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Pushing the speed limit? Beware the drones

Original post made on Apr 1, 2016

Editor's note: This article was posted on April 1 -- April Fools' Day. It is satire, and thus, while occasionally referencing reality, it does not represent the opinions or intended actions of any real people.

The next time you're on the road and thinking of putting the pedal to the metal, think again: The Palo Alto Police Department will soon be adding a new weapon to its arsenal -- drones that can catch speeding drivers.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, April 1, 2016, 9:53 AM

Comments (20)

Posted by pedestrian
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Apr 1, 2016 at 10:21 am

Speeding and running stop signs are so rampant in this city that we should encourage the police to use all possible technology to make our streets safer. Right now, the priority of the city is to increase traffic flow at the expense of pedestrian safety.

Saving lives is no joke.


Posted by bill1940
a resident of Menlo Park
on Apr 1, 2016 at 10:29 am

LOL ! Actually, except for following and pasting, this is a good idea. Once in London a young woman was "ticketed" because she was seen on video surveillance putting on her makeup while driving. She protested. They showed her the photo. She paid. YES!


Posted by Paul Goldstein
a resident of Palo Verde
on Apr 1, 2016 at 10:31 am

Will the drone also be equipped with a Siri who can read the perp his Miranda rights if she resists arrest?


Posted by na
a resident of Menlo Park
on Apr 1, 2016 at 10:33 am

na is a registered user.

April Fools!


Posted by Tina
a resident of Mountain View
on Apr 1, 2016 at 11:00 am

This would be freaking AWESOME!


Posted by Daniel
a resident of Palo Alto Hills
on Apr 1, 2016 at 11:11 am

So, the drone drops off the ticket on someone's windshield when they come to a stop.

Let's say it's at a stoplight. So, now as a driver, you have to get out of your car at the stoplight and grab your ticket? What if the red light turns green and you have to get out of your car and grab it?

Meanwhile, everyone behind you is honking or impatient.

This is dangerous.


Posted by Resident8
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 1, 2016 at 11:15 am

Resident8 is a registered user.

Nice April Fools article. Very creative and I enjoyed it immensely.


Posted by Barbara
a resident of Downtown North
on Apr 1, 2016 at 11:19 am

What a great idea! Next, we need to do something about the thoughtless #$%^&* pedestrians who step off curbs to cross streets AGAINST the lights!! HELP is needed here.


Posted by Squeak
a resident of University South
on Apr 1, 2016 at 12:22 pm

Now THAT is a funny, well-written April Fool's joke!!! You even got my co-worker! First thing I said was, what's the date of the article? Yes, April 1st. HA! Love it.


Posted by Midtown Guy
a resident of Midtown
on Apr 1, 2016 at 12:25 pm

Wish the Weekly would do this kind of satire once a week instead of once a year!
The imaginative writing is so freaking good!


Posted by Ben T
a resident of College Terrace
on Apr 1, 2016 at 1:25 pm

Darn it. I got all the way to the "hovers to check for eye contact" before I realized I was being had. Well done!!


Posted by I wish!
a resident of Palo Verde
on Apr 1, 2016 at 3:12 pm

Omg. If only this was true. P


Posted by Defense
a resident of Downtown North
on Apr 1, 2016 at 3:38 pm

Glad Tesla has the anti-drone defense option available. I'm sure GM will acquire a start up providing after market counter measures.


Posted by May Fool U
a resident of Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2016 at 5:48 pm

April Fools is so childish and needs to go away for good.

But what is really foolish is Palo Alto Online charging people to read these articles, and I do not mean this one specifically either.


Posted by Stretch
a resident of another community
on Apr 1, 2016 at 6:08 pm

Stretch is a registered user.

Darn, I liked that idea (but I live in Oregon, and there's no Clatchamoo).


Posted by April Foolery
a resident of Mountain View
on Apr 1, 2016 at 6:43 pm

I'm picturing the poor disappointed drone that can't ticket the speeder who has just sped across the city line without stopping.


(Kudos and thank you to Edie Torincheef! This is one of the best-written and most fun April Fool's articles I've ever read.)


Posted by BewaretheDrone
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Apr 1, 2016 at 7:20 pm

What we really need in Palo Alto is Drone Cross Walk Gaurds to stop all manner of distracted millenials drinking their lattes and texting while talking on earbuds from walking into the paths of cars like the universe owes them a Captain America invisible shield. We need Drones to be cross walk Nannies for these people who don't know any better that to step out into the middle of the street and stop the flow of traffic because they are so self absorbed and entitled. It's impossible to get through downtown these days in under 20 minutes.


Posted by Dana Raymond
a resident of Atherton
on Apr 1, 2016 at 9:46 pm

I didn't get it until I read Clatchamoo, Oregon. Knowing that no such town exists in the state, I knew something mischievous was afoot. Well done, Palo Alto Online ;)


Posted by scout
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Apr 2, 2016 at 3:29 pm

This is not funny as we know deep government hates us Americans.


Posted by funny
a resident of South of Midtown

on Apr 2, 2016 at 6:50 pm

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