> I'd rather cops spend their time chasing murderers, rapists and robbers than making sure they nab every single person who rolls a stop sign or does 75 on the interstate.

This attitude bugs me a bit. Here's the reason: If the law is there, there is obviously a reason to enforce it. If speeding weren't dangerous, there wouldn't be a law against it. Perhaps there are other things more dangerous, but when does "dangerous" become "not dangerous enough". Where do we draw the line with regards to which laws to enforce. Speeding? Drinking? Drunk driving? Weapons? Concealed weapons? Drug use? Drug sale?

Sure, maybe there should be some type of hierarchy of laws where some take precedence over others. But just because a murder is more important that speeding doesn't mean the entire police force should devote itself wholly to that murder case until it is solved. Imagine the traffic deaths that would occur in cities where they have a high murder rate. No one would ever enforce the traffic laws.

Personally, I think the bigger problem is a general disregard for the law. For instance, when speed limits were capped at 65 mph, most people drove 70-75 mph and felt justified in doing so because they "can handle the car at that speed". Now that many have been raised to 70-75 mph, most people drive 75-85 mph and still feel justified because they "can handle the car at that speed". This is not to say that most people can't drive safely at 80 mph, but if the speed limits were raised to 85 mph I would be willing to wager that a significantly large number of people would still hover 5-10 mph over the posted limit, feeling justified for the same reason.

The same principle applies for almost all traffic laws: turn signals, stop signs, yield signs, yellow lights, following too closely, "no right on red" signs, train crossings, etc. Everyone feels they can handle it themselves. They don't need to be regulated. Well, if this is so true, who is having all these wrecks every day? Who is injuring--and even killing--all these people in car accidents on a daily basis?

My point is this: although you may not feel very much like rejoicing when you are pulled over for speeding, keep in mind it is you who were breaking the law and that those laws are there to help make sure that when you hop in your car to go somewhere you'll reach your destination safely. We should be grateful to traffic cops for the work they do. Sure, it's unpleasant to pay the fine, but it's nice to know that when the light turns green at the intersection you'll be reasonably sure that it's safe to cross.

Shandar