Are we cop magnets?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 10
From: Lakeland FL
Originally Posted by eddie44
Not flaming but when I was out writing tickets I used to enjoy writing attorneys and rich folks that were the worst name droppers (ie "do you know chief so and so?"). I felt sorry for the kids and younger adults unless they were doing something obviously stupid.
My experience is we as a group probably drive "closer to the edge" whether it's just being stupid or hearing that roar of the aftermarket exhaust. I have yet to be stopped in over a year owning the Vette.
My experience is we as a group probably drive "closer to the edge" whether it's just being stupid or hearing that roar of the aftermarket exhaust. I have yet to be stopped in over a year owning the Vette.
Around here, a C5 is hardly a big deal. When you have exotics running around like Central Florida does, it pales to compare.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope **** in the woods? Of course we're cop magnets! They just can't catch us
Would not bet on it - ARRIVE ALIVE!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
In this day and age cops are pretty busy dealing with crimes and accidents, but traffic enforcement is a part of most police agencies so radar units are deployed. After thirty years in law enforcement, my opinion is that traffic units are dialing in a speed, usually between 76mph and 80mph for the interstates and nailing copious amounts of offenders exceeding those parameters. Because there are so many to choose from, they could care less what the offender is driving. Of course each locality has a different agenda, so you have to pick your spots, road conditions, and use a detector to avoid the traps. If you're blowing past everone else on the road, guess who they're going to pick. It's never personal with the cops that I know, and it's not a numbers game for quota. But, it is a numbers game concerning speed. They would rather go to court with an 84mph offense than a 68mph.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
I think Corvettes are less of a cop magnet, lets's say, than a teenager with a Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Evo or a Subie Sti.
On the car meets that I go to, cops do not bother C5 people meeting in a parking lot. However, they lurk when they spot a few japanese sportscars parked together in a commercial parking lot. I would see them wait for the right time and chase them when they leave siting them for something dumb like dark tint or illegal exhaust to something more serious like "exhibition speed" or "revving."
I had only had heard of cops harrassing vettes for no front plates once.
On the car meets that I go to, cops do not bother C5 people meeting in a parking lot. However, they lurk when they spot a few japanese sportscars parked together in a commercial parking lot. I would see them wait for the right time and chase them when they leave siting them for something dumb like dark tint or illegal exhaust to something more serious like "exhibition speed" or "revving."
I had only had heard of cops harrassing vettes for no front plates once.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 548
Likes: 27
From: Port Charlotte, FL.
Originally Posted by ACELR8N
In this day and age cops are pretty busy dealing with crimes and accidents, but traffic enforcement is a part of most police agencies so radar units are deployed. After thirty years in law enforcement, my opinion is that traffic units are dialing in a speed, usually between 76mph and 80mph for the interstates and nailing copious amounts of offenders exceeding those parameters. Because there are so many to choose from, they could care less what the offender is driving. Of course each locality has a different agenda, so you have to pick your spots, road conditions, and use a detector to avoid the traps. If you're blowing past everone else on the road, guess who they're going to pick. It's never personal with the cops that I know, and it's not a numbers game for quota. But, it is a numbers game concerning speed. They would rather go to court with an 84mph offense than a 68mph.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 0
From: Currently living in and loving... Chico, CA
No problems yet in my '04 Mag Red. And driving late at night or early in the morning as I frequently do, I'm quite often just about the only usual suspect out there to choose from. This is not my first red vehicle, either.
No, I don't believe in this "Arrest-Me-Red" crap. The only tickets I have gotten in the past 25 years were in a dark grey metallic Toyleta pickup and a dark grey/black Dodge Caravan. To this day, I've never been able to figure out why those two vehicles attracted so much attention, outside of their color.
Any LEO input on this?
No, I don't believe in this "Arrest-Me-Red" crap. The only tickets I have gotten in the past 25 years were in a dark grey metallic Toyleta pickup and a dark grey/black Dodge Caravan. To this day, I've never been able to figure out why those two vehicles attracted so much attention, outside of their color.
Any LEO input on this?
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: New Fairfield CT
The cops out here in CT seem to like the car and leave me alone (knock on wood).
I used to own a black Dodge Stealth and it felt like I was a rolling ticket waiting to happen. I used to get tailed a ton in that car, but thankfully not anymore.
I used to own a black Dodge Stealth and it felt like I was a rolling ticket waiting to happen. I used to get tailed a ton in that car, but thankfully not anymore.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
24 year old (look younger with a baseball cap) in a red Vette with cam+lg long tubes+borla straight pipes = cop magnet. 
Have to try to tip-toe around 1800rpm and I still get followed around.
Have to try to tip-toe around 1800rpm and I still get followed around.
Last edited by Ducman69; Aug 11, 2004 at 10:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Originally Posted by Wolfmanjohn
No, I don't believe in this "Arrest-Me-Red" crap.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 9
From: Sandy Eggo, California
Cop Magnets
I was a traffic officer for 11 years, and I wrote an average of about 400 citations per month. Honestly, I couldn't have cared less what kind of, year, make, model, color, or who the driver was. If they were speeding, then they received a citation. Simple as that! My mind was made up before I even made the stop whether the driver was going to be cited or not. My decision was based on the severity of the violation and not on the vehicle or the driver. That way I avoided "attitude" citations which are not professional and do no one any good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Georgia
I have been driving for about 2 years now (I'm 18), and have never been followed by a cop nor pulled over. I show exhibition of speed quite often in both the vette and 350z and am never looked at. I even often floor it to 50 or so and hit 2nd gear and settle it down. I have the stingers so it's not like I drive quietly...
I have actually had a few cops wave at me, and actually have passed cops driving 15 over, and them not even turn their head to give me a ticket...
Mind you I never really go anything over 15 over, and I really only floor it when the road is practically empty.
I have actually had a few cops wave at me, and actually have passed cops driving 15 over, and them not even turn their head to give me a ticket...
Mind you I never really go anything over 15 over, and I really only floor it when the road is practically empty.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
Originally Posted by Merlin02
I was a traffic officer for 11 years, and I wrote an average of about 400 citations per month. Honestly, I couldn't have cared less what kind of, year, make, model, color, or who the driver was. If they were speeding, then they received a citation. Simple as that! My mind was made up before I even made the stop whether the driver was going to be cited or not. My decision was based on the severity of the violation and not on the vehicle or the driver. That way I avoided "attitude" citations which are not professional and do no one any good.
Really well said, and I believe this to be the prevailing attitude amongst professionals.
Last edited by ACELR8N; Aug 11, 2004 at 11:17 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
Originally Posted by Ducman69
24 year old (look younger with a baseball cap) in a red Vette with cam+lg long tubes+borla straight pipes = cop magnet. Have to try to tip-toe around 1800rpm and I still get followed around.
Have to try to tip-toe around 1800rpm and I still get followed around. Loose the baseball cap, no just kidding, but the borla straight pipes will draw attention of all kinds. 
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Loose the baseball cap
Was I speeding?
No, I got you for exhibition of bling and your cap is on crooked. I'll let you off with a warning this time... now shape up, and get a haircut while your at it!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 56
Originally Posted by jawski
Or Arctic White..
Never a speeding ticket in a vette...knock on wood. I did get pulled for 100+ in a 45 once. Got 3 tickets, but none were for speeding. The tickets were b/c I'd just bought it and didn't have the registration/tags with the car. Under $100, no insurance points, and I was on my way.
Last speeding ticket last year in an 03 Corolla (wife's car at the time) doing 82 in a 60. Usually I'm just a lot more "aware" when driving the vette...and have a radar if I plan on speeding...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Originally Posted by Ruler89
I'd bet my legal career that the cop would get laughed out of court here in St. Louis for a 10 under citatation!
