I flew into Cleveland this weekend for a conference.  I've been here since Thursday.  The conference was on the weekend following the memorial day weekend in 2012 (a year later after a post was originally posted on this forum, available here http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=25879.0).  I had some extra time so I drove out to Cedar Point on Saturday.  Cedar Point was really cool.  Loved the roller coasters.  I also drove around Cleveland today (Sunday).  I'm at Cleveland Airport on my way back home.

 

I am from Washington State and had thought that our police were overly rigid and ridiculous with speed enforcement.  Now I realize that it can get worse.  Much worse.  I saw more local and state police, and everybody in between, working speed enforcement.  Really?  Over the course of the weekend, I saw at least 15 patrol cars working speed enforcement.  Naturally, hardly anyone went over 60 on the freeway.  I found myself edging up to 65 but quickly discovered that there were so many cops I had better slow down.

 

As I drove around, I see that the state is economically hurting.  I feel for you guys. 

 

I guess my point here, if there is one, is that you may want to rethink your overrigid enforcement of speeders.  Although I didn't get a ticket, I figure that if your state enforces speed limits like this it must be hell to live here.  I'm sure that isn't fair or even true, but I can't imagine I'm not the only person who traveled into Ohio who came away with the feeling that they have no intention of ever stepping foot in this state again.  I'm all for safety, but the overzealousness seems, well, overdone.  Does it generate enough revenue to justify itself?  I got to wonder if there has been any studies done on Ohio's enforcement and its effect on its economy in the form of people and businesses wanting to avoid the state.

 

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity Ohioans as to whether my perception is reality.  Also the verification system requiring me to verify I'm a person even after registering and when I post is a bit over the top too.  :).

 

 

 

Those people getting pulled over weren't doing 5 over.  I drive with my cruise locked on 7-9 over year 'round and have never been pulled over.

Many days, you rarely see cops out enforcing speed.  A couple days, you'll see a ton of cops out enforcing speed.  You were probably around during those few days.  I've driven alot through Ohio (I usually rent a car), and haven't seen any unusual levels of enforcement that would make it different from any other states.

 

I don't think the level of speed enforcement has anything to do with the business climate unless you are specifically talking about trucking

Also, Cleveland to Cedar Point is probably THE notorious section for enforcement in the state.  High concentrations of people illegally/improperly towing (boats etc.).  The Cedar Point trip is hugely popular with teenagers between Prom and Graduation and good amount of them aren't doing anywhere near the speed limit.  The area around Cedar Point is a huge weekend destination and we just kicked off the summer getaway season (Memorial Day).

 

In short like the thread you linked to your perceptions are skewed by a limited sample size.

The driving I did during Memorial Day weekend, (Cincy-Cleve-Cincy), on I-71 only further proved to me how sure I am that all those patrols are only about money, and not safety.  There were easily more than 20, and yes, I mean two-zero, cars pulled over along my route, each way, and one different days.

 

If they cared about safety, their policy would be to "pace" the traffic by driving with it.  Not laying in wait to pick out victims.

I agree with trebellius and welcome the out-of-state perspective.  Traffic enforcement is out of hand in Ohio.  It most certainly does affect our business climate because it makes people feel unwelcome and uncomfortable, even if they've lived here forever.  Police officers should be ashamed of themselves sitting like so many vultures, criticizing the way people drive, when we have neighborhoods torn apart by violence and many areas of the state cannot afford even the most basic law enforcement.  Absolutely sickening.  We need to get our priorities straight here. 

Problem solved: http://www.speedtrap.org/state/36/Ohio

 

And since the good folks at UrbanOhio don't have a direct say in how speed limits are enforced at a state or municipal level; this thread's premise (and misspelled subject line) are best suited for another forum.

so is everyone studiously avoiding ohio drivers here lol? as everyone probably knows, the stereotype for the entire state is that ohioans won't drive over the speed limit in the left hand passing lane and that they tend to cruise along there, thus clogging up cars behind them trying to pass. i've actually found that one to be fairly true, or more so than in most other states!

 

other than that, generally speaking ohioans are not bad drivers at all compared to some of these places already mentioned above.

 

^Its because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a state trooper in Ohio.

^Its because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a state trooper in Ohio.

 

Except for major holidays, you never see state troopers in Greater Cleveland.

^Its because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a state trooper in Ohio.

 

I can attest to that. Years of driving up and down I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus bears this out. Most trips I'd see at least half a dozen or more, as well as locals and sheriffs. Certain spots nearly always have some police activity, such as Strongsville, just north of the Turnpike.

^Its because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a state trooper in Ohio.

 

Except for major holidays, you never see state troopers in Greater Cleveland.

 

BTW, that video of all the trucks hitting the railroad bridge was shot in Raleigh, NC where stupid drivers must be everywhere!

 

This is no longer true--I see them out just about every weekend.  The other day they were in Bratenhal (must have given the local guys the day off--for once!).

 

I've also seen them just south of the 71/90 split off the innerbelt bridge.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is the most powerful lobby in the state.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is the most powerful lobby in the state.

 

Oh, the stories I could tell about the trooper outpost in Ashtabula County. Everyone hated them because they had little to do and followed people for miles just waiting for them to screw up. I worked at RMI and one night as we left work, we were ticketed by troopers lurking across the street for having frost on our windshields. People were stopped for dodging potholes ("weaving") or were followed all the way home from work and then accused of "eluding" when pulling into their own driveway. They often set up checkpoints on US route 20 for safety violations and locals soon avoided them by using other routes. At that time, you got an inspection sticker but that didn't stop the smartass who gave me a second inspection two weeks later. Oh yes...stories...

Oh, the stories I could tell about the trooper outpost in Ashtabula County. Everyone hated them because they had little to do and followed people for miles just waiting for them to screw up. I worked at RMI and one night as we left work, we were ticketed by troopers lurking across the street for having frost on our windshields. People were stopped for dodging potholes ("weaving") or were followed all the way home from work and then accused of "eluding" when pulling into their own driveway. They often set up checkpoints on US route 20 for safety violations and locals soon avoided them by using other routes. At that time, you got an inspection sticker but that didn't stop the smartass who gave me a second inspection two weeks later. Oh yes...stories...

 

If that happened to me, I'd be tempted to sneak in their storage yard and pour sugar into the gas tanks of their patrol cars.

Years ago a friend of my grandparents was pulled over for going 35 in a 40 on her way to church by a patrolman because she was "impeding traffic". The patrolman by the way went to the same church. A week later my grandfather (the pastor of said church) preached on legalism and how we shouldn't let a strict interpretation of rules keep us from being kind to others. He never mentioned the patrolman's name, but everyone knew who he was talking about. True Story.

Oh yeah, those random pullover inspections were classic. I wonder what finally got those shut down.

^Its because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a state trooper in Ohio.

 

Except for major holidays, you never see state troopers in Greater Cleveland.

 

BTW, that video of all the trucks hitting the railroad bridge was shot in Raleigh, NC where stupid drivers must be everywhere!

 

This is no longer true--I see them out just about every weekend.  The other day they were in Bratenhal (must have given the local guys the day off--for once!).

 

I've also seen them just south of the 71/90 split off the innerbelt bridge.

 

I would say this no longer true as well. I've driven on 176 (Jennings freeway) a few times a week for the past 8-9 years... You'd see a cop (whether city or trooper) maybe once every 6 months... In the past 18 months or so, I see a city or even a state highway patrol now about once a week.

 

Secondly, whenever I swear whenever I drive 480west (once every couple weeks) there's a state highway patrol pulling over a semi over on the bridge over ridge road, particularly during weekdays between 9-5.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is the most powerful lobby in the state.

 

no doubt.  They get huge signs & bridges dedicated to officers killed in action.  Meanwhile, construction workers who get killed erecting said bridge gets nothing.

I would say this no longer true as well. I've driven on 176 (Jennings freeway) a few times a week for the past 8-9 years... You'd see a cop (whether city or trooper) maybe once every 6 months... In the past 18 months or so, I see a city or even a state highway patrol now about once a week.

 

Secondly, whenever I swear whenever I drive 480west (once every couple weeks) there's a state highway patrol pulling over a semi over on the bridge over ridge road, particularly during weekdays between 9-5.

 

A state trooper got me on Memorial Day weekend on the Jennings doing 82 mph. Good thing I slowed down before he got me!

If the troopers don't increase the interest in urbanism, bikes and walking I don't know what does.

Years ago (20 and beyond) there were NEVER any state police in Cleveland--or metro cleveland--only city police. Why are there State Police now in the cities instead of the rural areas? What changed? Isn't this a violation of home rule for cities? When did this police action start? Why aren't cities fighting it?

9/11

Years ago (20 and beyond) there were NEVER any state police in Cleveland--or metro cleveland--only city police. Why are there State Police now in the cities instead of the rural areas? What changed? Isn't this a violation of home rule for cities? When did this police action start? Why aren't cities fighting it?

 

Like most governmental agencies, there's been a concerted effort by the OHP to expand their jurisdiction and scope.

I hate them too except for a recent incident.. Two weekends ago I was driving back to OTR from West Virginia via rt 32. I had the cruise control set to 80.  I passed under the Mt. Orab exit when the lights came on.  "Routine safety check". Got a warning.  I couldn't believe it.

 

My previous experience with them was not good. The officer filed the ticket in the wrong county. I was speeding on 275 near Anderson. He wrote Hamilton co on the ticket but filed it in Clermont co. Kept trying to pay the ticket...Well it turned up a few months later.. Called Clermont clerk of courts... eventually the officers supervisor called me and said he ripped the ticket up.  The hard #%% butler co judge could care less that the ticket didn't exist. What a pain.

Oh, the stories I could tell about the trooper outpost in Ashtabula County. Everyone hated them because they had little to do and followed people for miles just waiting for them to screw up. I worked at RMI and one night as we left work, we were ticketed by troopers lurking across the street for having frost on our windshields. People were stopped for dodging potholes ("weaving") or were followed all the way home from work and then accused of "eluding" when pulling into their own driveway. They often set up checkpoints on US route 20 for safety violations and locals soon avoided them by using other routes. At that time, you got an inspection sticker but that didn't stop the smartass who gave me a second inspection two weeks later. Oh yes...stories...

 

If that happened to me, I'd be tempted to sneak in their storage yard and pour sugar into the gas tanks of their patrol cars.

 

But there's more. A friend who played in a band was stopped late at night after a gig and taken to the outpost (miles away) for a breathalyzer test. He did not drink due to having a heart attack and of course was stone sober. The troopers then refused to take him back to his car and so he had to call someone in the middle of the night to get a ride back. Nice.

Oh yeah, those random pullover inspections were classic. I wonder what finally got those shut down.

 

Probably complaints about harassment. Years ago, I lived in Saybrook near the trooper outpost and they were always doing these inspections on Rt 20.

Oh, the stories I could tell about the trooper outpost in Ashtabula County. Everyone hated them because they had little to do and followed people for miles just waiting for them to screw up. I worked at RMI and one night as we left work, we were ticketed by troopers lurking across the street for having frost on our windshields. People were stopped for dodging potholes ("weaving") or were followed all the way home from work and then accused of "eluding" when pulling into their own driveway. They often set up checkpoints on US route 20 for safety violations and locals soon avoided them by using other routes. At that time, you got an inspection sticker but that didn't stop the smartass who gave me a second inspection two weeks later. Oh yes...stories...

 

If that happened to me, I'd be tempted to sneak in their storage yard and pour sugar into the gas tanks of their patrol cars.

 

But there's more. A friend who played in a band was stopped late at night after a gig and taken to the outpost (miles away) for a breathalyzer test. He did not drink due to having a heart attack and of course was stone sober. The troopers then refused to take him back to his car and so he had to call someone in the middle of the night to get a ride back. Nice.

 

Sugar. Give me more. Sugar......

 

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is the most powerful lobby in the state.

 

You can drive from mid Michigan to south Florida and you'll encounter more State Highway Patrols in Ohio than all the other states combined, easily.

Years ago (20 and beyond) there were NEVER any state police in Cleveland--or metro cleveland--only city police. Why are there State Police now in the cities instead of the rural areas? What changed? Isn't this a violation of home rule for cities? When did this police action start? Why aren't cities fighting it?

 

The state highway patrol opened a post in Cuyahoga County in 2012 or 2011. That's why people including myself have been seeing moreof them lately.

^Its because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a state trooper in Ohio.

 

Except for major holidays, you never see state troopers in Greater Cleveland.

 

BTW, that video of all the trucks hitting the railroad bridge was shot in Raleigh, NC where stupid drivers must be everywhere!

 

This is no longer true--I see them out just about every weekend.  The other day they were in Bratenhal (must have given the local guys the day off--for once!).

 

I've also seen them just south of the 71/90 split off the innerbelt bridge.

They are all over 271, even during the rush hours, on an on and off basis.  One had someone pulled over today.

 

The "left lane bandit" stereotype really doesn't apply in NE Ohio.

Years ago (20 and beyond) there were NEVER any state police in Cleveland--or metro cleveland--only city police. Why are there State Police now in the cities instead of the rural areas? What changed? Isn't this a violation of home rule for cities? When did this police action start? Why aren't cities fighting it?

 

Like most governmental agencies, there's been a concerted effort by the OHP to expand their jurisdiction and scope.

Bingo.  Look at ATF, DEA, TSA, etc.

The state highway patrol opened a post in Cuyahoga County in 2012 or 2011. That's why people including myself have been seeing moreof them lately.

 

They had a post for decades, and until very recently, on Broadway in Garfield Heights between Whitehouse crossing and East 131st. In fact it still shows on Google Streetview.

The state highway patrol opened a post in Cuyahoga County in 2012 or 2011. That's why people including myself have been seeing moreof them lately.

 

They had a post for decades, and until very recently, on Broadway in Garfield Heights between Whitehouse crossing and East 131st. In fact it still shows on Google Streetview.

 

I seem to remember it making the news that the county or city or cities asked them to move in and help on the freeways.