a question for leo's
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 23
From: Phoenix, AZ/Canton, OH
I have 2 questions for you LEO'S.
1. Have any of you ever written a ticket for drivers in the left lane going below the speed limit and causing a back up?
2. In the case of Cage V Biker is it hard to not feel a little pissed at the cage driver?
Thanks for being out there when we need you.
1. Have any of you ever written a ticket for drivers in the left lane going below the speed limit and causing a back up?
2. In the case of Cage V Biker is it hard to not feel a little pissed at the cage driver?
Thanks for being out there when we need you.
Last edited by Cotton Hill; May 30, 2009 at 10:05 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Redding, CA
Yes, I have written a few tags for impeding traffic on a multi-lane highway with a maximum speed limit. And yes, it can be hard not to be pissed at a cager that hurts one of us. But, if you can't control your temper, you need a different line of work.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
I was touring along at 55 ina 50 zone. Came up on a couple of really slow pokes. Cranked it up to 80 and got by in a legal passing zone....and had an open road for about a mile so cracked it for the shear joy of the speed. No other traffic on the road. Just started to let it off and over the hill about 1/2 mile comes the LEO. Instantly flashed me and I was pulled over and off the bike before he got turned around. We chatted for a while, then he said,"Kinda easy to go fast on these things, ain't it." He ended up writing me at 15 over, when in actual fact he clocked me at about 95 in the 50. I told him he was the first EVER to give me a speed violation in my 45 year driving history. He said, "Well, now I feel bad." I told him not to let it bother him and I deserved the ticket. We both had a good laugh and chatted for a while longer. Saw him a few time later while doing about 10 over, he just waved, as did I.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 5
From: Snohomish WA
There has been no pressure to write more tickets here. Quotas in most states are illegal. Some departments require contacts but There has been no pressure to write more that is different. We do have a seatbelt compliance campaign going but officers need a reason for a stop other than the belt violation here as it is secondary enforcement. Attitude is everything when I deal with anybody. Act like a dick and your chances of receiving a ticket increase. Act decent and you'll probably have a nice conversation and enjoy the rest of the day.
I have tried the being nice and it doesn't work any better then being an a$$.
I do however pay a lawyer $200.00 and he has gotten me out of 4 tickets in the last 2 years. I do this to save on insurance if those 4 tickets were on my record my insurance would be through the roof.
So to say quotas are illegal that doesn’t mean that they don’t do it. You will never see it in a memo from the chief to write more tickets but it is off the record.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
i can't say whether there is a quote or not, or if they is some complelling language to write more tickets or not.
but what i have always found interesting is that in court, it sure seems a real possibility to have a speeding ticket (or some other mover) changed to a non moving ticket if the fine gets increased. that says it is about the money.
i know somebody who got stopped in ohio. my friend did have a couple drinks but he was not over the legal limit. but i guess he got ticketed for like a DWI instead of a DUI. supposedly in ohio the DWI can be given even if you are not over the limit. it supposedly means that you were driving in such a manner that was not. anyway - he got a ticket. got a lawyer. and basically the lawyer said "they don't care about you, all they want is the money, so we will give them more money to have the offense changed to something else. they get the money and you don't get a ding against your record."
they can't get money if tickets aren't issued.
isn't money the reason for the red light cameras.
but what i have always found interesting is that in court, it sure seems a real possibility to have a speeding ticket (or some other mover) changed to a non moving ticket if the fine gets increased. that says it is about the money.
i know somebody who got stopped in ohio. my friend did have a couple drinks but he was not over the legal limit. but i guess he got ticketed for like a DWI instead of a DUI. supposedly in ohio the DWI can be given even if you are not over the limit. it supposedly means that you were driving in such a manner that was not. anyway - he got a ticket. got a lawyer. and basically the lawyer said "they don't care about you, all they want is the money, so we will give them more money to have the offense changed to something else. they get the money and you don't get a ding against your record."
they can't get money if tickets aren't issued.
isn't money the reason for the red light cameras.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 89
From: NEPA
I've only been stopped 2 time in 21 years and both time it was my fault. I stayed cool and got nothing for the first one. The 2nd time around I had to pay $150.00. I didn't bitch about it, I got what I deserved.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Just west of Tahoe
In this economy I'd guess that all cops are getting more pressure from above to write more tickets. You might luck out and find a cop that rides and lets you slide, but I doubt it. I just read something here yesterday that citations are up this year 25% over a year ago. Hmmmm.......
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Redding, CA
When told in the past that "you must be trying to meet your quota," I would often reply, "No quota, they let me right all the tickets I want!" You guys ask an honest question, us LEO's try to give you an honest answer, but no, we must be lying. It is all about the money. Half the threads on this site are about some azzhat talking on a cell phone, cutting you off, changing lanes without signalling, and on, and on, and on. But, we are simply raising revenue when we cite them? Well, do you want them cited, or not? And if we do, is it just for the money, or is it safety? I've been doing this stuff for about 25 years and never once did I give a rat's azz about any of the money collected from my citations. Instead I cared about keeping my beat taken care of, reduced accident rates, and keeping the peace. I never wanted anyone to give me a special deal on a motorcycle or anything else. I am pleased with my salary, and don't want any special tribute because of what I do. But please, don't call me a liar when i say there is not a quota, and that revenue has nothing to do with my department's enforcement of the vehicle code.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: High desert area in SoCal
He said it.....and is right. Discretion. That is the key word. I've told several friends and family (unfortunately) it is how you act more than what the offense is....sometimes. THIS does not mean you can do 80 in a 30, or drag race through a school zone.
The officer that wrote the ticket, from the words written, young. Never assume, but more than not new on the job, maybe. Younger officers tend to follow "guidelines" as they are judged more under an FTO, watch commander, etc. As with anything, discretion comes with time.
Sorry you got a ticket, I would have understood your answer. Given you a "slow it down." But that was then and this is now. I do not write anymore tickets.
The officer that wrote the ticket, from the words written, young. Never assume, but more than not new on the job, maybe. Younger officers tend to follow "guidelines" as they are judged more under an FTO, watch commander, etc. As with anything, discretion comes with time.
Sorry you got a ticket, I would have understood your answer. Given you a "slow it down." But that was then and this is now. I do not write anymore tickets.
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: High desert area in SoCal
That's funny right there, I don't care who ya are!
And yes, as a rider I'm sure I tend to look at biker traffic situations a little differently than non-riders do. I have found that I tend to stop (and write) a lot of crotch rockets, seems most of the riders don't have licenses or registration and insurance.
And yes, as a rider I'm sure I tend to look at biker traffic situations a little differently than non-riders do. I have found that I tend to stop (and write) a lot of crotch rockets, seems most of the riders don't have licenses or registration and insurance.