Got pulled over today...

[VetteMed]

Driving home from work today, through a notorious speed trap (Waldo, FL), where the speed limit drops from 65 to 55, then maybe 100 yards later, drops to 45. There's always a cop or two sitting about 100 yards past where the actual 45 zone begins. Needless to say, I'm always watching the speedometer like a hawk, and I was doing 46 as I crossed into the 45 zone.

As I passed the 2 cops, I looked over in their direction, and continued along my way. About a half mile later, I get lit up and I pull over.

Cop claims that I was doing 52 in a 45, and that I have illegal windshield tint (stock ZR-1 windshield).

I asked him if the radar speed display that is set up elsewhere in the town of Waldo is accurate -- since I pass it every morning, and it reads exactly what the speedometer in the car reads. He stated that it is accurate but gave no explanation about how I was pulled over for 7 over.

I think he tagged me as I was still in the 55 zone, slowing down for the 45 zone.

This cop is probably in his mid-20s and had a blank look when I explained that the car was a ZR-1 and the laminated windshield was installed by the factory. He states that it's illegal. He then looks at the radar detector cutout and asks "what about this" -- and I explain its purpose (I do not have a detector). He again states that it's only legal to have tint at the top of the windshield, "but he's not going to write me up for it". I said thank you, Sir, but even if you did write me up, I would be contesting it as this windshield is a factory part. He didn't have much else to say about the windshield, but then asked for permission to search the car. I replied "Sir, you have no reason to search the vehicle, therefore I am declining a search". He asked for my license, and supposedly went to run it but turned around before he even got back to his car, and handed me back the license, and that was it.

Not too exciting, but thought you guys might get a chuckle out of the windshield thing.

[lbszr]

That's crazy.....glad you didn't end up with a ticket

[Blue Flame Restorations]

That's a bunch of crap to happen to you.

Glad you didn't get a ticket.

Young, ambitious, green rookie cop....

[ittlfly]

These cars are a magnet for just more than girls....;)

[jcruz]

Note to self: avoid Waldo like the plague.

[jrd1990zr1]

Bottom line was he just wanted to see the car!!!

Actually about a year ago I was pulled over by a NYS Trooper who openly admitted he pulled me over because "I looked interesting". Asked for my license and registration looked at them, we talked about the car and that was it.

I'm glad your Waldo cop wasn't crazy enough to write you for 7 over.

:cheers:

[Kevin]

I'd have told him to roll the dice and see what happens. very few things I hate worse then ******* cops

[-=Jeff=-]

Where's Waldo???

:sign10:

















in Florida, but where?

[C4Fanatic]

I wondered if anyone had been given any grief over the blue windshields...

[Coupe89]

How do you prove its a factory windshield?
Just in case it goes to court...

[GOLDCYLON]

How do you prove its a factory windshield?
Just in case it goes to court...


Well documented in multiple publications... Would have loved a court date. When I was done with him the only tinting issue would be the red on his face from the embarassement he would have suffer from stepping on his crank. Andrew great response to the consent to search.

[JThomas]

Maybe the officer was excercising a little discretion after he had obtained a factual radar reading of 7 over, which confirmed his visual observation of your speed. After having made contact with you, he determined there would be nothing more from this stop than just a speeding ticket, and he decided to simply let you go. JMHO

[A1990]

I have often wondered, is the speed limit at the sign itself or when you see the sign?

If it is at the sign, then how do we know where the LEO actually clocked us? If they are at the 45MPH sign in this example and clock you two blocks before it at 52 and want to give you a ticket, how could you contest this?

[GOLDCYLON]

I have often wondered, is the speed limit at the sign itself or when you see the sign?

If it is at the sign, then how do we know where the LEO actually clocked us? If they are at the 45MPH sign in this example and clock you two blocks before it at 52 and want to give you a ticket, how could you contest this?

My understanding is when you pass the sign you are in the zone.

[Kb7tif]

Sounds like A Fnut.
Glad he didn't get you a ticket, figured it wasn't worth his time in court.

[mike100]

7 over is pretty much legal in Cali. I heard it's a little strict in Florida, but I think he was fishing for warrant or something interesting that didn't come up with you.

[pantera1683]

I don't know about Florida but in Texas, driving faster than the speed limit isn't technically illegal. There is a presumption that speeding is unreasonable, but in trial you can rebut the presumption if you can show that your speeding was reasonable. Most people don't bother to do it though.

[VetteMed]

I've heard that in this particular town of Waldo, you can contest a speeding ticket, but if you lose in court, they tack on a $500 surcharge. Kinda makes the decision not so clear-cut, eh?

[pantera1683]

I've heard that in this particular town of Waldo, you can contest a speeding ticket, but if you lose in court, they tack on a $500 surcharge. Kinda makes the decision not so clear-cut, eh?

If you lose in JP court, appeal it so it goes to the county court. The prosecutors there don't really care about class C speeding tickets and usually don't want a trial on one.

[Locobob]

Sounds like a case of overactive law enforcement to me... jerks like that give the profession a bad name.

[GOLDCYLON]

Sounds like a case of overactive law enforcement to me... jerks like that give the profession a bad name.


Concur. The police have to put up with a lot. My brother is a police officer but in any 1% of every profession there is always an AZZHAT. I think Andrew found him.

[Paul Workman]

Concur. The police have to put up with a lot. My brother is a police officer but in any 1% of every profession there is always an AZZHAT. I think Andrew found him.

Yep!

My bro was an LEO for 30 years; mostly a county mounte. Same comments from him too - and usually the rookies that are all geeked up, he says. "Soon as they figure out that every day they have off, instead of fishing or hunting or working round the house, they'll find it is filled with BS court appearances...they'll soon figure out what the priorities are."

Sounds like a rookie.

P.

[JThomas]

I have often wondered, is the speed limit at the sign itself or when you see the sign?

If it is at the sign, then how do we know where the LEO actually clocked us? If they are at the 45MPH sign in this example and clock you two blocks before it at 52 and want to give you a ticket, how could you contest this?

In Michigan, the zone starts where the sign is posted. It is up to the officer to articulate that you were in the zone when the speed violation was obtained.

In your example given, if the officer is at the sign, he probably should not have obtained the reading until you entered the zone not prior too. Most officers are trained to conduct speed enforcement in zones where disputes like this are fairly easy to defend.

[Mahogaraunch]

I'm dissapointed at the vocal Police haters on this forum. Truly, who would you call if someone broke in your house and beat the living crap out of you? Police would run to your house to try and help your sorry ***. Give them a little courtesy. It's still an offence to break whatever traffic laws are out there. Often times its the little things that lead into major arrests or whatever. Just be polite, respectful and more than likely you'll be gone with nothing more than a warning. If you have nothing to hide, why not let him search? It would take 30 seconds because there is no frigging storage in the ZR1's. Police dealing with the public is truly like parenting children.

[Kevin]

I'm dissapointed at the vocal Police haters on this forum. Truly, who would you call if someone broke in your house and beat the living crap out of you? Police would run to your house to try and help your sorry ***. Give them a little courtesy. It's still an offence to break whatever traffic laws are out there. Often times its the little things that lead into major arrests or whatever. Just be polite, respectful and more than likely you'll be gone with nothing more than a warning. If you have nothing to hide, why not let him search? It would take 30 seconds because there is no frigging storage in the ZR1's. Police dealing with the public is truly like parenting children.

you realize that in the U.S the police aren't legally required to protect anyone, correct? If someone broke into my house I'd be calling EMS because the guy would have more than one .40cal hole in his chest and if the police did come I doubt they'd be "running" here. Maybe it's different up in canada. I won't let the police search my house car or person for any reason unless they have reasonable suspicion and or a warrant. I have the right to be secure in my person and possessions and I won't be letting someone dick around in either because the mood strikes them. And for the record, I don't hate cops, I hate pricks who abuse their power, be they cops, office workers, or jagoffs in semis.

[DaveK]

...if the police did come I doubt they'd be "running" here. Maybe it's different up in canada...

I've never seen them "running" to "help" people - that opinion hasn't changed since coming to Canada. If someone breaks into my house and beats the tar out of me, I better deal with it myself - the nearest cops are over 15km away. By the time they get here, even if they respond instantly, me and mine would likely be dead and the criminals long gone.

I won't let the police search my house car or person for any reason unless they have reasonable suspicion and or a warrant.

Far too many people seem to be perfectly content to give away their civil liberties as long as they aren't inconvenienced TOO much. Seen that on both sides of the Atlantic too. It doesn't seem anywhere is immune - UK, Canada or US.

And for the record, I don't hate cops, I hate pricks who abuse their power, be they cops, office workers, or jagoffs in semis.

Couldn't agree more.

[jrd1990zr1]

I'm dissapointed at the vocal Police haters on this forum. Truly, who would you call if someone broke in your house and beat the living crap out of you? Police would run to your house to try and help your sorry ***. Give them a little courtesy. It's still an offence to break whatever traffic laws are out there. Often times its the little things that lead into major arrests or whatever. Just be polite, respectful and more than likely you'll be gone with nothing more than a warning. If you have nothing to hide, why not let him search? It would take 30 seconds because there is no frigging storage in the ZR1's. Police dealing with the public is truly like parenting children.


Bottom line is there are good LEOs and bad LEOs, just like there are good and bad in every profession. Unfortunately it is the arrogant LEOs who want to impress you with their authority who are memorable.

I really don't think anyone was slamming them, just passing on their experiences.

As far as a search is concerned why should I let someone pull my car apart potentially damaging it without probable cause. Last I knew a LEO needed probable cause for a search.

My $0.02.

[lbszr]

Police dealing with the public is truly like parenting children.

Awesome.......must be ok to use tasers while excercising parental control, and also try out some of those fancy ankle bracelets:mrgreen:

[VetteMed]

I'm dissapointed at the vocal Police haters on this forum. Truly, who would you call if someone broke in your house and beat the living crap out of you? Police would run to your house to try and help your sorry ***. Give them a little courtesy. It's still an offence to break whatever traffic laws are out there. Often times its the little things that lead into major arrests or whatever. Just be polite, respectful and more than likely you'll be gone with nothing more than a warning. If you have nothing to hide, why not let him search? It would take 30 seconds because there is no frigging storage in the ZR1's. Police dealing with the public is truly like parenting children.

The thought of giving up an inch of my constitutionally-guaranteed protection from unreasonable search and seizure, just because some rookie cop wants to make a random score with no reasonable grounds, disgusts me. You can let your own rights get trampled all you want -- but I won't stand by and let my own rights suffer the same fate.

Nothing I did or said during the above incident was rude or discourteous -- but in no uncertain terms I made it clear that my rights were not going to be denied me. :flag2:

[Bill]

Police dealing with the public is truly like parenting children.

If you are an LEO With an attitude like that, I'm glad your not in my area. Cops like that we don't need!

[tccrab]

In every occupation there are good people and some not so good people.
It takes a special kind of person to want to be a LEO.
Just because you want to be a LEO doesn't mean that you're going to be one.
Each and every potential LEO gets screened and tested to the limit to ensure that it's the right match for that particular person.
A few bad eggs do occasionally make it through the screening, and more than a few go bad over time.
LEO's are people too, sometimes a good person can have a bad day.
Not a job that I ever wanted, but I do have a great deal of respect and admiration for those who make LEO their career.

I've been pulled over by California's finest on numerous occasions over the years, and not once was it totally unjustified.
Did I always get the ticket?
No.
Did I deserve one?
Absolutely.
:p

TomC
'Crabs

[Hog]

Far too many people seem to be perfectly content to give away their civil liberties as long as they aren't inconvenienced TOO much. Seen that on both sides of the Atlantic too. It doesn't seem anywhere is immune - UK, Canada or US.



.
I agree 100%, just because someone has a badge, it doesnt give them the right to go through my stuff for no reason.

peace
Hog

[GOLDCYLON]

I agree 100%, just because someone has a badge, it doesnt give them the right to go through my stuff for no reason.

peace
Hog


I concur 100% :icon_thum

[LancePearson]

I live in Chester, Va. and the next town down and over, Hopewell, is an old industrial town but we both share I 295 running n and s through the two towns. 6 miles south of me on the Interstate the city of Hopewell Sheriff's office daily runs a two or three car speed trap and write revenue based tickets every year. The state and Feds say it's legal and that stretch is now known as the "Two Million Dollar Mile" because that's how much the Sheriff adds to the town coffers with it. BTW, the speed limit is 70 but many drive much faster.

[Schrade]

I've never heard of a ticket (or warning even) for UNDER 10 over. School zone is probably different...

Drove myself through college, and stayed in the business after college; about 1.4 million miles. In 'Cruise Control', 5, 6, 7 over, many passed me, I held, and don't remember ONE of them even LOOKING at me even.

8 over, and 2 errors, your speedo low, his radar high, and you're at double digits. That's the magic number...

Only REAL speeders (10 + ) drop to EXACTLY the limit in their presence. They know it...

[Fully Vetted]

I got pulled over and warned for 4 over last year. Yep, 74 in a 70. And I wasn't in the Z, either. Try a rented SUV. Just a chick on a power trip.

[LancePearson]

I got pulled over and warned for 4 over last year. Yep, 74 in a 70. And I wasn't in the Z, either. Try a rented SUV. Just a chick on a power trip.

If the SUV was rented you were possibly out of state and the troopers can recognize rentals somehow and in some states make an effort to ticket them as a revenue device because they know you won't come back and protest on the court date, just send the check. That happened in 20 years of business travel to me twice, both times in Texas and the officer knew I was in a rented car.... some time back now but it sure warn't no coincidence, officer! Some plates tell geographic county and they do the same...ticket the non locals..

[efnfast]

'Couple years ago I got a "must appear" ticket in North Carolina. 72 in a 55. That's a long ride from NH. My daughter was all excited because it ment I was coming back down. Fortunatly I knew this guy.....(not the LEO) and ended up sending a check for $140.00.

[Fully Vetted]

If the SUV was rented you were possibly out of state and the troopers can recognize rentals somehow and in some states make an effort to ticket them as a revenue device because they know you won't come back and protest on the court date, just send the check. That happened in 20 years of business travel to me twice, both times in Texas and the officer knew I was in a rented car.... some time back now but it sure warn't no coincidence, officer! Some plates tell geographic county and they do the same...ticket the non locals..

Nope...local car. At least it was just a warning.

[ZRXMAX]

Police have a viewing device that shows a pattern or something that is detectible on the license plate.

I was once given a verbal warning for 102 in a 70 on the I-5 in the Central valley of California. We had a nice chat ! I was on my way to look at a ZR-1 in Petaluma.

Rumor has it I once recieved in the mail 2 speeding tickets ( speed cameras ) a minute apart in AZ.
Speeding tickets = money orders in the name of safety.

[efnfast]

I got two tickets one day. First one was pretty uneventful, but the second I was going faster on the on ramp than the cop was going on the highway. 'Course I do that all the time now in the vette. On ramps are fun.

[LancePearson]

I got two tickets one day. First one was pretty uneventful, but the second I was going faster on the on ramp than the cop was going on the highway. 'Course I do that all the time now in the vette. On ramps are fun.

I hear that...I use I 295 around the E. side of Richmond and the entry is only a mile from where I live so getting on going N. I just leave it in third and when merging onto the three lanes heading up to the bridge over the James River the cars going on the Expressway are usually doing 75 or more and they are really surprised to see me right next to them from the on ramp and then past them before slowing. When the beast is turned on it really ramps the speedo up. One of my fav. drives is just three miles N. where I exit off onto route 5 which parallels the river's N. side twisting on a two lane all the way to Williamsburg at 55 mph and not heavily traveled. beautiful as well. I generally drive it at 62 mph in all the twisties but if I can see through a double offsetting set of curves and have them to myself I'll ramp it up and go through them like esses on a track at much higher speeds, never slow for the 45 mph corners and have taken them in the mid to high 70's without any issue at all with the Z. I can cross the river on the free Jamestown ferry then do the s. shore on route 10 home and that ride totally is about 90 miles of same road types. Can cut off and do it on an earlier bridge and do 29 miles...sort of like my fav. course and it's all local! one road crosses and I use it as a sort of drag area...2.3 miles straight with only trees, no driveways or intersections of good pretty flat two lane with shoulders. You'd be surprised how fast the Beast gets going in that first half mile! 205 feet per second makes the trees whiz by pretty quickly! It is isolated and I make sure no one's ahead of me if I do occasionally hit it.

[Schrade]

Shooting snappics @ 70 is unforgiving :mrgreen: , and you don't make lots of friends when you stop on a bridge! (although, you might get 'pulled over')

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4rYX7u0kYTg/UUH8GDqTyqI/AAAAAAAABFo/yN22x14itRA/s1280/HPIM2132.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RCrIeaAFE80/UUH8cQs10fI/AAAAAAAABF0/HwRnhucnWeA/s1280/HPIM2133.JPG

[LancePearson]

Varina enon bridge...my house is one mile to the left on the south shore area in Rivers Bend!