Got pulled over today... for doing nothing!

mdaudioguy

Thoroughly cleaned my baby this morning, inside and out. So later today, my brother-in-law, Stan, and I head down to his shop where he's been working on my wife's Volvo S40 - just a base-model 5-speed, to return it home. On the way back, we stop at a red light.

After the light, two lanes merge into one, and I'm on the right, and it's my lane that's disappearing. The light turns green. Just goofing off a little, Stan pops the clutch and spins the wheels of the Volvo - maybe squeals for a full second. He lets off the gas to regain some traction, and I just accelerate smoothly out in front of him. I put my blinker on to move over in front of him and he gives me plenty of room. As I move over, I see a cop three cars behind Stan, and the cop guns it to move around the other two cars and gets behind Stan.

Now, we're turning right in a couple of hundred yards, so again, I put my blinker on and move into the left turn lane. Stan, for whatever reason, decides to go straight, and... the cop follows me! I'm on the entrance ramp to a highway, and yep, the lights come on and the siren chirps. He introduces himself, requests my license and registration, and asks, "Do you know why you were pulled over?", and I say, "Actually, no."

He then said, "You made quite a commotion pulling away from that light back there." I replied that it wasn't me, but rather the car next to me. Then he says, "Oh, so he squealed his wheels and you had to outdo him by accelerating ahead of him, so it was a speed contest." Now he's accusing me of racing my wife's tired, old Volvo! I explained to him that it wasn't some stranger driving the other car, but by brother-in-law, and it was him who was goofing off. I asked him how fast he thought I was going, but he didn't answer, and went back to his car.

I'm sitting there thinking this guy's gonna ticket me for racing, when all he heard was the squealing of wheels that he ASSUMED were mine. Fortunately, I think he realized that I really hadn't done anything, but he still ended up writing me a warning for an "unsafe start", which I later turned over to Stan...

mdaudioguy

Here's some pics of my car after I cleaned it up this morning. By the way, this is often cited as indisputable proof of my "mid-life crisis." (Whatever!)

We've had quite a few laughs today about me getting pulled over... why would anyone assume it was me??:rolleyes::D

gfong

For doing nothing! ummmmm....Sorry man, but with this explanation "The light turns green. Just goofing off a little, Stan pops the clutch and spins the wheels of the Volvo - maybe squeals for a full second. He lets off the gas to regain some traction, and I just accelerate smoothly out in front of him" it could look like racing, especially if the police officer or anyone was behind you!

mdaudioguy

gfong wrote: »

For doing nothing! ummmmm....Sorry man, but with this explanation "The light turns green. Just goofing off a little, Stan pops the clutch and spins the wheels of the Volvo - maybe squeals for a full second. He lets off the gas to regain some traction, and I just accelerate smoothly out in front of him" it could look like racing, especially if the police officer or anyone was behind you!

Whatever, dude. Fact is, I never even reached the speed limit before turning, and my acceleration was not out of the ordinary. Yeah, the cop had a reason to pull someone over - one car did make an "unsafe start." He just assumed he knew which one. I certainly understand how it might have appeared. We always laugh about how Stan always seems to have a horseshoe up his... No harm, no foul, in the end. Just a funny story.

dkg999

In IL they would write you up for uneccessary use of power. It's what they use when they can't make it into a reckless driving citation.

VR3

The way I accelerate ALL the time - I should always be cited for that hahahah

kawizx9r

dkg999 wrote: »

In IL they would write you up for uneccessary use of power. It's what they use when they can't make it into a reckless driving citation.

Yep, remember that when I lived in Chicago.

In Cali, they say it's an 'exhibition of power' or something.

My tires squeal, even if I don't accelerate that hard

Face

He pulled you over because he thought it was a teenage girl driving that car.

fishbones

Face wrote: »

He pulled you over because he thought it was a teenage girl driving that car.

Now that's funny!!!! (don't be insulted, I've owned gold cars....as a '71 Stingray)

But trully, if you were a cop, heard tires squealing, see a volvo and a yellow suped-up-looking mitsubishi pulling out in front of it at a higher rate of speed....what would you think, I mean come on....are you really surprised at his assumption!!?

kawizx9r

Face wrote: »

He pulled you over because he thought it was a teenage girl driving that car.

LOL

fishbones wrote: »

Now that's funny!!!! (don't be insulted, I've owned gold cars....as a '71 Stingray)

But trully, if you were a cop, heard tires squealing, see a volvo and a yellow suped-up-looking mitsubishi pulling out in front of it at a higher rate of speed....what would you think, I mean come on....are you really surprised at his assumption!!?

+1

Buddy of mine just read this (he's a cop too) and he said he would've thought the same thing.

Tony M

Souds like a case of DWY

"Driving While Yellow"...:)


They give you a speeding ticket automatically when you buy a new yellow sports car at the dealerships.:(:D

munk

In this world, you are almost always guilty of a at least a small infraction at any given time.

The cop may have had reason to stop you, but once he did he was not satisfied with your answers, and shaped them to fit what was in his mind, not what actually happened. How is this a good thing, or even good police procedure? The fact the speed limit was not broken proved your description was logical.

First time I got a speeding ticket, and I wasn't drunk, I was so happy I almost shook the cops hand. There was a Ruger Bisley 41 mag on the passengers seat, though. Cop didn't care. I got my ticket and left.

I didn't usualy speed, but a car ahead of me was going down the mountain highway real slow, Because He Was On A Mountain And There Were Curves. Speed limit is 55, he's doing 40. I did not want to spend the rest of the evening following him, so I gunned it.

hearingimpared

I got one for you. Yesterday, I was running some errands. I live in an area where the County Police patrol the area and most of it is posted 25 mph and they are real sticklers about it.

I was coming out of the 25 mph zone and going up an incline to a small bridge where the speed limit is 35 mph. Now it's posted 35 mph going the other direction but not in the direction I was going where the limit changes. In any event, I'm driving just under 35 and go over the crest of the bridge and right there on the shoulder is a County Officer Cruiser. I wasn't the least bit concerned.

I get a good 30 yards past him and I notice the lights go on and he speeds right up to my **** and beeps the siren. I pulled over. I'm usually very, very courteous to Police officer so the conversations went like this;

Cop: Do you know why I pulled you over?

Me: No sir unless you did because I have a spare donut on my rear tire.

Cop: May I see your license, registration and insurance card please.

Me: Yes sir, but what did I do.

Cop: you were going 39 mph in an unposted 35 mph zone.

Me: No sir, I checked my speedometer and I was going just under 35 mph. Since having to put the donut on the car I've been taking it nice and slow.

Cop: I got you on radar at 39 mph. He goes back to his car to check my cards.

Cop returns;

Me: Officer with all due respect I hope you don't intend to give me a ticket for speeding.

Cop: And why would that be Sir?

Me: Well as I understand it, having a couple of State Troopers as friends, if a vehicle is going under 5 miles over the speed limit no traffic judge would uphold the ticket because we are not required to have our speedometers calibrated.

Cop: Don't lecture me on the law, I don't like your attitude.

Me: I'm sorry sir if you think I was being disrespectful of your position but I was going just under 35 if you got me at 39 then all I can say is that this 1993 vehicle's speedometer is out of calibration.

Cop: So Mr. Wiseguy you ARE talking yourself into a ticket.

Me: Okay sir but let me explain something to you. If you give me that ticket I'm going to fight it. Being that I'm on disability, it will be no problem for me to go to court as I won't have to loose time and money at work. When the judge asks me if I had my speedometer calibrated (which isn't required) and I say no, he's going to dismiss the speeding charge. Now you will have to take time from your normal schedule to appear in court to support the charge of speeding which will be a waste of your time and mine. I'm sorry if it seems that I'm being cocky but these are facts.

Cop: (getting really pissed now) I can cite you for driving an unsafe vehicle too.

Me: How do you come to that conclusion sir!

Cop: It's better than a speeding ticket so which is it?

Me: Please explain how my vehicle is unsafe.

Cop: I've seen you driving on that donut for over two weeks now.

Me: I didn't realize it was against the law or was a time limit as to how long one can drive on a donut. Also sir I wouldn't be driving on this donut if I had the money to purchase a new tire as I only get paid once a month and the . . . COP INTERRUPTS ME!

Cop: Thats' enough! and goes back to his car with my cards.

He comes back;

Cop: (looking very flustered) Okay I'm not going to cite you for speeding and I'm not going to write up a warning but I am giving you this verbal warning; from now on you must drive your car and make sure you set your speed at five miles less per hour than what is being displayed on your speedometer. The next time I find you going over the speed limit 5 or less miles over the speed limit I WILL cite you for speeding and if that donut is still on the car add a driving an unsafe vehicle citation.

Me: (as he's handing my cards back) Can I go now?

Cop: (really pissed off now) step out of the vehicle sir.

Me: why sir?

Cop: probable cause.

Me: probable cause !?! and that would be?

Cop: I think you may have drugs or alcohol in the vehicle. Your mouth is very dry.

Me: (as I'm getting out of the car) I'm diabetic sir and sometimes my medicine makes my mouth very dry.

Cop: turn around, place your hands on top of the vehicle and spread your legs. (He frisks me) and heard rattling in my pocket) If I place my hand in your pocket am I going to get stuck with a needle?

Me: no sir I inject my insulin once every evening from an insulin pen.

Cop: I'm talking about an illegal syringe.

Me: no sir! (Now I'm getting pissed off although I know he didn't like the things I said to him)

Cop: (reaches in my pocket and finds a bottle of Tylenol) What have we here?

Me: a bottle of Tylenol sir. If you check the pills each should be labeled in red "Tylenol!" Come on officer you are waisting both our time!

Cop: go to the back of the vehicle and open the trunk. (he does a though search of the trunk getting quite dirty having to handle and move the tire with the flat. May I search your vehicle?

Me: (Now I really pissed) You told me you had probable cause and now you are asking for my permission to search my vehicle. Since you obviously don't have probable cause and are just breaking my balls no sir you may not!

Meanwhile another cruiser pulls up turns out to be a supervisor;

Super: What's going on here?

Cop: we have a real wise guy here.

Super: what did he do?

Cop: Let's go back to my cruiser.

They go back;

Super: sir here are your cards back, please drive safely and please don't lecture a police officer again about traffic laws.

Me: Yes sir, but the officer threatened me with Blah blah blah.

Super: Yes he disclosed that to me.

Me: Well what do I do about that?

Super: please return to your vehicle and be on your way.

They both followed me into town then split off and let me be.

What a ball breaker. I have to admit though; although I was in no hurry and did respectfully give him ****, so I did prod him on to break my balls but I know my rights when it comes to traffic law due to my years of friendship with State Troopers.

I kind of had fun!:D

mdaudioguy

Face wrote: »

He pulled you over because he thought it was a teenage girl driving that car.

My other brother-in-law drops that one on me every time I see him. I do take some abuse for owning this car, but I still think it looks darn good in yellow.

mdaudioguy

kawizx9r wrote: »

Buddy of mine just read this (he's a cop too) and he said he would've thought the same thing.

Heck yeah, from three cars back, I probably would have made the same assumption. Good thing I didn't give him too much lip, like Joe a couple of posts up...

Joe, that was a hilarious read! He's been watching you for weeks!! Haha!

billbillw

When you drive a car that looks like something out of The Fast and Furious, expect to get pulled over for no reason sometimes.

mdaudioguy

fishbones wrote: »

Now that's funny!!!! (don't be insulted, I've owned gold cars....as a '71 Stingray)

But trully, if you were a cop, heard tires squealing, see a volvo and a yellow suped-up-looking mitsubishi pulling out in front of it at a higher rate of speed....what would you think, I mean come on....are you really surprised at his assumption!!?

I was more amused than surprised... except when I was sitting there and he was contemplating calling it a speed contest! :eek: I don't think I want to find out what that would have cost.

So, you're one of those guys who drove a yellow car, but were in denial and called it gold!

The funny part is that Stan told me later that after he drove past the turn I made, he turned around and came back past us while he had me pulled over, and of course, the cop didn't recognize the nondescript white Volvo... I think Stan's been laughing his butt off ever since.

mdaudioguy

billbillw wrote: »

When you drive a car that looks like something out of The Fast and Furious, expect to get pulled over for no reason sometimes.

Before I bought it, I texted a picture of it to my wife with the question, "Do you mind if I buy this car?"

Her response, "Go for it!" (Same as when I buy audio gear - gotta love her! )

Ten minutes later she sends, "But, you're going to get it in a different color, right?"

It was too late!

JuanR

Gents, if you feel you've been harrased by a cop, then file a complaint. Find out where your local Police Administration station is and do it. Trust me, cops dont like this because if enough complaints get filed on them, well, lets just say they get investigated. Make sure and get that badge number, somehow, they get irritated when you ask for it, it lets them know you are serious on your end.

Dont argue with them, it's not going to get you anywhere (except for them trying to scare you and or give you more tickets), file that complaint.

gfong

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Whatever, dude. Fact is, I never even reached the speed limit before turning, and my acceleration was not out of the ordinary. Yeah, the cop had a reason to pull someone over - one car did make an "unsafe start." He just assumed he knew which one. I certainly understand how it might have appeared. We always laugh about how Stan always seems to have a horseshoe up his... No harm, no foul, in the end. Just a funny story.

Seeing as I drive this on the street, I do know where you are coming from! I am sure you know where my point was coming from as well! The both of us have been around the block a few times and have cars that say "pull me over"
Keep it safe and stay out of the gas! (Well maybe not all the time!)

In this day and age if it appears to be street racing, it is! (Gotta love it)

JimKellyfan

I used to have a pull me over Canary yellow Z28 (as well as some others), now, I have incognito ( except for the exhaust rumble ) power in my woodie 94 Caprice wagon. Still will beat any SS as it is all gone over, comes stock with an LT1.
Typical vehicles not pulled over, white trucks as well.
Also, usually safe 7 - 9 miles over the limit, but if you see big brother, slow to the limit ;>)

mdaudioguy

JuanR wrote: »

Gents, if you feel you've been harrased by a cop, then file a complaint. Find out where your local Police Administration station is and do it. Trust me, cops dont like this because if enough complaints get filed on them, well, lets just say they get investigated. Make sure and get that badge number, somehow, they get irritated when you ask for it, it lets them know you are serious on your end.

Dont argue with them, it's not going to get you anywhere (except for them trying to scare you and or give you more tickets), file that complaint.

I never meant to imply any sort of harassment. He just misinterpreted what he saw, and it essentially got sorted out. I figure the warning was just a CYA for him in order to document the stop. He had surely already called in my license and what he thought he had witnessed.

Now, hearingimpared's case, that sounds a little different to me... that cop might have a good case for harassment!

mdaudioguy

gfong wrote: »

Seeing as I drive this on the street, I do know where you are coming from! I am sure you know where my point was coming from as well! The both of us have been around the block a few times and have cars that say "pull me over"
Keep it safe and stay out of the gas! (Well maybe not all the time!)

In this day and age if it appears to be street racing, it is! (Gotta love it)

Sweet ride! Yeah, that's definitely a cop-catcher!

JimKellyfan

I remember when I had my BMW 2002, all black, running down some back road in PA.
I had someone with bright lights on my backside, so I eventually put on my flashers and pulled over. So, it turned out to be a Carbondale, PA finest occifer. He said, what were you doing pulling over here ? I said, to let who ever was up my butt go by. It really didn't go well after that, as one can imagine.

mdaudioguy

JimKellyfan wrote: »

I remember when I had my BMW 2002, all black, running down some back road in PA.
I had someone with bright lights on my backside, so I eventually put on my flashers and pulled over. So, it turned out to be a Carbondale, PA finest occifer. He said, what were you doing pulling over here ? I said, to let who ever was up my butt go by. It really didn't go well after that, as one can imagine.

Yeah, probably not the best way to start off!

mdaudioguy

Ok, so here's a recreation of the scene... Which one would you think was the squealer?? ;)

bigaudiofanatic

I got pulled over last night. Was going south on the NJ turn pike. Police was just getting done pulling someone over. Pulled out, I was doing 75-80 staying with traffic I changed lanes twice. Not even 3 minutes later he flies up behind me and pulls me over. Tells me I was speeding changing lanes rapidly on top of all that saying that my tag cover was illegal. Gives me a ticket for the cover 80 bucks WTF. I have had them for 5 years never had a problem and not one cop has mentioned them until last night.

Face

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Gives me a ticket for the cover 80 bucks WTF. I have had them for 5 years never had a problem and not one cop has mentioned them until last night.

Since you've been getting away with it for 5 years, that means you shouldn't have been ticketed for it?

Serendipity

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Ok, so here's a recreation of the scene... Which one would you think was the squealer?? ;)

The Volvo.

mdaudioguy

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I got pulled over last night. Was going south on the NJ turn pike. Police was just getting done pulling someone over. Pulled out, I was doing 75-80 staying with traffic I changed lanes twice. Not even 3 minutes later he flies up behind me and pulls me over. Tells me I was speeding changing lanes rapidly on top of all that saying that my tag cover was illegal. Gives me a ticket for the cover 80 bucks WTF. I have had them for 5 years never had a problem and not one cop has mentioned them until last night.

I'd say you got off easy if all he ticketed you for was the license plate cover.

mdaudioguy

Serendipity wrote: »

The Volvo.

Dang, if only you were the cop, you'd have guessed right.