Amtrak accident in Nevada

[arizonachris]

Arizona also has SUV's with radar cams on the side of the highway, and in Scottsdale, traffic cams on the freeways. Yeah, it's a money grab.

Doesn't bother me much. I'm never "on point", I'm content to stay in the middle of the pack per say. I'm in no rush to get anywhere (usually )

[WhiteKnight77]

Here in Georgia the speed limit is 75 on the Interstate, until you get within about 20 or 25 miles of a city - like Atlanta, then it drops to 65, and once in the city it drops to 55.
They generally allow you 10 miles over the limit here, with the exception of some rookie cop or, as in the case lately, local governments going broke.

Thing is, if you're cruising along at 80, in the middle lane of the Interstate, cars and trucks are blowing by you on both sides.

I-285, Atlanta Motor Speedway, average speed, 70+, posted speed, 55. Doing 55 on 285 means you get run over.

[Hawk]

I-285, Atlanta Motor Speedway, average speed, 70+, posted speed, 55. Doing 55 on 285 means you get run over.

Ain't that the truth.

[micaelcorleone]

Thing is, if you're cruising along at 80, in the middle lane of the Interstate, cars and trucks are blowing by you on both sides.

I always thought US Cops strictly enforce the law or are there only little traffic controls?


Just out of curiosity: How is penalization of traffic delicts regulated in the US?
In Germany we have a point system. The points are recorded in a special nationwide database. If you collect too much, you loose your license.
Then there are special rules, e.g. if you drive more than 25mph (4km/h) too fast outside of cities you get a ban on driving for a month.

Is there something similar in the States and is it regional or nationwide?

[Hawk]

I always thought US Cops strictly enforce the law or are there only little traffic controls?

They generally allow 5 to 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. Some jurisdictions are a lot less tolerant though. It really depends on how bad the local jurisdiction needs money.

Just out of curiosity: How is penalization of traffic delicts regulated in the US?
In Germany we have a point system. The points are recorded in a special nationwide database. If you collect too much, you loose your license.
Then there are special rules, e.g. if you drive more than 25mph (4km/h) too fast outside of cities you get a ban on driving for a month.

Is there something similar in the States and is it regional or nationwide?

That's pretty much how things are done here, if I remember right. It's been so long since I had any run-ins with the cops, I'm not sure how it's done now.

[WhiteKnight77]

Remember Hawk, in GA, the police can't give you a ticket using radar or laser unless it is over 10MPH. Talk about a huge loophole in the law and one that practically gives people permission to speed.

If you are in VA though, be careful, airplanes can clock you without you knowing (VASCAR) if anyone happens to travel through VA.

[Chessie8638]

Surprise, surprise:

A Nevada trucking company under scrutiny for a fatal crash with an Amtrak train has been cited repeatedly by state authorities for crashes, unsafe driving and operating a truck with tires so bald the vehicle had to be taken off the road.

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/ ... 4510.shtml

[arizonachris]

If you are in VA though, be careful, airplanes can clock you without you knowing (VASCAR) if anyone happens to travel through VA.

Oh, they do that here in California too, out in the desert. Watch out for a Cessna flying above the highway. Not usually over the freeways, just out in the boonies.

[Shortliner]

Surprise, surprise:

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/ ... 4510.shtml

Apparently six people died from that accident....a dern shame. :(

[Chessie8638]

Just an update. Looks like this trucking company is done for good:

Amtrak sues Nevada truck company over fatal crash

[Shortliner]

Just an update. Looks like this trucking company is done for good:

Amtrak sues Nevada truck company over fatal crash

Here's hoping Amtrak wins the lawsuit.

[Chessie8638]

Have to bring up this topic again, just because of this:

Trucking company sues Amtrak, Union Pacific over fatal June 24 crash

http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20New ... crash.aspx



Are these people for real?

[Hawk]

Where is TORT reform when you need it?

[arizonachris]

Are they crazy, or just utterly stupid? The other drivers behind the one that went thru the crossing guards said it was all working properly. *sigh* they're gonna drag this out for years.

[micaelcorleone]

Yeah, let them try. They will fall flat on their face and then I wil laugh at them.