Highway Patrol officers used some tricky tactics to keep the road safe this weekend.
Vacant patrol cars were parked along some of our busiest roadways. The Highway Patrol says the cars act as a deterrent. When drivers see the cars, they slow down. It's also a cost effective way to police the highways, given rising prices at the pump.
"With rising gas prices of course we have to pay for gas just like everybody else does," Sergeant J.O. Holmes from the Highway Patrol said, "Its really cut in to our budget and it's a resource we already have."
Highway Patrol says empty cars seem to be helping cut down on the number of speeders,
and the number of speeding-related accidents in the area.
very sneaky indeed...
I don't know how "tricky" or "tactical" parking your car on the side of the road is. If they constructed some type of Rube Goldberg machine to catch speeders I would be more impressed.
not really..
I noticed several patrol cars parked along Hwy 17 over the holiday and for a split second it did cause speeders to hit the brakes, but once they realized it was a decoy they would speed back up. Wouldnt it be more beneficial to have more patrols out actually catching these speeders and possibly saving a life than having to worry about gas prices? I would rather spend more tax money for gas if it meant saving a life. I drive Hwy 17 everyday and I travel on the average of 62-65 mph. I am passed like I am sitting still. Something needs to be done and decoys are not the answer.
Taxes
You can pay more taxes if you like.. in fact pay mine but I am for doing something also... raising the speed limit. It is dangerous to have slow moving anomalies on the highways.
I know that this is a great
I know that this is a great idea. I have driven thru several smaller towns, and no matter how many times I see a parked police car, I pay extra attention to my speed. This would have the same effect on anybody that is driving. I agree with the comment above. Everybody's always blaming cops, sherriff's, etc. for something. But when they cover your back, or save your life, we never hear about that. Grow up, people!
How now brown cow ?
It is illegal for me to pull off onto the shoulder of a Notrth Carolina Interstate for an extended amount of time, but the highway patrol can actually PARK their cars on the shoulder... How does that work? Oh yes.. It's because in this state, law enforcement doesn't have to obey the law. (Especially the gun happy Wyatt Earp i mean Sid Causey department, who by the way is now issuing speeding tickets inside city limits...
your just mad because it
your just mad because it makes you slow down. Im glad they do it. It was amazing driving on I-40 this weekend without people going 90 mph past you. Just imagine having a tire blow out going that fast.... there would be no way to keep control. im glad our police are out there helping to keep us safe!
Only if you knew anything...
The Sheriffs Department works for New Hanover County. That means they can write you a ticket in the City, County, Wrightsville Beach, Castle Hayne, Figure Eight Island and Carolina Beach (Leland by the Sea) probably where you are from. Don't put down hard working men and women who might have to save your life one day.
Empty Patrol Cars
I guess judging by your comments that ignorance really is bliss.
Leland by the sea
Nice work while sticking up for the sheriff’s depts. hardworking men and women you went ahead a put many of those same people down. Many of those “hardworking” men and women live in Carolina Beach and Leland so basically you called them hardworking and ignorant at the same time. By the way maybe you should take a drive over the bridge and check out all the new homes and developments in Leland we even have electricity and indoor plumbing now.