Karl on Cars

There are those folks out there, cynical types mostly, who think the system doesn't work. They feel like the government and the police have gone too far in the direction of "revenue generation" and lost sight of other, basic goals -- like public safety and prosecuting real criminals.

Well these people obviously weren't in Malibu this past Sunday, where a battery of police vehicles (cars, motorcycles and even a big RV with "CHP" painted on the side) were stopping every car and motorcyclist on Mulholland just west of The Rock Store. Yes, every motorist that passed -- at least until their ability to process folks was maxxed out, then they'd let a few vehicles slip by until the next slot in their mobile prosecution center opened up. Your speed didn't matter, nor the operating condition of your bike or car (though they were gunning people as they came up the hill, so if they could get you for speed they would).

If you're the squemish type you might have thought the barking orders from annoyed officers -- "Pull over! Where's your license and registration?!" -- was a bit disturbing. And maybe seeing some guys (like the ones who pulled over because their riding buddies had been stopped) yelled at and told, "Hey! If you weren't directed to pull over don't pull over!" would disturb you if you were one of those alarmist, paranoid "Police State" kooks. Just try to forget that this particular stretch of road is normally a scenic lookout and, at least once upon a time, was originally set up to encourage people to pull over and enjoy the view in this rural setting.

But not me. I simply did as I was told and thanked the officers for showing me the error of my ways. Imagine, riding a motorcycle, at the posted speed limit, along a mountain road in scenic Malibu -- I'm such a nut! According to the police this is the result of numerous complaints from local citizens about excessive speed on these canyon roads. The revenue generated by the "No Front Plate" (on cars) or "No Mirrors" (on motorcycles) or the speeders popped as they came up the hill (I never saw anyone busted for that last offense...) was not a driving factor according to him. When I followed up with a question about whether or not the operation was a money loser for the state...well...he admitted it wasn't. But I'm sure someone's heart -- somewhere -- is in the right place. If the state happens to rake in some major cash that's just an unfortunate side effect.

Me? I enjoyed my final visit to The Rock Store and my final ride on Mulholland west of Cornell Drive. I've already moved my family and residence out of L.A. County, now I can assure my recreational activity steers clear as well. The rural roads are just as plentiful -- and picturesque -- heading north from my house, and far fewer cars are painted black-and-white in that direction. Yes, the random speed traps exist up there like they do everywhere else, but I've never seen a parade of patrol cars and motorcycles, along with a police-badged recreational vehicle, parked along a major thoroughfare to stop every motorist that passes.

If more motorcyclists follow my lead it could mean the Malibu Millionaires in their Mulholland McMansions will no longer have the indignity of seeing/hearing two-wheeled vehicles. And it means I (and probably lots of others) will no longer spend my time or energy (or money) in the city of Malibu. And think of all those upstanding Malibu residents (like Mel Gibson, for instance) who will be spared this "bad element" in their pure and wholesome city. Really, everyone wins when you think about it (except maybe those pesky business owners at The Rock Store, and maybe some of the other restaurants and gas stations, but history suggests that hurting the small business owner is always a good move).

I say the system is working perfectly. What say you?