Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

amen.

I have a new Escort 9500 in my car and in the 4 days I've owned it, I've had about 10 cops go past me and it didn't go off. WHY, because they don't always have their radar guns on AND if he did get you at 90+, it was probably with Laser...which is very difficult to track since it has an "instant-on" feature and can happen SO quickly that your detector won't catch it.

Suck it up, pay the ticket.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

This is what i tell everyone. heck, most of the time i drive with the flow of traffic. i put more trust in my eyes than i do the detector, the detector is there to make me more cautious and lower the revs and lower my windows.

Ronn

Well, I have the same problem as some of your guys. I got pulled over last week for speeding (80 in 70), not wearing seat belt, tinted window, loud exhaust. The worse combination you can get. But the thing is, I was following 4 other cars on the left lane and I don't know which one was doing 80 mph. When I went by the trooper my car was doing around 78 mph. I didn't drive in a dangerous manner. The trooper pulled out from the center of the highway and immediately folllow after me. I was the 4th car in line. He then proceed to drive next to my car in the other lane and spend a few second looking at me through the tinted window. He then slowed down and flipped on his light and pulled me over. First, he accusing me of not wearing seatbelt. I had my belt on but I took it out to reach in to get my wallet in the jacket...that is when he saw that I didn't have the belt on. He gave me a speeding ticket for doing 80 in 70. On that stretch of highway, almost everyone is doing 80 mph. As for the window, he said the tint was too dark. I agreed but it is a factory tint, not an aftermarket tint. The meter read 39% and the state min is 50%.

From a discussion with another cop I met yesterday he said I should be OK as long as I have a proof that the tint was factory installed. I also got ding for loud exhaust. It is not that loud. Not as loud as some pickup trucks. (I replaced it with Hymee a week later so it is not loud anymore. Before that I had Corksport with midpipe). I asked him why Harley bikes don't get pull over? Those bikes are really loud. He didn't say a thing.

So I am going to meet with this officer next Wed to show him the paperwork that show window was factor tinted. Also I am going to ask him to set a court date because I don't earn that speeding ticket. Another thing that **** me off the most was this officer talked to me like I am a scum bag. No respect or what so ever. He even ask me if this is my own car. Yes, I am asian but it doesn't mean that I don't have a good enough job to earn this ride. I can't wait to meet this officer and have an open talk with him. The ticket would cost me $284 and there is no way I am going to pay for it. And lastly, the cop that I talked to yesterday was one of the nicest cop I have met. He pulled me over for dark window but ended up give me a very good advice. And he also said that Red car is a cop magnet. And that I have to becareful everywhere I go....

Detrich

sorry to hear this happened to u ronn. but, honestly u f'cked up both before and after u got pulled over. and, here's what u did wrong.

first, before getting pulled over, the MINUTE u see the cop in ur mirror u should SLOW THE F'CK DOWN, regardless what speeds other cars are driving. it's a cat & mouse game, and u never know who he's going to pick on. ur ONLY job is just to make sure IT'S NOT U that gets targeted. plus, if u slow down and show some respect, he might take that as a good sign and go after the other idiots. this is just common sense.

second, after getting pulled over, u row down your window, put your hands on 10 & 2 oclock on the steering wheel, and STAY THE F'CK STILL until the officer approaches. he needs to first make sure ur not some idiot that's going to pull a gun on him, so don't make any f'cking sudden movements. be polite and when u get the opportunity, politely u ask him if it's ok for u to unbuckle ur seatbelt to get your wallet. that way he sees that (1) he is safe and (2) he sees u r cooperating (3) he can't add "no seatbelt" to ur list of offenses . behaving properly and showing respect will ONLY work in ur favor.

of course, there are always some cops that have decided they're picking on u no matter what. but that's ok- in those cases since u r f'cked anyways, at least u minimize the chances of making things worse for urself by being well-behaved.

it's important to understand the etiquette of (1) how to avoid getting a tix and also (2) how to behave after getting pulled over. otherwise, u will just **** the cop off more and ensure u get a tix for sure.

just my 0.02.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

+1

The best radar detector in the WORLD is the one between your ears. Anyone who "relies" on a radar detector is simply setting themselves up for a big disappointment and an even bigger ticket.

Cattywampus

Someone below said it. I think it was Detrich. It is a game of cat and mouse. What some don't know is that only units restricted to traffic use laser guns. Agencies wont pay for laser guns for general street units. It's too expensive for schools, the equipment, and recertification classes. Also most of the cops that do have radar only have the guns and not the moving units. Usually that gun is plugged into an outlet and sits on the seat next to them. By the time that things hits a loud enough tone the deputy/officer cant pick it up and pick someone off. Everyone can have their own thinking of what goes on in the officers car but until you work for an agency as a street cop you know the whole game. It is definately a game. The Escorts are very good. One of the best out there.

SmokeyTheBalrog

What you want to ask for is "discovery" It will get you a copy of the cop's notes for the ticket. I'm not sure if it will get you the radar gun logbook info.

You cannot loose anything by fighting the ticket or at least going into court and asking it to be reduced.

DO NOT mention the radar detector.

9300RPM

Hey Detrich, I did not see the cop as it was out of the corner and I could not slow down right away because there was a pick up truck that was tailgating me. I did slow down to 72 mph after drove by the cop. Five of us all slow down about the same time as we spotted the cop. And he picked on me because I have a red sport car with tinted window. Other cars were pick up truck and hondas and toyotas sedans. I made a mistake when I remove my belt to get my wallet. I talked nice to the cop explain that I just unbuckle the belt to get my wallet. He didn't write me up for not wearing seat belt after I asked him how the hell could he see my belt when the belt was below the window behind the B-pillar and I wore black jacket. The cop was a jerk right from the get go. I don't let people walk all over me, even if that person is a cop. I showed him some respect but he didn't show any. I will go see this cop next wed and I am looking forward to it.

Detrich

9300rpm> i see what u'r saying... well, i agree with u- some cops just decide they're going to pick on u no matter what u do. but, being proper & polite is still the best strategy most of the time. but, for those cases when they are just being jerks from the get go- like in ur case- yah, u should just fight them in court. i hope things go well, and let us know what the outcome is.

SmokeyTheBalrog

Where you in front of the "pack"? They usually pick the leader.

9300RPM

Detrich, yes, I will let you know the outcome. I normally drive at speed limit knowing that a red car is a cop magnet. People always want to race with me everywhere I go and I usually ignore them. I have met some really nice cops and some really jerk cops. This is the second time in 4 years that I get a ticket. Not bad for driving this sort of car. And I have never get into any sort of car accident. Knock on wood...

SmodkyTheBalrog, man what a difficult name to type, I wasn't in front of the pack. i was the 4th car out of 5 cars. I was the only one with red car and sport car. And that's why I guess he chose me instead of others.

Krankor

This is, of course, spot-on correct. Another point: if it's night, put your dome light on.

Slightly off-topic question: what is the correct protocol in this situation if you're on a motorcycle?

shazbot28

iTrader: (2)

Pull over. Turn off your engine. take your helmet and gloves off and rest it/hold it in front of you on the gas tank area. Then wait for the po po to come up to you.

Taking off your helmet and gloves tells the officer that you're not just going to speed away and you're complying.

SmokeyTheBalrog

Or better yet, tip over sideways (with your bike) and lay there. That's what I always do.

Then the cop KNOWS you are not going anywhere. But he/she might insist on a drug/alcohol test.