Dan and I have often discussed this theory of his that highway patrol and other locality enforcement agencies adopt policies for catching speeders that work more towards generating revenue than trying to stop the "bleeding of speeding" (my corny terminology, not his). This theory is most evident when a highly publicized or rash of speed-related accidents occurs in a particular area and enforcement agencies step-up patrol of the area for a period of time to make citizens feel safe again. Then once the furor dies down, the revenue machine starts up again while the enforcement machine takes a break.

While I've been quick to excuse myself every one of the 3 times I've been caught speeding, I know that I was speeding and "deserved" the ticket in each case. But what gets me is that every day I jump on the highway there are people passing me at speeds exceeding any margin that I've ever gone over any speed limit. In this vain, I consider myself one of the "good drivers" of the world and wonder what forces are at work that allows these speed demons to drive far more dangerously than I ever have with no repurcussions. An article I just read on CNN.com gives me new hope that using speeding tickets as prevention rather than revenue might be becoming more of a reality.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- State police are taking to the woods, dressed in camouflage and armed.

But the weapons are radar guns, the quarry is speeders and the season never closes.

Police at the Rockview Barracks near State College began using so-called "camo cops" patrols after a 44-vechicle crash on Interstate 80 that killed six people in January.

"As a result, there were many, many letters and questions and fingerpointing -- What are you doing? What are you not doing enough of?" said Lt. Jeffrey Watson, station commander.
Source: CNN.com

Interestingly enough, the use of the so-called 'camo cops' is a reaction to a "highly publicized speed related accident". The bright spot to me, though, is that enforcement agencies are at least getting creative. It reminds me of when local police started using seemingly harmless disabled vehicles as speed traps. If people start getting more paranoid about not being able to sense the watchful eye of enforcement, then perhaps they will start slowing down all the time instead of just when they see an unmarked Crown Victoria.

For my part, and I know that this doesn't go for everyone out there, one of the motivating factors that leads me to "speeding" is basically just keeping up with traffic. Once or twice a month I travel to the Maryland-DC area on a highway marked 65 m.p.h. though 80% of the cars go 75 or more. Subsequently, this leads us to the classic "if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you do it" argument and to this I must answer, yes, because I may not have a choice if I'm just being pushed off by the rush of the crowd.

I know that asking for 100% enforcement, perhaps even as low as 50% enforcement, might be a little too much considering personnel issues and logistics. But seeing a couple of good ideas come out of law enforcement agencies just proves to me that the creative capacity is there to actually do something to prevent speeding rather than react to it.

And on a more emotionally motivated note, let me add that sitting between speed zones and acting like you're doing a service to mankind by catching people on the slowdown just adds to the negative light that continues to be shed on law enforcement. Which is really sad because I admire the loyalty, honor and bravery that goes along with being a law enforcement official.

[Editor's Note: During the writing of this post, I got too caught up in editing/rewriting/proofing and managed to nearly burn a pound of ground beef whilst making Manwich. Thank goodness for the sizzle of burning beef.]