Stripes on the highway

[Welpe]

No...I don't mean the ones designating lanes. :lol:

I noticed while driving south on 101 from San Jose to SLO that there are these horizontal white stripes on the shoulder. They seem to be spaced out every mile or so. I thought they were used for speed enforcement via aircraft, but you folks said on here that is illegal in CA. Does anyone know what they are there for?

Thanks!

[Your Mentor]

I don't know who said aircraft enforcement was illegal in California. The fact is, it's totally legal, well posted, and we do it all the time. There is a thread on speed traps and I think it explains all that can be explained. And, yes, that's what those horizontal marks are for. On some highways it's simply a couple of breaks in the solid white fog line.

[Welpe]

I was a bit vague on my wording, let me try again and see if this makes any more sense. Obviously speed enforcement via aircraft is legal. I was under the impression (from the speed trap thread) that using the lines to time the distance traveled and writing a ticket off of that was illegal.

[retchp]

That is correct, however timing your aircraft through the measured mile and converting your airspeed to groundspeed while maintaining visual contact and a static differential with the vehicle you are watching (he does not gain or fall behind your point of reference) means that your and his groundspeed are equal...ergo you know how fast the vehicle under consideration is traveling so you call a ground unit to issue the cite.

[Welpe]

Ah I get it now! It's used to obtain a proper pace from the air then.

Thank you retchp for the clarification.

And here I thought the signs meant this... :badgrin:

http://www.alschreiber.org/images/speed.jpg

[bcjack]

After driving the local freeways a lot lately, I wish that "Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft" did mean what your photo shows. 80-85 in the #2 lane is the norm...any slower and you get the finger and the dirty looks.

[Welpe]

Are you talking about 101 in the SM area? If you, you're not kidding!

[dw]

After driving the local freeways a lot lately, I wish that "Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft" did mean what your photo shows. 80-85 in the #2 lane is the norm...any slower and you get the finger and the dirty looks.

This is a bit long, but if anyone hasn't seen this video, take a look:
http://www.405themovie.com/Home.asp

[bcjack]

Yep...U.S. 101 from Santa Maria to Buellton...then Gaviota to Goleta....Go 80+ or get run over!!!

[SB 405]

Funny video dw,love the old gal givin' the finger. I drive the 405 and pass LAX twice a day as part of my commute with planes landing over my head by only a few hundred feet. Guess I better start looking up in the sky a little more:lol: as I drive past.

[bcjack]

dw...Great movie!!!:biggrin: