It was 83 degrees here so we took the Vette for a short cruise since a thunder storm was coming later on this evening. I was following a truck on a country road between towns. Wasn't really paying attention to the posted speed of 45 mph. Came over a hill and the truck in front of me slowed, so I slowed. A Sheriff deputy had a speed trap set up facing us. In the mirror I saw him turn around and come up behind me. I figured he would go after the truck, but the lights came on and he pulled me over. He asked why I thought he pulled me over and I told him while I was following the truck, I was going over the speed limit. He said the truck slowed down before he could get him on radar, but he got me over 56 mph. He also noticed that I had my front plate covered. He said he would never give a ticket for that, but now that it's in my record I better display the front plate. The next time I get pulled over I would probably get a ticket for it.
It was a good run. Twenty years on my Corvettes without a front plate and no problem. I guess it's time to display my front plate like a real law abiding citizen. It definitely could have been worse. In the last 20 years I have been pulled over 8-10 times for various things and have always got warnings. Must be my honest face.

 

I’m glad you only got the warning . . . with your good luck, maybe you should continue to forego the front plate. How expensive would it be if you’re caught?

 

Not sure what the fine is in Wis. I'll take the cover off for this year and if I still have the car next year, I'll put it back on. It sure looks so much nicer with the cover on it.

Found this from 2010: The fine for not having a front license plate is $150.10, according to the State Patrol.

 

I have heard that in some states you can get a wavier for the front tag if you tell them it's a show car and not a daily driver (for a fee of course). May be worth while to check it out.

 

Maybe you should buy a couple of Lottery tickets? Could be a good omen...

 

......or I've had my quota of good luck and a piano is about to fall on me.

 

Nice of the officer to cut you some slack. We are required to have a front plate in this state and I just don't feel like giving an LEO an excuse to pull me over so I run the plate.

 

ILL. is a two plate state also. I display them both. Don't need to give the cops around here any reason to pull me over. Hell a few years ago I got a ticket for going 53 in a 40 when I was stopped at a stop light. Cop said it was his word against mine. Guess he had a quota to meet.

 

It was on the local news yesterday, that in Beverly Hills they are (starting Monday) cracking down , and ticketing people driving with out a front plate.
The video about the news item lasted about two or three minutes, and just about every car they showed being driven, had no front plate.

They stated fines would be up to $1000 .

Bob.

 

The license plate aside, I have to ask, what kind of truck was in front of you? If it was a semi, there's no way he specifically tagged you at that speed. Radar always gets the larger target, so there's no way he could have gotten you at that speed. FWIW, "I don't know" is always the answer when they ask if you know why they pulled you over. As a former LEO, I hated asking that question. It invites trouble, usually because it's said with some amount of snark. I know it's too late now, but don't ever "cop" to it. Let him tell you what you did.

 

It was a pickup 4 wheeler. He saw the cop and slowed down. I slowed down too late. He clocked the pickup under 55. Me a little over. As for playing dumb, I have always found that playing straight works better. He knew I was speeding since I hit the brakes and slowed down when I saw him. I knew I was speeding and so did he. He might have given me it ticket if I played games with him. Cops aren't stupid. They have seen it all. I have been pulled over 8-10 times in the last 20 years, was always honest with the cop and have only got warnings. The last ticket I got was for speeding in 1979 and that time I told the cop I didn't know why he pulled me over. A lot of my friends are cops and they usually know when they pull a guy over if they are just going to just warn him or fine him. Unless the guy turns out to be a dick, then they give him a citation for sure. Cops don't like to be lied to.
My system of being straight with the cop has worked well for me and I will not change. If a cop asks me a question I will be honest with him, unless I've committed a serious crime. Then I won't say a word. Would it really be better if you were pulled over for doing 120mph in your vette and you told the cop you didn't know why he pulled you over? I think he would get a laugh out of it while he cuffed you.

 

Wow. The government coffers must need refilling.

 

Last time I was pulled over the cop said "let me see your license" I said "Huntin' or Fishin' man" I got a ticket. Apparently Yes sir and No sir are the proper answers

 

Unless it's a woman officer.

 

Same here..not worth the hassle

 

OP, how far behind the pickup were you? What I'm getting at, is if the truck braked, and you didn't, how did you not run into the back of the truck? Meaning if the truck wasn't caught for speeding, how could you have been?

 

Quite a ways back. 50 to 75 yards. I wasn't tailgating him. LOL. It was a country road and we were the only two vehicles in the area. I had been behind him for about 8 miles on the 45 mph road. I was pulled over because he slowed down sooner than I did. He was clocked just under 55 and I was clocked just over 55. I was going a couple mph faster than he was when the cop shot the radar gun at us. He got me before I slowed down. It really is that simple. No big mystery.

 

Why didn't you get those hideaway brackets, that hides the plate, and when driving display your license plate.
What a ticket will cost the next time. might pay for itself with hideaway bracket.

 

I will just display my front plate from now on. No big deal.

 

If you were speeding then you should pay the traffic ticket. However if you think that the officer gave you a ticket in error, there are many ways to contest the ticket. The radar gun for example has to be tested regularly, the road also must be certified. Here is a link that explains some of these points:
https://www.radarbusters.com/How-to-...urt-s/2382.htm