Autoblog: US States most hostile towards motorists.

[LeVeL]

California is not number one??? Here is a state where it is illegal to modify your exhaust or suspension... The roadblock thing is just dumb - you have to do something absolutely idiotic to warrant a roadblock. Toll roads, seatbelts, and cell phone use are also stupid criteria.

[Ilpav]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I regularly drive cars around race tracks well exceeding 100mph, and New Jersey terrifies me to drive in. Drivers there are fucking insane.

[sonza68]

Originally Posted by LeVeL

The roadblock thing is just dumb - you have to do something absolutely idiotic to warrant a roadblock.

In the St. Louis area, IL and MO set up roadblocks occassionally to check primarily for DUIs. It also acts as a way to catch drivers with no insurance, illegal mods, expired plates, no seat belts, etc.

[SpitfireMK461]

The highways of Ohio this weekend had about 4 state troopers per 5 miles of road, so this list seems very justified.

[edkwon]

I've lived right next to NJ and OH and drove thru those states many times, so i'm not surprised. Having said that, it's not totally without merit as many drivers in the US as a whole are quite deserving of that hostility :p

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by sonza68

In the St. Louis area, IL and MO set up roadblocks occassionally to check primarily for DUIs. It also acts as a way to catch drivers with no insurance, illegal mods, expired plates, no seat belts, etc.

California used to do that back in the 70's to catch people who cut their cats off.

Must have sucked to be CHP back then, having to crawl around in SoCal summer heat and burning black top to check for cats

[Made In the USA]

I'm surprised Arizona isn't higher. Feels like I'm back in Queensland when I visit with all of the speed cameras now on the highways and mobile car cameras everywhere, well at least in the Valley of the Sun.

Originally Posted by LeVeL

California is not number one??? Here is a state where it is illegal to modify your exhaust or suspension

Where do you get your information because you couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

[edkwon]

Originally Posted by LeVeL

California is not number one??? Here is a state where it is illegal to modify your exhaust or suspension... The roadblock thing is just dumb - you have to do something absolutely idiotic to warrant a roadblock. Toll roads, seatbelts, and cell phone use are also stupid criteria.

The reality is while all these regulations are in place, actual pulling over or ticketing for these offenses is uncommon. At least in my observations of living in CA for 3 years.

However i've lived by OH for 20 years, those cops are a-holes and pull you over for the most minor speeding offenses...driving in anonymous family cars.

The 3 years i drove thru NJ...same experience, police tend to pull you over and approach you MUCh more despite having fewer regulations.


Hence that's why i agree with OH and NJ beingg ranked 1 and 2.

places 3-13, i have little experience with so I cannot say.

[LeVeL]

Originally Posted by Made In the USA

Where do you get your information because you couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

I'd like to see more info on this from you. I've heard about CA exhaust and suspension laws numerous times but I will stand corrected if you show me otherwise.

[Arctor]

Wow how is West Virginia not in the top 10? They use 77 as a major means of making money, and they're one of the least forgiving states on speed. If you're going more than 5 over you will get pulled over on 77 and they will not give you any leniency. My friend got ticketed for 71 in a 70 and it didn't even get thrown out of court for being within a ridiculously small margin of error. I agree though, Virginia is the worst. I've gotten pulled over there twice in the 928 for my exhaust being too loud even though it's standard and by law cannot find fault with my car because it passes all laws in the state with which it is registered.

[Arctor]

Originally Posted by LeVeL

I'd like to see more info on this from you. I've heard about CA exhaust and suspension laws numerous times but I will stand corrected if you show me otherwise.

It's quite legal to modify your suspension and exhaust in California. However it is very illegal to use non-CARB approved parts on any bit between the air filter and catalytic converter on the engine. Oh and they will regularly pull you over if your car seems modified, and only if it is Japanese.

[gtrietsc]

Here in Texas they aren't doing DUI checkpoints too much - state law requires them to post a sign telling drivers its coming up. What they are doing, which is just as bad if not worse IMO, is pulling you over, and then if you refuse a breath test (which is your right) they haul you to jail and forcibly take a blood sample.

This country scares me sometimes. How is that right?

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by gtrietsc

Here in Texas they aren't doing DUI checkpoints too much - state law requires them to post a sign telling drivers its coming up. What they are doing, which is just as bad if not worse IMO, is pulling you over, and then if you refuse a breath test (which is your right) they haul you to jail and forcibly take a blood sample.

This country scares me sometimes. How is that right?

Technically, they're doing it the "right" way. If you refuse the breath test (which you can do, though you agree to lose your license for a while if you do), they go before a judge to get a warrant for your BAC. It's fully legal and better than what many places used to do, which is do the same thing without a warrant.

That said, if you are pulled over, do not take the breath test as it is known to be faulty under many circumstances (certain medical conditions can cause you to blow higher than you actually are); my policy is to refuse the breathalyzer but immediately volunteer a blood test instead. This satisfies the law and doesn't put my license in jeopardy (as the regs say that you have to take a breath *or* blood test voluntarily.)

Quite often the cops won't bother if you offer the blood test immediately.

[ChelsDS]

Roadblocks are called Check Points here in California. I hit FOUR of the fuckers around 9pm Friday night. Got away from two but had to stop at the other two.

Really surprised that California isn't higher. We are the most fucked up state regarding car laws

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by LeVeL

California is not number one??? Here is a state where it is illegal to modify your exhaust or suspension... The roadblock thing is just dumb - you have to do something absolutely idiotic to warrant a roadblock. Toll roads, seatbelts, and cell phone use are also stupid criteria.

They are talking about "DUI Checkpoints" (where they also check your car for violations, your papers, and question you about your business). Not a "roadblock" in the form you are thinking.

[MadCat360]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I regularly drive cars around race tracks well exceeding 100mph, and New Jersey terrifies me to drive in. Drivers there are fucking insane.

My uncle says a similar thing about Cali highways. He had a Mustang 302 with a NASCAR engine in it, and he raced it, and the highways around here scare him more. Sometimes trying to merge in SoCal is like trying to part the Red Sea at 60 MPH...

[LeVeL]

Originally Posted by ChelsDS

Really surprised that California isn't higher. We are the most fucked up state regarding car laws

I was surprised too

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

They are talking about "DUI Checkpoints" (where they also check your car for violations, your papers, and question you about your business). Not a "roadblock" in the form you are thinking.

yeah I figured that much after seeing some replies after my post

[Blind_Io]

California is fucked up and many of the highways and surface streets suck, but they do have a few things going for them.

• Trial by written declaration. If you are still found guilty you can still go to court in person and fight your ticket again.
• Online Traffic School (by county) - I just did my "8 hour course" last night in about 30 minutes.
• Radar and Laser detectors are legal.
• "Lane-Hog" law. If you have 5 or more people stacked up behind your car you MUST move to the right or pull over.
• Lane-sharing. This one is huge and California is the only state to currently allow the practice.

[Cobol74]

I like that Lane Hog law! Wish we had it - Cobol74's pet hate is Lane Hogs.

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by LeVeL

I'd like to see more info on this from you. I've heard about CA exhaust and suspension laws numerous times but I will stand corrected if you show me otherwise.

Uhhh have you not seen my miata?

BTW, California is probably the MOST friendly to speeders. I know quite a few who have passed cops doing 15 over the limit and the cop do nothing but continue to cruise.