Be aware: Az. Stupid Motorist Law

So what if you don't want, request, nor expect the "service" ?

run100 wrote:
The "stupid motorist" fines should be extended to the lunatics that operate a motor vehicle while chatting on a cell phone. I'm getting highly fed-up with close encounters involving distracted drivers . . . on a daily basis!

Personally, I look forward to time in the car to get some peace and quiet.

X What ever!!
Driving around a barricade, big fine, needing help after driving around barricade, big fine, and pay the cost of rescue.

I have a totally hands free system for my cell phone, Parrot uses microphone and radio. More like a conversation within the car.

I do love those that use cells in speaker mode while still holding on to it.

$2,000 cap? That should be $2,000 minimum if going around a barricade.

The "stupid motorist" fines should be extended to the lunatics that operate a motor vehicle while chatting on a cell phone. I'm getting highly fed-up with close encounters involving distracted drivers . . . on a daily basis!

Personally, I look forward to time in the car to get some peace and quiet.

I think you have to blame we the tax payers for why some of these laws don't get enforced. At least in Tucson, but I imagine this happened in other Cities as well.

"Budget Issues
At the end of 2011, TPD (Tucson Police Department) had a total 932 employees compared to 960 in 1990 and 5980 employees in 2006. Tucson Police suffered a great amount of major budget cuts due to cuts from the City of Tucson, State of Arizona, and federal funding.
Most police officers were not laid off because they were allowed to leave through attrition. Attrition levels increased as officers experienced cuts to pensions, salaries, and increased work without extra pay. Downsizing was the main reason of low morale within the department and decreased police service for the local community. Much of the departmental cuts were actually transfers to other city departments, such as TPD finance employees, records, and IT support. Many other trained officers that left though natural attrition took jobs in other law enforcement agencies.
In August 2010, the City of Tucson faced a $51 million budget deficit. Voters voted down a half-cent sales tax increase in November. TPD said they would be forced to cut 274 positions. While the positions were removed, the department did not see any employee layoffs because of increased attrition. According to an MSNBC article in June 2012, "From South Tucson to the east side, Tucsonans say they've noticed TPD's staff reduction."
In the fourth quarter of 2011 the City of Tucson was able to see increases in sales tax revenue allowing for TPD to start hiring again. In early 2012, the department said it was experiencing trouble trying to recruit new employees, but has increased commissioned officers from around 750 officers to 1200. On June 7, 2012, TPD announced it would hire an additional 150 officers and other support personnel.
In June of 2012 TPD also announced that it would hire additional crime lab and dispatch employees. While starting salaries were 20% lower than they were in similar departments around the country, law enforcement personnel is on the rise. In an MSNBC article, TPD officials say it will be a while until vacated positions are filled. "New hires" take about 1.5 years to hit the street after applying.
As of April 4, 2013 the May hiring process was canceled. TPD plans to continue growth starting August 2, 2013 with a new academy of police recruits.

Dick if this is too political feel free to delete it.

Post originator here,

My apologies for lack of clarity on the post title....
I just used what the "law" is referred to as here in Arizona.

On deeper review, like most "laws"...this one lacks enforcement.
So, we the taxpayer get to fund emergency services reimbursement
for poor decision making. I wonder what it costs to turn the rotor
on the rescue helicopters ???

At any rate, snowbirders, feel free to share this info with your
visiting friends...every little bit helps.

Funny, it has started to irritate me when I see the hoist rescues
out of vehicles with Arizona plates. Must be getting old.

Charles

I think most states with routine road flooding have similar laws, so there are more places where you should not drive stupid. In Oklahoma, no barricades required, the "Do Not Drive Into Running Water" signs are enough to activate the rule. The sign is important because there are other roads, tops of dams, where we are expected to drive through shallow water.

It really should be called A Law for Stupid Motorists. The law isn't stupid, the motorist is stupid if they drive past a barricade.

It would save lives if stupid motorists stayed off the road.

My neighbor is a Captain with the Tucson PD, he says very rarely is the stupid driver law enforced, instead they go after stupid people, for child endangerment, who put their kids in danger by driving across flooded washes, and DUI's.
In theory, it's a good law, but used more to deter the stupid driver. I have heard the same thing from the County Sheriffs. I have watched the Sheriffs pull cars out of washes, and just give them a warning. I'm sure there are other exceptions, probably depending on the amount of resources involved.
From what I have seen, we have a lot of stupid drivers here. :R