Just received a ticket on the way to work in Downers Grove for honking at a cop blocking traffic after stopping another vehicle during rush hour..

I can't really find much online about this. Anyone have a similar experience? Worth fighting it?

The cop threatened me with other tickets and taking my license so I politely accepted the honking ticket. He also advised me to get a OEM exhaust. "Anything other then OEM is illegal"

 

I would have said something like: "Officer, I was merely alerting you to my presence as I didn't want anyone to accidentally get hurt as I approached/passed -- safety being my foremost concern" Not that it would have helped, but my first thought would be that it may be worth fighting based on something like that...

Although, the notion that you honked at him because he was blocking traffic is not going to get you far since the officer has a right to do that.

 

I'd fight that one. What did the officer cite you for specifically? Noise violation? obstructing justice? How much was the ticket for and was it considered a moving violation? It sounds like the officer was having a bad day and taking it out on you. Cops have some serious control issues sometimes, I'm not afraid to challenge them when I know that I am in the right. He didn't have a leg to stand on, just judging by his response that anything not OEM is illegal. Fight it and let us know the outcome.

 

I thought the same thing. The ticket description says. "Improper use of horn, sounded as passing officer on stop"

He told me when he handed it to me "if you try to fight this you better bring $150 cash with you"

The officer also stated before leaving that me honking my horn at him is the same as giving him the finger. I didn't think it was against the law for me to do either but I honestly didn't want to push it seeing as he was in a ticket writing mood and I have no cat, illegal tint, no front plate, radar hanging on the windshield, and a bat in my car which I

 

[QUOTE=Kamron,May 5 2009, 09:40 AM] I would have said something like:

 

I wouldn't bother fighting it, just pay it. I didn't realize you couldn't honk at a cop if he has someone pulled over, I know I've done it before, but will refrain from doing it in the future.

 

Horn honking violation ever heard of it, o and freedom of speech allows you to flip off a cop or tell him to bleep off if you want to..


BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHAT POSSESED YOU TO HONK AT A COP

 

Pulling someone over on a main road during rush hour traffic just didn't seem like the smartest or safest thing to do for anyone. Sitting here it seems like honking was a dumb thing to do but I feel like I should have the right to.

What would have happened if I rolled down the window and yelled at him to pull the guy over in the parking lot that was 10 feet ahead? I wonder if I still would have gotten a ticket.

 

I would fight it, particularly if it is a moving violation. If it's not clear on the ticket, call the number on the the ticket for the clerk's office. The clerk is often more sympathetic to you than the officers, so don't worry about making things worse.

As for all the other threatened violations (exhaust, plate, etc.), he cannot do anything to you now about them after the fact (at court anyway). You might want to try to drive a different car to court though.

 

[QUOTE=91crxdx,May 5 2009, 08:44 AM] I thought the same thing. The ticket description says. "Improper use of horn, sounded as passing officer on stop"

He told me when he handed it to me "if you try to fight this you better bring $150 cash with you"

The officer also stated before leaving that me honking my horn at him is the same as giving him the finger. I didn't think it was against the law for me to do either but I honestly didn't want to push it seeing as he was in a ticket writing mood and I have no cat, illegal tint, no front plate, radar hanging on the windshield, and a bat in my car which I