The discussion revolves around the perceived aggressive driving behavior of New Mexico drivers, particularly in relation to speeding and traffic enforcement. Participants share personal experiences with speeding tickets, the enforcement of speed limits, and the concept of "safety corridors" where fines are doubled. The conversation touches on various aspects of driving culture and law enforcement in New Mexico compared to other regions.
Participants generally agree that aggressive driving and strict enforcement are notable issues in New Mexico, but there is no consensus on the fairness of the fines or the effectiveness of the enforcement practices. Multiple competing views on the driving culture and law enforcement experiences remain present.
Limitations include varying interpretations of speed limit changes, the lack of clear signage for safety corridors, and differing experiences with law enforcement across regions. Participants express uncertainty about the implications of their tickets and the local legal processes.
Individuals interested in driving laws, traffic enforcement practices, and regional driving cultures, particularly those considering driving in New Mexico or comparing it to other states.
franznietzsche said:
Welcome to New Mexico Franz! Pengwuino we don't have rush hours like Cali franznietzsche said:
Double fine for speeding in construction zone in NY, NJ, CT - and second offense - loose one gets a suspended license.wolram said:
wolram said:
They just kinda camp out there catching a dozen or more lab commuters a day. franznietzsche said:In New Mexico they have these things called safety corridors, where the speeding fines are just doubled. No construction or anything. Just crazy lab drivers.
Actually, I just got ticketed yesterday . Coming out of Los Alamos you're driving down the side of this mesa on what has to be 10%+ grade, foot on the brake the whole way. I missed my exit off the highway, and so had to drive several miles before I could turn around. Going down the hill the speed limit suddenly drops from 55 to 40, and there's a cop waiting a quarter mile past the sign. I didn't slow down fast enough apparently I wasn't speeding before the 40 zone, I know that much).
@Penguinwo: like I said, the drivers here are insane.
Mech_Engineer said:
franznietzsche said:The joys of driving a red convertible.
Is that what a "safety corridor" is? I saw signs in NJ that never used to be there just marking certain parts of the road as safety corridors. No explanation, no nothing. I was wondering what that meant, and started thinking they were having problems with crime or something. How would anyone know that meant double fines for speeding? Not that I see the point...you can't speed on NJ roads anyway. At least in construction zones, they post signs that say double fines for speeding, and the same on the toll roads where they allow 65 mph speed limits with double fines if you drive over, though, in reality, you drive whatever speed the person riding your bumper wants you to drive.franznietzsche said:
chroot said:
Same here. We have dedicated lanes on major highways that are only allowed to be used by those carpooling in order to encourage more people to do it. It's usually going much faster due to less cars in it, thus the incentive to pick up a few extra people to be able to avoid sitting in traffic. If you drive solo in that lane, you get a big fat ticket.wolram said:
Evo said:
You're the KFC heiress?! Who woulda thunk it?hypatia said:
). I heard about this from a couple of friends, and thought that they were shining me on; then I heard it on the local radio news. This was in '69 or '70.) The speed limit on the 401 was 70 mph (before we went metric). If you were doing less than 80, no problem. A bit over that, and the OPP might give you a warning. So... this dude was cruising out of Windsor on his way to who-knows-where in an easterly direction. He was doing only about 75mph, but a cop glommed onto his ass. Everyone in the tri-county area knew that he just wanted to get a closer look at the car. If buddy had pulled over, he probably would have been asked to pose for a picture, but no,,, he's got to matt the sucker. This was a hemi Daytona Charger. So... the cop lost him at 150mph. They dispatched a Bell Jet Ranger chopper from Chatham to chase him... he lost it as well (they're cute, but not very fast). Chopper-based radar clocked him at 215mph, then he caught the off-ramp into London and was never heard from again. (He's my hero :!) .)We have the "reduced speed ahead" signs, when the speed limit is actually being reduced for a valid reason, as opposed to because a small town needs more money to support their police force, so want to write more tickets by catching people the instant they pass the sign with the change in speed limit.Danger said:
,,until... THE BIG SLOW DOWN,
when all of a sudden everyone in all lanes is braking like crazy. Sometimes there is an accident ahead, or a cop has someone pulled over, but usually there is nothing. I then drive along with my fellow freeway buddies in spurts alternating between acceleration and heavy braking. Other times traffic just creeps along at 25 mph for several miles and then speeds up again. I look to see what might have caused all of this chaos and for the most part I never see a blasted thing. 
One thing's for sure, it takes me an extra 15 minutes to get across town when this happens.edward said:
Pengwuino said:
edward said:LOL. Lucky for you she didn't have a supersised coke in one and and a big Mac in the other. whoa maybe she did.