Cops like us.

ckissick · 03-02-2005, 04:40 PM

When I returned to my P-car in a parking lot today, in Woodside, a San Mateo County sheriff was checking it out pretty enthusiastically. He said, "Nice car", and we had a long talk about the car, its engine, how fast, etc. He used to race a 944, and yearns for a 911 now.

Woodside is right at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and is somewhat of a gateway to some great driving. Since he seemed pretty cool, I told the sheriff that I like to drive fast in the mountains, and was that OK? Here's what he said. "Hey, I don't care how fast you go, as long as you stay in your lane. I wouldn't bother you in that car." I think he was sincere.

copper · copper's Garage

There's a huge difference between a respectable car enthusiast in a respectable car going for a spirited drive, and a high test(osterone) teen in daddy's car, or a suped up ricer smoking tires at every light and showing off.

Most people, (cops are people too. ask me how I know) can appreciate the difference.

Visualize the two from an onlookers point of view...

One brings a thought of "nice car. looks like fun"
the other "Look at that idiot".
Think about it.

Jim

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

Quote:

...and a high test(osterone) teen in daddy's car, or a suped up ricer smoking tires at every light and showing off.

I'm a teen, and have a guards red 911 cab, (although I paid for mine), so if a police officer pulled me over would he or she be more likely to give me ticket rather than my father driving the car? So, basically, if you saw a blond teen guy driving a 911 cab on a mountain road going maybe 35 in a 30 zone, would you be more tempted to pull me over than if it were my father driving the car in the same situation?
Police officers, what are your views?

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

90% of the time it'll be your attitude that will save you.

In relation to being a teen... facts are driving around in your car is more likely to end your life early than nearly everything else put together until you're about 30. That's the demographic... that's where the attention will be paid. Thousands of politicians can't be wrong

no substitute · 03-02-2005, 05:33 PM

I'm not a police officer, but they're in the immediate family. Younger equals less experience (I know, race drivers are often young). I'd like to see a younger driver taking it easy. Five over probably won't get you much more than a look.

edward993 · 03-02-2005, 05:47 PM

A friend of mine is a cop and is a super nice guy! Sure, he's a "by the book" kinda guy with real perps, but he's told me that more often than not, the little stuff + good attitude = friendly caution/have a nice day. They are human, like us, complete with bad days, good moods, and desire to be respected. BTW, he's a car guy and is working toward an M3

Edward

copper · copper's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 86 911
So, basically, if you saw a blond teen guy driving a 911 cab on a mountain road going maybe 35 in a 30 zone, would you be more tempted to pull me over than if it were my father driving the car in the same situation?

In the case as you described, no. The driving is usually reflective of the attitude, and quite often the car dictates both. You got a 911 for a reason, not just for a sporty fast little downtown strip ripper...

Being that it's your own car, and one that you respect and paid a pretty penny for, I assume you drive with the like attitude.

However, you know the type I refer to (was not a generalization of teens, as we all were there once). You've seen the idiots I speak of tearing around in their dad's car (they don't pay for the brakes, gas, tires etc) or their little ricers.

Fishcop and no substitute hit it right on. Attitude and experience go a long way. If we see someone who appears inexperienced or over their head, they're more likely to get stopped. Likewise, if someone is disrespectful, or obviously stupid in their choice of activities, or locale, again, they're likely to get stopped. Regardless of age.

P-cars are not the common car amongst the teens. You are rare. And fortunate. Good on you.

Jim

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

Thank you copper, edward993, nosubsitute, and Fishcop! I am not one of the "rebellious, punk, stoner or bad attitude" kids, so I think I will be okay there. I Just had to ask another one of those "what if" questions.

Thanks!

GFORCED · 03-02-2005, 06:22 PM

I got pulled over once where the guy was cool and liked the car, but 2 other times they were pissed or something and wrote me up business as usual style.

DavidI · 03-02-2005, 06:24 PM

Yesterday, I was driving in my police car when I saw a 911 pulled over to the side of the road. I pulled over to talk to him and he told me that his P-car cut out for no reason (remember this is South Central Los Angeles). Being the Pelicanhead that I am, I started fiddling around with his car and found that a relay had backed out of the socket. I removed it, clean it off and reseated it. The car started up and he was back in business. I also told him about this BBS and I am sure he will be logging on soon. Cops are just people like the rest of society.

As far as the driving goes, there are a lot of variables. If a person were driving without common sense, he has nothing coming. It really does not matter the age except that older people seem to be more conservative in their driving. Attitude is everything though.

David

vash · vash's Garage

my brother the cop tells me that he is pretty tolerant to speeders. on the other hand, he tickets recklessness. his favorite ticket to write is to the geniuses that do not have small children in the appropriate safety seat. 100%, he will u-turn and get all sneaky to catch these folks. he loves it when the parent starts up with the, "are you saying i am a bad parent....?" bit. my bro cracks me up. funny what gets someone's panties all bunched up....

DavidI · 03-02-2005, 06:54 PM

Vash, like your brother, I am intolerant of kids not in child seats or seat belts. No excuse. I give the parents/driver tickets 100% of the time. I have seen kids ejected from car accidents and one who was decapitated. It is horrible. I also give tickets for no insurance.

David

anthony · 03-02-2005, 06:55 PM

I've never received any breaks when it comes to tickets. I've only been pulled over for speeding 3 times in 22 years of driving but every time it was a speed trap where the cop was looking for revenue. There were no second chances to be had. The last time was a couple years ago, coming home from Tahoe late, minding my own business with no other cars on the road and I got nailed for 63 in a 55.

edward993 · 03-02-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidI
Yesterday, I was driving in my police car when I saw a 911 pulled over to the side of the road. I pulled over to talk to him and he told me that his P-car cut out for no reason (remember this is South Central Los Angeles). Being the Pelicanhead that I am, I started fiddling around with his car and found that a relay had backed out of the socket. I removed it, clean it off and reseated it. The car started up and he was back in business. I also told him about this BBS and I am sure he will be logging on soon...
David

That is a cool story ... You're a good guy, David! Stay safe out there!

Edward

Oh Haha · 03-02-2005, 07:28 PM

David, No pictures?!
Just kidding. Watch your back and be safe out there.

patkeefe · 03-02-2005, 07:33 PM

I heard a bit on the news just this morning that said the brain doesn't fully develop the area which pertains to unreasonable behavior until the age of 25.

After contemplating this for a while, I had to agree based on my experiences.

Pat

patkeefe · 03-02-2005, 07:48 PM

Maybe I didn't say that right....

By most physical measures, teenagers should be the world's best drivers. Their muscles are supple, their reflexes quick, their senses at a lifetime peak. Yet car crashes kill more of them than any other cause -- a problem, some researchers believe, that is rooted in the adolescent brain.

A National Institutes of Health study suggests that the region of the brain that inhibits risky behavior is not fully formed until age 25, a finding with implications for a host of policies, including the nation's driving laws.

• Growth Takes Longer Than Presumed: A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and UCLA shows that the region of the brain that inhibits risky behavior does not mature as quickly as previously thought.

"We'd thought the highest levels of physical and brain maturity were reached by age 18, maybe earlier -- so this threw us," said Jay Giedd, a pediatric psychiatrist leading the study, which released its first results in April. That makes adolescence "a dangerous time, when it should be the best."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52687-2005Jan31.html

That must be why I used to ride my 500 Kawasaki at 12,000 RPM in high gear when I was (much) younger...

911S Targa · 911S Targa's Garage

We all go over the posted limit, during our spirted driving itch, even our law inforcement that responded in this post, and others, get that "itch". How cant you. But unlike these ricer/ hotrod/ dads car driving youngins, we not only respect the badge (Officer/Hood Crest), but weve already looked 6 seconds ahead, to make sure its safe when we do get the itch. None of use want to hurt others, ourselfs, our our ladies. If you can respect the road, respect the badge, and respect the car, you wont have any issues being a young driver. Just dont ever get that young ricer attitude.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Only time I ever got stopped in my 993, the cop accused me of "street racing him" - he was in an unmarked Camaro. When he saw I was very friendly, he said "Is this a 993? Man, I was mixing it up with a Carrera S and got to about 120 before I had to shut it down." That's when I knew I was gonna walk.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

I got a ticket today in Redondo Beach CA for using my horn....yes thats right using my horn.

The cop was a complete dick, and he is a disgrace to law enforcement.

I was driving a rental...and I was completely cut off by a large black SUV at a red light...I honked at him then....2 blocks down, the guy stopped all of a sudden in front of a school, partially blocking the road...no turn signal, no nothing to indicate what he was going to do.

So...I layed on my horn... and a motocycle pig pulled me over...I was completely cooperative, but the cop had a quota to meet and he gave ME the ticket for using my horn in front of a school...and he disregarded the reckless driver in the black SUV.

I told the prick that I would see him in court.