Stopped for gas this morning. It went up $0.15 since yesterday afternoon. I guess they are getting ready for the 4th of July. An Ohio State Trooper (bout 33 I’d say) was filling up his patrol car and after he filled he came over and asked me what year my Vette was. I told him it was a 99 and he was surprised and said it looked brand new. I told him most Vette owners were a bit **** about their cars. He asked if he could look under the hood and I popped it. His eyes popped. He said that he’d only stopped 4 in 10 years and they were really nice guys and he let them go with a warning. He’d only seen one wrecked in 10 years and that was a 95 model. I told him that he should pick up a C5 and he said he really couldn’t afford it. I told him to get in on the forum and take a look around.
One thing he did say was most Vette drivers that he’d seen out on the road appeared to be better drivers than people that drove other models. He said that they tended to drive a bit quicker, but seemed more skilled. He also added that they would give drivers 7 to 8 over, but Vettes were given a few more.
I told him he should really look at the C5 prices and get involved with a Vette. He laughed and said “Maybe Someday, but I’ll have to find a rich widow to pay my speeding tickets.”
Seemed like a nice young man. I was pissed at the Troopers the other day when I got an $81. Ticket for no seat belt . Had just taken it off to make sure I put my money in my pocket. Trooper was a Corporal and had no sense of humor. I was wrong. This young man this morning made my day. What is neat is that he’ll probably end up with a Vette.

 

 

Wow, that trooper seems like 1 in a 1000000, around here no such luck.

I hope he gets a Vette, seems like he would be a perfect fit!

 

no such thing......you lie

 

I disagree. We have two LEOs in our club.
We have a State Trooper and a City Police Officer.
Both are great guys!

 

 

For the most part LEOs are decent.

I learned long ago to never unhook my seatbelt till the officer asked for my ID. Then I would mention to him, unhooking my seat belt officer.

 

There's a bunch of decent ones on here!

 

 

They are doing their job, just like anyone else. Most (like anyone else) are very decent people. Abuse them when they stop you, and you will get a ticket. It may be the only fun in life that they get. (I am being half sarcastic about that last statement; I really don't mean it, but...)

They have kids, spouses, etc. They typically love cars. Show them respect, and they will cut you a break.

I have been stopped about 6 times in the past 10 years. One LEO asked me where I was going in such a hurry. I told him that I was daydreaming about winning a lottery. No warning; no ticket.

If I get stopped in the future, my attitude will be that my time for a ticket is up. Like most of us, I have speeded????? Sped does not sound right either. I will not like the penalty with the ticket; but, heck, I have never gotten a speeding ticket in 45 years.

 

Retired State Trooper here(with a ZO6) ,always tried to be as nice to people as there attitude allowed me to be.Can't remember ever writing a Vette owner a ticket in 26 years.

 

hope that smokey hat will fit inside the cockpit!!!

 

Just like any other occupation - there are some that take themselves much too seriously and come off as RICHARD CRANIUMS if you know what I mean. But to tell the truth, I can only remember one guy about 30 years ago that was a LEO in the town that I lived in that acted that way. Unfortunately he died in the line of duty with a drunk driver pulled over.

But all of the others have been gentlemen and ladies just doing their jobs. As mentioned, a little courtesy and respect will go a long way in receiving fair treatment.

Thanks for sharing!

 

We have a very professional and respectful police department here in Norman, OK!,,,,,,,gosh I hope they remember this post when I need them too!



Here's my tag, please, please remember this post Officer, Sir!

 

Since we are on the subject of state Trooper's I WILL TAKE MY HAT OFF to the one that pulled me over friday night at 3:30am on Interstate 81 after I recieved a call that my father was rushed to the ER with some very serious problems and the doctor words were It Does Not Look Good!!! He pulled me at 120 MPH, I pulled over and told him that I only stopped to tell him that I was no stopping because of my very serious problems and if he wantted to arrest me that he would have to do it at the hospital. He told me that he was going to follow me untill he could check out my story and he let me go, with only telling me to keep it under 80 the rest of the way (65 limit) I did not get his name but needless to say I owe him a drink sometime!!! REALLY GREAT GUY!!! The bottom line is they are all people with a job to do, and it is a thankless job at that, most of the time. I have never gotten a break from a tropper before and I was always in the wrong so I guess i deserved the tickets. But i guess this makes up for all the other times.

PS... My dad is still in the hospital but they are saying that he will be able to come home in a few days... Huge improvement from his condition Early Sat morning in intesive care ....

 

Good Advice

 

Always treat folks with respect and it usually is returned in kind... No matter who it is... And don't lump folks together into one group if you don't like someone else... Not fair...

 

on the other hand, maybe you couldn't catch them???

Just kidding.

Sorry, I couldn't resist

 

Great story, Jim. Thanks for posting.

 

Ok, not a cop (but have worked closely with all types for a long time), so while we're on it :

How to do a Traffic Stop from the Stopee perspective :

1) When you see the lights behind you, signal and move over one lane to the right. It's ok to let off the throttle but please, dont hit the brakes :-) If the LEO follows you to the right lane, oh well, you can be pretty sure he is not on a job, actually, you're the job :-) Continue to signal and pull onto the shoulder (no braking until you're on the shoulder).

2) When on the shoulder, pull over far enough that there is four or five feet between the left side of your vehicle and the white line bordering the moving traffic lane (if there is room). Ideally the LEO will want to position his vehicle one car length behind you and park with his left wheels about a foot or two off the white line so that his vehicle creates a safe zone for him to approach your drivers side with his attention on you (instead of passing traffic). BTW,nine times out of ten, smile, your on camera .

3) While he exits his vehicle, turn on your dome light and place your hands on the steering wheel above the three and nine oclock position (nice and visible). Listen for instructions via the PA in the LEO vehicle, depending on the circumstances you may be directed to turn the vehicle off. Not to be melodramatic but, dont do anything until told to do so.....dont fish around in the glove box for the insurance card, dont fiddle around your pockets until asked for your ID, dont open the door, dont get out, just hang out. If you're smoking, put it out (can be percieved as a waepon).

4) Dont get nutz if they approach you like you're John Dillenger (unless you are infact John Dillenger ) These guys/gals do a ton of carstops. Some are very casual about it, others are "by the book" people. Either way, dont take it personally, carstops are not safe . <== period. The ritual each developes is for a reason. For those who have never been stopped some of the things you may see are as follows:

The LEO may adjust a spotlight to shine directly in your rear view mirror, No he (I'm gonna ommit all the following he/she's, no affront intended to the female LEO's out there ) is not trying to annoy you, the practice makes it a little easier to see into your car and also a little harder for you to see the LEO as he approaches.

The LEO may place an ungloved hand on the rear deck as he approaches. Nope, not trying to see if Zaino really works, there are a few reasons, the only one I'll reference is to ensure that the rear trunk/hatch is secure and not likely to produce the "circus clowns out of the car routine" only with bad guys.

The LEO may approach the side of your vehicle and stop quite close to and facing the side of your car about even with the back seat (if you had one, even if you dont) left arm holding clipboard across chest, right hand at his side (he is not holding a twinkie). In this position you may notice it is fairly difficult to see the officer whithout craning your neck back and looking at about seven o'clock. Exactly . The only thing you need to say is "evening officer (/trooper/deputy)". The conversation will get to the meat of the issue soon enough. Not trying to do a clinic on how to avoid the summons but me personally, I would recommend you avoid profanity, speak when spoken to and dont raise your voice.

If you've done things right by this point the tension level (in the officer anyway) will be coming down a bit. That is your goal btw The LEO could be a twenty year veteran that wouldnt get nervous if you looked like a werewolf, or he may be a guy with two months on the job on his second car stop alone. You may find some of this info of some value in lowering the tension level in either, or not, zup to you.

The rest is up to the circumstances you were pulled over under and the interaction you have.

Good luck