Police-are they here to Serve or Harass the Diesel Motorist? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

97dieseldriver · #16 01-02-2005, 05:03 PM

That's what happens in a well funded State like New Jersey. Your state and local taxes pay for the latest equipment, plenty of Officers and vehicles on the road so that they can catch you!. Here in Central Florida you get what you pay for...Nothing or very little. Motorists are maiming and killing each other so fast (almost daily head-ons on the Fl Turnpike and plenty of red light runners to boot) that the underfunded FL FHP (the main speeding ticket producers) on the highways dont have time to stop speeders. FHP can't get more money because the State is almost broke - thanks to Jeb Bush. They just investigate accidents - (per the local paper). Don't misinterpret, there are local fascist communities and motorcycle cops in Orlando, but in general you can pretty much do 10-20mph ove the limit, depending on the speed zone all day with low chance of a ticket if you know the area and have a radar detector. Pure Anarchy.

I'm glad I have 5 airbags!

Carrameow · #17 01-02-2005, 05:34 PM

I apologize, this has nothing to do with the forum.
All of us here know ALDA settings and compression ratios and tricks to extract more HP and every line, wire and bolt under these hoods, but once in a while we get tired, as you well someday, and we take a breather...

Even in highly intense seminars like IEEE and those for MD's,someone will bemoan the lack of a new JFK or FDR in the Democratic Party or something like that, and everyome will join in..

I apologize for posting this again, but after 850 posts about head cracks and transmission shimming and turbocharger rotor balancing, and hours in the night away from my Family, I have finally gone nutty...

morgantruce · #18 01-02-2005, 06:04 PM

Ahhhhhh... New JERsey! I can smile about it now (after nearly 40 years...)

I saw the flashing red light behind me, and I KNEW it was the end of the line. It was to be my third speeding ticket...

Looking back, I was going out in a blaze of glory: 92 MPH in an MG Midget, with a roll bar, a big racing number painted on the side, top down with tonneau cover..... and wearing a racing helmet!!! The cop was laughing his a** off as he wrote the ticket. I lost my driver's license for 90 days.

I got my license back... the day before I shipped out to Viet Nam.

Strange thing: when I got back from Viet Nam I was completely cured of driving fast. I learned how fragile human bodies are. I've driven slow cars (and slowly) ever since!

Hatterasguy · #19 01-02-2005, 07:49 PM

If you are real nice to the cop and don't act likle a jerk they sometimes will give you a break. My friend W140 S600 was nailed on I-91 for 106 in a 65 zone in his E300D.

But he was real cool and the Marines sticker on his window helped a bit. The cop wrote him up for an 80 in a 65.

The cop said "son I know you have a nice safe car but slow it down a little"

Also libral use of Yes Sir! and being very respectfull probably helped.

I drive slow around town but open the SDL up on the open highway. I average 70-80 and find if you flow with traffic and avoid known radar traps your pretty safe. I just found out about a real nice top speed run spot I need to check out.

Viper owner "yeah it is nice and open I had her up to 180"

Veloce300DT · #20 01-02-2005, 09:24 PM

I have discovered that courtesy, respect, and politeness will be a big aid in talking my way out of a ticket. In the past year I have been pulled over 4 times, and each time I have driven away without a ticket. As long as u know why youve been pulled over, which shows that you were at least being somewhat attentive to your driving behaiviour, and act civil, chances are hhigher that youll recieve a warning.
On a lighte note, I was pulled over about a month ago driving the C280. 35 in a 30 zone. I hadnt driven the car in a while, and was re-adjusting to how different the car feels- makes 35 feel like 25! At any rate, I was almost certain I was going to get a ticket this time. I told her when she asked, as to why I was pulled over, admitting my speed, and added that it had been a while since I had last driven the car. She then asked if i normally drive a different car. I told her that I had been driving my 84 300D, which is slower. I wasnt expecting anything other than for her to say O.K., and return to her cruiser to write me up. Instead of that, she let me off the hook, telling me that it was the police departments christmas present to me, and to think of them on the holidays and be thankful.She also mentioned that they had set up a speed trap, and admitted that the posted speed limits in the area were in her opinion too low. I was shocked. In the town I was pulled over in (The peoples republic of Davis, CA) you are lucky if you arent pulled over for having bald tires or somthing. Its THAT bad. In fact I have testified against 2 cops in Davis in the past for witnessing an unneccessary tazor and baton attack. After noumerous complants over the past few years against the cops in Davis, things should be calming down. But thats is a whole other story. Not for this thread.

Keep the speed reasonable, and be nice.

boneheaddoctor · #21 01-02-2005, 09:34 PM

Most of the cops out there are the same guys who used to beat up on the smaller kids in high school...............................only now they have guns.....

TonyD · #22 01-02-2005, 10:14 PM

I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in 20 years, (knock on Zebrano) and my theory is that it's not how fast you drive, it's how smoothly you drive. Avoid jerky motions, and keep lane changes to a bare minumum. Go with the flow as much as possible.

Of course, driving an "old man's car" like my dark blue 300SD helps, too.

boneheaddoctor · #23 01-02-2005, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD

I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in 20 years, (knock on Zebrano) and my theory is that it's not how fast you drive, it's how smoothly you drive. Avoid jerky motions, and keep lane changes to a bare minumum. Go with the flow as much as possible.

Of course, driving an "old man's car" like my dark blue 300SD helps, too.

Doesn't stop a cop trying to make his quota......................by randomly pulling people over and accusing them of things they are totally innocent of.

rstallings · #24 01-02-2005, 10:39 PM

Here's a link that you might enjoy:

http://www.geocities.com/speeding@sbcglobal.net.

Get a cup of coffee for this one. It will probably take a couple of hours to get through all of this.

Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!

rwthomas1 · #25 01-02-2005, 11:07 PM

I will make the generalization and say I dislike all cops! I have known many personally and liked many as individuals but as a group, generally they are *********s. I have witnessed cops: Driving way too fast, driving drunk, using steroids, selling steroids, picking fights in bars, beating their girlfriends, owning illegal firearms, etc. Now I understand that certainly some of the general population is guilty of these things as well. And certainly the occupational stress may be a contributing factor to some of the behaviors. BUT, this does not excuse them in any way. Especially that they are using their positions to get away with this crap. Cops used to be peace officers concerned with the safety of the public. RT

Carrameow · #26 01-03-2005, 08:46 AM

If I were a Policeman, I would probably would have a tough time doing the job, given the fact that I have enough trouble striking fear into a 17 year old teenager.
I would probably have to work hard to come across as tough guy, so much that i would overdo it and come across as a cartoon, which is why maybe some police can seem over authoritative; they are just decent people like us, doing their jobs, and they dont want to be John wayne, but how else do you deal with a Smart A__ trying to waffle his or her way out of a Ticket.....
I would imagine its a pretty stressful job and manning a traffic trap must not be too much fun.
I have run into some pretty decent Policemen also, some really outstanding people.

dannym · #27 01-03-2005, 10:57 AM

I was once going on a ski trip to Vermont. I went over a hill doing about 90. AS soon as I reached the top of the hill my radar detector went off. I saw the police car about 1/2 mile down the road and his light immediately came on. So much for detectors! Anyway, he asked me if I knew why he pulled me over and I said "going to fast?" Note: I didn't want to use the speeding word.
He said to me "Son, your the first person all day to be honest with me. Everybody is driving with a broken speedo today." He gave me a ticket for no seat belt but no speeding ticket. $50 fine but no points. I pays to be honest and respectful.

Also, I fight every ticket also. When I lived in New York I would mail them in with an excuse. Sometimes they were thrown out. Mostly the fines were reduced, more often than not by at least half.
And those police stickers do work. If you get a call from the local PD asking for a donation You'll get a sticker. They very rarely pull over someone with one of them.

Another thing, Those small towns with the low speed limits. They know who the tourists are. They never pull over the locals. it is most definitely a speed trap. Which is also illegal but almost impossible to prove.

Danny

Whiskeydan · #28 01-03-2005, 11:19 AM

After driving around all day yesterday seaching for the right TD (on topic) Myself and a lady friend went out to get a nice Italian meal. At the table behind us sat three Texas State troopers. Their topic of discussion included beheadings, blood and guts... I believe they were discussing the lasted overseas current events.
It was quite disturbing hearing them laugh and chuckle with every graphic detail. Mannerism of 13 yr old boys. Very unprofessional when in uniform.
As we were leaving (early) I turned to them and stated how "unappetizing" it was. They looked at us and laughed.
A formal complaint is on the way to Texas Department of Public Trans.
Very disappointing...

Never found a TD for sale BTW. Still looking.

Dan

d.delano · #29 01-03-2005, 11:24 AM

I got caught breaching the law when I was going 15mph in a posted 7-1/2mph speed zone. That's seven and one-half miles per hour. It was Sanibel Island at the old folks' campground or thereabouts. Only reason I was speedin' was I had to poop really bad and was trying to get to the bathroom. Probably didn't help that I was driving a black Z28.
I have to agree that the '85 D WILL go pretty good, I guess it depends on the driver and how familiar with the driving dynamics of the car the driver is. Now that I've halfway fixed my turbo boost problem (thanks engatwork) I realize these cars are not slugs, but not exactly rockets either.

Pete Burton · #30 01-03-2005, 01:27 PM

My general experience in dealing with police is that the experience is almost entirely arbitrary. I've had more good than bad, and little in between. I'm surprised that I'm writing what I'm writing even now. But I think it has so much to do with individual personalities that the final outcome is highly unpredictable, and is still wise to avoid. Over 20 years ago, I had a summer job delivering and retrieving phone trucks for an outfit in Milford that fitted them with booms and buckets. Late one evening, I pulled into a Wendy's in south Jersey to finally get something to eat after a long day. Behind the Jersey Bell truck was the old pickup with CT plates in tow (running, to keep lights on, SOP) The restaurant was empty except for 2 Jersey troopers. I decided that the chances of getting a ticket that night outweighed my hunger, so I got back in the truck and drove off, figuring I'd save 30 minutes and a potential hassle. The next morning I found out I'd driven home over the Mianus river bridge 30 minutes before it fell. For me, truth has always been stranger than fiction.