illegal headlights? - Page 2

Eric Mckenna · 02-25-2004, 02:34 PM

what! how the hell could he even tell!! that's crazy!!

djmcmath · 02-25-2004, 02:41 PM

Does anybody know what headlights are legal or illegal in what states? I remember reviewing the RCW (Revised Code of Washington) and not seeing anything about headlights. That's actually an important question -- far more so (no offense) than whether or not you met an ********* who happened to be wearing a police uniform.

Dan

mjshira · 02-25-2004, 02:54 PM

Larry,

I am a former Marine, I respect authority. I spoke respectfully to the officer, I did what he asked me to do. My post, and my point, is intended to get across (my view) that some cops are not in balance with the approach they take to how they use the power they have. Clearly, my missing plate, in the big picture, is not that important, especially when one considers what other crimes might have been going on at the same time.

That said, he was with in his rights. And I will add the front plate.

Why you felt the need to curse me is beyond me as I didn't curse the cop.

I hope you have a nice day

James

Hetmann · 02-25-2004, 03:03 PM

I have H1s on my car. I thought they were illegal when all cars in the US had sealed beams. Now halogen is passe and HID is the norm. I can't believe H1s are really illegal. Maybe not DOT, but not any brighter or more obnoxious than anything else on the road.

I have never been hassled about mine.

BURN-BROS · 02-25-2004, 03:12 PM

Good for you James! Don't let Larry get you down. I have had a run in recently, but the officer was polite and professional. He wrote me up for aheadlight out,which I had no problem with. I think we are all glad that Larry isn't in traffic anymore.

NY65912 · 02-25-2004, 03:14 PM

I've been pulled over in the past, (read young and stupid) and 25 years ago you could get away with a warning and a " don't do that again young man!" But these days the cops act as though they're Wyatt Erp. I know it's a dangerous job....my family had a NYPD Deputy Chief. a Lt, and currently three beat cops. I do respect the police and their authority.....but their authority should be based on the nature of the offense. Headlites and front plates do not qualify as crimes, merely traffic violations.

In another light, officers do not know what the are getting into with each traffic stop and must be on the defense. James the NYS trooper in my eyes is the ********* for acting that way, his actions although not necessary in your case were probably training coming to life. Reasonable people like us do not see the need to be treated like that, but I guess it's what they need to do.

Larry, totally uncalled for. That remark and attitude does nothing for your point except reaffirm what others may think of cops. I've hung out with James and he's not an *********, maybe other things but not that.

Respectfully submitted.
Mike

sundaypunch · 02-25-2004, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Harris
Glad you weren't around when I worked traffic.

Looks like Larry is either a police officer, crossing guard at the local elementary school, or prostitute. Based on his reaction I'll assume the former.

So are you going to tell us whether the H1's are legal or not?

david c. · 02-25-2004, 03:32 PM

What I find the most instructive is how many police officers have FOP badges on their license plates. Even the children of our local chief of police have these badges on their license plates, despite the fact that (a) they are not police officers and (b) deserve no special attention that any other tax paying citizen deserves.

I am personally sick and tired of off-duty cops speeding and laughing about it, badging their way into bars, restaurants, etc. and generally disregarding the laws they expect the rest of us to diligently observe - or else.

I wonder if "Mr. bad attitude, hyper-sensitive cop" on this thread has ever broken the speed limit in his 911? If he were pulled over, I'm 100% sure he would be handing over his badge instead of his driver's license, assuming the license plate excuse didn't already get him the free pass.

Par911 · 02-25-2004, 03:33 PM

Quote:

H-4's are illegal in some states too. I too wonder how the patrolman knew. Maybe he is a Porsche guy.

That would make it even worse, pulling over a fellow Porsche guy for something as petty as that!! I have noticed(at least in my area) that cops mess with p-car people way more than they do the folks in the American cars like stangs and vettes.

Quote:

Larry why the veiled threat?

Maybe he's power tripping

Graham Archer · 02-25-2004, 03:34 PM

Clint. Even closer than that...I live in Los Osos. It was a SLO cop (which didn't seem to stop him from following me onto campus).

As for aiming...yes they are primarily pointed down and to the right.

Does anyone know how I can tell if these H1's are really illegal? It would seem likely that he'll get me eventually.

david c. · 02-25-2004, 03:36 PM

The cop has to prove they are illegal. You don't have to prove they are legal. Unless the California Motor Vehicle Code has a different burden of proof, methinks the burden is on the state to show they are illegal.

mjshira · 02-25-2004, 03:43 PM

Dave is a lawyer so he'd know.

Mike, I hear your point, it makes sense for the person pulled over to stay in the car.

--James

motion · 02-25-2004, 03:48 PM

What's with this respect stuff? Are we supposed to respect cops any more than we respect the bag boy at the grocery store? I don't think so. They're just normal people like the rest of us. I wouldn't give them any more respect than I would give to any other person. I think its really called 'fear', which sucks, because they carry a gun and everyone knows they're anxious for you to get all mouthy so they can really start digging into you.

Some people earn respect. I don't believe a cop falls into that category.

12own911 · 02-25-2004, 03:52 PM

Perhaps the cop drives a Porsche? Just a thought...

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

that "to protect and to serve" motto really is a nice ideal though, but that's what it is an ideal... reality is far from ideal for some of them.

motion · 02-25-2004, 04:16 PM

Ouch, Kim! That's a lethal combo, you're right, lol.

Leland Pate · 02-25-2004, 04:25 PM

I still want to know how the hell a cop knew those lights were illegal.

12own911 · 02-25-2004, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Leland Pate
I still want to know how the hell a cop knew those lights were illegal.

If he is a Porsche driver and knows the rules for lights then he may be able to pull people over for what he considers illegal lighting...

NY65912 · 02-25-2004, 04:29 PM

Speaking of headlites.....there is nothing more annoying or blinding than a pair of on coming Xenon headlites blinding you on a rainy nite

They should be illegal, of course unless your behind the wheel of a Xenon equiped car....I wish I were, I'm blind at nite.

djmcmath · 02-25-2004, 04:35 PM

I'm going to throw out a guess here -- I bet the cop either made it up or just plain guessed (and perhaps guessed wrong). Maybe he just felt like hassling someone who drives a nicer car than he does. I've read countless stories about small-town cops getting caught making stuff up, falsifying radar documents, etc. I had one officer telling me about how he pulls over nice cars because he likes to check them out -- and more often than not, they won't fight a ticket because they're rich as sin. Heck, in the speeding case I'm currently fighting, the radar unit hasn't been maintained in 8 years, and it was flooded (yes, with water) twice in the first several years of it's life. Tell me the officer honestly cited me in that one.

That said, I'm honestly surprised at Larry's response. Seems like pretty much all the cops on this forum are normal sane individuals, much like the rest of us. I kind of wish that he'd make another post, because I'm sure he'd come across a bit more reasonable on a second go.

Dan