Lets discuss Traffic enforcement
 

My recent run in with Johnny law got me to thinking about all this .
I took a few liberties and got pinched . Im willing to pay for my crimes against humanity .
But, .... I honestly consider myself far more capable at judging the safety , and road worthiness of a vehicle, than the average officer.
I've been licensed to repair, inspect and test vehicles for over 35 years in Pa. I am very familiar with all the Pa inspection regulations, and a lot of the Pa vehicle code .
I try to keep up with all the regulations related to my industry . I've eaten and slept vehicles and vehicle repair my entire adult life . That being said, there is no way anyone could ever know or understand all of the vehicle code . I used to question the local officer about the legality of certain things , and even him, a seasoned officer , would sometimes have to refer to the 3 inch thick vehicle code book .
The other night, these two officers made me feel like I was being a menace to society for my placement of my license plate , and not having my current inspection on the window .
My license plate is magnetic. All they had to do , was ask me to move it . I mentioned that , and the answer was no . My having the plate where I did, was only because I have observed other towing companies do the same thing for decades. It was not out of negligence, laziness, or any attempt to skirt detection from authorities . j
I explained to them that I have a book of stickers in my desk at work, and I could simply " slap " a sticker on, but that I do not roll like that , and every vehicle that I own, gets inspected and documented to the letter of the law ever year .
This is a pretty interesting read about the current state of traffic enforcement .
https://rightoncrime.com/lets-reconsider-traffic-enforcement/
Love to hear some back and forth on all of this . It does , at times, just feel like another tax .

I drove through SC last week and saw at least 20 leo with people pulled over. Most of them getting a free search. A lot of the cruisers being unmarked or “ghost” decal.

Yeah. It’s turning into a police state. At least you didn’t get pumped full of lead for pulling up your trousers. So I’ll take that as a win.


I got popped on a photo radar ticket in a school zone. Not really a school zone as it’s a double one way road that’s just next to the school. Anyways speed limit is 35. For 4 hours a day they lower it to 25. Clipped the last 5 mins of the speed trap at 36 mph. Pay up or you can’t renew registration.

I wish I could borrow some of those cops for around here.

In front of my place for about a kilometre the speed has gone down from 50km/h (30mph) to 30 Km/h and a number of times I've had people road raging me for doing 30Km/h. Thinking I'm driving extra slowly to piss them off. I explain to them it's a 30KM/h zone and also they are welcome to pass me and carry on at 60 or 70.

One young Maori girl driving a New Zealand Post courier van started calling me a c*** and a b****** I explained to her it's a 30Km/h zone and she said she didn't know, then she changed her story to accusing me of doing 10Km/h. A serious attitude problem which sadly is not unusual.

I don't get pulled over hardly at all any more and it's been a long time since I've been issued a citation.

Gotta say though...the way I cut corners with my driving - the balance sheet is way more in my favor.

None of my corner cutting puts anyone or anything at risk, so more of a technicality of what's legal and what's not.

A few months ago in the Volvo I rolled through a stop sign. Very slowly - no other vehicles in sight. LEO also questioned my tinting after he pulled me. But when he used his tint measure device - I passed. It was because when I got my tinting I made sure I was legal - no guess work. That LEO thought for sure I was too dark for the two front side windows. He let me go - no write up for anything.

One thing I have learned the hard way.....when you get pulled over......you just gotta say yes sir...no sir....sorry sir.....

I'm sure there are great cops out there ( I actually know one) However every one I've ever interacted with has been a flaming arsehole that doesn't know the law. I have no use for them

A bad apple spoils the whole orchard

Being cynical... Most of what the cops do is about revenue for the state.

I hope that's not true.

Most stops for minor infractions are an excuse to see if you’re drunk, high, etc. Basically to see if they can justify searching your vehicle. Being polite, and not a stoned deadbeat, goes a long way. Lots of good cops out there and it’s a very thankless job. I try to keep that in mind.

The main road by my house is two lanes in each direction with a very wide median, bike lanes on each side of the road, sidewalks on each side and well set back from the bike lanes. Yet the speed limit is 35. Everyone goes 45-50. A neighbor complained and they raised it to 45. Another neighbor complained and they lowered back to 35. In 15 yrs here the only two accidents on this road were teenagers texting and running off the road, nothing speed related. Yet the Phoenix PD has a bike cop out here a few times a week, usually in the morning, popping anyone going 10 or more over. And several nights a week we have drag racers and crotch rockets going warp speed down the road in the middle of the night. It's very loud and the cops are never around then, only during business hours when they can get the low-hanging fruit.

Oh, and you can do the online traffic school and get out of the fine and points, but it costs as much as the fine. And if you go to court, you waive your right to traffic school. Effin tax collectors.

All too often it's about the money. Locals know well about the I-5 speed trap at Coburg, Oregon. It became so bad that the State legislature passed a law saying municipalities could only issue citations in their own territories.

What did the city of Coburg do? Bought property adjoining I-5...

That’s not true. They profile anyone. Young girls, old people. Middle aged. Race. Asset forfeiture. ;)

I saw an old couple getting searched on side of the interstate in an older Altima a few days ago.

I don't know about PA inspection laws but I am generally pro law enforcement. I want them to keep the peace, reel in reckless drivers and DUI who put the public at risk, and pull over those with expired tags in case the vehicle is stolen.

The last time I got stopped I was heading south in NV on I-93 a 2 lane highway with the Porsche. There were 2x18 wheelers tucked up tight as we climbed a long grade and well, a downshift and full throttle application made short work of passing both. I got off the throttle and was gradually coasting as I crested the hill with a state trooper waiting just over the top. Oops.

He flashed, I pulled over, and I was still probably doing 90 in a 70 zone after winding down from the pass @ over 100 mph. I apologized for not paying careful attention to my speed, took my licks, and paid $180 to the state for 10 over although I am sure I was 20 over when tagged. My contribution to NV law enforcement and the 1st ticket in 10 years. I can't take this stuff personally as the old guy was just doing his job and he had me cold on radar. It could have been a lot worse.

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https://youtu.be/mfQxTYuXXjE?si=9IlR-cVFnPz4Sgxs

Sorry, not sorry. [emoji23]

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The drivers' handbook in SC (the one they give you to study for the test when you're learning to drive) stresses that is is not legal to "soup up" your vehicle and drive it on public roads.

Well there's a statute that hasn't been enforced (not that I care). When I was getting my license in the mid-60's and muscle cars were coming on the scene, the manufacturers were even doing it for you.

"Soup up"... when's the last time you heard that phrase? It was in the manual.

I haven't gotten a ticket in decades... the only times I've knowingly broken the law is doing 78ish on the interstates.

Had a similar situation last year, rural TX and the speed limit went from 65 to 45 on the outskirts of a small town and I totally missed the sign. Sharp corner, cop sitting right on the other side. First ticket in at least 20 years, figured after 20 years of intentionally speeding I should pay my dues. It was 100% revenue collection though, there was another cop sitting on the other end of that town doing the exact same thing.

For a while, my buddy RCMP officer was stationed in Cape Breton. When he was on highway duty, one of his favorite spots was just off the Island on the Trans Canada highway. The limit was 100. He said he set his radar at 115. Below that, you were safe. Over 125 you were getting a ticket. Between those numbers, it was up to you. He said all he wanted to do was take the dangerous ones to task.

Best
Les

I have found keeping your car 100% legal, (or as close as possible) driving like a responsible adult, keeping an eye in your rearview mirror, seem to tilt the odds in your favor. If being stopped by the police, acknowledge you see them, put your right turn signal on and pull over safely and off the road as much as possible to keep the officer from being in an unsafe spot. Roll your windows down, (they may (hopefully) approach on the passenger side) and have your driver's license, registration, etc., available when they ask for them. Answer their questions honestly. In other words, if you were doing 80 in a 65, acknowledge you may have been speeding, and apologize. I say be professional and realize they are just doing their job. Avoid comments like, "You haven't got anything better to do than stop me for going a little faster than traffic", etc. Typically, given the above, you will get lucky with a warning to slow down.

I have not had a ticket since about 1977. It has been so long I don't remember what year it was.

Back when I was 17 or so working in Alabama the local cops were trying to photograph the local hookers at the spots the hookers worked at night. They asked me to ride along with them to show them how to get usable photos by pushing Tri-X film to 3,200. So I learned where all the hookers gathered. All of them were UGLY as heck. I shoed them how to push process the film, and they were happy.

Anyway the two cops were telling me someday when you are stopped, pull over in a safe spot, roll the windows down, and put your hands on the top of the steering wheel. Answer all questions with yes sir or no sir. Do not make any sudden moves at all. Don't get your wallet out as he is approaching as he sees you possibly going for a gun. When he asks for your license, tell him it is in your wallet, and slowly and carefully produce your wallet and get your DL out to hand to him.

Follow any and all orders promptly, and if you have issues with any order, follow them anyway. The side of the road is a place you will never win an argument with a cop. Save that for court.

I have only been pulled over once in my 911, and the cop said there was a report of a late model white 911 being stolen. I replied sir, this is a 1985 model. He relaxed and asked if he could see the engine. I showed him the engine, and the interior. He was happy and did not even give me a warning.

This is the way. :)

Your job is to do whatever it takes to be back on your way, and the LEO to be on his way too, with as little fanfare as possible.

Agreed on all fronts . I generally consider myself as " on the same team " as LEO. I treat them with respect and offer professional courtesy . I answer all questions, , and have all my papers ready , both hands on the wheel . The key is to show them that you are basically a law biding citizen and will not be giving them any trouble .
I do however stop at consent to search and will not participate in any roadside sobriety evaluation tests. They will need probable cause, and or a warrant, and will just have to breathalyze me .
Even though I could feel myself being pulled into the revenue generator as they went on their fishing expedition, I never once gave attitude . I told him my inspection was expired before he even looked. I even thanked them for their professionalism when the stop was over . This is all key to going home in one piece , and helps at getting charges dropped in court .
Its pretty rare for me to have one of my personal vehicles not 100% road legal and I have a small fleet of cars/trucks.
I think where I get complacent sometimes, is that I drive cars not inspected on a daily basis for the purpose of testing/inspecting. My RT plates, and my inspection license clearly allow this . After hours is a different story , although with the correct paperwork I could easily plea this case . Im just going to be honest and take my licks though
There were two officers on scene on my little incident . The younger guy , I could tell believed my schpeel, and was somewhat understanding of the situation . The second officer who arrived on the scene, even though I answered all his questions and was polite , was sort of a condescending dick .
I still have not received my papers in the mail . I've been watching my mail box dilligently . Ill get my truck all back up to snuff this coming weekend and am pretty confident this will go away in court .
Since this incident, I have been taking photos of other tow truck operators running their plates in the same position I was . Its common practice . Reading the vehicle code, its seems gray area .
Next morning Downtown Pittsburgh
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1741018003.jpg

I saw a video a while back that was made as a joke.

In the video someone shows a 75mph sign on the interstate and says "how fast should you go". Native replies "90"
Then they filter through 65, 60, 55, and every time the answer is "90"

Then they show a small town along a state highway with a sign that says "35" and the native responds "35"

Yes, when you approach a small town on a small highway in Texas, assume the speed will drop from whatever 75, 70, 65 speed limit down, probably to 35 in the middle of town, and assume that there are cops waiting to give folks a ticket for speeding through said town.

its pretty easy to be both a better driver, and a better judge of safety than your average officer. most cops can't drive for ****, i know, ive taught them. they also have ~wildly~ higher accident rates than most professions/general public.

but the law is the law, it applies to everyone. well, it used to in america anyway.

you arnt on the same team as a LEO. you might feel that way, but thats "the stripper actually likes me energy" you arnt on the same team as the LEO to the LEO.

take your lickings and stop doing dumb **** on the street. i have not had a ticket in nearly a decade since i stopped doing dumb **** on the street and kept it all to the track.

Being a cop is a thankless, dangerous job. That and the fact that they get lied to 90% of the time wears on a person. A few years of the job it's easy to understand why some become jaded and develope an us vs them attitude, it's human nature. I wouldn't last long, I don't have the patience

its trained into them from day 0.

there are millions of thin blue line stickers, its not a thankless job. a cult of police worship cropped up overnight because people said "maybe you should stop shooting unarmed people" and millions of people were like "um no, we want you to keep doing it"

note, this did not happen when police were involved in the 9/11 response. instead the exact same people with the stickers tried to cut their healthcare funding.

so, it literally is, "um no we want you to keep going" not, "oh you guys help us out and we should support that"

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I was watching the COPS show - the new one - can't remember the name - and one of the commenting officers admitted to the camera that the amount of incriminating evidence that is acquired during such tests is usually what does the driver in.

He inferred that refusal to do such testing is something law enforcement, in general, totally understands.....just for this reason.

Now if you haven't been drinking - at all - I guess all bets are off and you'd be OK. Especially the breathalyzer test. You blow a "000" and you're going to be driving home that day.

Yup, I wasn’t paying attention and the slowdown happened well outside of the actual town. Should have known better, I spent 2.5 years working in TX and drove the route many times. Karma catching up with me I guess.

I follow the laws fairly well; keeping up with traffic and not being the fastest guy on the road.

I also am super diligent when out of state as it would be a huge hassle to deal with a ticket or court date in another state.

The worse speed trap I ever saw and I didn’t get caught because I slowed down to the posted speed, because I was out of state was the sign that said “construction zone ahead, fines double in construction zone” posted went down to around 30mph and when I got to the construction zone (on a Sunday) there were a bunch of cones, no construction equipment, no workers, no visible construction and a state patrol car pulling people over.

Now, that’s the trap to do as you get double the fine and high starting speed to low posted.

I've been in a similar road construction situation.

Going snow skiing and on Highway 64 between Clayton and Raton, NM. About 10 pm. Road construction for damn near the entire way. Very little other traffic. The guy I was with was on me to speed up from the 45 mph construction speed limit. I finally pulled over and had him drive. Off he went at 70. For about 10 miles until he got pulled over. About 150 bucks.

Needless to say the fine was easier on him than my ribbing over the next 50 miles.

Uh, no. I have a customer who was a designated driver because she does not drink at all. Her friends were all drunk, but they were passengers. She got pulled over and, while stone cold sober, tussled with the cop, got popped for A&B on an LEO. She blew a 0.00, but they offered to drop the A&B on an LEO in exchange for a guilty plea on DUI. Honestly, she'd have been better off fighting the more serious charge.

Very strange.

GF and I were driving home from a night out. She was the completely sober driver. Two female cops on a checkpoint asked her if he had been drinking. Me drunk as a skunk in the passenger seat said on her behalf "No, but I've been drinking for two." female cops laughed and said "On your way, have a great evening." Couldn't be easier.

Arizona is very corrupt

"She got pulled over and, while stone cold sober, tussled with the cop, got popped for A&B on an LEO."

Where in my post did I say it was OK to get into a "tussle" with a cop?

Good grief......people who do that deserve what they get for being clueless......:rolleyes:

I'm not saying it was ok to tussle with the cop at all. But she was stone cold sober. Maybe she was uppity, thinking she couldn't possibly get a DUI and there could be no PC for the stop. I wasn't there. But charging with DUI when a 0.0 was blown is just ridiculous, plea bargain or not.

And when I was driving for Uber and Lyft, I drove lots of folks who were suspended. Ironically, the problem drinkers drink even more then, since they know they won't be driving. And plenty of them told me Phoenix no longer allows plea deals in DUI cases because Uber and Lyft have taken too many drunks off the road and cut into the revenue stream.

"But charging with DUI when a 0.0 was blown is just ridiculous, plea bargain or not."

Rick - I don't mean to get argumentative here but......your analogy of someone getting busted for blowing a 0.0 is not the same as the situation I am describing.

Your involves getting into a fight with the cop!!!

Mine does not.

Surely you must see the difference......

Fulton, Georgia and Coburg, Oregon...both the same. Interstate bordering a town? A goldmine!

There’s a lot of places in S Georgia that make good $ from tickets.
Waycross springs immediately to mind.

I saw two unmarked units today sitting off the side of the road...laying in wait....lol.....

Just because someone blows a 000 does not mean they are not "impaired"; just saying. As for the woman who had not been drinking (apparently) and "got into a tussle" with the officer, she got what she deserved. Some people do not need alcohol or drugs to be asshats.