How to stop speeders?

[wells conklin]

Here's the scenario: rural setting, small village near metro area. 35 MPH speed limit, but they go by all day and most of the night at speeds, at times well above 60, even 70. (I'm pretty good at estimating) There have been several serious accidents (thankfully no fatalities) in the past several years as it is a straight stretch of road, houses on both sides, and then a downhill stretch that cannot be seen until one is close to where the downhill begins. At 35 MPH it's not dangerous but at 50 its starts to get a little scary. The police won't agressively patrol. City councils are deaf. Any ideas -- legal ones -- to make 'em ease up on the gas pedal? For example, I know one town that put an old Hiway Patrol cruiser on an approach near the city limits with a manequin. That seems to slow the traffic but we don't have one of those old cruisers around. (Not saying where this is for my own reasons, and one can only guess because it's not my beloved home state listed on my bio.)

[Eric DeSilva]

I know one town that put an old Hiway Patrol cruiser on an approach near the city limits with a manequin.

I spotted a police car parked on the side of the road about 3 mi. away driving through Oklahoma once--dead straight road, you could see for miles, but I dutifully crawled along at the posted speed limit. It wasn't until I got next to him that I saw he was only 3/4" thick.

Maybe a painted plywood picture of a police car? Probably wouldn't stop regulars who have seen it more than once, but might work on the newbies.

[Randal Stevenson]

If you find a vehicle that the front looks like a police vehicle (old Crown vic, with properly aligned headlights, etc), you could park it backwards, at the end of a driveway (won't help once they learn).

Hotwheels has a radar gun, seen people using it to slow down speeders (both sets off radar detectors, and person looks (not dressed) like a cop).
Had some problems with some kids going through my area, years ago. I had a full length hedge, hid behind it, and rolled out a big pink, children's ball into the street. They slammed on their brakes, expecting a kid to follow. (and it slowed them down)

[Mitchell Andrus]

Old refrigerator?
.

[Dan Friedrichs]

Sit outside with a hairdryer?

[Mike Henderson]

Is the road used by regulars, or is it mainly used by visitors? If it's regulars, nothing like a fake police car is going to work.

But if it's used by regulars, you'd think they'd be aware of the dangers of the road and adjust their driving to the road. If regulars, my guess is that they believe they can drive the road safely at those speeds. Also,is it only young drivers speeding or is it everyone? If experienced drivers are speeding, it would indicate they believe the speed is safe for the road.

About the only way to slow people down in those situations is to have the road be bad, with lots of holes, for example.

Mike

[Paul Atkins]

1 1/2" pipe across the road.

[James Jaragosky]

1 1/2" pipe across the road.

You could stand there naked

[Rod Upfold]

Maybe this...?


Rod

[Bill Cunningham]

1 1/2" pipe across the road.

Not such a bad Idea.. There are some folks that still think those rubber hose traffic counters they stretch across the road are speed indicators. Lay a black rubber hose across the road and see what happens!

[Steve knight]

get one of those radar signs that display speed and attach a camera flash on it that goes off above 30. see what happens (g)

[Mike Heidrick]

get one of those radar signs that display speed and attach a camera flash on it that goes off above 30. see what happens (g)

Heck, that has the makings for a quarter mile track test. That or a see how high the numbers can go test.

[Steve knight]

Heck, that has the makings for a quarter mile track test. That or a see how high the numbers can go test.

except you missed the flash part of it. they will think it is a camera speed trap

[Charles Wiggins]

Assuming that most of the offenders are male, how about roadside cutouts of scantily clad women?

[Steve knight]

that would just cause wrecks. reminds me of a teen bimbo in New Zealand decided it would be cool to flash her chest to drivers going by. one guy got so distracted he ran into her.