NorCal CHP - Using Laser on the Freeways ???

[SierraFJR]

I was on I-80 this AM traveling from Sacramento to the Bay Area and spotted a CHP parked on the side of the road. He was leaning against his cruiser holding a boxy looking thing with a lens-ish attachment up and "sighting " oncoming traffic. The Valentine did not alert, (I was in the cage, pretty much at the limit). Hmmm.. I wonder what he was doing......1/2 a mile up the road 2 motor officers were prepped and ready to roll. Saw the same thing in 2 different places on the way back late this afternoon.

I'm assuming it was Laser, again nothing on the V1, but I was in the #2 cruising along at limit + maybe 5-7MPH.......When did they start using laser on the Interstates ???? Is this yet another means of quick revenue for our ailing local economy ???

 

[SierraFJR]

I was on I-80 this AM traveling from Sacramento to the Bay Area and spotted a CHP parked on the side of the road. He was leaning against his cruiser holding a boxy looking thing with a lens-ish attachment up and "sighting " oncoming traffic. The Valentine did not alert, (I was in the cage, pretty much at the limit). Hmmm.. I wonder what he was doing......1/2 a mile up the road 2 motor officers were prepped and ready to roll. Saw the same thing in 2 different places on the way back late this afternoon.
I'm assuming it was Laser, again nothing on the V1, but I was in the #2 cruising along at limit + maybe 5-7MPH.......When did they start using laser on the Interstates ???? Is this yet another means of quick revenue for our ailing local economy ???

I'm sorry folks I think I put this in the wrong forum....please forgive the FNG.....

 

[Auburn]

The admins will move it to the right place.

You are correct, that is laser. Many of them here in Washington. Most state troopers have it here.

 

[SierraFJR]

Crap.

Folks say that laser is not real effective on motorcycles given the small frontal area and lack of reflective surface (ie..front plate). Fact or Fiction in your experience up North ?

 

[Ijuggle]

I've been seeing them daily between the Golden Gate and Petaluma. Once or twice a year they put 2 men on the Bridge (one with the gun and one with the radio) and maybe 8 patrol cars/bikes on the Sausalito side writing the tickets.

 

[CAJW]

CHP has been using laser along Hwy 99 between Stockton and Fresno for about 6 mos or so from my personal observations. (no driving awards, Escort 8500 was no help on this, just keep your head up and look for overhead lights above the freeway overpass railing or on ramps).

 

[UberKul]

I saw a crazy LIDAR setup going down to SLO last Saturday. A man in a bucket hoist on top of a hill on Vasco Rd near Livermore. Several CHP moto's and cars to get folks coming and going... sneaky! It's just not natural to keep an eye out for blobs on sticks from a quarter mile out.

 

[FJR_pig]

We've been using laser (LIDAR) for about 11 years. Nothing new and sexy to it. (When I actually get to work the road anymore) I can zap a motorcycle okay, though it takes a bit longer and consequently the speeds are typically lower as the rider slows down during that delay. Pretty rare to write a bike based off a laser.

Not sure if it works differently in CA, but we don't see any additional revenue from it up here. The locals do. I sure wish we did because we're getting killed by this economy and having to compete with education. We're just trying to keep people from injuring or killing themselves and others on the roadways...

ig_ball:

 

[Fairlaner]

Why does the Escort 8500 not work????? is that what you r saying?

My Escort 8500 says that it works with laser!!!!!!!

R

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

My Escort 8500 sounds off big time for Laser! I've seen it several times on Hwy 58 east of Bakersfield. It's been around for awhile.

 

[painman]

Seems like CA CHP been using LIDAR since last year. Radar detectors can't always pick up the LIDAR beam as it is narrow and doesn't spread out much even at distance. My Escort has picked up signals probably reflections at a distance being used on other vehicles but usually if you're the target with laser, its too late by the time your hit to compensate speed and save yourself. Best way is to have a "rabbit", one running at a higher speed in front of you and let him be the target. And if you can't see far enough ahead, slow down. Insurance rates and compaies are a real pain. PM. <>< :aarambo:

 

[exskibum]

It's been at least 2 or 3 years that a revenue collection festival with LIDAR has been conducted on I-80 Westbound at Meadow Vista between Auburn and Colfax. One sits under the bridge in the shade with the LIDAR, and he sends units down the Meadow Vista onramp (typically 3 to 5 cars in the circuit). Those cars nab the victim, usually by the next exit (Dry Creek) and then head over the bridge to return east on the freeway to the Meadow Vista offramp, over the highway and back into the queue. Most afternoons, but always on Sundays -- picking up lotsa revenue from people returning from Lake Tahoe.

 

[Bugnatr]

Seen it used on I 80 up on the hill and on Hwy 49. We are doomed

 

[SierraFJR]

It's been at least 2 or 3 years that a revenue collection festival with LIDAR has been conducted on I-80 Westbound at Meadow Vista between Auburn and Colfax. One sits under the bridge in the shade with the LIDAR, and he sends units down the Meadow Vista onramp (typically 3 to 5 cars in the circuit). Those cars nab the victim, usually by the next exit (Dry Creek) and then head over the bridge to return east on the freeway to the Meadow Vista offramp, over the highway and back into the queue. Most afternoons, but always on Sundays -- picking up lotsa revenue from people returning from Lake Tahoe.

I've seen that little "roadside party" on the way back from Tahoe, but always thought it was an air patrol arrangement. Seems like the only time my V1 alerts to Laser is in the presence of an oncoming INFINITI or LEXUS with what I've assumed the laser cruise control active...or when stuck in stop and go behind a Chevy Avalance or TrailBlazer with that silly neon-ish CHMSL.

I guess this just make one more good reason to stay to the 2 lane twisties in lieu of the slab.

 

[skuehl]

I have an escort also and it has no problem picking up Laser. However over the past month I have been tagged at least twice. And another time I wasnt tagged but he was two blocks from my house on the freeway on ramp so I didnt have time to be speeding. But radar detector no worky. All three times the radar was completely silent.

One of the times I was doing 30 over and no one came after me. However he really didnt seem to be wanting to ticket anyone. He was completely off the bike and it was pointed in the wrond direction for him to give chase. I personally think they are testing something new. I cant imagine any reason other than this would cause him to let me off for 85 in a 55. expecially CHP.

I have heard that they have to test the snaught out of new devices to establish credibility. And cant ticket until its tested and approved. Our fellow forum member that work with the CHP could chime in.

PS. Other than the one by my house the other two were up in NorCal. Cant remember the freeways but one was on my trip from Ahwahnee to San Fran. The other was somewhere between san fran and calistogo or so cal to SLO.

 

[jwhite518]

A few months ago I did a ride-along with my buddy the CHP officer. We visited his favorite places to hide out and hit people with the LIDAR. He let me shoot the thing most of the day. Man was it fun! I didn't have many chances to aim it at motorcycles, but it was definitely more difficult to get a good reading. A bike is small and has fewer reflecting surfaces.

This was on I-280 roughly between Hwy 92 and Pacifica.

 

[James Burleigh]

I was riding Hwy 37 a few weeks ago heading west along the topmost edge of San Francisco Bay, cruising within the limit, when all of a sudden my Cobra goes "Boi yoi yoi yoi yong--radar!"

"WTF?!"

As I rode by I saw the CHP cop standing outside his cruiser pointing a gun at on-coming traffic. Normally I hear a "Beep beep beep, K-A alert," and the radar doesn't make that "boing" gotcha! sound. Figured I'd dodged a bullet.

Then a couple hours later coming back the other way, I wasn't being so Mr. You Meet the Nicest People on a Yamaha. I found myself in the middle of a knot of fast-moving traffic, with at least one aggressive driver in the pack. I figured, "To the batmobile, Robin!" dropped it a gear, and did the slalom right on out of there at a pretty good clip.

Then again I hear "Boi yoi yoi yoi yong--radar!" That's when Batman uttered the F-word, because I figured I was F'd. So I immediately dropped my speed and put the Bat Cape away, figuring it was too late. I then cruised just as nice as pie past the same cop as I saw earlier. As I went by, with him just off on the shoulder to my right, he was standing outside his cruiser with the gun pointed way behind me, but as I looked over at him his eyes were locked on mine, and his head followed me right by. I got the message. Phew.

Answer your question? 'Splains why I canceled my twisties ride last weekend. I can't afford another ticket right now....

Jb

 

[painman]

Here's a site that might be of some help.... Local Speed Traps PM. <><

 

[SierraFJR]

Here's a site that might be of some help.... Local Speed Traps PM. <><

Thanks for the link Pain. Yep those are accruate in my neck of the woods.