I would like to know if a driver could be given a ticket for flashing the highbeams to warn other driver of a speedtrap.
Depends on how big her rack is, and if children are present. I always slow down when I get flashed.....
I would like to know if a driver could be given a ticket for flashing the highbeams to warn other driver of a speedtrap.
speed trap is just a phrase -when somebody uses it - most people know what it means......but for those not playing, its a cop sitting 5 feet behind a speed limit sign that is lower than the one you just came from (i.e., dropping from 60 to 45)
yes i'm aware you can be cited for 1 over - thanks for that BFO (blinding flash of the obvious)
I agree with catching speeders but nothing under 5mph(just my opinion) most people say 10. What I do not agree with is speed traps. I also think it is against the law for a LEO to sit in someones driveway and radar. I have passed police in burleson Tx where they are sitting in the middle of the turning lane right up against the curb where a car could still make the turn easily and radar. He was a sittin duck for getting rear ended and causing a accident. That pissed me off. I honked at his butt. Should have taken a video also. They no longer do it in here but anyone remember when LEO would sit on top of a bridge and radar down onto the oncoming traffic on the highway? They no longer do this and if they do I have not seen it in over 15 years. I remember when that was the place to look at......Im all for catching speeders again, but do it in a safe manner and get off the gas with speed traps. I also dont know how they get away with sitting in the emergency lane on the highways. That being the side of the road next to the fast lane? As a LEO, that has to be scary sometimes especially the ones on Bikes. I loved that show C.H.I.P.S.
In my experience the state troopers are the most forgiving and lenient.
I wasnt specifically talking to you but if you want to take credit for it, go for it. It was in ref to bagged02
1st, please don't think this is directed at you in any way, shape or form.
That's the problem today with the law. There are too many rules and this leads to arbitrary exercise of power. Laws should be simple enough were a normal person could drive without breaking laws that they aren't aware of after a reasonable drivers ed class.
“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” – Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome
I'll throw in my answer to question of when a cop is being a d-bag for doing their job.....
let me preface by saying I don't have problem with LEOs and think most of them are good people doing a good job. My many warnings attest to the fact that I believe in showing them respect. I have always been treated that way in return.
That said, I think in most cases, it is a d-bag move to try to find a reason to pull someone over. If you see me speeding, fine. If you see me driving with my lights off, fine. But if you are just randomly following somebody looking to "find a reason" to pull me over, you are skirting the whole concept of our probable cause clause.
Agreed.....I could only see a officer targeting a vehicle if there were other circumstances present, such as other reasons like suspicious vehicle or a traffic complaint. Some other things like a confidential informant too. Now if the officer is just "lookin" then he could be teetering on that edge of profiling. Now if hes using that in totality of circumstances, okay...but if he's just fishing, I'm not a fan. I guess just based on the officers situation and intent leave me on the fence.
If you see me driving with my lights off, fine. But if you are just randomly following somebody looking to "find a reason" to pull me over, you are skirting the whole concept of our probable cause clause.
Had a professor one time ask for a show of hands of everyone who had never broken the law. Probably 20 to 25% raised their hands. Then he started asking them things like; have ever driven over the speed liimit?, have you ever NOT used a turn signal when turning?, have you ever driven without your license with you?, etc., etc. Then those folks started telling him why they broke the law.............you get the picture, right?
Edit:
I understand what you're saying, I agree.....although, it really isn't hard to drive without violating the law. In my opinion, it's the complacency of people which has caused the violations. People in a hurry, speeding, not signalling, etc.....just like old laws of wearing ties, socks, etc in some areas of the country which are still on the books, but not enforced through officer discretion. I also agree that more officers could use that discretion more. At least 50% of my traffic stops walk away with warnings. Because, I'm looking for other things. I'm a self appointed drug hound. Traffic violations don't make you a bad person, but the bad guys forget the simplest things.....guy making a left turn where prohibited, 4oz of weed, 4k in cash, and he just finished delivering more.....I don't mind people warning others, hell, that makes it better. When I find weed or other narcotics in a vehicle, I'll tell the offender why I stopped him and how I know certain things, this way he'll make it harder for me to catch him next time. I live a challenge....
Honestly, almost everyday I flash lights at someone just to get them to slow down. Flying around a curve, things like that. They slow down about 75% of the time.
Better watch it! Homeboys will getcha' if you flash at them!!!
At 8:45am every Tuesday for the last 12 months or so, my colleagues gather in the cube with a window here on the 26th floor so we can watch TxDPS on the feeder road of I-10.I dont buy the "speed trap" theory.
Yep. When you have too many trivial laws it diminishes respect for the law in general. Just like when 90% of the politicians have BS spewing out both sides of their mouths, the few that actually aren't worthless and try to make a difference are ignored.
I prefer removing some of the trivial laws over officer discretion / selective enforcement. Makes it more concrete.
Also, weed isn't a narcotic (Not sure if I just read that sentence wrong)