Definition of Idiot

[dbacks fan]

http://krmg.com/blogs/the_krmg_morning_news_blog/2010/12/video-okc-youtube-speeder-bust.html

[heironymouspasparagus]

Well, if it weren't for the "unwarranted government intrusion" into people's lives, there could (and should be!) at least one more little regulation that would require the automakers to limit the top speed possible to some number a little bit over the maximum nationwide speed limit.  I propose 85 mph (or 80).  And if some smart-$$$ state wants to raise their limit to 100, well tough.  Build better roads, then, but don't ask for help from the rest of the nation.  (And as pre-emptive reply to whiners about "passing speed"   .   What a crock!  And you know it!)

There is no valid excuse for a personal vehicle to go faster than 80 - 85.

That would be about two lines of code in any of the embedded devices used by any/all of the automakers and would cost about 50 bucks, that would be spread over the 10 million cars sold every year.  No brainer, but won't happen because of no brain.

[Conan71]

Future Darwin winner.

What a complete tool.  Or lack thereof.  1000 HP Corvettes are generally considered a penis extension.

[Red Arrow]

There is no valid excuse for a personal vehicle to go faster than 80 - 85.

After all, it's a well know fact that any car traveling on the German Autobahn in excess of 130 km/hr instantly becomes unstable, swerves from lane to lane and quickly kills everyone within 1/2 km.

Your 80-85 mph limit is just as arbitrary as the 55 mph limit was.

When I was in Germany in 1995, there were several groups of speeds on the Autobahn where it was unlimited. (Speeds were limited on some stretches of the Autobahn such as urban areas.)   A lot of drivers did go about 85 mph. Another group went about 100 mph.  Americans on vacation went however fast their rental car would go, 200 km/hr (125 mph) in my case with a BMW 316.  Then there were the fast guys.  I got my doors blown off by a motorcycle while I was going 200 km/hr.  Mostly the Germans appeared to drive their wallet speed.  Always driving fast is expensive in gas, tires, and general maintenance.

I will concede one major point.  Germans actually have to learn to drive before getting their license.  Driving includes such things as lane discipline as well as go forward, back up, etc.

[dbacks fan]

Future Darwin winner.

We actually had a Darwin winner last night.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/1-killed-in-overnight-wreck-in-Biltmore-neighborhood-112373664.html

And an almost winner.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/12/21/20101221arizona-motorcycle-crash-157-mph.html

[Red Arrow]

If our speed limits were actually based on safety rather than revenue generation and allowing for the least capable driver in the worst possible weather conditions, maybe (most) drivers would be inclined to obey them.  There will, however, always be someone trying for a Darwin award.

[patric]

The press release is oddly vague as to how OHP "tracked him down" given the video as the only piece of evidence.
Did some internet provider cave into pressure on a "reckless driving" investigation?

[dbacks fan]

The press release is oddly vague as to how OHP "tracked him down" given the video as the only piece of evidence.
Did some internet provider cave into pressure on a "reckless driving" investigation?

"Replogle, 30, of Oklahoma City, was arrested Monday on two complaints of reckless driving in connection with the pair of YouTube videos, West said. He has not been charged and has since been released on bail.

The videos, taken from inside the car, show it rocketing past other vehicles as if they were standing still, the Corvette's engine roaring as the driver accelerates and shifts gears.

West said the patrol received an e-mail from someone complaining about the videos, which were posted by someone using the YouTube handle "cody111280" and boasting of driving more than 195 mph. Replogle's date of birth is Nov. 12, 1980.

Patrol officials decided to try to track down the person who posted the videos, whom West identified as Replogle.

Replogle told troopers he is the owner of the car, described in the videos' descriptions as having an engine with more than 1,000 horsepower, and was driving it when the videos were taken and that he was responsible for the YouTube posts.

One of the videos was taken on the Kilpatrick Turnpike and the other on Broadway Extension.

Both videos had been taken down from the site Wednesday night.

A link to an eBay auction of the Corvette that ended Dec. 7 was posted with the YouTube videos.

The top bid of $15,000 did not meet the reserve price.

"I was extremely concerned with Mr. Replogle's reckless driving and thought the YouTube posts might encourage others to do the same thing in order to garner attention," patrol Chief Van Guillotte said in a news release. "Our roadways are absolutely no place for this type of dangerous driving behavior or stunts."

West said he didn't know if anyone was in the car with Replogle when he made the videos.

Replogle did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday."

http://www.newsok.com/troopers-use-youtube-to-catch-oklahoma-city-speeder/article/3525989#

Plus he entered through a Pike Pass lane, and probaly exited through a Pike Pass lane.

[YoungTulsan]

Maybe they checked registration records for 1000HP corvettes?

[patric]

Plus he entered through a Pike Pass lane, and probaly exited through a Pike Pass lane.

That might be closer to explaining the gap between the video appearing on YouTube and him talking to troopers.
Still, that's a lot of computerized Pikepass images of tag numbers to go through; such a surveillance system would have to have a lot of automation.

[Conan71]

That might be closer to explaining the gap between the video appearing on YouTube and him talking to troopers.
Still, that's a lot of computerized Pikepass images of tag numbers to go through; such a surveillance system would have to have a lot of automation.

I'd think his unique transponder code and some simple D= R*T would nail him.  I'm kind of surprised the OTA and OHP have never resorted to that, they've got the capability.  Great little fund-raiser.

[patric]

I'd think his unique transponder code and some simple D= R*T would nail him.  I'm kind of surprised the OTA and OHP have never resorted to that, they've got the capability.  Great little fund-raiser.

That's how they supposedly do it in China, the bastion of freedom.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_number_plate_recognition#China

[Red Arrow]

The Pennsylvania Turnpike used to time drivers between entrance and exit even in the 50s and 60s.  When you got on the turnpike, you got card with the price to all the exits in your direction and it was time stamped.  When you got off, the toll taker could/would check your time.  If you had been zipping along you could get a ticket. If you stopped at a turnpike restaurant, your total elapsed time could be OK.   When radar was first available to the State Police, they would often double dip by setting up another spot about 5 miles after the first one.  It was usually just far enough that "speeders" would get their nerve back and step on the gas again.

[dbacks fan]

The Pennsylvania Turnpike used to time drivers between entrance and exit even in the 50s and 60s.  When you got on the turnpike, you got card with the price to all the exits in your direction and it was time stamped.  When you got off, the toll taker could/would check your time.  If you had been zipping along you could get a ticket. If you stopped at a turnpike restaurant, your total elapsed time could be OK.   When radar was first available to the State Police, they would often double dip by setting up another spot about 5 miles after the first one.  It was usually just far enough that "speeders" would get their nerve back and step on the gas again.

The OTA used to do that. I can remember geting to OKC, or Tulsa, and getting looks from the attendant as to the elapsed time on the ticket. My best time gate to gate was an hour and eight minutes.

[TUalum0982]

The OTA used to do that. I can remember geting to OKC, or Tulsa, and getting looks from the attendant as to the elapsed time on the ticket. My best time gate to gate was an hour and eight minutes.

when I was young and dumb, I remember following a Porsche something or other the entire way to OKC.  I made it from gate to gate in exactly 53 minutes.  120mph a majority of the way.  I look back now, and think how stupid it was.