What's up friend? I see that you have impeccable taste in vehicles, as you appear to have purchased the same one as myself (although I noticed that you have not covered your own faithful rotary steed in drifting stickers). I just wanted to let you know that it was good to see you out kicking *** on the highway. I myself was driving to Florida with a pile of luggage and people in the car (hence not joining you with your entertaining highway antics). I hope that you weren't insulted by the terrible driving tactics we were employing (ie: going the speed limit in the slow lane). I assure you that that was merely an unfortunate consequence of my buddy being the current driver while I was napping in the passenger seat. As soon as your honking awoke me from my slumber, I promptly assessed the situation, rolled down my window and waved excitedly at you. This made my buddy very sad since he drives a Nissan Sentra and nobody ever seems excited to see one of those.

Kindest Regards,

the guy in the other pearl white rx8

 

haha entertaining

 

Nice story bro...

 

You know how I know this story is true?

1) I81 in VA is the most boring strip of highway in the continental US, everyone who can possibly sleep through it does so.

2) there are so many cops in VA running super-well-hidden speed traps that most people do in fact drive the speed limit.

 

You sure about this?


There is far more entertainment on that stretch than some long *** stretches in Texas (I-10, I-20), Oklahoma (I-40), South Dakota (I-90), and Nevada (I-80).

 

I was thinking about the same thing about those interstate highways across the plains states. They are flat and featureless. You can go 20 miles without seeing another car. The only difference is, you can do it at 90 mph.

 

You're probably right, I haven't driven out west much past Oklahoma.

But yes, I HATE driving through western/middle Virginia. All you see are trees and hills, trees and hills. Not only can you not speed AT ALL, but you have to constantly upshift and downshift to climb some of the hills, and you know you're getting crap for fuel mileage because of it.

 

Oklahoma on I-40 is largely the same, except without the trees and hills. We got to New Mexico and saw a boulder sitting off to the side of the road and recommended that it be transplanted to OK for something to look at besides tumbleweeds for 3 hours.

SD on I-90 was less boring and more white knuckle, considering that there was a ~15-20mph constant wind from the north trying to push the car off the road, and plenty of snow drifts and ice. But there was still nothing at all for 300 miles. In the dry, I'm betting it would trump OK for sheer boredom. NV you could at least see mountains in the distance.

 

I-81 through Virginia isn't the most boring road around, but it's definitely one of the most annoying.

I-95 south of Richmond (and all the way to Florida) has to be the most boring. No hills, just trees. And the trees are pulpwood tracts, not even interesting trees.

Ken

 

That much to see huh?

 

pfft Try living in my neck of the woods (or lack, thereof).



It's the same going the other way. Across 2 provinces...

 

From the few stints I've done driving in VA, I agree with the aforementioned post: VA rivals Ohio in terms of radar traps. Best MPG I ever got in the RX8 was driving down 80 in Ohio over Labor Day weekend - state trooper every 15-20 miles (counted 25 of them in total!); I wasn't going to risk it and just set the cruise control.

I gave up on the "rx8 wave" awhile ago. No one waved back . I got too accustomed to the miata drivers, who always way (sometimes with both hands! lol).

 

That kind of road would kick ***...good visibility to spot speed traps, plus a few extra mpg average. Around here you never know what is around the next bend or over the next hill...could be a deer, possum, slow driving/confused/oblivious immigrant, or cop running speed.

 

Yeah, I got a 99-in-a-70 ticket on a road like that. They were running the speed trap from a farmhouse about half a mile off the highway, timing cars, and a group of troopers several miles down to complete the deal.

And boring was the adjective. Sitting on cruise control for 4+ hours of that ...

The troopers know the territory, and adjust tactics to fit. Pinging people in opposing lanes while driving is another tactic. 2 tickets like that. (Yeah I've had a lot over the years, most 10+ years ago)

 

they are getting to where they clock from helicopters around here and call it in to the troopers ahead
I hope my $95 ticket was worth your 5mpg of fuel at >$5/gallon

 

Well dude, if you're oblivious enough to be hauling *** and start seeing those white lines painted on the road and don't bother to look up or slow down, then I guess you weren't paying enough attention to avoid the ticket. IF you're going to speed then at least have a heightened sense of awareness.

 

Is that what they do?
I thought they just shot radar/lidar from the chopper?
I don't live in ATL but, that was where they were doing it
I wasn't driving btw

 

Yes, they use the simple equation d=rt, pre-measure white lines on the highway (so that d is a known constant value) then they hover in plain view above the lines and measure the time (t) that it takes vehicles to pass between the lines, so now they know the values of d and t, and can find r (rate). Then they radio ahead to a ground unit to stop you and write you.

So if you're in the middle of nowhere and either 1) notice white lines painted across the highway in equidistant groups or 2) notice a copter hovering at low altitude in one spot, you're in a speed trap and should slow down quickly.

Due to the angles involved, lidar/radar would not be effective or accurate from overhead.

 

good to know
thanks man

 

There's also VASCAR, where the reference points are not formally surveyed and the trooper's vantage point does not have to be particularly good.

Ken

 

I Live in AL and in a few cities the chopper will scan your tag if your speeding and a few weeks later the ticket just shows up in your mail. Happened to a buddy of mine on the way to the beach. HAHA.

 

What means of speed measurement do they employ?

 

Choppers usually use the marked lines on road. You drive over first line. they start the time. you drive over the second line, they stop it. lines exactly 1/4 mile to half a mile apart, depending on where you are. It shows the speed.

Troopers using Vascar, work similar. Trooper picks landmark on road, you drive over it. he flips one switch. then he drives over it, and flips other switch. Then he picks second landmark, you drive over it, he flips first switch again. then he drives over it and flips his switch again.

I had to have my dad explain it to me when riding in his state cruiser.