Fast drivers in neighborhood

[mtb996]

Just need to vent. Now, I tend to be a very fast driver, but safely, on highways with little traffic, but these F'n idiots that drive through my neighborhood at 40-50 mph are driving me nuts. Today, while taking a walk with my 2 1/2 year old twins some dkhead drives by at like 40+ mph. I yelled for him to slow down and he just floors it by me and my boys.

I live in a nice, quiet neighborhood (25mph limit) where everyone has little kids playing outside and one of these days some a-hole is going to kill someone.

I've asked the cops to hang out, but they are useless and sit in plain view to slow down people only when they are there (which is 5 minutes a month). I inquired into speed bumps but the town refuses, and if I add my own, they said they would rip them out.

One of these days I'm going to catch someone and my temper will get the best of me and I might literally kill one of these dumbasses. Seriously, I'll snap and end up in jail.

I had to calm down with a drink and Taboo LR Maduro (very good btw). Any ideas on my options outside of bringing my 38 with me on walks?

[[OT] Loki]

just let it go as much as you can. you've done what you can and nothing more can be done. Also, are you sure they're really going as fast as you think they are? I've had people tell me to slow down when I've been doing 5 under the limit because they think I'm speeding...that usually ends with some rubber being laid down my me

[icehog3]

Every side street in the town I work in has people who are upset with cars speeding down their street. Hundreds upon hundreds of side streets in the town, 10 cops on duty, many of them handling calls for service non-stop...well, you do the math. The cops do the best they can, but there aren't enough of them with enough time in the day to solve the problem of speeding down side streets.

Teach your children safety on the streets, don't leave younger ones unattended, and get license plate numbers of chronic offenders and report them specifically. It's not the answer people want to hear, but the safety of children near home falls on their parents and neighbors first.

[skyhigh340]

Stay on the cops and get your neighbors in on the complaining to the cops. You pay your taxes and have a right to be safe in your own neighborhood. Start talking your local elected officials ears off also.

[replicant_argent]

I have exactly the same thing happening here.
The neighbors got together and got the city civil engineer to okay some speed tube checks, along with a radar trailer and police checks. The police are lazy.. and sit in plain view on the street (after I politely suggested they might get a better idea of the number of speeders if the cars in question cannot see them).. and of course people see them when they make the turn in front of him and behind him.. big surprise.
The new tube counters work, and can check speed as well as traffic count, which most people think that's all the tubes can do.
You need to reach a certain threshold before they will do anything. You need x amount of cars over the limit essentially before they will take further steps. We had a meeting last week and the guy agreed that the cops could hide in the cul-de-sac and probably tag more than a few. The other option the city engineer suggested was that the cops be allowed to do a "zero tolerance" day, where anyone over 5 mph over the 30 mph speed limit got a ticket instead of a warning.

Sighs... good luck. I make some gestures (polite ones, even) when I can see they are going too fast, and get sworn at, sped up... etc. Last year when I got in a guys face, and went to the rear of his truck to get his plate number, he tried to run me over... The cops didn't do shit. He lives about 5 houses away. I live in a pretty nice neighborhood, less than 5 years old, and most of the traffic that speeds by uses my street as a cut-through because they don't want to wait for a light on what should be their route, which is more direct.
I would add that my section of street they are speeding on is about 2 blocks from turn to stop sign, and the limit is 30, I would guess about 10% of cars are doing between 35-50 by the time they get to the middle of the stretch.

[TonySmith]

Tacks, small nails...lots of them. Don't forget to wave

[[OT] Loki]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Teach your children safety on the streets, don't leave younger ones unattended, and get license plate numbers of chronic offenders and report them specifically. It's not the answer people want to hear, but the safety of children near home falls on their parents and neighbors first.

exactly. I do my best to watch out for little suzzy candonowrong (I am in no way talking about the thread starter and his children) but you gota teach them that street = bad

[mtb996]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

I have exactly the same thing happening here.
The neighbors got together and got the city civil engineer to okay some speed tube checks, along with a radar trailer and police checks. The police are lazy.. and sit in plain view on the street.. and of course people see them when they make the turn in front of him and behind him.. big surprise.
The new tube counters work, and can check speed as well as traffic count, which most people think that's all the tubes can do.
You need to reach a certain threshold before they will do anything. You need x amount of cars over the limit essentially before they will take further steps. We had a meeting last week and the guy agreed that the cops could hide in the cul-de-sac and probably tag more than a few. The other option the city engineer suggested was that the cops be allowed to do a "zero tolerance" day, where anyone over 5 mph over the 30 mph speed limit got a ticket instead of a warning.

Sighs... good luck. I make some gestures (polite ones, even) when I can see they are going too fast, and get sworn at, sped up... etc. Last year when I got in a guys face, and went to the rear of his truck to get his plate number, he tried to run me over... The cops didn't do shit. He lives about 5 houses away. I live in a pretty nice neighborhood, less than 5 years old, and most of the traffic that speeds by uses my street as a cut-through because they don't want to wait for a light on what should be their route, which is more direct.

Good advice on the speed tubes - I'll make some calls.

I am a very good judge of speed and can certainly tell 50 from 25. I understand the cops are overworked, but I have pleaded for them to sit in my driveway and issue tickets and not just "be visible a couple hours a month". I even offered food and drinks I figure if word gets out about people actually getting ticketed, it would do good.

Also, I fully get the parental responsibility and do my best with my boys, but 2 2yr olds can be tough (although they are very good at staying on the sidewalk) and I see many other kids not as disciplined (think chasing a football thrown into the road).

I actually had an altercation with a neighbor up the road last year and that did not end well at all (for him, as I am 6' 2", 225lbs) but really prefer not have to knock someone out (I know, a kinder, gentler man my wife is working on) to make a point.

[TonySmith]

Sorry for my tongue in check answer. Some 20 years ago I remember a suit against the police, I don't recall the city or state just the result. The police are responsible for the protection of people as a whole not a single person. Do what you have to, within the law. The responisiblity is yours, as others have said enlist the help of your neighbors, such as a watch commity. Good luck, I hope your able to have success against these a'holes

[King Leonidas]

[SIZE=3]I say take your gun. Some idiots only learn one way.[/SIZE]

[yellowgoat]

I'm a fast driver but NEVER in neighborhoods side streets or even main streets. You got to be a complete moron to drive like an ass hole where kids play and people live there lives.

There is a time and place for driving fast. If I want to risk my life driving at 160+ I'll do it where I won't kill somebody.

To many deaths caused by dumb ass people who don't get it.

I think there should be radar that clocks your speed and if you are over the limit a beam will stall or lock your car. All the computers in cars now a days it should be no problem.

Take it to the track people!!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by TonySmith

Sorry for my tongue in check answer. Some 20 years ago I remember a suit against the police, I don't recall the city or state just the result. The police are responsible for the protection of people as a whole not a single person. Do what you have to, within the law. The responisiblity is yours, as others have said enlist the help of your neighbors, such as a watch commity. Good luck, I hope your able to have success against these a'holes

http://www.patc.com/weeklyarticles/duty2protect.shtml

It is called "Duty to Protect"...this article explains the Supreme Court's stance.

Trust me, I wish the police had the resources to protect every person from every danger every minute of the day. Realistically, they do not. In the case of children, the first line of defense is parents and the community.

[replicant_argent]

I realize also, that there are only about 8 or 10 cops on duty at a time in my city, and don't expect them to be able to patrol every side street with complaints. Putting in speed bumps or humps is probably not going to happen here, as it gives the snowplow drivers a headache, and the city is very unlikely to OK a couple for that reason. Putting up your own speed limit sign is frowned upon, even if it is DoT compliant and the correct speed rating, as it causes a problem with everyone and their brother wanting to put one up as well, and even if there are 1000 trees in the forest of traffic controls, the culprits will ignore them as well, not to mention that the city would not know whose sign it was for maintenance reasons. One very strong option, if you have a sight or hearing impaired child on your street, is to have a warning sign to that effect, in some municipalities, you very well may be able to get a reduction in speed limit (and possibly some enforcement) in the area the child lives.

I still think a good idea is me and my neighbor Bob, drinking beer on either side of the street, rolling beach balls across to each other when either of us sees a likely suspect.

The suggestion of taking plate numbers is a good idea, and one the city rep told us to feel free to do, they will send a CSO to their house with a kind and friendly word that they may want to exercise more care with their speed in our neighborhood.

[vstrommark]

Rather than complain about the police, engage them. Around here, the police will check out a radar gun unit to groups who then gather data. Another approach is to have a traffic survey done, if possible, or have a photo radar or similar setup for a while.

Probably the most effective around my area has been citizens using digital recorders to record the day, time, vehicle, and driver. These then get turned over to the police.

Be an effective partner in safety, not another complaining do-nothing.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

I still think a good idea is me and my neighbor Bob, drinking beer on either side of the street, rolling beach balls across to each other when either of us sees a likely suspect.

I like that, Pete!