Got pulled over on I-40... for having my V1 on the windshield

LeeH · 12-30-2013, 11:29 PM

Cruising toward Amarillo, TX for Christmas with my wife's family. Speed limit is 75 most of the trip. It's a 12 hour drive one way, so pushing just a bit over can cut off an hour of road time. Kept it pretty close to the limit when I saw a few state troopers with folks pulled over. V1 is kindly pointing them out well in advance. After a stretch of no threats, I kick up the cruise control a couple of notches.

Came over a rise, plenty of traffic around me, and there were two AZ troopers sitting in a ditch. I was running about 82 or so at the time... V1 doesn't make a sound, but one of the troopers starts to roll. I coast down to 75 and put the V1 in the back seat.

Didn't take long for him to catch up. He sat in my blind spot for a bit before lighting me up. I pulled well off the road, opened all the windows and put the keys on the dash. Very young trooper comes up. First thing he says is, "Thanks for pulling so far off the road." Playing the police/military card, I tell him that I was a police dispatcher in the Navy and my officers hated it when drivers left their butts hanging out in traffic. He asks for license, registration and insurance. I tell him the registration and insurance are under the passenger's seat in a black owner's manual binder that kind of look like a gun case. He says, "Thanks for the head's up."

Trooper then tells me that the reason for the stop was that, when I went by him, I had something attached to the windshield. At this point, he's being super friendly, so I just tell him it was a radar detector. Figure best to keep it honest. He states that studies have shown that a device on a windshield can make an 18 wheeler invisible at some number of feet. I tell him I'd never heard that while thinking that, at its former location, the only way an 18 wheeler could hide behind the V1 was if the truck were a mile and a half away and beneath the surface of the earth if all the angles are taken into consideration. After running me through the computer and writing up a warning, he returned my documents and we were on our way.

Be warned, if you're travelling through AZ:
B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not operate a motor vehicle with an object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied on the windshield or side or rear windows or with an object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied in or on the motor vehicle in a manner that obstructs or reduces a driver's clear view through the windshield or side or rear windows.

My feeling is that this is just a technicality used to pull people over to check them out. Once he saw the dog and the kid in the back seat, he probably wished he'd picked another car.

DanielDudley · 12-30-2013, 11:49 PM

Strangely enough, I feel somewhat good about the fact that we have Law enforcement officers that are that observant, yet also polite enough to deal with, and willing to let you off for not really doing anything wrong. I'd like to think that in a real situation, that officer would be just as on top of it.

As of course you were. Which is why you got off with a warning. He gets his quota, and you get to walk.

rfuerst911sc · 12-31-2013, 12:36 AM

So a windshield mounted GPS would have the same problem ? I only ask because it seems like every radar detector and GPS comes with the now standard windshield mount suction cup. I wonder if you have it mounted low on the windshield right above the dash would that pass ?

911_Dude · 12-31-2013, 02:07 AM

I see folks with GPS units mounted directly in front of there face, or very close to it all the time. Idiots! They should get pulled over.
Ive never seen a radar detector anyplace but to the edge of the windshield (near dash or visor). The cop must have been having a slow day.

id10t · 12-31-2013, 03:06 AM

out if curiosity whereon the car does dis radar/lidar mount?

fwiw ive found the larger the jurisdiction the more professional the leo

winders · 12-31-2013, 03:10 AM

Here is the relevant CA law Vehicle Code:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

It is a "fix it" ticket.....there is no fine.

Radioactive · 12-31-2013, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winders

Here is the relevant CA law Vehicle Code:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

It is a "fix it" ticket.....there is no fine.

According to the California vehicle code, they have an exemption that could be interpreted as a radar detector, even though it only communicates one way.

(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than five inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.
(B) The capability for electronic toll and traffic management on public or private roads or facilities.

(12) A portable Global Positioning System (GPS), which may be mounted in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone, if the system is used only for door-to-door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated.

drcoastline · 12-31-2013, 05:37 AM

[QUOTE=LeeH;7831736]
Be warned, if you're travelling through AZ:
B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not operate a motor vehicle with an object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied on the windshield or side or rear windows or with an object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied in or on the motor vehicle in a manner that obstructs or reduces a driver's clear view through the windshield or side or rear windows.QUOTE]

So based on this description you could get a ticket for an inspection sticker!

jadewombat · jadewombat's Garage

Arizona cops really are too much. Twice I got pulled over when I lived there. Once was when I was driving my MkII VW Golf and I was going under the speed limit by 5mph because my friend was behind me in his slow old VW bug loaded up with camping gear. I had one windshield wiper because I like the mono-wiper effect and that is why the cop pulled me over. I talked my way out of that, Sciroccos in the 70s had them from the factory, several Mercedes including 190s and W124s, etc. The cop said to me, "Well I gotta get you for something." Couldn't just let me ride off in the sunset, nope. He pulls out a window tint measuring device. I didn't have limo tint or my front windshield blacked out or anything like that. The box didn't register correctly to his liking so he hits the device on the side and puts it on my window to remeasure. Now this is just ridiculous. I was supposedly 5% over the "limit" whatever that magic number was. He gave me a non-ticket, it was an open-ended citation or something with no due-date to fix my window tint. Didn't go on my record, blah, blah, I filed it in the circular cabinet.

I understand cops deal with people all-day playing dumb, "Oh I didn't know that was against the law," but really these guys need to be going after people texting or talking on the phone. Don't tell me you haven't been passed multiple times by people looking down in their lap as they whizz by.

gacook · gacook's Garage

I've lived in Arizona the majority of my life. I've had more good experiences with cops than bad. Even when I deserved (and got) a ticket, they were perfectly professional and friendly. The only one that was "questionable" was when a cop pulled me over many, many years ago because my tint was too dark, and then gave me a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. He was right on both cases...but still

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

This is why I use the visor clip for mounting my V1.

Nickshu · Nickshu's Garage

Ironic that this officer quotes stats and is worried about about the dangers of long distance visual blockage from a small device attached to your windshield in a state (AZ) that has NO text messaging or cell phone ban.

Assuming my reference is correct:
State Distracted Driving Driving Laws

Sure...text all you want behind the wheel but be darn sure you don't block that 18 wheeler at 3/4 of a mile with your little GPS or RD on the glass in front of you. LOL!!!

Don Ro · 12-31-2013, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gacook

I've lived in Arizona the majority of my life. I've had more good experiences with cops than bad. Even when I deserved (and got) a ticket, they were perfectly professional and friendly. The only one that was "questionable" was when a cop pulled me over many, many years ago because my tint was too dark, and then gave me a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. He was right on both cases...but still

AZ cops are good guys...never got a ticket I didn't deserve.
So I walk straight because I hate getting tickets...and I HATE traffic school!

scottmandue · 12-31-2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

My feeling is that this is just a technicality used to pull people over to check them out. Once he saw the dog and the kid in the back seat, he probably wished he'd picked another car.

True dat! It is obvious to me that law enforcement is constantly looking for ways to get into our wallet... I mean violate our rights... I mean protect s from nefarious evil doers... yeah, that is the ticket!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

This is why I use the visor clip for mounting my V1.

That is a big ten four good buddy!

BlueSkyJaunte · 12-31-2013, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Ro

AZ cops are good guys...never got a ticket I didn't deserve.
So I walk straight because I hate getting tickets...and I HATE traffic school!

Funny, I've NEVER had a good experience w/ cops in AZ. And I am unfailingly polite and do not try to BS them.

My wife once got pulled over for "following too closely" ... on a crowded exit ramp off I10. After the cop finished giving her a warning he told her "don't do it again or I'll have to shoot you."

gacook · gacook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Funny, I've NEVER had a good experience w/ cops in AZ. And I am unfailingly polite and do not try to BS them.

My wife once got pulled over for "following too closely" ... on a crowded exit ramp off I10. After the cop finished giving her a warning he told her "don't do it again or I'll have to shoot you."

I call BS. Either that, or he was being playful...like when I tell my son I'm gonna punch him in the nose. Obviously, I'm not going to punch a 6-year-old in the face...and he knows it.

Don Ro · 12-31-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

My wife once got pulled over for "following too closely" ... on a crowded exit ramp off I10. After the cop finished giving her a warning he told her "don't do it again or I'll have to shoot you."

That's the story your wife told you?

Gogar · 12-31-2013, 07:12 AM

1. If they want to pull you over, they will. That's it.

2. There's plenty ridiculous laws to support #1 and 'create' probable cause, and needling through them for detail is wasted time.

LeeH · 12-31-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Strangely enough, I feel somewhat good about the fact that we have Law enforcement officers that are that observant, yet also polite enough to deal with, and willing to let you off for not really doing anything wrong. I'd like to think that in a real situation, that officer would be just as on top of it.

As of course you were. Which is why you got off with a warning. He gets his quota, and you get to walk.

Yeah, this guy was great. Couldn't ask for a better experience. He was very conversational, non threatening, friendly. I was impressed with how he handled the stop.

winders · 12-31-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioactive

According to the California vehicle code, they have an exemption that could be interpreted as a radar detector, even though it only communicates one way.

(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than five inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.
(B) The capability for electronic toll and traffic management on public or private roads or facilities.

(12) A portable Global Positioning System (GPS), which may be mounted in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone, if the system is used only for door-to-door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated.

Could be interpreted?? Not by any reasonable measure which is what you would need to beat a "fix it" ticket in court. A radar detector would never meet the exceptions list in 11A or 11B or anywhere else in that section of the vehicle code.