What do you call it whena legislature passes unreasonable laws and then expects hired guns to enforce those unreasonble laws? Tax revenue.
One example: Prima facie speed law says 35 MPH.
Prima facie speed law should be 45MPH.
Actual safe speed with "ideal conditions" (I.E following the 85th percentile): 55 MPH.
Motor cop writes tickets for41 MPH.
Legislature knows that most people will not fight a traffic citation. Therefore, County Board of Supervisors, City Councils, State Legistatures, push for very tight enforcement. It justifies the existance of prosecutors, cops, judges, and ever increasing law enforcment budgets. I've seen it happen time after time and it has happened to me. When I filed a motion for discovery to get the cops side ofthe story,the City Attorney did not comply. The judge was happy to grant my motion to dismiss.

 

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
pri·ma fa·ci·e /ˈpraɪmə ˈfeɪʃiˌi, ˈfeɪʃi, ˈfeɪʃə, ˈpri-/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[prahy-muh fey-shee-ee, fey-shee, fey-shuh, pree-]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun



1.
at first appearance; at first view, before investigation.



2.
plain or clear; self-evident; obvious. [/align]
[hr]

[Origin: 1425–75; late ME < L prīmā facié] [/align][/align][/align]


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source



pri·ma fa·cie (prī'mə fā'shē -shə, -shē-ē) Pronunciation Key
adv. At first sight; before closer inspection: They had, prima facie, a legitimate complaint.

adj.
[*]True, authentic, or adequate at first sight; ostensible: prima facie credibility.[*]Evident without proof or reasoning; obvious: a prima facie violation of the treaty. [/ol]
Prima Facie, as relates to speeding violations is this:

Speeding IS a Prima Facie Violation. At Face Value, without needing to demonstrate intent.

Not quite sure what you mean by "Prima Facie speed law says 35". To use the word Prima Facie more correctly, would be to say that "36 in a 35 is a prima facie violation of the speed limit"

If the sign says 35, then DRIVE 35, and there won't be a need to mis-use latin legal terms!!!

 

It is my understanding that speed limits are recomended speeds... So if I am driving 55 in a 55 and the conditions are snow and ice no cop is justified in giving a ticket for speed in execess of conditions?

 

Your understanding is completely wrong. The posted speed limit is the maxium speed for that road in that posted area. Any speed above the posted speed limit is prima facie evidence of speeding.

Where the hell you got the idea that it's a recommended speed is beyond me. Maybe you should go back to basics and read a driver's ed hand book.

The only recommended speed signs are the yellow diamond signs you see at places like on and off ramps where the speed posted on those signs are the recommended safe speed.

 

Anyway back to the topic, I see our motor cops here wave all the time. Maybe they just don't like you where you are. LOL

 

Here's what Arizona says about speed and weather:

A.R.S. 28-701 D.
The maximum speed provided in this section is reduced to the speed that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and with regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, including the following conditions:
1. Approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad crossing.
2. Approaching and going around a curve.
3. Approaching a hillcrest.
4. Traveling on a narrow or winding roadway.
5. A special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

So, yes, you can get a ticket for doing the speed limit if hazardous conditions dictate you should be going slower. Of course the LEO must proove his case.

 

I always try to acknowledgeriders that wave.

UnlessI'm in heavy traffic, listening to my radio, talking on my radio etc......

Feelings of superiority ? Hell I'm a cop, not an astronaut .

 

the bike cops in our area wave,and are definetly biker freindly,I am so jealous of them,whata job except the escorts must suck.

 

Florida's Driver Handbook puts it a little simpler ~

"Remember that speed limits show the fastest speed you may drive under good conditions. You are responsible for adjusting your driving speed to the road conditions. For example, if the weather is bad or there is a lot of traffic, you must drive more slowly than the posted speed. The safe speed is the one that allows you to have complete control of your vehicle."

 

The bike cop in my town waves to me all the time. First time I was a little surprised and didn't wave back in time. After that, I see him all the time and wave to him. I'm pretty sure the state motor cops wouldn't wave though. Unless of course they were behind me with the lights on.