Here in CT the local police have stationary radar displays. They have 2 wheels and are pulled around like a trailer with a hitch. They're placed strategically, and they display your speed as you pass by, blinking if your speed is above the posted limit.

So...

Who are these people that slow down for them!!!??? These machines are solar powered and lack the capacity to be used to administer any traffic citation. So there is no "fear factor", although I'm not sure everyone knows this. I guess there are that many people who want to drive within the limits who just don't realize that their exceeding them a bit? I'd say 40-60% of drivers in front of me slow down for these!!

As a 'speeder' I'm very aware of my speed, so I can't relate to people slowing down when they "realize" their speeding!

Can someone explain this? It's like a server at a restaurant displaying a 20% tip in the margin of your bill...would that cause you to take notice and change the gratuity that you were going to give???

For the life of me, I simply don't get it...

DRP

 

I think people are so out of tune while they drive that they just have no idea how fast they're going.

 

Same thing when you see a police car that has pulled someone over on the edge of the highway. Unless you're driving in the slow lane and unable to merge over to give them room, why slow down?!?

I love how everyone brakes from 80 to 50 for the drive-by. It's not like the cop is going to stop writing the ticket and go after you instead. Often times, the cop is not even actively paying attention to their radar.

 

We have them in CA too, though some here are permanent as fixed signs. We also have red light cameras. I think folks here think the radar sign can give you a ticket or magically extract $20s from your wallet without any police intervention required.

The psychology of it is similar to your kids doing stuff they aren't supposed to when you are not looking, but when they suspect they are being watched, will shape up.

In physics, it is the observer effect (Schroedinger's Cat).

 

Every time I see one, I see how fast I can make the numbers change.

 

I can vouch for him doing this,LOL!!!!!

 

They slow down because they fear that shortly beyond it is a real cop with laser who will give you a ticket. I mean, why take a chance? What would the excuse be if you are rolling past it at 80 in a 55 and don't even hit the brake?

 

ditto ...and how high they really go! (note to self, none go over 99mph)

 

They may not have the ability to enforce the law but the other day I spotted 3 cycle cops about 100' after one of those fixed indicators just waiting, with radar, for a speeder to pass by.

So, situational awareness is always the key.

And I also think it's fun to ramp up those digits!

 

I'm paranoid about the day, they start to mount cameras in them. There is a wiki on everything: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_speed_sign

A reference had some comments on spec's. http://faq-on-radar-display.neighbor...peedwatch.com/
Enjoy:
"Q: How does a driver feedback sign calm traffic and promote safety?

A: Radar Speed signs signs give drivers notice that they are speeding. The driver feedback sign shifts the brain out of the alpha state where the brain is aware but relaxed into the beta state where the brain is alert and focused. As a result the driver responds to the flashing speed alert and slows down. Tests repeatedly show that speeders WILL slow down over 80% of the time when alerted by a driver feedback sign. Typical speed reductions are 10-20%, and overall compliance with the posted speed limit will go up by 30-60%."

"Q: Can Radar speed displays / driver feedback signs withstand vandalism or abuse?
A: Absolutely a few models can. Some driver feedback signs have a .375" thick aluminum Bashplates that help protect the sign from extreme vandalism, including bullets. Even 40 caliber bullets fired from point blank range could not penetrate one Bashplate on a website we found"


" Q: Will the Radar Speed sign encourage speed "testing" of the sign?
A: Many Radar signs / driver feedback signs have a maximum speed cutoff feature, when enabled, causes the sign to go blank when the user selected cutoff speed is reached."

 

Yeah just passed one up last weekend in North San Gabriel. only did 35 in a 30 zone, but that darn trailer "flashed" at me with a separate lens-type thingy....I hope it wasnt a real photo...doh!