Ask a cop
 

Ok I'm going to try this here, If you haven't already figured it out I'm a Deputy Sheriff. I'm making this thread so you can ask questions that may be lingering in your mind. Maybe you have a question about why the cop who just stopped you did something. Maybe you have a question about the legality of a mod. Whatever it is, I am giving you an opportunity to ask. I don't have the answers to everything you may ask but I'll do my best (this especially applies to laws in other states although I've often referred to another state's law to find an answer for someone, because I know law can be hard to read/interpret). At the very least I can give you the LEO point of view. Some things we do may make no sense until you hear why we do it.

I've only got one rule.
Rule #1 this thread is not to bash cops. If this turns into a cop bashing thread, or someone trying to start an argument I will shut it down. I hope that doesn't happen,

Should we have issues with the rear fog light long as its not flashing ??

Got some heat from an officer about it the other day but his reasoning dident make sense. He said its because only police can have red lights on their car. And tried to explain what it was but he "dident want to hear excuses". No ticket though just kinda grilled me about it and threatened me with a fine for unauthorized lights. Is this right?

I wouldn't think Tennessee law would mean much above the 49th parallel.

The laws may not be the same but maybe he can shed some light on what is going through a cop's mind when you reach behind the seat to get your registration from the owner's manual cubby. :)

I am curious what your professional opinion is about motorists being stopped at random "checkpoints", or randomly being stopped on the street and then refusing to answer questions or give information to LEO citing the 4th amendment as giving an individual the right to do so? Can you infact refuse to give information and ask if you have broken any laws, and just ask if you are being detained, and if not ask if you are free to go? What is your interpretation of this, and how do you feel about this trend as a LEO? Thanks for the info.

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Do I Stop, or Do I Go?
 

Got a new light in my hood on a 4 lane road intersection. Traffic light on right lane shows RED with a Green turn rt arrow/light. WTF? Do I stop then turn or do like everyone else & maintain speed and just turn? Sorry I do not have pic but can get one. Was wondering who I could call to get law.

This is a great thread!

Don't have to be a LEO for that one. Stop behind the crosswalk, then proceed with your turn when/if safe to do so.

I'm guessing you live in a state that does not have right-turn-on-red. The lights are giving you permission to do so.

2 Questions
 

Question 1: Does it do any good to try to explain when you get pulled over?

Question 2: just got pulled over a week ago for running a red. 7 AM on my way to work I honestly did not see it changing to yellow until too late. If I had slammed on brakes I would have slid into intersection of this minimal street. My luck -Cop was stopped at intersection & I immediately knew my goose was cooked. EXCUSE: my 93 yo mother fell & dislocated her shoulder. I’d been spending the night at her home sleeping on the living room floor and only for a couple hours. Was dog dead tired – not a valid excuse not to go in to work. Too exhausted to drive yes, but had to. I DO NOT try to beat the yellow ever!
Question for you: should I just pay the $300-400 fine online or go to court & try to explain. My driving record before this is spotless for like 30 years. Thanks for your input. V

Does the make/model of a vehicle have any influence on whether you stop someone? (i.e. sports car vs family van)

I'm just wondering about test pipes, if you were to get pulled over for something else like let's just say no front plate or going through a check point and they have suspicion about you not running cats what's the best way to handle that situation?

Is that what that's for? It fits a pint bottle just right. /sarc

I have these type of lights all over near me. The green arrow means just go. Stopping is not required. If it was just red with no green arrow then you'd stop before making the right turn.

So you start a thread and don't answer any questions? Saw you've been on today. What's up?

I'm an officer in Maryland and I can tell everyone that I will stop u for anything I can reference traffic violations but I will not give u ticket. We use the violation as probable cause for the stop to look for bigger and better things. Drugs guns dead bodies ect. I write warnings if nothing is found. Not all officers are like this though, so if you are not a drug dealing thug all u need to do is be nice and apologize for whatever you did. If your car is full of equipment violations expect to get stopped.

This ^^

You mean the 5th amendment? If I understand correctly, the 5th amendment doesn't even apply if you aren't even under arrest.

I may have even read your post incorrectly lol.

4th Amendment is unreasonable search and seizure, I dont think fifth applies

Maybe Op forgot about his thread?

There is nothing that states you cannot have a red flashing light in the rear of your vehicle in TX read the link.

TxDPS - PSB Warning Lights




I do think sobriety check points are a good way to get impaired drivers off of the road. Getting them off the road could save you life or your familys life. Now with that being said this has been a big topic here lately in the media of pepole videotaping themselves getting stopped or at a check point. Why people feel they need to do so is beyond me. If the contact is mutual then you have every right to refuse to talk to a LEO and not answer any questions, you can even walk away you are free to do so. now if you get stopped for a traffic violation the you and you vehicle are seized. you are not free to go until the officer is done with the traffic stop. You must exexhibit your license and insurance tothe officer. now if the officer asks you to search your vehicle you hav every right to refuse. When a traffic stop is made lets say for speeding the officer has just opened a investigation about your speeding. you dont have to answer any questions but it might be in your best interest to do so I.E why you were speeding. If its lets say your on your way to the hospital because your having a baby, I would let you go after I made sure you had a valid license.



If you have a green light to turn your fine if its red stop before you turn if its yellow yeld to traffic that has a right away. Unless a sign states no RTOR.


when you get pulled over?

Question 2: just got pulled over a week ago for running a red. 7 AM on my way to work I honestly did not see it changing to yellow until too late. If I had slammed on brakes I would have slid into intersection of this minimal street. My luck -Cop was stopped at intersection & I immediately knew my goose was cooked. EXCUSE: my 93 yo mother fell & dislocated her shoulder. I’d been spending the night at her home sleeping on the living room floor and only for a couple hours. Was dog dead tired – not a valid excuse not to go in to work. Too exhausted to drive yes, but had to. I DO NOT try to beat the yellow ever!
Question for you: should I just pay the $300-400 fine online or go to court & try to explain. My driving record before this is spotless for like 30 years. Thanks for your input. V[/QUOTE]

Yes it is a good idea to explain why you were doing what you were doing, It might get you out of a ticket.

First off driving tired is some times just as bad as driving under the influence, as for the ticket yes I would not pay it and goto court on it. you have a spotless record the judge will see that and may recomend you to traffic school and that would keep it off of your recored. Or with the case you were taking care of your mother he might dismiss the ticket. By paying the ticket you automaticly plea guilty.

No that is profiling and is a federal law. All I do is look for violations no matter make or year of vehicle. Now dosent mean it does not go on. And lets say a Red Ferrari would grab more attention then a Neon.

If a cop is looking at you that hard for having no cats you have really pissed him off. I would not care if you had cats or not. Just tell him you had no Idea you got the car the way it is.

Sorry I have been so busy I try to get on when I can. :tiphat:

Again sorry been busy with the fam, Ill make it a point to geton once a day. And any other LEOs feel free to jump in to answer any questions.:tiphat:

Cops don't need probable cause to stop someone bbut they do need a reason to. If the person looks like a suspect, the officer can detain that person to investigate. Or if he has reasonable suspicion that you are doing something out of the ordinary then they can stop you. Most cops wouldn't stop someone for no reason. I say most because some cops don't even know what they are doing.

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Yup, but he must always be able to articulate the reasons.

I see you are from Chicago. The police in Chicago have a lot more to deal with than traffic violations. The have the highest homicide rate in the country right now.

Yes, I am from Chicago and am also a cop. If anyone has questions I can also try to answer at the best of my abilities.

Good cop! I friend (a former cop) now a race car driver, had the same approach.

This is a turn rt on red state. No one else is even slowing down. Yeah and there is no inspection so I run headers w/ no cats on my 240Z and RX-7. Jackson Racing cat & exaust on Miata. Ferrari would pass in any state as I don't F w/ perfection. Thank God for America!

Is getting road head illegal?

For just this short section i think it's largely dependent on what state you're in. In California you have to pay the ticket before a judge will even review your case. So in that instance paying the ticket is mandatory and IS NOT an admission of guilt.

That said, they bloody hell could have fooled me. In cali, traffic violations are basically guilty until proven innocent.

A question for all the LEOs. Do you really have ticket quotas you have to fill? Can you elaborate on the structure? Is it monthly? weekly? How many do you need (I suppose this varies by city). Is it a dollar amount or strictly a numbers game?

I'm seriously annoyed that it seems like traffic citations, by and large, are basically legalized extortion schemes for cities to make money. Now I recognize that this is not the fault of the officers but it doesn't make it any less of an issue.

:iagree: id like to know this too

They do, but it's more like suggestion of tickets to fill

Should the word suggestion be in quotes? I can only assume that if they are constantly not meeting that suggestion then it's possible they would get written up.

Cool thread Wonka!
 

Wonka! I love this thread. Repped. :tiphat:
Cell! Thanks for chiming in. Repped as well.

My question has nothing to do with being stopped or the legality around stops. More about safety and being aware of your surroundings. Any best practices that you can share from your point of view aside from keeping distance, monitoring speed, etc. I just wonder what you look for as an officer. What do you look out for or pay attention to? How far ahead and behind do you look?

1) Are you supposed to chase someone driving 30+ over the speed limit? Or is there any number you are to not persue?

2) What is your magic number and your general "force's" number on pulling a speeding driver as long as there is nothing wreckless envolved? 1-3 over 5-7 over 10-13 over etc.

Thanks

Got a bank heist coming up? :driving:

:roflpuke2:

What is the distance police can accurately shoot radar & laser? In the hypothetical situation that I was over the speed limit (which none of us Z owners ever are, of course), and I could see a police car off in the distance, can he easily get me or is he typically getting cars that are closer?

Radar, meh, gray area, depends on the type on gun, weather, traffic... But assume a couple hundred yards at best, LIDAR guns, you're screwed, they'll see you before you see them

:icon17: Really though I hear that officers are not to chase (over certain speeds) because it can cause more harm than good. Everything I see tells me the thrill takes over and the person fleeing gets chased anyway.

In my area I also hear most officers will let you get away with 8-10 MPH over on the highway and 4-5 over all other areas, as long as your not being an *** hat. Just curious on the answer from other borders.

Seconded! I let people go all the time for even the most blatant traffic infractions, as long they own up.

Now, if I were to stop you for blowing a red light seconds after it turns red, and you call me a swear word or two, the outcome may be a bit different. :icon14:

Most agencies should/do have a pursuit policy due to extreme liability. The only time my agency permits a pursuit is strictly for forcible felonies. Some agencies may have speed limitations in their policy, some do not.