here's one for the books - 2 months ago, I flashed my lights at a slow moving car on a rural local road one evening (doing 50 in a 55 where most folks do 60mph. then he slowed to 45, then 40. I quickly backed off thinking he was a road rage case. then he suddenly pulled over, presumably to let us by, so as we passed, we rode on the double yellow just enough to give him some extra room. as I went by, I realized it was a CHP... oops. then he pulled me over, let the other cars keep going.

then we entered the twilight zone - he gave me a lecture claiming he determines what the safe speed is. I disagreed with him claiming it was based on the posted speed, traffic, vehicle condition, driver ability, conditions. then he wrote me up for illegal use of headlights and for passing in a double yellow!

totally bogus, as in CA on a rural road it's recommended to flash lights to let folks know you want to pass slower moving traffic and the only reason I passed was cause he was pulling over. I think in reality, he was just pissed anyone would have the stupidity to flash lights at him, and the gall to challenge him.

so I filed a complaint w/the CHP citizen board online, figured I try out a little used mechanism to avoid going to traffic school or a court battle. A week later, a woman CHP sergent contacted me, discussed the situation and confirmed the officer was misinformed regarding safe speed and the legal use of flashing lights on a slower vehicle.

got the letter today, and apparently, she decided to throw everything out!

I guess the system does work sometimes so if you get a "bad" ticket = not one that you just got caught breaking the law and want to whine about, this is a pretty good mechanisim to get it reviewed w/out going to court. it's free, and you've got nothing to lose

happy trails!

 

Way to go Rob. I guess this puts the kibosh on the rumor that you're simply a crazy person behind the wheel.

 

Glad to see that worked out very well.

Congrats

 

If you don't contest a charge all they can do is assume your guilt. The same with a traffic court case. If you don't cross examine the officer challenging his observations the judge will assume the officer is correct and you were just hoping the officer wouldn't show up.

 

only at the track when there are cones to tangle with....

gotta admit - attracting attention of a cop/anyone w/a gun in hand is NEVER good form. I think next time, I'll be more careful for sure - but those unmarked cars are sooooo sneaky.

and getting worse - I've seen 2 brand new units w/out ANY markings patrolling lately. only tale is the antennas and a uniform in the car, or if they already have someone pulled over.

might be time for a beartracker.... just can't be too safe anymore.

 

excellent!

 

Calls to mind a quote from the last good Rambo movie(the first one ):

"Wouldn't have been no trouble if it wasn't for that king-**** cop"...

 

Cops do ignorant **** like that all the time and then they wonder why the general public distrusts them. Part of it is because much of their time in the police academy is spent being taught that "it's us against them." They're trained to view the average citizen with the same level of contempt as a rapist. I would continue to push the issue and make his life as difficult as you can. Police never seem to realize who they serve and should be reminded periodically.

 

Cop: "What do you hunt with a knife?"
Rambo: "Everything."
Cop: "He says he hunts with it. - What d'you hunt? Elephants?"

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

good point. but I suspect if the cop in this case had just reviewed the basic speed law and given the correct answer to his boss, I'd prolly be going to court. I think his arrogance bit him, as he thought I was just trying to justify flashing him. so he didn't bother to check it out and got nailed. doubt he'll make the same mistake 2x though.

 

push the issue? are you friggin nuts? he's got a gun. he's got a badge. he's already not real happy this is gonna be in his file for the next 5 years.

no, I'm gonna be super careful now, in my next life too. all he has to say is he observed me doing whatever and I'm toast unless I happen to have video tape and witnesses.

but hey - come on out w/your shark and raise some hell w/him. I"ll watch... from a safe distance... hahaha next poor sap in a 928 will prolly get strip searched.

 

Great news your off the hook.
Time to play it cool find out what all of the unmarked cars are, so you can watch them......... as he just might tell a few of his buddies to keep a close eye on you

 

Had to double check to make sure that you are located across the nation in Kalifornia & not anywhere around here!

Good job on using the system to make them play fair!

 

I am really glad that Georgia doesn't allow unmarked cars for traffic patrol. Just too much opportunity for a weirdo to stop someone for bad purposes...

 

California doesn't allow unmarked cars for traffic patrol either. IIRC. One of the first questions asked by the judge at trail is if the offices was in uniform in a properly marked vehicle. Ron H might share a little more on this.

I fondly remember blowing by a black Camaro CHP chase car way beck when they were new with CHP and had no rear markings. Not a clue until you were next to them and the gold seal on the white door, then too late. I didn't bother to slow down from 125+ and he didn't bother to pull out of the slow lane at 55. I turned off as soon as I was out of sight, while he was describing the car on the radio. I'm npot sure anymore what the CHP is driving for PBW's. Crown Vics were popular for quite a while, soon to be superseded by Dodge/Chrysler somethings I guess with the demise of the CV. Some of the SRT cars are a handfull even with a 928.