Got Pulled Over
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 93
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
I'm glad you had a good outcome out of all this
I'm 22 also, and I'm really the only young guy in my neighborhood that has a vette at such a young age. Red for that matter
Cops here in chicago are ok, not so bad, but being the young guys that we are, if we abuse the system and act like a smart ***, it can easy and VERY easily turn aginast us...
I got pulled over for doing 50 in a 35 zone (stupid I know
) and the cop saw that I was dressed up in a suit for church and addressed the him as "sir" and he put on my ticket I only went 10 over to reduce the amount on the ticket.
There was this punk in a civic slowing down to 20 MPH in a 30 MPH zone just to **** me off in my lane, and so I shot to 50 then went back to 35, but it was to late.
I also admited to speeding when he asked what I did...
There's no point disrespecting an officer, especially when we are so young in really fast cars, they automatically asume its our "daddy's" car and wanna nail us for anything
respecting them and playing it cool can really make a difference
not to say I have so much expereince with cops lol
I'm 22 also, and I'm really the only young guy in my neighborhood that has a vette at such a young age. Red for that matter
Cops here in chicago are ok, not so bad, but being the young guys that we are, if we abuse the system and act like a smart ***, it can easy and VERY easily turn aginast us...
I got pulled over for doing 50 in a 35 zone (stupid I know
) and the cop saw that I was dressed up in a suit for church and addressed the him as "sir" and he put on my ticket I only went 10 over to reduce the amount on the ticket. There was this punk in a civic slowing down to 20 MPH in a 30 MPH zone just to **** me off in my lane, and so I shot to 50 then went back to 35, but it was to late.
I also admited to speeding when he asked what I did...
There's no point disrespecting an officer, especially when we are so young in really fast cars, they automatically asume its our "daddy's" car and wanna nail us for anything
respecting them and playing it cool can really make a difference
not to say I have so much expereince with cops lol
Last edited by vbcorvette; May 15, 2006 at 04:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by NSTG8R
wow .. that's gay.
it's a felony in florida .. but reving your engine is hardly instigating a street race.
he obviously wasnt a car guy
btw .. with Fast and the Furious Three coming out soon .. expect a lot of this b/s again real soon.
it's a felony in florida .. but reving your engine is hardly instigating a street race.
he obviously wasnt a car guy
btw .. with Fast and the Furious Three coming out soon .. expect a lot of this b/s again real soon.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
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Originally Posted by garymilgrom
>>Not sure the cop would have won the argument in court with those odds.
I agree, but remember how the courts would look at this:
Officer = trained observer, doing his job
Others = young people, untrained, out for a good time
So they might give the officer's story more weight than the people in the other car.
JMO - ICBW
I agree, but remember how the courts would look at this:
Officer = trained observer, doing his job
Others = young people, untrained, out for a good time
So they might give the officer's story more weight than the people in the other car.
JMO - ICBW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Speeding.....
Originally Posted by dukekid68
not the best way to start that conversationOfficer.....know why I pulled you over?
Friend......no sir
Officer.....you have a tail light out and you were speeding.
Friend......I wasn't speeding.
At this time the officer looks over to me and asks,"was he speeding?" I replied, "yeah, he was speeding" My friend's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe what i just said. The officer took my friend's information back to his cruiser.....came back in a few minutes, handed everything back to my friend and said, "get that tail light fixed and slow down"
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,195
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From: Tacoma WA
Originally Posted by jrose7004
Count your lucky stars and move on!
Yeah, the cop never said anything about my age and this car, but he did make a rather obvious point out of verifying I"M the registered Owner of the car? lol
The officer called me sir, so returning the respect is second nature to me. (NTM Common sense...)
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 796
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Cops have a lot of laws at their disposal that allow them the latitude to decide whether or not they apply. In those cases, the judge will treat the Officer as an expert witness in court so they are tough to fight.
In your case, the cop has no idea you and the other car were buddies, very likely does not know whether an MR2 is faster than a Vette and, depending on where he watched from, it may have been difficult to judge speed. He heard someone rev their engine then saw two sports cars running close together. Easy to see how he could assume it was a race...albeit not a good one. The "treat them with respect" route is what saved you a ticket. And I am glad it did. Street racing tickets have a bad impact on insurance rates.
BTW, got a set of Bullets myself last weekend, so I fully understand the urge.
In your case, the cop has no idea you and the other car were buddies, very likely does not know whether an MR2 is faster than a Vette and, depending on where he watched from, it may have been difficult to judge speed. He heard someone rev their engine then saw two sports cars running close together. Easy to see how he could assume it was a race...albeit not a good one.
The "treat them with respect" route is what saved you a ticket. And I am glad it did. Street racing tickets have a bad impact on insurance rates.BTW, got a set of Bullets myself last weekend, so I fully understand the urge.
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Good move on your part to be polite and not argue. He cut you a break on this one.
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
This is how I see it, one of you rev ed your engine...either him or you... but in any event the cop heard your car because of the exhaust... revving at a light usually means instigation or enticement to race...
So now the cop got his eye on you... You both take off together,,,
their car is much lighter...you didn't mention how far along you got before you saw the lights... If I was in the patrol car it would have only been a few feet before I would put a stop to it..
If you were following him to his new house , why wasn't you behind him.. I can also easily see the comment "get that piece of crap out of here" as an excuse to show them your stuff.,,,,, obviously if you knew a cop was around, you would not have let it appear to be remotely any type of display of speed... You got off lucky, and you know it.
Of course I could be way wrong... I just took the facts you gave me and put myself in the cops place....any display of speed is a ticket... street racing is automatic arrest and impoundment of your vehicle...at least around here.
So now the cop got his eye on you... You both take off together,,,
their car is much lighter...you didn't mention how far along you got before you saw the lights... If I was in the patrol car it would have only been a few feet before I would put a stop to it..
If you were following him to his new house , why wasn't you behind him.. I can also easily see the comment "get that piece of crap out of here" as an excuse to show them your stuff.,,,,, obviously if you knew a cop was around, you would not have let it appear to be remotely any type of display of speed... You got off lucky, and you know it.
Of course I could be way wrong... I just took the facts you gave me and put myself in the cops place....any display of speed is a ticket... street racing is automatic arrest and impoundment of your vehicle...at least around here.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 498
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From: Fredericksburg Va
Why do most make this statement?
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I've always thought it was there job to tell ya that. It shouldn't be my job to tell him why he pulled me over. I mean, it was his idea, not mine.
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I've always thought it was there job to tell ya that. It shouldn't be my job to tell him why he pulled me over. I mean, it was his idea, not mine.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,195
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From: Tacoma WA
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
This is how I see it, one of you rev ed your engine...either him or you... but in any event the cop heard your car because of the exhaust... revving at a light usually means instigation or enticement to race...
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
So now the cop got his eye on you... You both take off together,,,
their car is much lighter...you didn't mention how far along you got before you saw the lights... If I was in the patrol car it would have only been a few feet before I would put a stop to it..
their car is much lighter...you didn't mention how far along you got before you saw the lights... If I was in the patrol car it would have only been a few feet before I would put a stop to it..
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
If you were following him to his new house , why wasn't you behind him.. I can also easily see the comment "get that piece of crap out of here" as an excuse to show them your stuff.,,,,, obviously if you knew a cop was around, you would not have let it appear to be remotely any type of display of speed... You got off lucky, and you know it.
Of course I could be way wrong... I just took the facts you gave me and put myself in the cops place....any display of speed is a ticket... street racing is automatic arrest and impoundment of your vehicle...at least around here.
Of course I could be way wrong... I just took the facts you gave me and put myself in the cops place....any display of speed is a ticket... street racing is automatic arrest and impoundment of your vehicle...at least around here.
We honestly weren't racing, but i can understand the Cop's POV. Which again, is why i'm thankful he believed me. And is also while i'll never even joke about it again.
Originally Posted by VA 98 VETTE
Why do most make this statement?
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Dan
Last edited by LF97C5Vette; May 15, 2006 at 06:03 PM.
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From: Eads, Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Originally Posted by VA 98 VETTE
Why do most make this statement?
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I've always thought it was there job to tell ya that. It shouldn't be my job to tell him why he pulled me over. I mean, it was his idea, not mine.
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I've always thought it was there job to tell ya that. It shouldn't be my job to tell him why he pulled me over. I mean, it was his idea, not mine.
Honestly I hated writing tickets. I retired from the Tactical Unit with the Memphis PD and the brass was always on our a$$e$ to write tickets to generate production #'s. We'd always argue that writing tickets was not the primary function of our unit.
The only time I would pull anyone over was when the violation was flagrant, and the only time I'd write a ticket is when the driver had an extremely bad attitude. Plus it was hard trying to catch up to someone while driving a Dodge van full of "equipment".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: SC
Originally Posted by VA 98 VETTE
Why do most make this statement?
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I've always thought it was there job to tell ya that. It shouldn't be my job to tell him why he pulled me over. I mean, it was his idea, not mine.
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I've always thought it was there job to tell ya that. It shouldn't be my job to tell him why he pulled me over. I mean, it was his idea, not mine.
Last edited by iridelow; May 15, 2006 at 07:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: TAMPA BAY FL.
Originally Posted by LF97C5Vette
So on Saturday night at 11pm I was following my good friend over to his house to start the partying! He drives a 1st Gen Toyota MR2; I was in my 97 MN6 Vette. We pulled up to a light in Lacey WA (small suburb of Olympia...) We both roll our windows down, and the passenger in the MR2 yells "Get that piece of junk outa here" while Richie (my good friend) Revs his engine (Which I can hardly hear...) So I blip mine up to like 3.5k real quick a couple times (B&B Bullets...) laughing at the MR2. The light turns green and we both get moving. I was supposed to follow him to his new house, so I needed to stay close or behind him. We were neck and neck when a cop pulls up behind me and turns on his lights... I pull over.
The conversation between me and the officer was something like this: (Not entirely accurate though... I don't remember everything...)
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Me: "No, sir."
Officer: "Do you remember that stop light back there?"
Me: "Yes, sir."
Officer: "Do you remember what you did at the light?"
Me: "Yes, I revved my engine at my friend, sir."
Officer: "Did you know it’s an arrestable offense to street race?"
Me: "Yes, sir."
Officer: "You don't remember squealing your tires, and racing that car?"
Me: "No, sir."
Officer: "So you're tellin me you weren't street racing."
Me: "Yes, sir."
Officer: "So if you weren't racing him, then what were you doin?"
Me: "He’s a good friend of mine sir, and I just had this exhaust installed so I was givin him a little show. I wasn't speeding sir, and I don't recall breaking my tires loose, or racing. My friend was in a 1st Gen MR2, if we were racing, I wouldn't have been neck & neck with him, sir."
Officer: <Takes my paperwork and goes to car for 5 minutes... then comes back>
Officer: "Well I’m going to let you off with a warning for instigating a street race. And give you a bit of advice: Now it’s a ticketable offense to instigate a street race, and arrestable to actually street race. So even if you're just playing, or showing off to your friends, don't give the perception of instigating, or starting a race because some officers may not give you the benefit of the doubt. Just because you have a cool & fast car doesn't mean you have to drive like an idiot."
Me: "Thank you sir, it won't happen again. Have a nice night officer."
--------
I asked my friend, and he says he didn’t hear my tires break loose even with his windows down, and he also thought it was ridiculous for the officer to think I was racing him and not winning...
Even though I said yes, I didn't know one could be arrested for street racing and ticketed just for 'instigating' a race. 'Instigating' seems kinda subjective to me. Is that a new law that’s popping up places, or was the officer trying to scare me because he didn't really have anything on me?
Dan
Note: I never race off the track, and my friends make fun of me because I drive like a grandpa (no offense to any ol' timers in here...) I'm 22, been driving 6-7 years, and that was the VERY 1st time I’ve ever been pulled over for Anything.
The conversation between me and the officer was something like this: (Not entirely accurate though... I don't remember everything...)
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Me: "No, sir."
Officer: "Do you remember that stop light back there?"
Me: "Yes, sir."
Officer: "Do you remember what you did at the light?"
Me: "Yes, I revved my engine at my friend, sir."
Officer: "Did you know it’s an arrestable offense to street race?"
Me: "Yes, sir."
Officer: "You don't remember squealing your tires, and racing that car?"
Me: "No, sir."
Officer: "So you're tellin me you weren't street racing."
Me: "Yes, sir."
Officer: "So if you weren't racing him, then what were you doin?"
Me: "He’s a good friend of mine sir, and I just had this exhaust installed so I was givin him a little show. I wasn't speeding sir, and I don't recall breaking my tires loose, or racing. My friend was in a 1st Gen MR2, if we were racing, I wouldn't have been neck & neck with him, sir."
Officer: <Takes my paperwork and goes to car for 5 minutes... then comes back>
Officer: "Well I’m going to let you off with a warning for instigating a street race. And give you a bit of advice: Now it’s a ticketable offense to instigate a street race, and arrestable to actually street race. So even if you're just playing, or showing off to your friends, don't give the perception of instigating, or starting a race because some officers may not give you the benefit of the doubt. Just because you have a cool & fast car doesn't mean you have to drive like an idiot."
Me: "Thank you sir, it won't happen again. Have a nice night officer."
--------
I asked my friend, and he says he didn’t hear my tires break loose even with his windows down, and he also thought it was ridiculous for the officer to think I was racing him and not winning...
Even though I said yes, I didn't know one could be arrested for street racing and ticketed just for 'instigating' a race. 'Instigating' seems kinda subjective to me. Is that a new law that’s popping up places, or was the officer trying to scare me because he didn't really have anything on me?
Dan
Note: I never race off the track, and my friends make fun of me because I drive like a grandpa (no offense to any ol' timers in here...) I'm 22, been driving 6-7 years, and that was the VERY 1st time I’ve ever been pulled over for Anything.
I would imagine with a lawyer it's defensible in court. They think they can use Prima Facie evidence. Which means if you have the ability to do it then you probably were doing it.
Like the lady that was in a boat with her husband. The husband goes back to shore and leaves the wife in the boat floating around soaking up the sun. Game warden comes along and says he is going to give her a ticket for fishing without a license. She says she wasnt fishing. He says well you have the equipment, to which the woman says I will have to charge you with rape. Warden says how do you figure? She says well you have the equipment!! HAve a nice day mam!
In connecticut if you have a gun in the woods on a sunday its considered prima facie that you were hunting on a sunday, which is ilegal.
Again another instance of guilty until you can somehow prove your self innocent. A very slippery slope indeed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 25
From: Tacoma WA
Originally Posted by iridelow
It's called, checking your honesty. The officer is much more likely to cut you a break if you are honest. If you violated the law, MOST of the time you know it, and so does the officer. When you say, "I don't know", the officer is very likely to give you a ticket, not just because you where speeding, but because you lied. Think about it. How many people get puuled over and don't know why? Sure it happens, tail light out or something like that, but MOST of the time, you know what you did, and guess what? So does the officer... Besides, most of the time, the first thing the driver says is "what I'd doooo"
I also am not in the habbit of assuming anything. (you know the old sain...) I'm not going to assume what i think i did wrong is what the officer pulled me over for, and i'm not going to presume i know what he's thinking. I'd rather him just tell me, and i'll take my medicine. On that note, i'm not going to lie to the LEO. Thats where MY honesty comes in. If he asks me if i was speeding and i was, then i'll say yes. Thats the difference between honesty and self incrimination IMHO.
I was fortunate that the LEO let me off, even though my infraction was shady at best, it was still within his power to ticket me (wether or not it held up in court...) and i appreciate the leniancy. I don't think i'll be that lucky twice, and that behavior won't be repeated... lol
Dan
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
You, you... INSTIGATOR, you!!
Sounds like both you and the cop handled the situation perfectly. You both exhibited some basic intelligence and courtesy. Good outcome.
Sounds like both you and the cop handled the situation perfectly. You both exhibited some basic intelligence and courtesy. Good outcome.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Reminds of the time when my wife and i pulled up next to a cop and his rookie ride along. I gave my vette a few good high revs (B&B Prts) and looked over at the cops with a big grin. They just laughed back. As i drove away my wife says to me "you are crazy"
Last edited by PUREFUN; May 15, 2006 at 10:43 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You handled this well.
First, you said the magic words: "Yes, sir" and "No, sir". I know a lot of LE guys and they all say a person's attitude, especially on initial contact, sets the tone for how its gonna go. Second, you were honest and didn't try to BS him.
You treated him right, he treated you right.
I've gotten one ticket in my C5 for speeding.
He was right, I was wrong. I just wasn't paying attention, I certainly don't blame him. Plus, I had my wife in the car and the last thing I wanted her to think is.....
First, you said the magic words: "Yes, sir" and "No, sir". I know a lot of LE guys and they all say a person's attitude, especially on initial contact, sets the tone for how its gonna go. Second, you were honest and didn't try to BS him. You treated him right, he treated you right. I've gotten one ticket in my C5 for speeding.
He was right, I was wrong. I just wasn't paying attention, I certainly don't blame him. Plus, I had my wife in the car and the last thing I wanted her to think is.....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by LF97C5Vette
But i wasn't accellerating fast enough to pull away from a 1987 1.6l Toyota MR2, with 2 occupants (one well over 250lbs... putting the car at or around 2800lbs) Dan
wait a MR2 can fit someone over 250 lbs
If I was the LEO I would have pulled the MR2 over to see how the eff the person got in there
You handled it well!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by iridelow
It's called, checking your honesty. The officer is much more likely to cut you a break if you are honest.
That question is like "Have you stopped beating your wife?" There's no way to win.
If you admit to why he pulled you over, you're admitting guilt. If you say "no", then you were driving without care and attention.
Most tutorials and books on the subject indicate that you should say nothing, or simply say "yes" or "no" without elaboration.