The Use of Anti-Racketeering Law to Fight Speeding Tickets

Your editorial (“The Law That Ate All Common Sense,” Aug. 24) about RICO, which you describe as “a poorly drafted law,” is read not without strong emotions. Who has not been nabbed by a radar cop and fined in what was very justly felt (to be) a grossly unfair treatment?

I’m glad that the attorney involved has challenged this very inept device in court. More power to him.

In Costa Mesa, periodically, the vultures prey on the innocent, handing out costly tickets. But does this change anybody’s driving habits? No, it doesn’t.

People drive at speeds they consider appropriate--until the inevitable red light appears in their rear-view mirror.

Then you get insulted, your dignity is violated, while the officer officiously writes up another victim.

While he’s so efficiently enforcing an inept law, delaying you, the driver, and causing frustration and unneeded expense, the other, more fortunate drivers are all going by, each one driving exactly the same as you had been, three lanes of them at a time. When I pointed this out to the last cop, he was insulted. I thought he was going to handcuff me and take me to jail!

The simple point is that nobody’s driving habits are changed. People use common sense.

All any of us want to do is get where we’re going safely.

Why don’t they get out in traffic and drive with us instead of sneaking up on us in ambush?

SETH STORM

Costa Mesa