OT--Pavlovian reaction - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

cliff · 2nd December 2001, 04:50

I take my daughter to a class on Saturday. There is one street we go on with a Massachusetts state trooper who usually has Saturday off, apparently, and leaves his cruiser in his driveway.

Most people, when they park in the driveway instead of the garage, just pull in. Not this guy. He backs into the driveway (with the cruiser pointing out). Furthermore he does not leave it by his house. He parks it at the end of his driveway. By the street. Just like he was setting up a stationary speed patrol.

Now I know that this cruiser will be there and that it will be unoccupied. But I can't help it. Almost every time I encounter it, I immediately hit my brakes. I guess I should not try to fight an ingrained reaction.

tfung · 2nd December 2001, 05:07

hmm.. I didn't know that state troopers bring their cars back home with them... I thought they had to drop it off at the station or something before going home... well, it's good that you slow down everytime you go past... it's unlikely, but possible, that one day he could really be sitting there watching for speeding traffic!

M5Laser · 2nd December 2001, 05:19

I doubt all Troopers take their cars home with them. I can imagine several good reasons why not to do that. It would be too easy to tell cop killers/people wiht a beef that your family lives there.
Also, can you imagine how many cars the department would ahev to have? lol

He probably requested to take it home for that very reason... smart guy.

It would be funny to film the reactions of drivers going down his street haha

Chris Foote · 2nd December 2001, 05:29

Have a cop that does the same thing up here, except he drives a Ford Bronco. He does not park it at the end of the driveway, however...

Talk about a power trip

-Chris

(who has little to no respect for the Mass State Troopers)

BostonRocket · 2nd December 2001, 05:38

Apparently I was told that a state trooper is responsible for the maintenance, and storage of his patrol car. So I wouldn't be surprised if it sits in his/her driveway.

'Rocket

Oak · 2nd December 2001, 06:22

Wow you guys must live in a small town! Out here in So Cal, If you're a police officer I don't think it would be good idea to leave your patrol car in the driveway!

VanCooper · 2nd December 2001, 07:03

I've noticed the samething when I'm in Houston. Whenever I wanted to go to the library to check the message board, I had to drive by this house that had one of those smurf colored Houston police cars in the driveway

Knowing I didn't want to mess with Texas's finest I always slowed down to the indicated speed limit...But I wondered if it was either a police officer who lived there or someone in trouble with the law on a daily basis

lokhankin · 2nd December 2001, 19:22

Here in Western CT there is another "Pavlov" device - mobile radar board.

Usually police just leaves them on a side of the road and goes for their dognuts. While board shows you your speed - when you approaching.

Great time to calibrate your speedometer to their readings!

-Vas

lear · 2nd December 2001, 20:04

Quote:

Originally posted by lokhankin
Here in Western CT there is another "Pavlov" device - mobile radar board.

Usually police just leaves them on a side of the road and goes for their dognuts. While board shows you your speed - when you approaching.

Great time to calibrate your speedometer to their readings!

-Vas

These are fun, I always do a high speed calibration traffic permitting!

Richard in NC · 2nd December 2001, 20:19

There has been an NC Trooper in our neighborhood that does the same thing. I always thought it was face out for a quick getaway. It is a good deterence against those who want to speed thru a neighborhood.

MAVERICK · 2nd December 2001, 20:34

I do the same thing, Lear. As most others are slowing down to 35mph when they pass the mobile radar, I double-clutch and accelerate. I love to see the big red numbers that display your speed on the screen rapidly increase up to about 50 or so. Cheap thrills. Of course, I make sure no cops are laying in the bushes waiting for someone like me to do just that. I wonder what the guy behind me must be thinking as he sees the numbers.

de Witt · 2nd December 2001, 20:57

In Colorado, we have Photo Radar Vans. They are usually a Ford Econoline van or some other nondescript van. If you are speeding they take pictures of your plates and a picture of you, then about a week later, you get a piece of mail that has these pictures and a ticket for about $100. The fine varies, but at least you do not get fined points. In my opinion, this is crap. F--ing crap. Total abuse of power.

It is totally automated, so you cannot really tell which vans are doing it without a radar dectector. The guys on the radio really help as they try to tip people off on where these vans are or other motorcops are at.

de Witt

Seven · 3rd December 2001, 00:42

Here in Belgium photo radar cars are the most common things.
The police hides those cars behind some bushes on the highway. If someone is speeding: "FLASH", you're on film and then comes the ticket.
The cops also use anonymous cars, they follow you when you are speeding, they film you and the speedometer, and a week later you get your ticket.