Cops Running Radar At Night With Lights Off?

Bullshit!

"it happens all the time" Is a figment of your imagination. Most drivers disobey numerous traffic laws every time they get behind the wheel. The comparably few times they happen to get pulled over and or ticketed

"if you drive *perfectly* you can" be pulled over, but the likelihood is very remote, nearly nonexistent.

Your attitude is the number one determining factor as to weather or not you are issued a ticket. That attitude is generally what grabs the cops attention in the first place.

I tend to drive over the speed limit, I pick and choose how and where I do it according to traffic, how safe it might be and how and where I am most likely to get caught. I make great efforts to NOT piss off fellow motorists while I drive, by not tailgating, cutting off, rapid lane changing, or any other offensive reckless activities.

Yet I still manage to get pulled over once in a while, The VAST MAJORITY or the time, I get let go. My last ticket was over 8 years ago. I have been pulled over about a dozen times since then, each time I had been caught committing a ticketable offence... I attribute this to a couple things, I have a very positive attitude, to the cop and about his job. Hands at 2 and

10, ignition off, no radio on, clear direct honest pleasant respectful communication, etc.

BTW: Having a concealed weapons permits issued in multiple states doesn't hurt, that information comes up when they run your plate or license.

Don't get me wrong, there are many things I dislike about the current state of law enforcement as it applies to "traffic law" not the least of which is the fact that the majority of our police departments have become de facto tax collectors, their main job is revenue generation, not public safety.

But if you wanna play ya gotta pay...

Nope, I'm quite sincere.

While "all the time" may be stretching it a bit, it is by far too frequent an occurrence to be completely dismissed as imaginary. Heck, "at all" is too much in a supposedly free society.

Not true, especially in large metro areas with near-zero compliance with basic traffic laws. Believe me, someone driving legally around Chicago or LA would be an absolute cop magnet.

No tailgating, no speeding, keeping right except to pass, and signaling every lane change??? Someone driving so legally /must/ be trying to avoid police attention, and probably are running drugs or have a warrant out!

Maybe, maybe not. That's up to the cop.

Behavior is what grabs their attention. The cop can't assess your attitude until after you've been pulled over, and from what I've heard from cops both online and in person, if you're pulled over they will ticket you, pay $200 and do not pass Go, with precious little you can do to change their mind.

Sounds like how I drive, and how many people drive: As conditions dictate, with a subconscious (or conscious, in my case) desire to not harm oneself, and with some expectation that others will do the same. Self-preservation is a powerful instinct.

Like I always say, I will never endanger myself or those around me simply for the sake of obeying an arbitrary law.

That's pure luck, and highly depends on the cop, not your attitude. I've been pulled over 4 times in 8 years, and been let off exactly once. (Of course, two of the others were later dismissed in court...)

All good advice. It's only worked once for me. :(

I've heard that, but I have no desire to obtain a handgun or be licensed to CC. Two plinker rifles and an old shotgun (all of which are buried at the bottom of a closet) are more than enough firepower for me! :)

I wouldn't argue with that, if only the other side would play fair; My main complaint with the current revenue-based system is that it's rigged in favor of the tax collectors, er, cops and courts.

I mean, if speed limits around here were set properly using the 85th percentile method like they're supposed to be, I'd be as close to a perfectly legal driver as any person can be.

But instead, they're set to somewhat below the 50th percentile of free flowing traffic (and in other areas the speed limit reflects less than

1% of traffic), so I either have a choice of *significantly* endangering myself by slowing down to below the speed limit or driving at a safer but not-quite-legal speed.

To sum it up, I think we agree the current system sucks. :\

Have you seen

from Ohio? Browse through the archived site at the bottom...

Just like most of us. We know the risk and at this point most of us feel the chance of being pulled over present, but slim. Only 15% over the speed limit.

Choose your rate, pick your fate. We all know this is the most likely time we're going to get nailed. 66 in a 45, almost 50% over posted speed limit. No cop in the USofA is going to let it go. It all comes down to this (and we all know it): If we drive over the posted limit we are at risk of getting a ticket. Whether we think posted limit is right or wrong is irrelevent. If I think our laws about murder/rape/burglary (pick the crime) are wrong, can I do it and then whine if I get caught and expect people to let me off the hook? If we choose to disobey the law then suck it up and take the pain. No one pushes our foot harder on the pedal except ourselves.

I speed like a Mfer and I admit it. I've had one ticket in the last 12 years and it was in the spring in Ohio while visiting the wife's parents. 74 in a 65. Thought 9 over would be safe. Guess not with out of state tags. Officer was on side of road, standing outside his car shooting cars with a radar/laser gun. Waved me over and that was that. Came up to the car makiing polite conversation by asking how my day was going. My reply: "Apparently I've had better days". He got a chuckle and I got a $50 ticket. I just look back at the times i didn't get pulled over and think how lucky I am. Life could be worse. If a speeding ticket is the worst thing I have to bitch about then life is doing pretty good. A speeding ticket is the one thing we all have control over. If you get one, it is 100% our own fault, no one elses. We all know it, it's just we don't want to admit it.

You can't avoid it. Once the detector goes off your speed has already been read by the lidar. Laser jammers are the way to go. check out lidatek le-30

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I wondered if they did or not. Thinking it did made me more cynical about it.

Yeah, you play, you pay. But some people are more targeted than others. Some beg to be targeted, like rice boys. Never understood that concept.

I've used Trip Tix (sp?) before from AAA... don't remember that, but it's been a while.

So, you were a c> And don't think "foreign cops" get a break in such places. A

Which are illegal in most states. Don't think you want to give the officer any more ammo to use against you.

In TX the only traffic offense you can NOT be arrested for is speeding, if the officer figures out you're using a jamming device you might just get a chance to try out some new stainless steel jewelry.

And BTW, if your speed is sufficient to be determined "reckless" you just entered the Grey Bar Inn lottery.

Bear in mind that with ANY offense your disposition is up to whether the officer determines your act is a crime and then exactly what crime that is. It doesn't mean the judge, or a jury, will agree with the officer, BUT if he decides you need to go to jail, as the saying goes, "you can't beat the ride." IOW, as a tip, it's generally not a good idea to give the officer a hard time. A fair amount of officers that I know are willing to give a break if John (or Jane, not forgetting about you Kate!) Q. is civil. FWIW, I never gave a ticket out for 10, or less, over, and the only people I arrested had warrants or were a danger to the public, read that as DWI.

And yes, I will admit that I know a couple of officers who literally would write their mother a ticket. I knew one deputy who thought it was great sport to arrest people just because he could. Hopefully, it'll make ya'll feel a bit better that he is no longer in the law enforcement business. It's turds like them that give us a bad name.

V'ger, I didn't know we had any other LEOs in the group. My main LE purpose is arson investigation but every once in a blue moon I find myself in a patrol car.

bill Car: '64.5 Mustang: 260 V8, 3 sp, factory a/c, SVO cam, Performer intake, Holley 390 cfm carb, Pertronix, Hi-Po exhaust manifolds, 1.5" front & 1" rear drop, Jacobs wires, Torq Thrust D's

Guns: Colt AR15, Sig P220, Moss. 590A1, Marlin 70P

Depends on the juristiction.

The Ohio State Troopers MUST have their lights on during the night time and MUST be visible.

-ERIC

LASER jammers are not illegal in most states unless, like in VA, there are laws that separate devices that interfere with police actions. There is no federal law making LASER jammers illegal and LASER emissions do not fall under FCC jurisdiction, IIRC they fall under the FDA. LASER detection is similar to RADAR since the LASER will continue down the road to you when a car ahead has been "lit up" setting off your detector. Contrary to SciFi movies, the LASER emitted does not remain the same tight beam hundreds of feet away when it gets to the targeted vehicle and a detector will be able to alert you. RADAR jammers are illegal due to the FCC laws that control radio transmissions. States like VA are overstepping FCC law every time they give out one of those RADAR detector tickets since FCC law specifically states that you can not be held liable for receiving any transmission. I've already said if I win a big lottery I'm going to drive around VA with a detector until I'm ticketed for having it, then fight the state clear up to the federal level to give them the big FU!

You may be correct in your neck of the woods, but the use of anything intended to evade, avoid, elude detection of a violation of the law in CA is itself a crime. That includes part of the law is general and broad scope catchall for essentially any area not covered elsewhere in the CVC CPC, CBPC, etc. It's illegal to even cover the license plate with lexan, etc, even if only to keep the bugs off.

Lord help you if you drive cross country and don't know the laws of each jurisdiction you pass through. What's good in one may be a major violation in another. Just as with weapons transport across state lines, I have to research prior to travel in order to comply with jurisdictional requirements.

So, d>LASER jammers are not illegal in most states unless, like in VA, there are

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

Yep, some of us do make it past the 5 year life span post retirement (1988). And, a few of us are Mustang fans... LOL It took it's toll, but I do miss the adrenilin rush from time to time.

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

As for decals, stickers, or even laying a badge visible on the dash... In a word... NO! But it does not hurt either. LOL As always, it depends upon the patrolman..... AND your attitude. Point out how you support cops, or flash some metal, and you're asking for a hit. Be polite and cooperative, and the patrolman "might" take the decal into consideration.

I was pulled over while in uniform, badge plainly visible, in Utah. I got the ticket, I paid the fine.... and I still think the Porsche with the Utah plates that passed me like I was going in reverse was the one who was the major violator. But, I was over the posted limit. I just had out of state plates. That's life.

As for targeted.... fit the profile.... be young, drive a hot, red, sport type vehicle....or be a ricer... In 1991 I bought my Firebird GTA in bright red, with the 350 Corvette engine. Sold it with over

100,000+ miles, many above the posted limit, and never been pulled over. Bought a beater 87 Escort and got pulled over the first night... for a taillight that went out due to a rusted socket. Got a verbal warn>I wondered if they did or not. Thinking it did made me more cynical >about it.

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

I ask questions, but I never argue. I have asked for breaks, as calmly and politely as I could, when I thought it made sense to. I've gotten a couple, and gotten a couple chuckles as well.

I didn't really think those stickers did much, but, couldn't hurt either like you said

that passed me like I was going in reverse was the one

Yeah, out of state, I pack the scanner and a detector. Why a scanner? Do I know the 10-codes? Of course not. But if I hear lots of chatter on the H.P. frequencies, I know they're around!!! Program them all in ahead of time, in order of troop I pass, if they'll all fit.

I once made it from Santa Fe to Amarillo in 3 hours. Once I got on 285 S, I hovered around 110, checked out 40, and did the same. It was just that kind of day, clear, bright, I felt good, and there was zero traffic. Out there it's like driving on the moon to me, so I hauled ass. The whole trip back to Mo., my MEAN speed was just over 72, and we stopped four times, just for drive-through and gas though. That's my personal record, 1050 miles in 14.5 hours.

I suppose so, I know they are supposed to be factual but must have peeves. I get some who hear me row through the gears on mid-acceleration (3.80 rear, low 1-3 ratios) with turbo muffs, and MAN do they tail me. Some just look at the radar gun or their paperwork, and could give a shyte. The Highland Green one I now have attracts far less attention with the same exhaust and gears as the Rangoon Red one I used to have, for sure. It's a fairly plain-looking car with hand-rubbed paint that says "collector / hobbyist" more than anything. But I do often get an extended look, and once or twice, even a nod and a smile... but ricers... they advertise like hell, drive like little idiots then bitch about spending half their time in court.

Ahh... these days, I seldom speed or do anything even remotely aggressive (believe it or not), with the occassional tire-burn for fun, or burst to 90 to clear packs here and there... don't need more misfortune at present

I did say "unless, like in VA, there are laws that separate devices that interfere with police actions".

I normally know whether I'm going to issue a citation of not before I approach the driver. I have become a bit parnoid through the years. And anyone who asks for a break, etc, it walking a razor's edge. The reason is tiny cameras and recording devices. In no way did I ever want to give the impression that I accepted any form of compensation for not writing a citation. And I have had the ones who think they can hand me a wallet with a $50 or $100 bill. I never accepted a wallet. I made them take the license out and hand it over. Of course, those types usually lose it about then, and it escalates from there. Always wanted to do like WW2 planes and paint little pictures on the fender for each politician, each security guard wanna be cop, each wealthy taxpayer who pays my wages, every chick who was willing to trade, every kid who "accidently" broke traction (for 75 feet?), etc..... LOL

Still gotta watch for the bear Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

I'm always very polite. Yes, ma'am; yes, sir; etc.

I know cops have a hard job, but I just wish their focus was bad drivers, not speed.

Patrick '93 Cobra '83 LTD

To allot of society, and most cops, speed in excess of the posted "speed limit" is bad driving...

Hard to throw the good drivers onto the highways with the morons and regulate it in any way, shape, or form. The only way that would work would be special roads for those so qualified... though it wouldn't happen due to the prohibitive costs.

Now... what might work is a real testing system. I know a girl who failed the test to work at a Sheetz (gas station), and barely remembered how many days are in a week. She has two kids and a driver's license, which, IMO, she shouldn't have any of the them. I know a guy who was one step away from legally blind in one eye, and the other was glass. He had a license as well. I had an elderly lady hit me (not hard, but hard enough) at the gas station and then ask me to pump her gas for her because she couldn't. I respect my elders, but this woman didn't need gas, she needed taken back home. I'd have rather driven her around. Seems the only requirement is a heartbeat, and sometimes I wonder if that even is applicable.

I'm not saying I'm the greatest driver in the world or that I don't do silly/stupid/mindless things every now and then, but I understand the basic dynamics and physics behind a moving vehicle *and* be physically capable of maneuvering a vehicle. By maneuvering, I don't mean go, stop, turn, I'm talking accident avoidance and the like. Learning that panic braking isn't always the best way out of a situation. One should at least understand that they can't maneuver as good when traction is limited, and that, contrary to seemingly popular belief, it actually takes *time* to slow down.

JS