What non-technological countermeasures do you use?

[esarratt]

My apologies if this is the wrong forum. This seemed to be the best place for my question.

Additionally, if this issue has been addressed elsewhere please point me in the correct direction. I have searched "countermeasures" extensively on the site and have yet to find a good answer to my question which is:

What non-technological countermeasures do you use?

For example,
1) Never driving more than 9mph over the speed limit unless a radar detector AND a laser jammer are installed.
2) Never driving more than 20mph above the PSL even with these devices installed.
3) Never speed without a rabbit.
4) Never speed when cresting a hill.
5) Do not drive as fast at night.
6) Be alert.
7) Use your rear view mirror to check for police behind you.
8) Do not pass a cop who is traveling at the speed limit.

These are just some of the non-technological countermeasures that I have noted on the forums. Please tell me what you use.

Thanks for the help in advance!

[supercowpowers]

1) Never driving more than 9mph over the speed limit unless a radar detector AND a laser jammer are installed.
Fortunately it's not very often I'm faced with that.
2) Never driving more than 20mph above the PSL even with these devices installed.
I'm unlikely to bother with that. Except in Virginia.
3) Never speed without a rabbit.
Why even bother then? If I can find or bait one into going 85 I'm happy with that, but it's rare.
4) Never speed when cresting a hill.
Brilliant idea. It only costs a couple seconds and can save a lot of grief. A radar detector generally can't see through hills, and we've heard about jammers being defeated because the top of the car got hit before the jammer heads came over the hill.
5) Do not drive as fast at night.
Yes, fantastic idea. I've had legitimate reaction time duels between myself and a radar-wielding cop where I saw the cruiser and slowed before I got hit. I've also seen police cars from literally a mile away in poorly concealed hiding spots. The chances of that happening at night are greatly diminished because you have to be close enough for your headlights to illuminate them, and they can see you coming a *long* time before that.
6) Be alert.
If I'm not alert I'm not speeding. It's a problem that solves itself.
7) Use your rear view mirror to check for police behind you.
And for other traffic. Looking back can help you go forward faster, with less time spent checking the way to make a lane change because you already know what's there. I should add that at night, I don't trust anyone I'm not pulling away from unless I already passed them or let them catch up so I can identify them.
8) Do not pass a cop who is traveling at the speed limit.
Well that should be common sense, but it's worth looking out for sneaky unmarked units.

Actually, I have to rely on 'non-technical' countermeasures every time I'm off the highway. The local police here can't use radar, and the most common method they employ is to time vehicles between two points with a device that can have the distance programmed in and automatically calculate the speed. Theoretically any two points can be used, but the majority of the time they rely on lines painted across the road. Seeing those lines sets off an entire process for me. First, I consider my distance to them - if they're far away, I have some time to assess the situation, but if they're close I have to slow down to have more time to react. Next I look down both sides of the road to see what sort of access connects to it - that would be things like parking lots, driveways, and even dirt paths. If there are a lot of access points, I slow down to less than 10 over the PSL (they can't write a ticket for less than that), but if there are only one or two then I have time to see where they lead and check them for any sort of cars that don't belong there. If there does turn out to be an observer, I can either slow down before hitting the lines or, if I'm already in them, slow down even more because all they can measure is the average speed between the two points. It's a no-tech system but it works.

But that's probably irrelevant. There are some techniques that deserve being mentioned, however:

• Pay attention to your fellow motorists. If they're coming the other way and driving slower than usual they may have just passed a cop or have one behind them; if they're all driving in a cluster there may be a cop in it, and brake lights ahead for no perceptible reason should always cause suspicion.
• Look up entrance ramps if you can, and use caution if you can't.
• Use caution near overpasses. They can either be up on the bridge, or using the structure as an obstruction to you seeing them on the side of the road.
• Once you've driven a stretch of road hundreds or thousands of times, you know exactly where all the good hiding spots are. I have no problem reaching speeds I wouldn't normally consider on roads where I know when I have to go slow.
• Don't go hauling ass on holiday weekends. I was dumb enough to make that mistake and pay for it twice.
• Try to understand how your local police operate. Research how their areas are divided, and pay attention to patterns of how many there are in an area and when they're most active. That way you know if you see one if there are likely to be more, or if they're spread so thinly you just passed the only threat for 30 miles. You'll also be able to tell when activity is abnormally high so you know to keep your guard up because they're probably out focusing on traffic.
• If all else fails, don't try to smash the brake pedal through the floor in desperation. I've attracted more suspicion and been pulled over for doing that more times than I probably would have for just doing nothing. If there's a need to reduce speed immediately, do it slowly but firmly - visualize squeezing the brake pedal, then holding firm, constant pressure, and gradually easing off of it. It looks less suspicious when you're driving inside the limits of your vehicle and it isn't violently plowing its nose into the road.

[aa2033]

I look for brake lights from the cars in front of me. 90 percent of the time that will let me know there is a LEO before i even see him

[krypton2]

Great post supercowpower. From another PA driver, I agree with and do a lot of what you mentioned.

After a while you can learn the locations of the lines in your general area and slow down automatically. However, it's tough when driving in an area unfamiliar to you.

[esarratt]

Thank you supercowpowers. That was EXACTLY the kind of information I was looking for. You taught me a thing or two.

[Solidjake]

My eyes

[SteadySpeedin]

1) Never driving more than 9mph over the speed limit unless a radar detector AND a laser jammer are installed.
I could never follow this rule
2) Never driving more than 20mph above the PSL even with these devices installed.
I could never follow this rule either [replacer_img]. I regularly drive +30-35 PSL. There is little to no enforcement in PA.
3) Never speed without a rabbit.
I don't have time to wait for a rabbit. However, if I do find one along the way that's awesome. Most rabbits don't travel at my speeds [replacer_img].
4) Never speed when cresting a hill.
I do follow this rule, ever since I got pwned by I/O speeding over a hill hahaha.
5) Do not drive as fast at night.
I break the sound barrier at night [replacer_img]
6) Be alert.
I'm always alert.
7) Use your rear view mirror to check for police behind you.
I do this as well, but when they completely get rid of the Vics, I'm gonna go nuts trying to memorize all of the new police cars haha.
8) Do not pass a cop who is traveling at the speed limit.
Funny you should mention that [replacer_img] ...

[barryswanson]

My dog rides with me in my pick up. When I look in the RVM and see him drooling I know bacon must be near by.

[krypton2]

2) Never driving more than 20mph above the PSL even with these devices installed.
I could never follow this rule either [replacer_img]. I regularly drive +30-35 PSL. There is little to no enforcement in PA.

Don't come to my area, then.

[Event Horizon]

Funny you should mention that [replacer_img] ...

WOW!! That cop was an ASS. But yes, he was an idiot for passing him. What did he expect. I actually pass cops about 5 over the PSL here in FL and they don't care i've done it a few times now. But over 5 is a big risk.