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Speeders can get cited from a flying CHP officer

Q. Honk: Just got back from a 13-day California road trip and frequently noticed the highway signs that say “SPEED ENFORCED BY AIRCRAFT.” But I never saw any such aircraft. Is the California Highway Patrol still doing this? And if so, how many aircraft are in use?

– Bill Jones, Costa Mesa

A. Yes, the CHP does indeed still have aircraft that go after speeders, with 15 helicopters and 15 airplanes sprinkled at airfields around the state, including in Fullerton, Apple Valley and Thermal.

Besides helping nab speeders, they also do search and rescues, pursuits, surveillances and convert into ambulances in the sky.

In regard to speed enforcement, they tend to fly above less-populated, wide-open stretches such as in the desert where some motorists tend to press down on the accelerator too much.

“We’re going after the high speeders who are weaving and could cause a big accident,” said Officer Larry O’Brien, the CHP’s chief flight officer up in Sacramento.

Here is how it works:

Up in the sky, the pilot and another officer see a speeder who is unaware an officer or two is above. (Sometimes, it is just one officer onboard).

Using markings on the freeway’s shoulder that look like a “-” or a “+” every half-mile, the pilot matches the speeder’s pace for at least that long. The aircraft’s knots are converted into mph, and a patrol car, perhaps poised on an on-ramp, is directed to the offender.

The officer in the patrol car hits the lights and eventually hands over the ticket. The officer listed as citing the violation is up above; he or she saw the law broken. If the ticket is disputed, O’Brien said, both officers go to court.

Q. Honk: I have several road flares that are probably more than 40 years old. Where can I dispose of them?

– Charles Beal, Yorba Linda

A. Because you are an Orange County resident, Charles, you can take them to one of four hazardous-waste sites the county provides; they are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, said Jesus Perez, program manager for the hazardous-waste collection centers.

For the addresses, go to oclandfills.com.

“We love people like this guy who goes the extra mile to do the right thing,” said Ruth Wardwell, strategic communications manager for Orange County Waste & Recycling.

Now, some stuff can’t be discarded at these centers, such as marine flares, which are more powerful than their roadway brethren, fireworks and ammo. Call your local police agency to ask how to get rid of such things.

If you live outside of Orange County and want to know how to dispose of road flares, call your local city hall or county administration.

Perez had another suggestion for marine flares: “Residents may also choose to contact their marine flare retailers to inquire about potential take-back programs.”

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk


Source: Orange County Register

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