Should Storm Chasing Be Regulated?

[Steve Miller]

Let us all know when you launch your club website and get those designer stickers ready for all the REAL storm chaser cars. I'll sit idly by and look forward to seeing what you come up with that's better than what's already out there.
I wouldn't mind knowing what a few of those chaser-related questions might be that differentiate a spotter test from a chaser test.
Oh, and stop being offended by someone challenging you.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Let us all know when you launch your club website and get those designer stickers ready for all the REAL storm chaser cars. I'll sit idly by and look forward to seeing what you come up with that's better than what's already out there.
I wouldn't mind knowing what a few of those chaser-related questions might be that differentiate a spotter test from a chaser test.
Oh, and stop being offended by someone challenging you.

First of all, I'm not offended but I'm not going to sit idly as someone is throwing assumptions my way. Also, I already said I have no intentions of doing this myself if people thought it was a good idea (which doesn't seem to be the case). It was just an idea...that's it. And please don't be offended if I suggest that things could maybe be improved on. I would appreciate it though if you make sure you at least read what is said before you assume what my intentions are.

 

[Brandon Goforth]

Nothing, because storm chasing never will be and it shouldn't be regulated. Forcing it would be impossible, I would love to see them try proving that I am a storm chaser.

That's why I think the only possible way would be to pass some kind of loitering laws. So, if there is a dangerous storm in the area, and there are groups of people parked on the side of the road, they could get you for obstructing traffic in an emergency situation. But, that would have to be for everyone, as they couldn't pick and choose who is a "valid" chaser and who isn't. There will never be "chaser permits" given out. They also couldn't get you for just driving around when a storm is present. It would have to be from parking on the side of the road. Even then, something like that isn't likely to happen, but it is possible. And if you think about it, loitering laws would not be that far fetched at all. In fact, I could almost see it happening at some point. Now would they be enforced? Probably not, but that would be the decision of law officers in the field, who would probably be more concerned with a dangerous storm approaching their community.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

That's why I think the only possible way would be to pass some kind of loitering laws. So, if there is a dangerous storm in the area, and there are groups of people parked on the side of the road, they could get you for obstructing traffic in an emergency situation. But, that would have to be for everyone, as they couldn't pick and choose who is a "valid" chaser and who isn't. There will never be "chaser permits" given out. They also couldn't get you for just driving around when a storm is present. It would have to be from parking on the side of the road. Even then, something like that isn't likely to happen, but it is possible. And if you think about it, loitering laws would not be that far fetched at all. In fact, I could almost see it happening at some point. Now would they be enforced? Probably not, but that would be the decision of law officers in the field, who would probably be more concerned with a dangerous storm approaching their community.

Good point, I could see that happening sometime in the future as well

 

[rdale]

Good point, I could see that happening sometime in the future as well

But read his last line again... Unenforceable. It's already illegal to pull over on most roads (all highways along with major state roadways) yet that isn't enforced. How could you expect dirt paths to get enforced with a new loitering law?

 

[Jacob Ferden]

The whole "lets regulate chasing" is stupid and I don't know why we keep having this come up.

Why? IMO, it is because some people feel the hordes of chasers out there cause problems for them. Personally, they don't bother me.

IMO, this is similar to the thread about the people who sold video for $20 a second or whatever. Some people blew a cork over that but, IMO, it's a free country, do what you wish.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

But read his last line again... Unenforceable. It's already illegal to pull over on most roads (all highways along with major state roadways) yet that isn't enforced. How could you expect dirt paths to get enforced with a new loitering law?

They won't and as stated the law won't be enforced for now anyway. I could see it being enforced more if law enforcement decides to crack down on us...which like I said is my fear and the whole point of this thread in the first place.

 

[rdale]

I could see it being enforced more if law enforcement decides to crack down on us

That assumes 1) there are officers sitting around during a tornado event who aren't spotting or rescuing and 2) they are interested enough to drive down dirt roads and enforce it. Assuming it takes about 5 minutes to write a ticket, and he pulls in behind a string of 10 cars, then by the time he wrote a single ticket the entire mass has moved over two streets and set up again. And by the time of officer gets there (all of this assumes he has NOTHING ELSE TO DO IN A SEVERE WEATHER EVENT) then the chaseconvoy has moved again.

Or, in a shorter sentence -- unenforceable so no laws will be coming.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

That assumes 1) there are officers sitting around during a tornado event who aren't spotting or rescuing and 2) they are interested enough to drive down dirt roads and enforce it. Assuming it takes about 5 minutes to write a ticket, and he pulls in behind a string of 10 cars, then by the time he wrote a single ticket the entire mass has moved over two streets and set up again. And by the time of officer gets there (all of this assumes he has NOTHING ELSE TO DO IN A SEVERE WEATHER EVENT) then the chaseconvoy has moved again.

Or, in a shorter sentence -- unenforceable so no laws will be coming.

That's true I suppose...but sometimes law enforcement people can be jerks too so it wouldn't surprise me if it still happened at some point if they wanted to crack down...not to mention I've seen plenty of chasers sitting along the sides of roads 'waiting' for their storm to get its act together which would give the officer plenty of time to write out some tickets

 

[mike scantlin]

Jeremy, the reason we all seem agitated by your "save the world" thread is that it's been discussed more than enough, and no matter how different you think your ideas are, you're beating a dead horse. I'm surprised people are even replying. I expected a facepalm.jpg or two and that's it. I admire you wanting to help out the chaser overpopulation, but it's just not possible.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

I hear you and by no means meant to annoy people by bringing it up again...nice picture btw

 

[Shane Adams]

That's why I think the only possible way would be to pass some kind of loitering laws. So, if there is a dangerous storm in the area, and there are groups of people parked on the side of the road, they could get you for obstructing traffic in an emergency situation. But, that would have to be for everyone, as they couldn't pick and choose who is a "valid" chaser and who isn't. There will never be "chaser permits" given out. They also couldn't get you for just driving around when a storm is present. It would have to be from parking on the side of the road. Even then, something like that isn't likely to happen, but it is possible. And if you think about it, loitering laws would not be that far fetched at all. In fact, I could almost see it happening at some point. Now would they be enforced? Probably not, but that would be the decision of law officers in the field, who would probably be more concerned with a dangerous storm approaching their community.

Does a LEO really have the time to write petty tickets while his town or county is being threatened by dangerous weather? I'd guess not.

It seems to me the ones who want to regulate chasing and have round table discussions to death about it are the ones who really haven't chased much or seen anything. Believe me, when you're chasing hardcore and busy trying to find storms and tornadoes, you don't have time to sit around and create ways to regulate what's a very free and independent activity.

Why are we having this discussion once again on ST? Because that's what a forum full of non-chasers produces - talk.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Does a LEO really have the time to write petty tickets while his town or county is being threatened by dangerous weather? I'd guess not.

It seems to me the ones who want to regulate chasing and have round table discussions to death about it are the ones who really haven't chased much or seen anything. Believe me, when you're chasing hardcore and busy trying to find storms and tornadoes, you don't have time to sit around and create ways to regulate what's a very free and independent activity.

Why are we having this discussion once again on ST? Because that's what a forum full of non-chasers produces - talk.

Hmm, are you trying to imply that I'm a non-chaser or haven't chased much because I brought up this topic? That seems kind of silly to me but I guess you are entitled to your opinion. Also, as I already said I have seen PLENTY of chasers waiting along sides of roads waiting for a storm to get its act together. In other words, before the storm has become extremely dangerous which would give LEO plenty of time to write out those pretty pink tickets if he wanted to while observing the storm himself...

 

[Greg Stumpf]

But read his last line again... Unenforceable. It's already illegal to pull over on most roads (all highways along with major state roadways) yet that isn't enforced. How could you expect dirt paths to get enforced with a new loitering law?

Enforceable today, likely not. But if you consider some of these technologies applied to traffic enforcement

http://www.identecsolutions.com/electroniclicenseplate.html
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6404327.html
http://www.strangenewproducts.com/2005/10/electronic-license-plates.html

perhaps in the not too distant future a cop could just easily drive by chasers electronically cite them for various violations. Multiple violations and the e-plate system could disable your vehicle, or only allow it to be driven away from the hazard area.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Hmm, are you trying to imply that I'm a non-chaser or haven't chased much because I brought up this topic? That seems kind of silly to me but I guess you are entitled to your opinion.

I do not know if that's what Shane was trying to imply but I most certainly am. (And I mean this in the nicest way possible)

This thread is exactly why newbies should not be allowed to post in the Weather and Chasing forum IMO. At the top of the page it specifically says: "Meteorology discussion by experienced chasers and meteoroogist..." This topic HAS BEEN BEAT TO DEATH as Mike Scantlin has eluded and is not only redundant but more than shows your experince as a chaser as well as someone who posts on this forum. (1st clue)

Jeremy, the clues you have given that have led me to this fact are many and include more than just your join date (2cd clue). However, there is no shame in being new, not knowing how things operate or what questions to ask. This is the reason why ST has "elementary" section....a place where you can learn as you grow as a chaser and then "work" into the more advanced threads and topics. Not taking the time to see if a certain topic has already been covererd before you try to save the world (3rd clue) only promotes others to do the same and IMO is nothing more than "noise" which is only going to generate more noise by newbies as well as seasoned chasers.

It might be advantageous for you as well as all newbies to READ MORE, POST LESS. This will help you not only learn as a chaser but will also give you much insight as to how and what kind of of reactions you will get to your threads in this forum.

Seeing that this topic has been covered in GREAT DETAIL already I will keep it short....Freedome of Assembly.