcement of texting So, ironically, it is the better in the left, but otherwise should move to laws, I find it easy to spot drivers who drivers who are penalized the most the right. If we flash our lights at them are texting. They are looking down, rather than the ones who actually from behind just a little, maybe they will they are often swerving, and you can present the greatest danger. Those of us get the hint, wake up and move over. It often see their phone. If you were at all who have put forth the effort to become is selfish, rude, wrong, and against the familiar with the Virginia Tech study better drivers are the very ones most law in most states to continually stay in on distracted driving (they put video likely to be ticketed! Go figure! the left lane unless dictated by congested cameras in 100 cars in the DC area Compounding the irony: The first traffic. and ran them for a year), you would be thing traffic engineers do when a stretch We should encourage our state and aware of their conclusion that the risk of road has a high number of collisions local government representatives to use of accident begins to rise sharply when is lower the speed limit. that left lane law as an easy source of a driver takes his eyes off the road for God save us from bureaucrats! revenue, and ticket people that block the more than 2.0 seconds. RL Diehl left lane. They also should steer some While I am grateful for your work Black Canyon City, AZ public education money toward the helping members fight tickets that subject. If the left lane wasn’t blocked, have nothing to do with safety, I am seriously disgusted that you would Your letters are welcomed and should not exceed 300 words. They may be question banning something that is such edited for length or clarity. Full-length articles will also be considered for publication and should not exceed 600 words. Submissions may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to 402 W 2nd St., Waunakee, WI 53597 (Continued top of next page) May/June 2010 Driving Freedoms F" an obvious and serious road hazard as It seems pretty cynical and transparent texting while driving. Your stance on this to me, but if the warning system works, issue is irresponsible, and if you persist, I’ve always thought that it should then great. this will undermine your credibility in be illegal to ban radar detectors, even Also, a detector is not a license ticket fighting where it has nothing to though I haven’t used one for years. to speed, nor does it act as some do with safety, and everything to do After all, it’s just a radio. If sort of “cloaking device” (in trekkie with taxation. Your members need you one party is transmitting over public vernacular). Far from it. Cops have to maintain your credibility by being airwaves, others should have the right to eyes. They drive in unmarked cars with responsible in the battles you pick. receive that transmission – as is the case certified speedometers, and can pace David C. Holzman with radio scanners. Of course, with vehicles. They use VASCAR (timing Lexington, MA regard to scanners, it is illegal for the a vehicle over a known distance to user to divulge what he hears to a third determine speed). There is instant-on party, or to use the information in the radar – the police just sit somewhere out I strongly recommend that you commission of a crime. of sight and shoot a vehicle as it crests a provide source data on the reports noted I frequently hear names, birth dates, hill or rounds a bend. Finally, laser has in articles like ‘Can you Hear Me Now” phone numbers, addresses, and even a much tighter beam spread than radar. in the March/April edition of Driving social security numbers on a scanner It does not bounce or travel beyond Freedoms. – that does not mean that scanners the vehicle(s) being clocked the way That way, we can use the articles should be illegal. It is what the operator that radar sometimes does. If a laser to write letters to the editor of our local does with the information that is detector alerts, it almost always means newspapers. I have had good luck so important. that the vehicle's speed has already been far with three articles published in the I'm sure that those who support determined. Bowie Blade. making radar and laser detectors illegal All of the above sums up why I I will submit a letter using the would say that they only have one have all but given up on radar/lidar info from the article noted, but I would purpose – to allow the user to break detectors and don't use one. feel much better if I could back up my the law. That may well be the intent Which brings me back to the letter with the exact ID of the reports. of the vast majority of people who “informer” terminology. At what point My computer savvy is not the greatest buy detectors, but there are a few who does a device go from being a detector when it comes to research, so I need the simply want to take precautions so that to being an informer? As far as I additional ID info on the reports. they can check their speed in certain know, there is nothing illegal about my I also strongly recommend that you circumstances. coworkers and me calling each other to encourage members to write letters to our After all, even honest, upright, keep informed as to basic observations local papers as a method of spreading the law-abiding pillars of the community we might make while commuting to NMA message. sometimes inadvertently exceed the and from work – like where deer are, or Keep up the outstanding work. speed limit. ;-) Seriously, it is not providing advance notice of accidents, George Buss always practical to use cruise control, road construction, and the presence of Bowie, MD and there are people who try to obey the emergency vehicles. speed limit who get caught in a moment What we do with the information is Editor’s Note: The NMA keeps of inattention (going downhill, say, or up to us. These cell phone applications information about our source material on a road that is clearly under-posted) seem to be the same thing. Just good in an office folder for each newsletter so that even the most cautious person citizens keeping each other informed. in order to respond to similar queries. might find themselves "speeding." My Sherman Johnson Rather than pepper each issue with point, of course, is that there are other Middletown, MD footnotes and citations – we don’t want uses for a radar detector besides evading Driving Freedoms to resemble a staid law enforcement. Editor’s Note: Member Johnson professional journal – we encourage you To bolster this argument, detector originally sent this letter to his father, a to send us an email at [email protected] manufacturers have begun to offer some communications law professor. if you are interested in finding out source safety features, such as warning of ! material for a specific story. upcoming construction or school zones. F2 Driving Freedoms May/June 2010

News From faster now. The Michigan Department of Transportation just raised the speed Around The Country limit to 65 mph from the former 55 mph zone surrounding Barton Drive.

California Iowa Missouri Voters in California’s tenth largest Red-light cameras are not likely to Missouri’s Supreme Court recently city, Anaheim, will have an oppor- be installed in Urbandale any time denied the city of Springfield’s request tunity to ban red light cameras in soon. The City Council recently dis- to have the high court revisit a March November. The Anaheim City Council cussed the idea of adding the cameras 2nd decision declaring Springfield’s unanimously endorsed the idea of at several city intersections, but none process for enforcing red light camera placing a charter amendment on the of the five council members expressed violations to be in conflict with state ballot that, if approved by the public, interest. law. The city suspended use of its 13 would ensure that automated ticketing red light cameras after the decision, machines never appear on city streets. Louisiana and dismissed all outstanding camera- Rep. Jeff Arnold failed in his effort related tickets. Loma Linda will not extend its con- to ban traffic cameras used to issue tract with the company that operates citations, but the Algiers Democrat Ohio the city’s red-light cameras when the convinced the House Judiciary Com- Protesters rallied next to Cleveland’s agreement expires in December. The mittee that accused drivers should at most prolific ticket camera to an- City Council voted 3-1 to terminate least get their day in court in front nounce campaigns to let voters decide the agreement with Redflex Traffic of an elected judge. House Bill 283 if the cameras should be banned in Systems. After the Council mandated originally required that tickets be pro- Cleveland and Garfield Heights. The that yellow light intervals be increased cessed in a “competent court of juris- groups hope to have charter amend- at camera intersections by one full diction,” bypassing the administrative ments on the ballots in both cities and second in November 2009, violations traffic court judges that usually handle are launching campaigns to collect for straight-through red-light running routine tickets such as those for enough signatures on petitions. dropped 92 percent. speeding or running a red light. The new version of the bill would allow a Texas Colorado local jurisdiction to continue directing State officials have determined that For months, speed camera vans in automated tickets to an administrative Martindale derives too much money Denver have been ticketing drivers court. Drivers would have the right from speeding fines, listing it with on a 45 mph stretch of South Santa to appeal to the district court or other three other cities statewide accused Fe Drive. Although thousands have court with elected judges, without of running afoul of speed trap rules. already been ticketed at the location, having to pay the usual filing fee. A 1975 state law bans municipalities the Colorado Department of Transpor- with fewer than 5,000 residents from tation recently determined that 55 mph Jefferson Parish’s ticket camera collecting more than 30 percent of is a safe speed and will be raising the program has been out of commission annual revenue from traffic fines. If limit accordingly. since January, when council members fines exceed that limit, the money goes announced that they discovered docu- to the Texas comptroller’s office. The Ilinois ments showing that former New Or- other three cities are Kendleton, Patton Chicago’s $7 million program to leans Councilman Bryan Wagner was Village, and Zavalla. ! spy on illegally parked cars, videotape receiving a portion of all traffic fines them, and send tickets to the owner by paid to the camera operator, Redflex placing the cameras on street sweep- Traffic Systems. As of this printing, this information ers is now on hold. The city has is current. For more information on already spent $400,000 on the new Michigan this and other motorist news, visit technology, and not a single ticket has Motorists on the Ann Arbor portion www.motorists.org been written. of M-14 can drive by the city a little bit Great Deals At The NMA Store!

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