Got stopped yesterday
 

For passing a guy driving under the speed limit. Unfortunately although it was a very minor side road it was also a double yellow and even though I checked my mirror before making my move as soon as I did it I saw flashing lights come on.

I thought oh no I am gonna get a ticket for sure. The young officer came up to my window cautiously, wearing a casual sweat shirt. We exchanged a few words, myself allowing that there is no excuse for passing on the yellow even though the guy had been driving under the speed limit for over a mile, and the kind officer, perhaps seeing my white beard, let me go with a verbal warning.

I suspect he was on his way to a workout or something by the way he was dressed.

Lucky me.;)

Tom,

I expect that more than anything, honesty and respect for the officer was responsible for you getting a warning as opposed to a ticket.

These guys deal with lots of asshats, so dealing with someone who will tell honestly what they did and show respect are a welcome break for them.

I learned a long time ago, that if I get stopped I tell them honestly what I was doing and not try to lie about it and at the same time show them respect, they will in most cases give me a break.

they have heard it all I am sure.;)

big mistake on his part. Any cop knows that a white beard is a point of suspicion. After all, Santa Clause is the worlds best cat burglar, with nary a security system ever tripped and millions of homes entered annually

good thing you don't look like the Assassin Dorner....:D

Ive been pretty lucky with the younger cops. Last one let me go after I kinda made a rolling stop. I had one that was a real jerk once. He accused me of throwing something out the window when he was standing right there. I couldnt believe it.

They haven't had time to become bitter and angry yet?

A lot of times the younger ones are making a resume.

The LAPD only shoots women, haven't you heard.

And newborn babies, of course. Terrifying creatures -- they might gum an LAPD cop to death if they don't open fire first.

Got pulled over last night on my way home from Seminary class (2.5 hour drive home starting at 10pm). Deputy caught me doing 66 in a 50.

"Sir I caught you doing 66 in a 50 mph zone. License and registration please"

Handed it over

"Is this your current address?"
"No, I moved a few months ago"
"Have you notified the MVA?"
"The MVA has been notified"
"Do you know you only have 30 days to notify them or your license is invalid? Do you change your address with them?"
"No"
"Wait, you just said you did. So which is it? Did you notify them of your new address or not?"
"Sir I'm not trying to give you contradictory answers. My wife handled the change of address for both of us and I'm not sure what process she went through to do so. I do not currently have a change of address card with me."
"Allright, this will take a few minutes"

Few minutes later.

"Alright I gave you a written warning explaining why you were stopped. Please slow down."
"I apologize sir, I drive this way every week but I'm not used to driving with the extra 10 horsepower in this car, it's my wife's" (was driving my wife's 1995 E300)
"Extra 10 horsepower? Are you trying to be wise with me?"
"No, my car only has 125 horsepower, this has 135"
<incredulous face>

"Well be careful when pulling out."



As a son of a retired LEO I can say I should have slowed down and deserved the ticket had he given it to me. But it sure is funny when my diesel fleet gets me out of every ticket!

Or perhaps he thought you were hawt! ;):D

Being pleasant and straightforward may not save you from a ticket. It is almost certain that giving them a hard time might be counterproductive though.

The actual ticket cost is so high locally that the police really try not to hand the tickets out. If the tickets where on some more reasonable basis cost wise would reduce that practice a lot.

As the years go by it seems the police are a little more apprehensive when approaching a vehicle they have stopped. Keeping both hands visable on the top of the steering wheel is not a bad ideal. Combine this with a friendly tone of voice when they approach.

Yeah, they are pretty wary now as they approach the door....can't blame them.

Over here the best thing to do is to stop straight away & get out of the car, move to the side of the road behind the car. That way you can have a civil conversation. I have a couple of times when it was raining, got out with an umbrella & walked back to the police car with it explaining that it would not be very nice for the officer to have to complete his shift in wet clothes. I believe that on your side of the pond they dont like you getting out of your car unless you are instructed to do so.