Actually, I came out of a parking lot totally sideways smoking the tires in my Porsche, only to realize it was right in front of a cop. I told her (the cop) that I needed to get out of there quickly to avoid an accident (which would have been my fault pulling out of the parking lot) and she agreed that was a good thing to do, but try to be safer in the future.

She felt it was justified to let me off because I made the choice of the lesser of two bads.

 

JRM,

I have family and several friends that are state troopers (PA, MD). The one thing I find a little annoying is when I ride with them they drive WHATEVER speed they choose with no fear of a ticket (including 100+). Because even if they get pullled over, they show their badge (or give a "secret handshake" j/k) to the other policeman, and then they smile at each other and as you put it "voila" they are OFF with NO TICKET AT ALL. Ya know the "honor code" thing. I have seen it MANY times. Fair? He!! no. Does it happen all the time? Yes. Fact is officers have a lot of discretion as to how they handle all situations, and not all of them are "good guys"! Many are, and I have gotten a few breaks in my day which I appreciate when they come my way. I'm not saying an officer is good if he lets me off and bad if I get a ticket (although it goes through my mind j/k). But seriously, some police officers are the "I'm going to screw everyone I can" type and MOST others are not. Also, like all human beings (police offiers included) sometimes we just have a BAD day, I hate it when that happens

Last question from my soapbox JRM, when you drive your S2000 down the road at 100+ (come on I know ya must do this sometimes), do you worry about getting pulled over? Or do you have the comfort of knowing you are a police officer, just incase there is radar set up around the next corner

Just looking at it from another perspective

 

JRM,

I was hoping you would reply with a final thought on this. Oh well.

 

I never said they were required to show the readout if you don't request it but they ARE required to show it to you if you ask to see it. I am not sure of the VC# is but this is what the officer told me and this is what the judge told me as well. I have the right to see it as it is public record. Withholding that from me when I request it can result in a dismissal of the ticket. I already know they aren't required to ask you if you want to see it but they are required to show it when requested PERIOD.

Next time, READ my post completely before making your responses..

 

Honestly, no I haven't gone 100 in the car on the street. If I had and got apprehended, I would expect to be ticket or arrested, what ever was appropriate. Don't forget I work for you not against you. You obey the law and I take care of law breakers on your behalf, This allows you to live without fear and complete want to do in life. What some law enforcement officers forget, is that they are still a PUBLIC SERVANT (to serve the public). When you serve you its by choice not by tyrany.

Listen, as hard as it may seems to understand, I swore an oath as a law enforcement officer. I try to do what's appropriate, given the circumstances. If you receive a ticket for speeding or endangering the public you don't have to be concerned about losing your employment. I do! It may happen once but twice your out of there. Suspensions without pay, etc. How could I possibally do my job correctly if I continually broke every law I swore to uphold?

Now with that said, I'm not unreasonable nor do I always travel at the posted speed limit. The bottomline is I truely try to be fair person. Now, I do enjoy spirited driving, it's part of my everyday life. I actually get enough of it, unlike most of you. Real world AutoX. In-fact it puts me on edge some of the time, because of people are so unaware when driving.

DPS officers are no exception! They are infact TEXAS RANGERS. They know better also and it's not the proper image to display to the law abiding public. I've not been placed in authority over them so I can't vouch for their integrity or actions. But I'll tell you those who condone it have a piss poor prespective of what their oath means. I've had some say I take it to seriously ! Well to them I say some one has to, so I guess I'm the lucky one. If I have to stand in court against another person, I will do so with a clear mind. It doesn't mean looking the otherway and letting things just happen.

One thing, are you saying that you've been in their POV when they've exceeded the speed limit in this manner? That's just plane stupid on their part and damn dangerous. The only thing I can say is if you break the law" (intentionally)" and endanger others, your gonna piss me off. Your then going to see a very little bit of Gods wrath, this I can assure you!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DouglaS2000
[B]I never said they were required to show the readout if you don't request it but they ARE required to show it to you if you ask to see it.

 

Anyone implying that I stated that officers are required to show the readout everytime they used radar. I only stated that they are required to show it if the motorist asks to see it. I am aware that they are not required to show it if they are not asked to. That is all.

 

I don't have any advice for you, but I know that this kind of BS happens. My roommate, who previously drove a '93 RX-7, was pulled over by a cop for speeding and was asked repeatedly if the car was his, even though the cop could easily have looked it up himself. He's a young, half-black guy, and he had a rather large afro going at the time. Some people see a black guy behind the wheel of a nice car and make the assumption without thinking. There is no accounting for ignorance...

 

Hey JRM,

First, I certainly didn't say what I did to be inflamatory. I was saying what annoyed me. And yes it was in their POV. I'm not going to go into detail, but there have been quite a few fast runs. Probably, the one particular person would have gotten into more trouble than he thought if he would have gotten pulled over.

Secondly, I know you (and officers in general) are working to make life better and safer for all of us. Since I'm a dad, and drive with my family on the road more than alone, I always try to bare that in mind when I'm driving my S with a "little spirit". Sometimes what I concider a safe place to open it up a little would still be breaking the law if a DPS happened to pass me in the other direction But, in general I like to think I don't ever endanger anyone else intentionally. That would be very STUPID and should be dealt with accordingly.

If I got caught and charged with a violation, I may not loose my job (as long as I can keep my license). But, the effect of being suspended without pay would be approximately the same after the judge fines me

As for me, I've not done and auto-X or DI yet, but that is where I want to test my limits (because I know MY limits are much lower that this car's limits). I drive over the limit at times (ok most times), but I am always trying to think of what the others around me might do that will just ruin my day. If you are a defensive driver you will avoid most incidents, but clearly not all.

Anyway, thanks for your input. And you sound like one of the good guys to me, but I hope we never meet while your working

 

Doug, not even then. There is no law that even suggests it as a common courtesy. Let me explain once again. As a dully appointed law enforcement officer, that is sworn to uphold the law, we are always considered Lawfully correct. We have the authority to apprehend, detain (arrest) and use deadly force as necessary under the law, in the protection of the public. Not to rule over!

If you engage in unlawful activity knowingly, with intent, then you are subject to apprehension under the law. You still maintain your rights as a citizen, which are protected by the law. It's possible that you misunderstood. If an officers is requested, he may, as a courtesy show the individual the indicated speed. Again, this is a (courtesy) to the apprehended individual, not a requirement under the law and is solely at the officer discression. This means that he may also decline the courtesy. People have once again under ignorance, misconstrued this as a right under the law, which it is not. There is no law supporting it that I'm aware of or required to support. That's not to say a municipality cannot adopt such a law. It is unecessary though, this is why it is not supported.

No one is saying your a lier Doug, take it easy. We all misunderstand sometimes! That's part of being human.