aka Jedi54, police34 etc :)

Am I crazy in thinking that you guys must get the biggest kick out of driving down the highway in your patrol car, watching people's brake lights suddenly come on the second you're within viewing distance? I was heading to work this morning, and there was a state trooper in front of me, and this goober in a Toyota Tacoma comes flying up the left lane at about 95 mph. And as soon as he saw the trooper, of course, he slammed on his brakes. And this happens every time any kind of officer makes an appearance on the road. You guys have got to get some level of satisfaction knowing that simply by appearing, you're making half the road practically pee their pants in a desperate attempt to slow down and not get a ticket.

:rofl: :wiggle:

Hey Elara,

That completely brought a smile to my face since I saw something similar happen just this morning on my way to work! Unfortunately I am not actually in law enforcementt, I just happen to have a degree in Criminal Justice so I at times appear to work in the field. I wish I could though, I have the utmost respect and admiration for Law Enforcement (as if that wasn't obvious in some of my posts :D: ) Maybe police34 will deputize me some day... :ylsuper:

Hopefully police34 will come by and get a kick out of this as well.

You guys have got to get some level of satisfaction knowing that simply by appearing, you're making half the road practically pee their pants in a desperate attempt to slow down and not get a ticket.At least once a week on my way home, traffic backs up for miles because a state trooper decides they want to sit on the side of the road just past a major on ramp. Traffic is brutally slow through that area normally and with them sitting there it literally comes to a stop because people freak the fuck out at the first sign of a cop.

Some days it make me want to pull up next them and ask them what they think they're accomplishing, but I'm sure that would only get me in trouble. I've thought about registering a complaint with the local State Police barracks, but I doubt that would do any good.

I mean seriously, there is absolutely no reason for a cop to sit there at rush hour. It's IMPOSSIBLE to speed through that corridor between 4 and 7 pm!.

The only reason that makes sense is some cop is on a power trip. And that's a a shame because there are a lot of good cops out there, but guys like the one I'm describing drag down the good ones.

I bet they do.. but at the same time I'd like to think they get annoyed when people do it when they are trying to get to work and that they most likely say to themselves "What the hell he aint gonna pull you over now MOVE!!" haha :rofl: I know we have a few police officers on this board so be interesting to hear their responces lol

My friend's Dad who was a cop said it pissed him off to no end because whenever he was trying to get somewhere quasi-quickly (supposedly not urgent enough to need the sirens) the people in front of him would always be going slow. I guess it's a double-edged sword.

I usually don't care enough to slow down if cops are around. I figure if I'm speeding by the time I see them they'll have been watching me for the past minute. Although being the son of a cop and having a buddy who is a paramedic if I see a cop car (or any emergency vehicle) going somewhere in a hurry I try to get out of their way.

Well I didn't see the thread at first. Jedi54 sent me a pm and told me about it. I don't have a radar gun at work so most of my traffic comes off stop signs since they are so easy. To me radar is a pain so I don't push the issue to get one. The last 3 months I had 114 traffic stops. I enjoy watching people jump on the bakes when they see a cop. It is extremely funny when they are drinking something. My buddy and I at work will sent in the median at night and do our reports and just watch the morons slam on the brakes when they see us. There isn't anything I can do for speed other than write a ticket for "failure to obey a traffic control device". That is a cheap way to get around radar.
What iritates the piss out of me is when you are behind someone and they want to drive below the speed limit cause they are affraid they will get pulled over. Another funny thing if i'm bored I will drive in traffic and wait for that occasional speeder through traffic like Elara brought up. Then you get behind them and they will drive slow. It delays their driving time and it gets them mad. I love that.
Also when im running stop signs I will sit behind houses in neighborhoods and watch one. When they come speeding around the corner and blow the sign the slam on the brakes in the middle of the intersection when they finally see me. Then look straight like they don't want to look at you. I usually pull them over and ask if there is a stop sign on the front of my bumper. They usually dont get it so I have to explain it to them. I say obviously there was something on the front of my car that made you stop because the big ass reflective red octagon didn't get your attention.

Heh. I did a "ride-along" with my cousin a couple years ago while he was working freeway patrol. We were sitting in the median on the outerbelt and he was letting me clock folks with the laser, just for fun. (and no, he wrote no tickets off of folks that I clocked)

Anyway, this guy is flippin' FLYING in the fast lane, I got him at 82mph...he saw us and the nose of his car practically dug into the pavement when he slammed on his brakes. We pulled out behind and raced up on his rear. He looked in his rear-view and pointed to the shoulder as if to ask "should I pull over here?" My cousin crossed his fingers in using that "tsk-tsk" motion and sped by him. I'm guessing he was a happy camper the rest of the day.

My cousin got a kick out of screwing with people like that...

What iritates the piss out of me is when you are behind someone and they want to drive below the speed limit cause they are affraid they will get pulled over.

Imagine that. Someone slowing down because there's a cop car literally behind them. I know it's probably no fun (hey, I can't stand it when it happens to me), but you can't really blame them.

Even though I am no longer with the force I can say it was fun to be in my car during my shift. What sucked the big one was trying to get home after a 12 hour shift without seeing an accident or finding a drunk. I had a 30 minute drive home from the jail and some nights I was out nearly 20 hours. My county had and still has very few Deputy Patrolmen for our 113 square mile county.

I will say this, it did seem I was never in my car when I wanted to be. It seemed people did really dumb ass things to me when I wasn't in my car. Makes sense though. We weren't suppose to pull any one over unless we were in full uniform and/or in our car but one time this guy ran me totally of the road. I pulled up beside him and whipped out my badge and pulled him over. I proceeded to ream him a new one and made him call into the Sheriff's Dept. to prove I was a cop.

I've enclosed a picture of my last cruiser circa 1998. I had front and rear radar, a Vector bar which was WONDERFUL and a video recorder set up that audio recorded and videotaped most of my stops.

Imagine that. Someone slowing down because there's a cop car literally behind them. I know it's probably no fun (hey, I can't stand it when it happens to me), but you can't really blame them.
Well the majority of them now are snow birds. They flock to the city for 7 monuths out of the year and they are evrerywhere. They drive below the limit anyway. Just more annoying when i'm behind them.

Had a neighbor that was a State Trooper. We used to call a cab to take us out bar hopping for a big night and he was always headed out at the same time to start his night shift. Told us he would drop us off in his cruiser to our first stop.
It was always fun watching what cars would do around him. And yeah, he loved to play with them. This was on mostly non-major roads, so you didn't expect to see State Patrol. All he had to do was harmlessly change lanes to get behind someone, or pause an extra few seconds to let someone merge in front of him, and people would go batshit.
When he pulled up to the bar he was dropping us off at, you could see people headed for their cars turn around and walk back inside.
There were a couple times in the bar parking lot that some half drunk was standing in the middle of the lane trying to figure out where his keys where - he whooped the siren and I swear you could see the pee stain on their pants.

First, hi y'all! It's been like forever since I've visited here. :)

Okay, so the other day I'm driving 50 in a 35 zone not far from the house. Everybody drives 10 mph over the limit here anyway, but I was pushing my luck. Up zooms Soccer Mom(tm) in her 4WD in the left hand lane, then stays right with me but doesn't pass. That just annoys the hell out of me. Plus she's yakking away on the phone instead of paying attention to the road, which really pisses me off.

But I digress. Since I'm paying attention to the road up ahead, I see a couple sets of brake lights come on where they shouldn't. They don't stop, just suddenly slow down. Hmm... Then I remembered I've seen county speed traps in that spot a couple times before. Hmmm... And I'm going 50 in a 35 zone. Hmmmmm...

So... the foot lifts a little off the gas... 49, 48, 47... lifting a little more, gradually slowing down... 43, 42, 41...

Not paying attention, Soccer Mom(tm) doesn't notice I'm easing off the speed. Suddenly a county policeman steps out into the middle of the road with his hand up. We slow. He points to me... and waves me by. He points to Soccer Mom(tm)... and waves her to the side of the road.

So... am I a bad person for letting out a demonic laugh as I drove away? :evil_laug

Suddenly a county policeman steps out into the middle of the road with his hand up. We slow. He points to me... and waves me by. He points to Soccer Mom(tm)... and waves her to the side of the road.

So... am I a bad person for letting out a demonic laugh as I drove away? :evil_laug
He stepped out into the road?! :Eyecrazy: Whoa, that would never happen out here in CA. Glad you saw all the brake lights and were able to slow down in time.

And NO, there's nothing wrong with the demoic laugh... :mdrmed:
Are there laws in your state in regards to talking on the phone while driving?

He stepped out into the road?! :Eyecrazy: Whoa, that would never happen out here in CA. Glad you saw all the brake lights and were able to slow down in time.

And NO, there's nothing wrong with the demoic laugh... :mdrmed:
Are there laws in your state in regards to talking on the phone while driving?Virginia recently enacted a law that prohibits teen drivers from using cell phones. Hopefully it'll be extended to all drivers in the future.

Virginia recently enacted a law that prohibits teen drivers from using cell phones. Hopefully it'll be extended to all drivers in the future.
In NJ, not only is it illegal for anyone to talk on the cell phone, but as of a year or two ago, they can actually pull you over for it :rock:

I hate when idiots are all over the road cuz they are on the cell phone :spank:

I'll have to double check, but I'm fairly certain CA has a new law going into effect in '08 that would prohibit people from talking on a cell phone without a a handfree headset of some sort.

Question for the police of this board. Have you ever pulled anyone over for hindering the flow of traffic?? Just curious since we've all been held up by that one or many a-holes who think they are going fast in the left hand lane(s). That and is it even real? Had one or two people tell me its a myth but most have told me its real but police hardly ever us it. Wish they would though at times :( make some people rethink their thoughts of just cruising in the left lanes.

Jedi's supreme knowledge of the CA Vehicle Code to the rescue:

This falls under the VC where it talks about "Minnimum Speed Laws"
No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.

Going through college, I had tons of retired Police Officers for professors and the answer I got from them was that it was quite rare BUT they would do it if the person was going SUPER slow. Going too slow on some highways can actually be more dangerous to others then the ocassional speeding.

Hmm curious as to what most officers would consider excessivly slow. To me I see it alot on two lane routes where there will be two cars one in each lane and they are going the same speed pretty much. I just grumble and wish a police car would see this and just pull the guy in the left lane over for impeding traffic. I've driven in NY state on their interstate and I hardly seen any cars in the left lane and when I did they would only be there to pass a slower car and quickly move back over. I was in total disbelief till I seen a sign that said "Left Lane is for Passing Only" and I believe at the end it said something like its the law.

till I seen a sign that said "Left Lane is for Passing Only" and I believe at the end it said something like its the law.
I was in NJ / NY last summer and I also couldn't figure out why no one was in the fast lane....till I too saw the sign.

I guess "extremely slow" is dependant on the surroundings at the time; if traffic is flowing at 65 - 70 mph and grandma is doing 50 mph in the fast lane, I could see a police officer pulling her over for her own safety. (so she doesn't get rear ended or maybe something is wrong?)

Question for the police of this board. Have you ever pulled anyone over for hindering the flow of traffic?? Just curious since we've all been held up by that one or many a-holes who think they are going fast in the left hand lane(s). That and is it even real? Had one or two people tell me its a myth but most have told me its real but police hardly ever us it. Wish they would though at times :( make some people rethink their thoughts of just cruising in the left lanes.
Depends who is on the road and what that driver is doing. If it is an interstate and they are going below the speed by 10 or more then I will stop them and see if anything is wrong. If it is an elderly person then no matter what is said they are going to go below the limit.

As a law enforcement officer I can admit to you that even I poop my pants whenever I see a police car...and 8/10 I'm not speeding!!!! :scared:

...and yes I'm honest enough to say that sometimes I go over the limit. :nono:

Our level of policing in Australia compares badly with other Western societies, and its a proven fact that overwork causes more stress and a higher attrition rate. :icon_no2:

A greater police presence, especially visual, has been proven to reduce crime, and whilst some of you will disagree... we need more police.

Some of you who have been the victim of a unwanted ticket or two are most likely to argue with me, but I've also had my fair share of tickets over the years. Having said that I'm not a big fan of speed cameras - they don't pull over the idiots who need to be jumped on straight away.

Finally, the figures are self evident... Zero tolerance - and watch the crime drop.

I'll have to double check, but I'm fairly certain CA has a new law going into effect in '08 that would prohibit people from talking on a cell phone without a a handfree headset of some sort.

I thought it was already in effect of this year.... that's what I remember hearing from the lawyers I work for and a lot of other people

I've enclosed a picture of my last cruiser circa 1998. I had front and rear radar, a Vector bar which was WONDERFUL and a video recorder set up that audio recorded and videotaped most of my stops.

Whats a Vector Bar??

Whats a Vector Bar??

Dude your posting on the internet. Do a freaking google search. It took me 10 seconds to google "police vector bar" :banghead:

If im driving and a cop is in front of me on the highway, i usually go 1 mph faster and pass them. just to gauge their reaction. My mindset is they cant pull me over for passing them, and what excuse could they come up with to possibly justify a ticket.

I work for the police mind you, im not a cop, i basically do statistical analysis, but still, i like to see what i can get away with :)

... I've driven in NY state on their interstate and I hardly seen any cars in the left lane and when I did they would only be there to pass a slower car and quickly move back over...
I wish that was the case here, in SoCal. I have yet to see a CHP motion over a slow-moving vehicle over to the right-hand lanes, or pull them over for impeding traffic. Instead, all they do is go around them and proceed on their merry way. The rest of us are stuck behind the slow-moving socker-mom-in-the-SUV (with or without a cellphone), RVs, landscape trucks (with the obligatory lawnmower, weed-wackers, shovels, etc. in the back), ricers (any model, hehehe), guys (and gals) shaving their mugs, slow-moving Porsches/Vettes/Ferraris (these REALLY saddens me), etc. On some of the highways here, the semi-trucks in the far right lane are moving faster than the so-called "fast" left lane --- that's sad :mad:

If im driving and a cop is in front of me on the highway, i usually go 1 mph faster and pass them. just to gauge their reaction. My mindset is they cant pull me over for passing them, and what excuse could they come up with to possibly justify a ticket.

I work for the police mind you, im not a cop, i basically do statistical analysis, but still, i like to see what i can get away with :)


I hear ya! I like to mess with anyone other than police who have light bars. My favorites are security guards. I always pass them when I see them so they know I'm not intimidated. When I was a policeman, there was a security guard in town pulling cars over. We got em.

I too will pass policemen but I'm very cautious. The city police where I live will pull you over for passing them whether you are speeding or not. I proved that point to my wife one night. I got off because the cop recognized me but he still gave me crap about speeding.

Whats a Vector Bar??

It was a state of the art light bar in the mid-90's. Compared to the OLD Whelen bar I had, this thing was so much more quiet at cruising speeds (less wind noise) and when the lights were on the people moved out of the way like Moses parting the Red Sea.

Of course after I left the department they then got wig wags for the headlights and nice stobe lights for the brake and turn signals. We had several Deputies hit by drunk drivers and other people who's heads were up their asses so the department thought it a good idea to make us more visible. Duh.

For any cops, is there one thing you look for which may prove to ease your determination upon giving a ticket?

For any cops, is there one thing you look for which may prove to ease your determination upon giving a ticket?


Driving record and how you treated me. I gave a ticket once to an elderly man with no record because the instant I approached his car he started verbally assaulting me. I let him ramble on then quietly went back to my car and wrote his ticket.

I also let people go who had recent violations because they were very polite. Attitude went a long way with me but other guys don't give a rats rear end. It's a total crap shoot.

In Indiana, officers have the right not to enforce civil infractions.

Does shutting off the engine, putting the keys on the dash and having your information readily available basically get the guy off every time? (Assuming he wasnt going about 200 MPH)

I was told to do that

Im thinking of becoming a police officer, I havent been to training yet but I work with them everyday and think its a smart move

Does shutting off the engine, putting the keys on the dash and having your information readily available basically get the guy off every time? (Assuming he wasnt going about 200 MPH)

I was told to do that

Im thinking of becoming a police officer, I havent been to training yet but I work with them everyday and think its a smart move


That's a lot of movement. Cops don't like movement before/whilst walking up to a car. I'd just pull over and leave both hands on the wheel till the officer arrives and gives you direction. Shutting off the car is fine but that's all I'd do.

Im thinking of becoming a police officer


If you're single, now's the time to jump on becoming a policeman. Get the training and academy over with before getting married. Most departments own you for the first 6 months.

I will say it was the most exciting time of my life. I loved that job but I have very personal reasons for leaving it. If blood, guts and dead bodies make you squeamish, this isn't the job for you. My first night on duty I watched a guy loose his leg in a bad motorcycle accident.

I've passed cops plenty of times w/o issue, even at 5-8 miles over the limit. Usually when they're in the left lane they're either "hiding" and waiting for the tard that doesn't see them and is flying. Or they're on their way in at the end of a shift, and aren't going to bother unless you're doing something really foolish.

The public reaction that really ticks me off is when people see a cop and slow down BELOW the damn speed limit. WTF??

Some days it make me want to pull up next them and ask them what they think they're accomplishing, but I'm sure that would only get me in trouble. I've thought about registering a complaint with the local State Police barracks, but I doubt that would do any good.

Pretty annoying, and damn stupid on the cops part. Like there aren't already enough fender benders during rush hour w/o the extra freak outs.

You should definitely stop and tell him he's a dumb ass. I'm sure he won't give you a ticket. ;)

Or go ahead an fill out a complaint. Be sure to inculde your full name & address! :rofl:

The public reaction that really ticks me off is when people see a cop and slow down BELOW the damn speed limit. WTF??
I hate that....I often see cops doing a few MPH below the speed limit. My buddies flip out when i pass the cop while doing speed limit.. they think its voodoo..

weirdos.

If blood, guts and dead bodies make you squeamish, this isn't the job for you. My first night on duty I watched a guy loose his leg in a bad motorcycle accident.

My best friend told me a story about his first day on the beat. He was hyped and excited about busting criminals, writing tickets etc. He and his Superior recieved a call five minutes into his shift. There was an accident at a in a nearby elemantry school. Of course he is thinking that maybe a simple fender bender and nothing else. THey arrive there and they see a Dodge in middle of the street. About five people had the driver pinned down. To his horror he saw a childs arm hanging from the fender. Appearantly the driver was speeding in a school zone going about 65 in a 20. He hit and run over a six year old girl. He didnt stop and the little girl became wrapped around the inside of drivers side axel. She died on the scene. He told me he had nightmares for about two weeks. Yeah this job isnt for everyone.

There is a small community close to where I live that has established itself worthy of a Dodge Charger as a police car. The officer driving it.......has established a big head as well. After learning this, when I get to within an 8th of a mile of where he sits, I set my cruise at 1 mph below the speed limit and take my foot off the gas, and cruise right by him. He's been known to give tickets for speeds 3-4 miles over the limit. To me that is ridiculous especially when there is light traffic in the area.

Move to PA - its illegal to convict on a ticket for less than 10 over unless its a 55 zone, in which case the tolerance is 6 over.

For any cops, is there one thing you look for which may prove to ease your determination upon giving a ticket?
I usually know if I will ticket them or not for whatever violation I stopped them when I activate my lights. Sometimes you get surprises. Last night I stopped a lasy for a taglight. As I was walking up to the window I heard her on the cell phone say she was going to jail. I ignored it for a minute and then asked why she thinks she's going to jail. I dont think she knew I heard her. She said I think my license is suspended. I said although it's a criminal citation I am not taking you to jail. She said well why not. I told her because your little daughter is in the passenger seat and it's not that big of a deal. She thanked me. Dumb people are my best times.

I don't understand how people don't realize that a cop coming up to your car is going to notice (&hear) EVERYTHING that's going on.

We need more cops like you, and less the one who pulled my mother over one time and had her car towed b/c the dealer screwed up the registration - despite the fact that it was winter & she had my grandfather in the car w/her.