🚀 go-pugleaf

>>>Anybody else want to point out speed traps in Austin?

1) Definitely the stretch on Mopac from 183 to Parmer, and also from
Steck to 183.  Both are usually motorcycle cops.  There's usually 
a motorcyle cop on the 183-Mopac interchange as well.

2) When I used to live in the Metric area, there was usually a sheriff's
deputy out on Metric from Parmer to Braker in the mornings.

3) IH-35 from 183 to Parmer Ln.

Not all cops are interested in giving out tickets.  Some really care
about slowing down the motorists.  I know one who usually just turns 
his lights on to get motorists to slow down as they speed by him.

There's a big group of rookies out there now having just graduated.
That could explain the increase in the number of motorcycle cops
lately.

>>On Duval St., in the school zone between about 33rd and 34th.  There's
>>a nice alleyway in which the cops hang out during school zone periods,
>>zapping cars and waving them over.  They mostly nab folks going
>>southbound, since the school zone signal on that side is obscured by a
>>tree from more than about a block away (making it easy to miss, and
>>giving little time in which to slow down if you do see it); on the
>>northbound side, cars are coming from the stoplight at 32nd, so they
>>aren't going so fast, and the signal is visible further away.
>
>Aaah yes, a friend of mine was telling me about this - he had worked
>late the night before so he was heading back to UT around 3:30pm and
>got nabbed by this.  We drove down Duval and sure enough, I wasn't
>aware we were in a school zone until he pointed it out.
>
>It really pissed him off since he views himself as a law-abiding
>sorta guy who will drive the speed limit IFF he knows what it is.
>
>He was worried about taking this to court since he thought that if
>the judge found against him, he'd lose the chance to drop it vie DD
>and have it raise his insurance.

If the trees are indeed blocking the sign, then the city of Austin
needs to be notified so that they can trim them.  You should explain
this to the cop when you are stopped, and they should verify this.
Again, it really depends on the cops.  Some really care; others 
may only care about the tickets.
You can take this case to court, and there is a chance that even if
you lose that the judge will still let you take DD.  However, this
is just a chance, and it's up to you to decide if it's worth the
risk.

>>on a continuing basis.  I've seen as many as two motorcyles and a
>>cruiser parked in that alleyway.  (Though with less revenue from
>>tickets, maybe it wouldn't be more cost effective.)

I'll try to talk to the few cops that I know and see what the deal
is with that intersection.


-- 
Matt Accapadi                            Internet: accapadi@austin.ibm.com
IBM AWD AIX System Performance           VNET:  ACCAPADI at AUSTIN
11400 Burnet Rd. Bld. 906/9632           yaknet: 512-838-3193  Tie 678-3193
Austin, TX 78758-3493                    fax: 512-838-8344