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From: paulson@ihu1g.UUCP (Bill Paulson)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <665@ihu1g.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 09:51:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihu1g.665
Posted: Tue Jul 30 09:51:03 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Jul-85 20:20:26 EDT
References: <1016@noscvax.UUCP> <79200001@hpfclq.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 22

> Speaking as the husband of a cop, one reason frequently cited by street
> cops for being reluctant to issue tickets to bicycle riders in our city
> is the fact that our traffic code was years out of date. There's simply
> very little deterrent value to a $3.00 ticket . . .

Oddly enough, the major reason cited by a Naperville policeman for not
writing tickets is that the fines are too high.  Seems that the minimum
moving violation is $50.  Imagine 11 year old Timmy's father when he
gets the bill.

I believe another reason that police are reluctant to ticket has to do
with the relative maneuverability of bicycles and cars.  Imagine a
policeman sitting at a traffic light when a bike whizzes by at 18 mph,
through the red light, on the wrong side of the road.  Does the cop do a
U-turn, catch up with the perpetrator, and hand out a citation, or does
he sit in his car and say "Damn kids"?

-- 

			Bill Paulson
			ihu1g!paulson
			IH 2D311 x6609