This is pretty remarkable; we took a trip this weekend starting Thursday afternoon and ending Sunday evening to go visit my wife’s grandparents who live near Columbus OH.

On the trip there we took PA I-80 basically across the entire state of Pennsylvania to OH and going home we took I-76 (PA Turnpike) back almost the entire length to get home.

In Ohio while on I-70 for about 1.5 hours we must have passed 8 Ohio Highway Patrol sitting or with a car they pulled over.

During those trips across Pennsylvania which were a good 6+ hours we saw ZERO PA State troopers going and ONE coming home and he didn’t even appear to be on duty.

What could explain such a disparity in police presence? We also noticed that people seem to drive much better in Ohio and once we got back into Pennsylvania, they were driving like the usual nutbags, recklessly and speeding like you wouldn’t believe.

folks in pa speed because little or no l e presence!!

My second sergeant said, “people act right when they see blue lights” and he was absolutely right. We used to go out and stop people for everything we could. But in the areas we worked hard had very low crime rates.

When I lived in NC everyone knew not to speed when entering VA. The VA troopers and local cops on I95 got all the overtime they wanted because they wrote so many tickets.

Remember that a portion of the ticket (was $6) goes towards retirement funding for the prior generation of cops. So it pays to write often. I’m sure it’s the same in each state.

Unless the cop writes you a “local ticket” where the city gets ALL of the monies. (Think of Lawty, Starke & Waldo Florida- known for their speed traps that have been in business for decades)

So that may have been why you saw so many in OH.

Ohio needs the revenue more than PA.

Noticed that as well on my drive from NY to AZ last month. PA? I don't think I saw any police. Ohio, I saw lots. Arkansas, I didn't see any. Oklahoma, I saw lots. New Mexico was positively crawling with cops, both municipal and state. I stopped counting at two dozen in the first hour driving south on I25 out of Albuquerque. When I got to Arizona, I only saw a few.

And yes, drivers were far better behaved in the states with a heavy police presence. I don't think revenue has anything to do with it.

Welcome to Ohio. The staties will run speed in the middle of the cities here.

I've used both roads while working the eastern half of the state (as well as NJ, MD, and DE). I'd say 40K miles a year. My speculation would be this was simple happenstance. Some days I'd see 4 cars in less than an hour, maybe they hoped you would see 1 or 2, then think it was open ahead. Sometimes they're all on the opposite side. Simple, they are all busy somewhere. Less populated = less trouble. Less trouble = less patroled.

OSHP is famous for targeting out of staters. Mainly because they know they wont return to Ohio to contest the pinch.
And they work I-75 to death right after the Cincy Bengals games to target people back home northbound.
I worked for years sharing the jurisdiction with OSHP. I dont like to trash other cops so I will just say it was an experience!

Yeah, I’m a little more careful with an out of state plate, not that I’m crazy otherwise.

I think it could depend on the area & type of infraction. I feel there’s a little bit of ‘hands off’ in some areas.

Yesterday, drove from PA to MA & back. Seen a total of 8 LEO. Two in PA, six in CT.
Surprised there weren't more out there.

A different topic, but also surprised how such a seemingly rich area in MA has so much visible homelessness.

A buddy who drives the same trip everyday, noticed the same signs asking for help (they can't ask for money as that turns into panhandling charges) being used by multiple people who are not the regulars he sees. Then they were observed hoping into a Lexus parked nearby. Be careful of who you decide to help. Better to give to a local shelter instead.

I grew up in Ohio and now live in Michigan. It took me a while to get used to cars doing 100 on the interstates, now I don't even blink. As for Ohio's current enforcement it's about 1/3 of what it once was. Back in the days of the 55mph speed limit you could set your cruise control to 58 mph and rarely ever need to change to the left lane to pass a slower car on a drive from Cleveland to Cincinnatti, because everybody knew if you broke 60 mph you would get a ticket.

Stark difference in the two agencies scope and mission.

One is Highway Patrol and the other is the State Police.

Ohio Highway Patrol is not your typical State Police. Their primary purpose is dealing with motor vehicle issues. While they can do other things that is not what they are there for.

State Police on the other hand deal with everything and with the current staffing trends in law enforcement you’ll likely see fewer and few state police actually working the highways in the numbers like they used to unless they have a dedicated motor vehicle unit whose numbers have not been decimated.

I grew up in Ohio and we would travel to our family’s place in southern KY in the 80s and early 90s. Kentucky State Police were EVERYWHERE on I75 back then.
Now they are out occasionally because they have tons of other things to deal with.

As for Yoopers comment Ohio Highway Patrol is a different breed for sure. Glad I did not end up going to work for them many years ago.

I live in Western PA, have family in eastern PA and often traveled to Cleveland for work so I have experience driving in both states.
PA - most people I know set their cruise control for 8 over the limit. I understand that one can leave it their even through a speed trap. There aren't many state troopers present on most trips but I have seen an increased presence in the last days of the month. There are exceptions, they like the westbound lane of the turnpike about a mile before the Breezewood exit. A long downhill results in some folks moving faster than they expect. Troopers set up a speed trap with 3 or more cars. They have been doing this for at least 40 years.
PA's new tactic is speed cameras in work zones. A white SUV with flashing lights and cameras, typically at the beginning of the work zone. One receives the notice through the mail.
OH - when I started traveling to Cleveland for work, word was spread quickly that the Highway Patrol allows maybe 2 mph over the limit. I know at least one person cited for less than 5 over, he contested and lost. Perhaps it's true about out of state plates.
Now, can someone explain why Ohio drivers always seem to pass on the right, even where there is 3 lanes, I am in the travel lane and the passing lane is clear?
A second more frustrating trait of Ohio drivers. Two lane highway, like the PA Turnpike. Ohio driver doing 3 over the speed limit in the passing lane. Right lane clear for a long distance. The Ohio driver doesn't yield the passing lane and I wind up passing them on the right. Are the two traits interrelated?

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Stark difference in the two agencies scope and mission.

One is Highway Patrol and the other is the State Police.

Ohio Highway Patrol is not your typical State Police. Their primary purpose is dealing with motor vehicle issues. While they can do other things that is not what they are there for.

State Police on the other hand deal with everything and with the current staffing trends in law enforcement you’ll likely see fewer and few state police actually working the highways in the numbers like they used to unless they have a dedicated motor vehicle unit whose numbers have not been decimated.

This is the reason. I lived in WA, State Patrol. Now live in PA, State Police. Different missions.

quote:

Originally posted by SPWAMike0317:

Now, can someone explain why Ohio drivers always seem to pass on the right, even where there is 3 lanes, I am in the travel lane and the passing lane is clear?

Interesting that you say that

It seemed to me that everyone I observed while in Ohio did pass using the passing lane and most highways seemed to be 3 lane unlike PA where 2 lanes seem to be standard in many areas I think due to our terrain?

In Eastern PA, it’s brutal. Drivers here have this “By Any Means Necessary” attitude when driving to include passing. They will pass you on the right going 100 mph and if they have to, they’ll drive right up the shoulder to pass you too.

quote:

Originally posted by SPWAMike0317:
I live in Western PA, have family in eastern PA and often traveled to Cleveland for work so I have experience driving in both states.
PA - most people I know set their cruise control for 8 over the limit. I understand that one can leave it their even through a speed trap. There aren't many state troopers present on most trips but I have seen an increased presence in the last days of the month. There are exceptions, they like the westbound lane of the turnpike about a mile before the Breezewood exit. A long downhill results in some folks moving faster than they expect. Troopers set up a speed trap with 3 or more cars. They have been doing this for at least 40 years.
PA's new tactic is speed cameras in work zones. A white SUV with flashing lights and cameras, typically at the beginning of the work zone. One receives the notice through the mail.
OH - when I started traveling to Cleveland for work, word was spread quickly that the Highway Patrol allows maybe 2 mph over the limit. I know at least one person cited for less than 5 over, he contested and lost. Perhaps it's true about out of state plates.
Now, can someone explain why Ohio drivers always seem to pass on the right, even where there is 3 lanes, I am in the travel lane and the passing lane is clear?
A second more frustrating trait of Ohio drivers. Two lane highway, like the PA Turnpike. Ohio driver doing 3 over the speed limit in the passing lane. Right lane clear for a long distance. The Ohio driver doesn't yield the passing lane and I wind up passing them on the right. Are the two traits interrelated?

a friend's dad always said 'the left lane is for breaking the law'

seems here in VA it is now the slow lane,

routine drives to Nova for gunshows and if you want to move along, you mostly ride in the middle lane and pass on the right,

First time for me driving in Ohio was 1969, two friends and I taking their young cousins home outside of Cincinnati. Driving a Chevy Suburban I did my turn behind the wheel around three A.M. or so.

I’m doing around 75 or so and one of the brothers woke up and said “Slow down, the Highway Patrol loves red and white plates!” Guess it was dumb luck at that time that I didn’t get caught.

I always set the cruise on a couple of miles under the posted speed, rather not make any donations to the state.

Back in the 70's and the 80's it was common for OHP officers to give you a verbal warning if you did a few small courteous gestures. The drill is as follows, place your wallet and registration over the top of your steering wheel or on top of the dash. Turn the Dome lights on and lower the drivers side window. DO NOT EVER crack or open your car door, that is an indicator the driver may be coming out with a gun. Make sure that both hands are clearly visible and don't move them around. Finally be pleasant and don't argue or lie to the officer, meaning admit you were speeding a bit. BTW I was taught this by an OHP officer during a coffee break at the Sohio station I was working at. WE were just off a turnpike exit and made sure the coffee was on 24/7. Over the years that lesson from an OHP officer has probably resulted in me getting 40 or 50 warnings that would have been tickets. It's also resulted in 4 court cases where I got a minimal fine with nothing on my record. The last one was in Virginia for 77 in a 55 and yes the officer did state that my statement before the Court was identical to my statement at the stop and the officer also told the Court that I was very courteous and pleasant to deal with. Note, for that Court date I had a notarized copy of my Michigan Driving Record which did have some positive benefit. As the Judge stated he as going to something a bit unusual due to the courtesy shown the officer and my spotless driving record and place me on 6 months probation without and record of the offense if I didn't violate that probation. Fine was 100 dollars with a 35 dollar court cost.

Point is if you go out of your way to clearly show that you are not a threat and are very pleasant to the officer who pulled you over they it can often pay off with a simple warning. It also pays to go to Court for every citation you receive. Because the Officer and Court have the discretion to be lenient. All you have to do is work the system. Personally I have not had ANY points on my record since 1978 and I can assure you that I do occasionally shatter some speed limits.

BTW, don't ever say nothing bad about any OHP officer, you got me Willis. Back when I worked at that Sohio I heard a lot of stories, good and bad. It is not an easy job and it really sucks when you have to do a notification about some 16 years old who got careless or foolish and didn't survive.

The reason might be that Ohio has a Highway Patrol. The roadway and State property are their main beat.

PA has State Police. They handle regular calls for service also.

quote:

Originally posted by SPWAMike0317:
speed trap

enforcement detail