Danny Rigel wants to use radar.....

[virgo]

PURVIS - Attention Lamar County lead-foots and speed demons: You may want to practice taking your foot off the gas pedal. The sheriff's department could be carrying radar next year.
Supervisors voted Thursday to ask state legislators to allow the sheriff's department to carry radar on county roads. Board attorney Anthony Mozingo will draft a resolution that will be presented to the board at its next meeting.


The full article is here. (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070914/NEWS01/709140328/1002)

[Honey]

I thought they already had it. You mean all this time they didn't know how fast I was going? I say if it will keep my family safer then good.

[RGDoherty]

No, by Mississippi Law the only law enforcement that can use Radar are State Troopers and City Police. No county in the state can use radar. Danny is requesting that the legistature pass a law that will allow it's use.

[SoMissTV]

MDOT Law Enforcement can't use radar?

University police can use radar.

[carsalesguy]

in rankin county the sheriffs have radar.

how i know that i don't know-

[pinkytuscadero]

That would be fine with me! Perhaps then some of the speeders on my road will SLOW down. I can't even let my kids ride their bikes for fear of them getting plowed over by speeding teenagers who use my road as a mini drag strip. :smt118

Pinky

[aaron]

I thought there was some concern that sheriff's would sit around trying to rack up speeding tickets to increase the dept. budget instead of taking calls and patrolling. I know someone here posted something about the revenue from speeding tickets being a factor.

[Expat in Korea]

I know that Harrison and Lowndes counties are allowed to use radar. I am not real sure why they get the exception. If I remember correctly, Harrison county was allowed to use it in the cities where they provide protection. Again, I may be way off here, but I thought those were the only 2 counties that were allowed to use it. I remember that Rankin and Madison counties were petitioning to use, but I didn't know they were successful.

The lawmakers are still weary of a Sheriff who would abuse the system.

[Conveyor Belt]

My reason against radar for the Sheriff's department is this:

The deputy has a much larger area to cover than a regular city patrolman. There are also less deputies per square mile than there are city policemen per square mile. I expect the deputies to drive around the area, looking for victim crime, not sitting in one spot, waiting to catch the guy who's speeding along on his way home or to work.

Now, that being said, I know there are some problem areas with people driving way too fast, but there are also stretches of road that need to be re-signed with higher speed limits. No one's going to drive 30mph over 8 miles of nothing (there's a road like this in the back areas between Petal and Ellisville). They finally resigned Morriston and Herrington roads to what most people were driving on them anyhow.

Something about the whole situation makes me uneasy. If they use the motorcycle units to do it, I'm okay with it. But pulling a deputy who should be on patrol and sitting him back off the road to run radar isn't what I want them to be doing.

[IGID]

My reason against radar for the Sheriff's department is this:

The deputy has a much larger area to cover than a regular city patrolman. There are also less deputies per square mile than there are city policemen per square mile. I expect the deputies to drive around the area, looking for victim crime, not sitting in one spot, waiting to catch the guy who's speeding along on his way home or to work.

Now, that being said, I know there are some problem areas with people driving way too fast, but there are also stretches of road that need to be re-signed with higher speed limits. No one's going to drive 30mph over 8 miles of nothing (there's a road like this in the back areas between Petal and Ellisville). They finally resigned Morriston and Herrington roads to what most people were driving on them anyhow.

Something about the whole situation makes me uneasy. If they use the motorcycle units to do it, I'm okay with it. But pulling a deputy who should be on patrol and sitting him back off the road to run radar isn't what I want them to be doing.I'd bet that if a teenager came around a curve hauling ass out in the county and hit a group of bicyclist that you were in or killed a friend of yours that was in it, you'd want every Deputy with a badge running radar.

[daisy]

I'd bet that if a teenager came around a curve hauling ass out in the county and hit a group of bicyclist that you were in or killed a friend of yours that was in it, you'd want every Deputy with a badge running radar.

I have no problem with it and like Igid said some of local deputies know the problem areas and who habitually speeds where and when.


I don't see them just sitting around and so if they do, they also have a visual and hear-say presence. The deputies would also be responding to calls and if they happen to meet me or someone going too fast, it's blue light special time. Might save some lives.

I have met some deputies going into my home county that put their lights onto to warn me 'cause I am going too fast. Then I remember J-46 ( a nice, but efficient MHP and slow it down).

[TheCapitalist]

I'm a little aprehensive about the radar. One point alluded to already is the posted speed limit. For example, Oak Grove Rd is 35 mph all the way. This is unrealistic and NEVER followed. It is well travelled but 35mph on a truly rural county rd is not going to cut it.

[countrygirl]

If only Forrest County would jump on the bandwagon...

[pinkytuscadero]

I see the point Capitalist is making. Kind of like Silverhill, AL's speed trap making the entire cities revenue with in a 1500 feet of road. (short cut to Gulf Shores). It goes from 55 to 45 to 35 quickly and a sheriff parks right there waiting for people who don't adhere. :smt118

Those people in a little neighborhood like me, however, could sure use some help since tons of people use my road as a short cut to get to the school from hwy 98. Those people are late so they are HAULING. The same road is used as a fun playground as the spillway makes the water splash up on Daddy's 4 wheel drive when they go really fast!:smt023

[Maggie-Doodle]

If only Forrest County would jump on the bandwagon...

Billy Bob has been a key ringleader FOR s.o. radar for a long time...

[Chuck Bennett]

It is good to see support for radar. The county will ask our local legislation to sponsor a bill allowing Lamar County to use radar. The bill will not charge other counties to do the same. This is similar to the spot zoning and county court bills that were recently passed at our request. Thanks for the input. Chuck Bennett, county administrator.

[Engelbert Humperdinck]

As far as fine/revenue goes, when a Trooper writes a ticket, that money goes into the county general fund, not the States. The bill could be written where any monies generated by County Officers would be placed into the State general fund. That should keep the Sheriffs who might be so inclined to not use it as a revenue tool.

[aaron]

As far as fine/revenue goes, when a Trooper writes a ticket, that money goes into the county general fund, not the States. The bill could be written where any monies generated by County Officers would be placed into the State general fund. That should keep the Sheriffs who might be so inclined to not use it as a revenue tool.

I knew someone had said something around those lines. Thanks.

[Conveyor Belt]

I'd bet that if a teenager came around a curve hauling ass out in the county and hit a group of bicyclist that you were in or killed a friend of yours that was in it, you'd want every Deputy with a badge running radar.

I know that I wouldn't. I'd want the guy in jail for negligent manslaughter.

Running radar isn't going to save everyone's life. People die everyday because of speed in areas where radar is run.

Anyhow, don't pretend to know me, or how I'd think... I hate when people do that.

[Honey]

You know what we call someone who is going over the speed limit? Speeders
You know what radar does? Catches speeders.
I don't see the problem.

[Bahlk]

If a department has a problem with officers or deputies not going to his calls because he is running radar, there is a management issue that needs to be addressed. Personally I know of several officers that run radar but when calls start coming in, radar goes to the back burner.

[jkspatty]

LOL Honey, I was thinking the same thing. How could anyone have a problem with enforcing the speed limit? Don't speed, and you have nothing to worry about.

[SoMissTV]

Danny Rigel is a good sheriff - and if he wants radar then I think he ought to have it.

I would hope that your support of county radar is not based on the incumbent sheriff, but rather the principle of any sheriff having county radar. We can't make laws based on the individual in the office, for the individual will not always remain in that office.

[RGDoherty]

Queen Mother, I agree Danny is a great Sheriff......However, I tend to agree that City Police, and State Agencies need to be manning the Radar and the S.O. needs to focued on Burglaries, Disturbances, and Cleaning up the Drug Traffic and Meth Labs in Lamar County. I just don't want to see the resourses being used to make speed traps.

[Honey]

"Principle of any sheriff having county radar" I just don't get why it is a problem. We put him in office (any sheriff) and yet we don't want him to do the best job for our families. I don't get it. The only principle I see is obey the law. Simple. Unless someone can prove that a law man is in the car with the 'speeder', making that person speed, I'm going to have to say the speeding is the fault of the one driving the car. Am I wrong? And by the way my child has had a speeding ticket before and yes she had a good 'excuse" but guess what-It wasn't the officers fault that she was speeding and it wasn't the fault of the radar-it was her fault. Plain and simple.

[Honey]

Speed traps? I don't get this word. Who is doing the driving of the speeding vehicle? How about don't speed-don't get ticket.

[threekidspa]

Queen Mother, I agree Danny is a great Sheriff......However, I tend to agree that City Police, and State Agencies need to be manning the Radar and the S.O. needs to focued on Burglaries, Disturbances, and Cleaning up the Drug Traffic and Meth Labs in Lamar County. I just don't want to see the resourses being used to make speed traps.

I don't get this idea at all. Speeding is against the law. Its a public safety issue. Why do you think it's less important than these other things? And, if these other things really are more important, why would you not say the city police and state troopers should have the same priority?

If the city and state agencies are the only ones who are to man radars, then where is their presence on places such as Richburg Rd, Old Hwy 11 (or the new one, take your pick).

I'm ALL for the S.O. having radar.

[RGDoherty]

I don't get this idea at all. Speeding is against the law. Its a public safety issue. Why do you think it's less important than these other things?


Well for one, I think drugs are a much more important issue and the County is a large area with only so many deputies. To tie them up with a radar gun is like the old days of two of the 4 county deputies running road blocks looking for kids with beer in daddy's car. I would also contend that there are probably more drug related deaths in Lamar Country than speed related deaths.

I certainly didn't want to start a holy war, just wanted to point out that lawmakers prolly put some thought into this when they said that Municipal, not elected law enforcement would get to run radar.

Currently only Lowdes County runs radar.....sorry Carsalesguy, Rankin doesn't.....and Harrison doesn't.......That's for a reason.

And as far as controlling speeders, Sheriffs Deputies can write tickets for speeding....... It's called wreckless driving.

[SoMissTV]

Danny Rigel is a good sheriff - and if he wants radar then I think he ought to have it.

How ignorant one would be to make laws based on any one individual - whether in office or not!

Your first post was ambiguous regarding your general policy view. I just wanted to make sure that you were in favor of every county sheriff running in their respective jurisdictions.

For the record, I have no problem with sheriffs running radar, as long as the money generated goes into the state general fund.

[MMA]

Before you jump on the "Give the sheriff radar" bandwagon , find out what the speed limit is on county roads in Lamar and Pearl River counties. Not Hwy 11 or 13 or any of the others but COUNTY maintained roads. I guarantee it will surprise you.

[Engelbert Humperdinck]

Well for one, I think drugs are a much more important issue and the County is a large area with only so many deputies. To tie them up with a radar gun is like the old days of two of the 4 county deputies running road blocks looking for kids with beer in daddy's car. I would also contend that there are probably more drug related deaths in Lamar Country than speed related deaths.

I certainly didn't want to start a holy war, just wanted to point out that lawmakers prolly put some thought into this when they said that Municipal, not elected law enforcement would get to run radar.

Currently only Lowdes County runs radar.....sorry Carsalesguy, Rankin doesn't.....and Harrison doesn't.......That's for a reason.

And as far as controlling speeders, Sheriffs Deputies can write tickets for speeding....... It's called wreckless driving.

I disagree with your post.
The number one priority of any law enforcement agency is not going to be speed enforcement, other than the Highway Patrol. City officers, and deputies if allowed, would only perform speed enforcement when not actively involved in other calls for service. Also, I disagree with your assessment that there are more drug deaths than deaths resulting from speeding. Lamar County has a VERY good narcotics enforcement unit and I can't recall the last death due to overdose in Lamar county. You should have more faith in your elected law enforcement than it seems you give them. I can tell you this is a tool that is dearly needed by most sheriff's departments, most especially Lamar County, with it's large residential areas around West Hattiesburg. Why not pass legislation, I believe it's called sunset legislation, where the authority to use radar is given by the legislature, and if after a year or two the legislature feels the Sheriffs are abusing it, then take it away.

[Kitty]

Now that I think about it, I don't know if I've seen speed limit signs on all of the county roads I've driven in Lamar County.

If legislation to use radar is approved, I hope that county officials will make sure that 1) reasonable/realistic speed limits are established on county roads (for example, 35 MPH would be an unreasonable/unrealistic speed limit for most of Oak Grove Road), and that 2) there is proper signage to inform drivers of the speed limit on all county roads.

[IGID]

I know that I wouldn't. I'd want the guy in jail for negligent manslaughter.

Running radar isn't going to save everyone's life. People die everyday because of speed in areas where radar is run.

Anyhow, don't pretend to know me, or how I'd think... I hate when people do that.I don't pretend to know you nor do I want to know you, but I see you and your group riding from time to time, but if you don't think that the Sheriffs using radar would save someones life, you need more than exercise.

[Rosebud]

Radar is one of many tools that are used by agencies to do their jobs. We get many calls for service about speeders at the SO that the deputies spend their time responding to. If the SOs get radar, what makes anyone think that everything else will stop just to sit back and catch speeders? In between calls for service, what is wrong with being proactive about speeding as well as other matters? Last but not least, if experienced lawmen like Billy McGee and Danny Rigel support something, they know what they are talking about and they deserve backing.

[Conveyor Belt]

Isn't most of the area of Lamar County that 'needs' radar can be covered by either the MHP or Hattiesburg police, since most of it is either a state highway, or incorporated into Hattiesburg... anyhow, give it 5 years and it'll all be Hattiesburg anyhow.

[daisy]

I have no problem with it and like Igid said some of local deputies know the problem areas and who habitually speeds where and when.


I don't see them just sitting around and so if they do, they also have a visual and hear-say presence. The deputies would also be responding to calls and if they happen to meet me or someone going too fast, it's blue light special time. Might save some lives.

I have met some deputies going into my home county that put their lights onto to warn me 'cause I am going too fast. Then I remember J-46 ( a nice, but efficient MHP and slow it down).


I need to correct the MHP I was speaking of. It is J 13 that is efficient. I got the #S mixed up.

I don't know J46.

[IGID]

Isn't most of the area of Lamar County that 'needs' radar can be covered by either the MHP or Hattiesburg police, since most of it is either a state highway, or incorporated into Hattiesburg... anyhow, give it 5 years and it'll all be Hattiesburg anyhow.Lamar County must be the only county in America where people don't speed in school zones. Damn. I guess you'd be against that too. You should eat more meat.

[RGDoherty]

The number one priority of any law enforcement agency is not going to be speed enforcement, other than the Highway Patrol. City officers, and deputies if allowed, would only perform speed enforcement when not actively involved in other calls for service.

You should have more faith in your elected law enforcement than it seems you give them.

I can tell you this is a tool that is dearly needed by most sheriff's departments, most especially Lamar County, with it's large residential areas around West Hattiesburg.

Why not pass legislation, I believe it's called sunset legislation, where the authority to use radar is given by the legislature, and if after a year or two the legislature feels the Sheriffs are abusing it, then take it away.


Busted that up a bit so I could answer.....Yes, the State Trooper's Number 1 priority is Speeders, and DUIs.

I have faith in Danny. I know him, I like him, but faith in my law enforcement officers doesn't change the logic behind the legislature not going state wide with radar for ELECTED Officials. Who's to say (I hope he does) Danny stays in there?

As I stated earlier, S.O. resources are not as thick as Municipal resources, and to set them up with radar is taking away from their strength.....West Hattiesburg, by the name you have used, is covered by radar control. By the Hattiesburg Police.

Tell me about any successful sunset legislation, especially one that grants taxation powers, to a government, and I might consider giving this idea more thought.

[maxim]

A couple of points...

First, there's no need to stay in one spot. Moving radar has been around for some time now. It must have been 7 years ago I outfitted a 30-cruiser fleet with digital moving bi-directional traffic radars. Drive down the street and catch 'em in both directions.

Secondly, as to priorities. The purpose of law enforcement is to protect and serve, even though not all of 'em have that plastered on their doors. Traffic accidents kill (roughly, it's too early to look up the stats) 50,000 people a year. Excessive speed is a factor (not the only one, but one of 'em) in about half of those deaths.

Law enforcement is supposed to protect and serve. Speeding kills lots of folks. More than drugs, guns, toasters near the tub and those bags your dry cleaning comes in that are not to be used as toys combined.

Last point. Money can sometimes drive behavior. If the municipality or county is getting rich from radar, there will be a temptation to use lots of it. I'd rather see the statewide funds go into a pool for law enforcement training, traffic education and enforcement, highway engineering, etc.

[threekidspa]

Isn't most of the area of Lamar County that 'needs' radar can be covered by either the MHP or Hattiesburg police, since most of it is either a state highway, or incorporated into Hattiesburg... anyhow, give it 5 years and it'll all be Hattiesburg anyhow.

Except for maybe the wait five year thing, this isn't true at all. My neighborhood is posted at 25 mph, but it might as well be 45 the way people drive through here. There are also a lot of kids playing in here, and it isn't safe. (Oh, and don't forget the dogs people REFUSE to keep in their yards, just itching to cause an accident). And no, I'm not in Canebrake, Bent Creek or Lake Serene.

[Conveyor Belt]

Lamar County must be the only county in America where people don't speed in school zones. Damn. I guess you'd be against that too. You should eat more meat.

Maybe you should eat more meat, too... whatever that means.

Anyhow, what are you talking about??? Isn't the new high school in the city limits of Hattiesburg, as per the annex down that way to swallow up the businesses? HPD could run radar there if they so chose. And it's a highway, so MHP could, too.

And for a matter, I don't believe in speed limits anyhow. It's an arbitrary number chosen by someone who needed a job, so the government gave them one... count cars and calculate a speed limit that will move cars effectively and 'save lives'.

Sure, speed kills, but so does meth and crack and all that other stuff. There are drug slingers on every corner, dirty cops on the take, politicians that are unwilling or unable to stop the problem. And we're talking about radar. No-Halo talks about the kids in trailers with meth labs. Why isn't more being done to stop them? Apparently the laws and restrictions we have aren't enough to stop people from making meth and killing themselves and others. Using radar isn't going to stop people from speeding and killing each other.

Run over a 5 year old at 15mph or run one over at 45mph, they're still the same amount of dead.

What's next? Cameras on every street corner? A camera in every room of every home? After all, if you're not doing anything wrong, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

I'm confident that it's not going to happen. It hasn't happened in the past, and barring a horrific accident involving a speeding semi truck on a rural road, and a school bus full of kids, it's not going to happen in the near future.

[onlyme]

Run over a 5 year old at 15mph or run one over at 45mph, they're still the same amount of dead.
.

See a 5 year old darting in the street while you are going 15mph and see one while going 45 mph. Which braking distance/reaction time will be shorter? Decreased speed does save lives.

[Conveyor Belt]

I didn't say anything about reaction times... only impact.

[onlyme]

I didn't say anything about reaction times... only impact.

I know, but there may not even be an impact if you have more time to react.

[fuzzis]

Maybe you should eat more meat, too... whatever that means.

Anyhow, what are you talking about??? Isn't the new high school in the city limits of Hattiesburg, as per the annex down that way to swallow up the businesses? HPD could run radar there if they so chose. And it's a highway, so MHP could, too.

You seem to be forgetting that Lamar County is more than Oak Grove. There are more school zones than just those that exist within the city limits.



And for a matter, I don't believe in speed limits anyhow. It's an arbitrary number chosen by someone who needed a job, so the government gave them one... count cars and calculate a speed limit that will move cars effectively and 'save lives'.

:kekeke:

Ummmmm...Civil engineers do some complex calculations to determine what the limits of the road are. A couple of months ago we had an issue about a somewhat local road where the supervisors wanted the speed limit raised because too many people were getting tickets on that road, but after my bosses examined the road...they couldn't put their names on that decision and be responsible for officially sanctioning the road being used outside of its design limits.


Sure, speed kills, but so does meth and crack and all that other stuff. There are drug slingers on every corner, dirty cops on the take, politicians that are unwilling or unable to stop the problem. And we're talking about radar. No-Halo talks about the kids in trailers with meth labs. Why isn't more being done to stop them? Apparently the laws and restrictions we have aren't enough to stop people from making meth and killing themselves and others. Using radar isn't going to stop people from speeding and killing each other.

Run over a 5 year old at 15mph or run one over at 45mph, they're still the same amount of dead.



I don't quite see your connection with the other crimes and speeding. Just because one enforces the law in one regard doesn't mean that the law cannot be enforced in another regard. We're rational human beings. We have the ability to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. Law enforcement can't be every where at once, but that doesn't mean that they cannot do their job in the places where they are.

Hit a 5 year old at 15 mph, and they may not be dead.


What's next? Cameras on every street corner? A camera in every room of every home? After all, if you're not doing anything wrong, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

I don't think that calling for a tool that many law enforcement agencies use successfully in lots of places all over the country is leading to your hyperbolic assertions here. It's kinda eye-catching, but it doesn't follow.



I'm confident that it's not going to happen. It hasn't happened in the past, and barring a horrific accident involving a speeding semi truck on a rural road, and a school bus full of kids, it's not going to happen in the near future.

That's the neat thing about trying. You never know when you're going to get lucky. :kekeke:

[threekidspa]

Run over a 5 year old at 15mph or run one over at 45mph, they're still the same amount of dead.


Uh, well, maybe, but if the car were only going 15 both the 5 year old, and the driver would have more time to avoid an impact in the first place. You're incredibly short sighted if you think the only aspect of a speed limit is the effect of the impact. Again, speed limits are in place to save more than just the lives of the driver.

[Bahlk]

If people have to worry about whether your elected official are using the tools correctly, then every four years the public gets to decide that person's fate at the polls.

[daisy]

If people have to worry about whether your elected official if using the tools correctly, then every four years the public gets to decide that person's fate at the polls.


I read where Maxim says money does drive behavior.

3 tickets in 3 years--the ticket price along with my raised insurance rate slowed me down along with other things. Also being treated like I was almost a murderer by my insurance company. They tend to look at risks, #s and all that. Which, I was lucky not to kill myself or another at those speeds.:ohnoes:

I am now in the safe and CHEAPER bracket. So money does drive my behavior in terms of speeding.

And just because something is a country road doesn't mean the turns and curves won't throw a car any less.

I will show you one on Wire Road in Stone County that will and one where I see wrecks in Lamar County West 4th street extension to 589. I have seen wrecks being worked there.

[daisy]

I remember someone mentioning corruption in officials which I imagine happens.

If you suspect that or have a problem, call the Attorney General's office and I think it is the department of Integrity that has investigators.

I forget the situation in my home county but several citizens called the AG and got some outside help from them. I think it was some overlookd or botched investigations.

Also get the citizens together and go to the Sheriff or whoever is in charge. They need your votes and will listen if they want to go back in.

I am not speaking ill of any Sheriff, just general hypothetical situations. could be any agency.

If all counties had someone of McGee's and Riegel's caliber and dedication, the world would be a safer place.:smt023

[Honey]

If you don't think getting a ticket will slow a kid down then have I got a story for you. My daughter dates a boy from Petal. On Sundays she would go get him in the morning for church and then after evening church she would take him home. She had a car and he didn't yet. One rule in our home was always call when you leave so we will know your wherebouts. Either call or stay home it was that simple. So I get the call as she is driving home and she is bawling. All I can get is Momma! Momma! Well I think she has been in a wreck and then I learn she has gotten a ticket. Now I am praising God because it is just a ticket and not an accident but she is crying because she thinks she is going to jail because the officer said something about a court date.
I am trying not to laugh because she is saying, "But Mom, I really wanted to go to college." I know you are probalby thinking what I was thinking. What? And then she continues with, "I really wanted to go to college and now I can't." She continues to cry loudly and I try not to laugh while I asked, "What do you mean, honey?" And then she explains, "Now I have a criminal record and they won't let me in." Now she is talking to me all the way home because she is so upset. First off, she thought the law pulled her over for going to slow-she was going 44. Problem was, it was a 35 limit. Then she was too scared to roll the window down. I don't no why but apparently the officer needed more than one inch to pass the ticket thru the window. I would have loved to seen the officer's face when she handed him the credit card to pay the bill. But the really eye opener was yet to come. Apparently when you get your first ticket you have the option to go to driver's school and it will not affect your insurance. Since she was going to have to pay for the increase in insurance she chose the school. Now all 'criminals' have to go plead guilty before a Judge in court and this is the place where my daughter decided she would remain ticket free for the rest of her life. And me too. She and I go in and sit down. She still is not convinced that jail time won't happen and I am nervous because I have never been to court. Soon the tiny room fills up and we get more nervous because there were a lot of characters in this room. Me and my daughter were the only ones that didn't have tattoos. I'm not kidding. Nothing wrong with tattoos. My preacher had a tattoo but I don't think none of these folk were the preaching kind. About fifteen minutes of waiting my daughter says, "I change my mind. Let's just pay and go." Then the officers start coming into the room and my daugther says, "I think I'm going to throw up." And as soon as my nausea passed I tried to console her. Then she said, "Where is my daddy?" Now I'm thinking the same thing because Miss Leadfoot didn't get speeding from my side of the family. We wait and wait and wait and I am thinking the only thing that could make this any worse was a screaming toddler and then there he was. Luckily for everyone else he and his sippy cup sat next to me. Sippy cup filled with orange stuff and soon I am dotted with orange spots. Lots of orange spots. I don't know who was louder the child or his momma screaming at the child. I have the orange waterfall on one side and the near death teenager on the other. After that long and miserable event I don't think my daughter or myself will ever speed again.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Honey, that story was too funny! Thanks!

[LipsofanAngel]

I'll admit- I'm a fast driver. I have a horrible leadfoot, especially if I'm mad or upset at something. Half the time I don't even realize how fast I'm going. Once I hear of radars in Lamar Cty, my butt will be slowing down! So, although I may not like it- I think it would help slow some crazy drivers down (and yes, I include myself in that category).

[MMA]

Anyone look up the speed limit on County roads?? Look it up, then see how many times you break the law when you drive on one of these roads.

[sidelinetolong]

I just worry about the school bus drivers. I wonder how many tickets they would get befor they lose their jobs? It sure would be hard to replace that many school bus drivers!

[Bahlk]

If they are driving bad enough to get tickets...they don't need to be driving a school bus loaded with kids anyway

[jayjern]

I believe this private bill is stemming from litigation that is going to be filed against the county for not slowing traffic on certain roads in the county. Landowners have asked for speed bumps and the reply from the County was that they could be sued for damage done to vehicles going over the speed bumps at excessive speed. The road in question has had vehicles clocked in excess of 50 mph in a 25 mph zone.

[Conveyor Belt]

The road in question has had vehicles clocked in excess of 50 mph in a 25 mph zone.

When's the last time someone was killed from an accident due to speed on this road?

[pinkytuscadero]

When's the last time someone was killed from an accident due to speed on this road?


So does someone have to DIE for the law to be enforced? :smt103

Pinky

[Honey]

When's the last time someone was killed from an accident due to speed on this road?

Wow CB. That is a little heartless, don't you think? I mean I hope we as adults can look ahead to take a proactive approach to speeding than waiting the day after a funeral to react. Besides, sometimes what we live with and thru are much worse than death. Such as long term bodily damages. Raising my kids I took the pro-active approach and put locks on the medicine cabinets instead of waiting for the first child to overdose on the meds. Just a thought CB.

[Fish-Bait]

Ya'll don't worry. CB is just mad cause he ain't broke 60 mph on his new bike yet.

[Conveyor Belt]

Ya'll don't worry. CB is just mad cause he ain't broke 60 mph on his new bike yet.

I know the hill that I can do it on... I'm just don't think I should be allowed to ride down it until I can ride up it... and I can't do that right now.

[Conveyor Belt]

So does someone have to DIE for the law to be enforced? :smt103

Pinky

Not my point... my point is, perhaps, if people can go 50mph on the road, and no one has been killed, perhaps the road is mis-signed and the posted speed limit is too low.

There's a possibility someone can die anytime, doing anything.

[Fish-Bait]

Beverly Hills loop? The old thrill hill.....

[Conveyor Belt]

Beverly Hills loop? The old thrill hill.....

I was thinking Chappel Hill rd... one long hill with a fantastic grade for speed.

My max speed on my bike to date is 33mph. I did that on Hillcrest Loop.

[Fish-Bait]

I was thinking Chappel Hill rd... one long hill with a fantastic grade for speed.

My max speed on my bike to date is 33mph. I did that on Hillcrest Loop.

I forgot about that one....yeah, that's a pretty good hill. PM me when you get ready to do it. I wanna watch.
Matter of fact I'll get us a radar and clock you.

[Hob684]

I forgot about that one....yeah, that's a pretty good hill. PM me when you get ready to do it. I wanna watch.
Matter of fact I'll get us a radar and clock you.


let me know when this goes down.. i'll bring my bike and me and CB can race...

[Conveyor Belt]

let me know when this goes down.. i'll bring my bike and me and CB can race...

When I can pedal up it, I earn the right to go down it... that's my philosophy, anyhow.

I've got more weight on you by about 3X, and you've got smaller width tires... however, gravity is on my side after we pedal out... aerodynamics are on yours.

[Conveyor Belt]

I forgot about that one....yeah, that's a pretty good hill. PM me when you get ready to do it. I wanna watch.
Matter of fact I'll get us a radar and clock you.

I've got a speedometer on my bike... but going that fast, I think I'd probably just have to keep my eyes off the speedometer and on the road... I'm concerned about the bridge at the bottom of the hill.

[Augustus McRae]

I'm going to ask a question before I go off "half-cocked" and make a proposal about Legislation for this year: What are the laws about bicycles operating on public roads?

[Conveyor Belt]

I'm going to ask a question before I go off "half-cocked" and make a proposal about Legislation for this year: What are the laws about bicycles operating on public roads?

A bicycle is a legal vehicle and should be treated as such. Every time a car goes around a bicycle, it is, I believe, committing a traffic offense, unless the divider line is broken. Bicycles must obey all rules of the road, up to and including the speed limit. Cyclists cannot ride more than two abreast on public roadways in MS, nor can they legally travel on an Interstate unless there is no other reasonable route between the two points.

A bicycle has the right to take the whole lane of traffic if the cyclist believes that passing him/her will put himself/herself and the driver of the passing vehicle in danger. At all other times, the cyclist is to ride as close to the right hand side of the road as is safe.

I think that's about it. There's a section in the MS code about it, but I don't have it in front of me.

[Pirate_129]

SEC. 63-3-207. Applicability of chapter to persons riding bicycles or animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
Every person riding a bicycle or an animal or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway shall have all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle under this chapter, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 8149; Laws, 1938, ch. 200; 1983, ch. 350, Sec. 2, eff from and after July 1, 1983.


SEC. 63-3-603. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
Whenever any roadway has been divided into three (3) or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, except through or bypassing a municipality, the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:

(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.

(b) A vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane upon a roadway which is divided into three (3) lanes except when:

(i) Overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance;

(ii) Such vehicle is in preparation for a left turn; or

(iii) Such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction such vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation.

(c) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign.

(d) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(e) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two (2) abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 8187; Laws, 1938, ch. 200; 1977, ch. 321, Sec. 1; 1983, ch. 350, Sec. 3, eff from and after July 1, 1983.

[Pirate_129]

SEC. 63-7-13. Requirements as to lighting equipment.
(1) Head lamps on motor vehicles. Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in section 63-7-31 (http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/63/007/0031.htm).

(2) Head lamps on motorcycles. Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in section 63-7-31 (http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/63/007/0031.htm).

(3) Rear lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer and any other vehicle which is being drawn in a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one rear lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear.

Either a rear lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly readable from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any rear lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps, cowl lamps or fender lamps are lighted.

(4) Lamps on bicycles. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lighted white lamp on the front thereof visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of at least five hundred feet in front of such bicycle and shall also be equipped with a reflex mirror reflector or lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible under like conditions from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the rear of such bicycle.

(5) Lights on other vehicles. All vehicles not required in this chapter to be equipped with special lighted lamps shall carry one or more lights, lamps or lanterns displaying a white light, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle and shall display a reflex reflector or red light visible under like conditions from a distance of not less than three hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 8229-01; Laws, 1938, ch. 200; 1948, ch. 343, Sec. 9; 1956, ch. 381; 1968, ch. 543, Sec. 1, eff from and after passage (approved May 15, 1968).

[Conveyor Belt]

I hate seeing what's referred to as 'Ninja Bikers' at night. Me, I'm lit up like a christmas tree, blinking rear lights, 3 lights on the front for night riding. Reflective tape like the kind on police cars, all over the bike. I want you to see me when I'm riding at night.

[LipsofanAngel]

... and which road exactly is it? did I miss that on here?

[Hob684]

I hate seeing what's referred to as 'Ninja Bikers' at night. Me, I'm lit up like a christmas tree, blinking rear lights, 3 lights on the front for night riding. Reflective tape like the kind on police cars, all over the bike. I want you to see me when I'm riding at night.

I concur. The only time i don't want to be seen on my bike is when i'm spinnin up past some deer on the trace. Other than that, i'm an attention-whore.

One thing I can't stand (and this is not racially motiviated) are black guys wearing black clothing with black shoes walking with the flow of traffic on an unlit street at night. Then they get pissed when you nearly hit them.


Whatever happened to common sense?

[Augustus McRae]

A bicycle is a legal vehicle and should be treated as such. Every time a car goes around a bicycle, it is, I believe, committing a traffic offense, unless the divider line is broken. Bicycles must obey all rules of the road, up to and including the speed limit. Cyclists cannot ride more than two abreast on public roadways in MS, nor can they legally travel on an Interstate unless there is no other reasonable route between the two points.

A bicycle has the right to take the whole lane of traffic if the cyclist believes that passing him/her will put himself/herself and the driver of the passing vehicle in danger. At all other times, the cyclist is to ride as close to the right hand side of the road as is safe.

I think that's about it. There's a section in the MS code about it, but I don't have it in front of me.


Thanks for the thoughts and for the Mississippi Code citations that followed. I like biking. I think it's great exercise. I am very proud that we have one of the nicest, longest outlet areas in the South on which bikes can be ridden. But this is not the world my friends and I grew up in and rodes bikes all over town with little traffic to interfere with us. A bicycle being considered a legal vehicle with rights and full access to the road in the manner you described is unbelievable in this day and time!

I'm for the radar for the county po-po. We need it BAD in Lamar County. And I'm for changes in the Mississippi Code that limits access to roads by bicycles. BOTH would be wise, wise moves.

[Hob684]

are you saying that all bicycles should be banned from public roads?

[Augustus McRae]

are you saying that all bicycles should be banned from public roads?


I am suggesting there should be significant limitations for the safety of riders and for the public good. And there should DANG sure be serious limitations for any "night" bike travel.

[Hob684]

I guess where people lack common sense the goverment can always step in and do it for them..

What type of 'significant limitations' would you propose? Who would enforce it? Do you wish to further strain the already paperthin police force?

Night riding without proper safety devices as already stated in the MS Code should be dealt with. I believe most cyclists know the risks they take when riding public roads. ANYTIME there is a cyclist vs a motorist, nomatter who is at fault, the cyclist ALWAYS loses.

Maybe we should have more legislation targeting cellphones/eating/drinking/radios/ etc for drivers? Less distractions for motorists means they can drive without injuring themselves and others.

Believe me. I am acutely aware of everything going on around me when I ride the roads. Not only do I signal excessively far ahead of any turns (right or left), I also see every rock, crack in the pavement, pot hole, bump, and glass shard.

[Augustus McRae]

I guess where people lack common sense the goverment can always step in and do it for them..

What type of 'significant limitations' would you propose? Who would enforce it? Do you wish to further strain the already paperthin police force?

Night riding without proper safety devices as already stated in the MS Code should be dealt with. I believe most cyclists know the risks they take when riding public roads. ANYTIME there is a cyclist vs a motorist, nomatter who is at fault, the cyclist ALWAYS loses.

Maybe we should have more legislation targeting cellphones/eating/drinking/radios/ etc for drivers? Less distractions for motorists means they can drive without injuring themselves and others.

Believe me. I am acutely aware of everything going on around me when I ride the roads. Not only do I signal excessively far ahead of any turns (right or left), I also see every rock, crack in the pavement, pot hole, bump, and glass shard.


I respect your opinion, and I ask that you give me mine. Quite honestly, the arguments you made to support your position only solidified mine. I do not think bicycles should be on roads at night AT ALL, ANYTIME. It's simply NOT safe. I also think bicycle traffic on roadways should be on shoulders built for and wide enough for that purpose.

I am not accusing YOU, nor any cyclist, of acting unsafely. I am just saying in the current transportation flow in our society today, it is simply not a safe mode of transportation.

I'm not foaming at the mouth about it. I applaud your hobby and am glad you enjoy it. I feel the exact same way about "joggers" on public roads and your example about the use of cell phones in a moving vehicle.

[SoMissTV]

I applaud your hobby and am glad you enjoy it.

And this is the disconnect. You see cycling to be exclusively a hobby, whereas many others see it as an legitimate form of transportation.

[BlueDogDemocrat]

I'm glad I know this now. I look forward to voting against Rigel in the next election.

[BlueDogDemocrat]

And this is the disconnect. You see cycling to be exclusively a hobby, whereas many others see it as an legitimate form of transportation.


Yeah, the fattest people in one of the most rural states really depend heavily on cycling as a legitimate form of transportation. Generally, you might be right, but in Mississippi, that is a stretch at best. I'd put those you refer to less than 5% of the transportation population.

I'm with Gus, it's mostly a hobby round here. Hobby takes second priority to those using the roads for it's intended purpose-- getting to and fro.

[EricStratton]

And this is the disconnect. You see cycling to be exclusively a hobby, whereas many others see it as an legitimate form of transportation.

"Many others?" Gimme a break, Nell Carter....

I would say, aside from students on campus at USM, there MAY be 25 people in the H'burg area who use a bike as a primary/sole mode of transportation.....maybe.....

[Hob684]

Yeah, the fattest people in one of the most rural states really depend heavily on cycling as a legitimate form of transportation. Generally, you might be right, but in Mississippi, that is a stretch at best.


So of course lets put even more rules in place so that the people who do wish to get outside and lose weight through riding can't and are forced to sit at home and get fatter.

that really makes sense.

Why not promote a great form of exercise that is low impact and doesn't damage your knees? I'm tired of Mississippi ranking first in obesity

[BlueDogDemocrat]

So of course lets put even more rules in place so that the people who do wish to get outside and lose weight through riding can't and are forced to sit at home and get fatter.

that really makes sense.

Why not promote a great form of exercise that is low impact and doesn't damage your knees? I'm tired of Mississippi ranking first in obesity

So, you say then, implementing radar on country roads will encourage people to ride bikes? Yeah, doubt it, doubt it seriously.

If anything, gas prices will do the job.

[Hob684]

So, you say then, implementing radar on country roads will encourage people to ride bikes? Yeah, doubt it, doubt it seriously.

If anything, gas prices will do the job.

read the last few pages and you'll see where this topic has gone..

and yes, using radar on county roads will encourage more bike use.

If the cars aren't flyin around blind corners doin 90 to nothin i'll feel much safer riding my bike.. thus others will as well.

As it is now there is very little done to slow drivers in the county except for sharp turns...

[fuzzis]

We watch out for other cars on the road. We look out for motorcycles (although not nearly as well). We watch for pedestrians and children at play. How much harder is it to watch out for cyclists?

And further more, why shouldn't we have to watch out for cyclists?

[BlueDogDemocrat]

Who said we shouldn't watch out for cyclists? Not me.

All I said is I don't think cyclying is prevelant enough in Mississippi to justify the need for county-wide radar, nor do I believe radar will significantly change the number of individuals riding bikes. It aint like cause Deputy Fife is sittin and hidin on County Route 1 that I am now going to ride my bike to work. That's absurd.

All it will do is encourage deputies to sit out in the middle of the BFE on the side of road running radar when they would be better served patroling and paying attention to our population centers.

[Hob684]

Also, have you ever actually seen a cyclist on the road? as has been stated earlier in this thread, most are so brightly colored and have enough lights to signal their comin and going.

Drivers need to pay more attention and slow down. Bottom-line, end of story.

[fuzzis]

Who said we shouldn't watch out for cyclists? Not me.

All I said is I don't think cyclying is prevelant enough in Mississippi to justify the need for county-wide radar, nor do I believe radar will significantly change the number of individuals riding bikes. It aint like cause Deputy Fife is sittin and hidin on County Route 1 that I am now going to ride my bike to work. That's absurd.

All it will do is encourage deputies to sit out in the middle of the BFE on the side of road running radar when they would be better served patroling and paying attention to our population centers.

The discussion has morphed; sorry you're not following along. There's actually two threads happening here...one is radar and the other is whether cyclists belong on the road. The two are only tangentially related.

[BlueDogDemocrat]

The only thing I'm not following along with is your comment. Noone, including those saying bikes shouldn't be on the road at night, suggested that we shouldn't have to look out for cyclists. Instead, they are questioning the premise and principle issue of whether they belong on the road in the first place.

Two distinct and markedly different assertions. One was made here, the other was not.

[Hob684]

Why wouldn't bicycles belong on the road? They are vehicles just like cars.

[Fish-Bait]

I have come to the conclusion that TDale needs to give his support to Sheriff Rigel. It's a startin' point and one that would work well for him come next election. TDale?

[BlueDogDemocrat]

Why wouldn't bicycles belong on the road? They are vehicles just like cars.

I don't believe bikes should be banned from the roads. All I ask is cyclists be reasonable, just like the drivers of a car should be. When possible, cyclists should ride off the road. If you must cycle on the road, choose a route less traveled. It is very frustrating and dangerous when cyclists ride down a road like Hwy 11 during rush hour. On the same token, drivers shouldn't drive 90 mph on back roads, and should look out for cyclists, pedestrians, etc.

I only object to enacting such a far reaching traffic law on the basis of something like cycling. I'm not comfortable with it, sorry.

[threekidspa]

Then there's them new-fangled bike paths they use up 'thar in the big city....
The trace is awesome, but it doesn't take you anywhere you need might want to go to do work or conduct business. Places that have built bike paths into their insfrastructure have seen a marked increase in the number of cyclists (and walkers/runners) that use them. Maybe if we'd do more to enable things like this to happen here, instead of dreaming up excuses for not doing them, we'd see some pretty good, cool things happen.

[Augustus McRae]

And this is the disconnect. You see cycling to be exclusively a hobby, whereas many others see it as an legitimate form of transportation.


Nope...I see it as being a DANGEROUS form of communication in the current flow of transportation and traffic in our society.

[Augustus McRae]

Why wouldn't bicycles belong on the road? They are vehicles just like cars.


No, they are NOT vehicles just like cars. They are bicycles. Cars have internal combustion engines that make them big, strong, powerful, dangerous, hard to stop at times. Cars are, by FAR, the primary mode of transportation, making it dangerous for bicycle (which are NOT vehicles just like cars) travel on those same roads and creating potential problems resulting in accidents for the drivers of cars.

[Fish-Bait]

I'll bet that their are more bicycles than cars in the U.S.A.........same in China and Japan... 5000 hub bucks if someone proves me wrong.

[Augustus McRae]

I'll bet that their are more bicycles than cars in the U.S.A.........same in China and Japan... 5000 hub bucks if someone proves me wrong.


Firstly, who gives a rat's rump about China and Japan. Secondly, I'll bet you 328,571 hubbucks (that's what I have!) that there are NOT more bicycles than cars ON THE ROAD in the U.S.A.