Pasadena Prepares to Unleash Speed Traps!

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Pasadena Prepares to Unleash Speed Traps!

Post by Steve Simmons »

As originally posted on the Vintage Motoring main page.
A state Senate committee will vote today on whether to gut an anti-speed trap law that has protected California drivers for the past seventy-six years. Assembly Bill 564, introduced by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-Pasadena), exempts his home city from the statute that now requires any jurisdiction using radar on a road receiving federal aid to use engineering safety studies to establish speed limits. The exemption for Pasadena passed the state Assembly by a 51-17 vote last month.

With a tightening budget, Pasadena officials hope to be the first jurisdiction to permit police officers to wield radar guns on roads with radically lowered speed limits. According to the Senate's own analysis, Pasadena's primary purpose is increasing the number of traffic tickets issued, not safety.

"When asked if there were a safety issue associated with speed on these streets, the city of Pasadena was not able to provide evidence that there was a higher collision rate, or any other type of incident that would indicate a safety problem," the Senate Transportation Committee's bill analysis explained. "Posting a lower speed limit, however, is not likely to slow traffic down. The 85th percentile has long been used as the standard for setting speed limits because experience has shown that the majority of people drive at a speed that feels safe for the conditions. If the conditions do not change on the roadway, drivers will continue to drive at their current speed. Because this bill allows for radar enforcement on segments that were not justified on the grounds of an engineering and traffic survey, this situation will likely cause more motorists to be cited for speeding."

The bill also allows Pasadena to declare streets as part of "residential districts" -- which have a 25 MPH speed limit -- even when the area lacks the appropriate number of homes to qualify as residential. This modification also allows the use of radar on these streets without an engineering study.

"The sponsor argues that many of the posted speed limits are not enforceable if they were not set in accordance with a valid engineering and traffic survey," the Senate analysis explained.

California's speed trap law states that speeding tickets may not be issued on collector roads where a proper study has not been completed within five years -- unless the police officer proves in court that the driver's speed was unsafe for conditions. Portantino originally intended his bill to remove this requirement statewide, but he later scaled back his bill to cover Pasadena. If enacted, however, the cities of Altadena, Arcadia, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Mayflower Village, Monrovia and Temple City are likely to be next in line to demand the same ability to lower city speed limits.

To become law, the legislation would still need to clear the full Senate before being sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) whose position on the legislation is not known. The Assembly Transportation Committee expects to hold another hearing in the fall about bills to lower speed limits.

A copy of the bill is available in a 160k PDF file at the source link below.

Source: PDF File Assembly Bill 564 (California State Legislature, 5/18/2009)
Story source: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/28/2816.asp
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Steve Simmons
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1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
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Re: Lower Speed Limits and Cameras in Pasadena!

Post by Steve Simmons »

This looks like something we shouldn't let happen. Once this happens in one city, it will spread like wildfire.
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Jimmy
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Plus, a Turbo S (with a damn roof) in the household.
And three Mercedes on 20" wheels.
Location: NM

Re: Pasadena Prepares to Unleash Speed Traps!

Post by Jimmy »

Yikes! Yet another reason to leave this state.
But don't worry, I'll still do my best to help fight all those idiotic rules and regulations which made me decide to leave in the first place.
After all, come fall I'll be slinking back to California with a frozen tail between my legs.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
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Steve Simmons
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1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
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1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
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Re: Pasadena Prepares to Unleash Speed Traps!

Post by Steve Simmons »

Here's an interesting read on the latest developments. It sounds like the city council needs to spend a few days in reality school.

Click here for the story
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1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: Pasadena Prepared to Unleash Speed Traps!

Post by VWNate1 »

I wonder how many of you here know that a year ago , Pasadena , a tiny little city of 26 square miles , found it necessary to purchase 35 brand new Police Motos ~ I counted them all as they were lined up being delivered . at the time I commented the City would soon be filling the coffers on unecessary tickets and sure enough , they are using tag teams of two Motor Officers hiding then stopping large groups of people during rush hour....

Obviously the City knew this law change was coming and planned for it well .
-Nate
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Steve Simmons
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Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: Pasadena Prepares to Unleash Speed Traps!

Post by Steve Simmons »

Doesn't surprise me in these times of suffering economies. Cities and states all seem to be doing everything they can to get more money from the people who live there.

By the way, welcome to the site, Nate! :)
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VWNate1
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Posts: 1402
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Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: A Welcome

Post by VWNate1 »

Thanx ! .

I'm an old timey mechanic , some folks have oldies as ' Hobby Cars ' , I think life is too short to waste behind the wheel of a modern car and yes , I drive a lot 800 + miles a week just going to work and home again the when I have the time , I drive more for pleasure , especially Road Trips .

Next weekend Death Valley Junction again .

This nusiance ticket BS is Un American IMO but we seem to be stuck with it .
-Nate
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Jimmy
Don't take him seriously!
Posts: 1434
Joined: Tue May 26, 2009 7:25 pm
Vehicles Owned: '74-1/2 MGB
'76 MGB (parts car)
'52 TD
'71 MGB staqtion wagon
'69 MGB (parts car)
'60 Sprite
'79 MG Midget (parts car)
'63 LBC
Plus, a Turbo S (with a damn roof) in the household.
And three Mercedes on 20" wheels.
Location: NM

Re: Pasadena Prepares to Unleash Speed Traps!

Post by Jimmy »

Ah, yes, old cars...
But I like new cars, too, once they get old.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
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