The radar detector "alibi"?
 

Well in another thread talking about radar detectors, this interesting perspective cropped up:

I think this may be a very valid point. So, here's the scenario... You were driving a bit faster then you should have, and for whatever reason, your radar detector failed to save you. The officer walks up to the driver's side window, leans over and looks in, spotting the detector. So he asks you "Do you mind telling me WHY you have a radar detector, sir?"

What do YOU say to this? Is there a legitimate reason for having one OTHER then the presumption that you intend to speed and you want this device to save your butt? So how would YOU answer that question?

I'll start off with an off the cuff example myself.....

"Oh! Is that what THAT is? It came with the car and I don't even know how to work it, officer........" :lmao:

BBBZZZZ wrong answer. Acting like the officers a moron will get you every cite he can think of..... definite no no:NoNo:

Possible better answer is that it's your wifes car and she feels better with it in the car or something like that (better make sure she goes along with the story if she's in the car !! :lmao: )

My radar detector, just like posted speed signs, reminds me to check and adjust my speed. Because I can't constantly monitor the speedometer because to do so would be hazardous for me and the occupants of the car, as well as other motorist and pedestrians, I appreciate the detector going off in hospital zones, in high traffic areas, as well as in areas being slowed down because of police radar activity in the vicinity. Have you officer, ever noticed how people slam on their brakes when they see you fine gentleman working the road. Whenever my radar detector sounds off I check my speed and if it is too high I slow down, officer, sir. Please don't write me up officer, sir. Need any yardwork done? How bout them Bucks, sir?:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

I got mine hardwired and mounted high on the windshield, I flip the visor down and poof it dissappears. just remember to turn it off. :thumbsup:

I high doubt an officer pushing his face in the window to look up for a radar detector

Would you like to explain why this corvette is going so fast ?

I'm sorry officer, my wife left me, so I divorced her, and I thought you were bringing her back ? :lmao:

I like the one I got e-mailed the other day.

OFFICER : I've been waiting all day for you.

YOU : I'm sorry sir. I got here as fast as I could. :D

I'm sorry officer I'm on the way to my favorite fishing spot. :lmao:

http://www.bleacheatingfreaks.com/mo...ost/bearz.mpeg

Ooh! Ooh! I'm sorry officer, but I just realized that I had sent a rather large donation to the Police Officer's Benevolent fund and I just realized I don't have enough money in the account. So I was rushing to the bank to deposit a check to cover it...... :rolleyes:

Ditch the radar units and buy a PAL tag .

I dont have a radar unit but for some reason i get left off for all kinds of stuff and im pretty sure its because of the Pal tag and the Sheriff Association sticker .

But it might also be karma because i got so many tickets growing up :banghead:

HAHAHAHAHA that is absolutely gold! :crazy03:

I had one and got stopped once....the officer told me it did no good and he was probably right as it was a cheap Bel that never worked right.

I'm getting an Escort Passport X50 very soon....if an officer stops me I think I'll just unhook it as I'm slowing down which doesn't take long and hide it under my seat.

Stickers and tags do nothing for you . . . Our budget comes from the Legislature and not from a booster organization.

With that said, I take everything on a case by case basis. Some folks are cool and are polite and honest (that is the best way out of a speeding ticket) while others are a priK and argue that they could not have been speeding because the V1 did not go off, blah blah blah.

The new equipment we use is instant and the radar detector either never goes off or beeps once we are turning on the blue lights. The lasers are so quick that you'll never detect us and the airplane does not emit any type of detectable wave.

If I stop you and you are in a vette, your punishment will be about a 45 minute chat about cars and most likely a cup of coffee or lunch with me . . . chatting about cars . . . .

ARRIVE ALIVE!

That's a very cool attitude. In all honesty, I think most officers will give you a break if you're honest with them. I can also say that every ticket I've gotten was well deserved.;)

I agree with C5STATETROOPER again. I have stopped people for 14 or 15 over and written them a ticket, and also stopped people for 20-25 over and cut them a break.

It depends on the attitude. We have discretion to write or warn. If I get a "What the hell did you stop ME for?" then I will write it on a piece of paper ( ie a ticket) to take with you so you don't ever forget again. LOL.

If I stop the fast guy who says "I'm real sorry, I know I was going X amount over the limit but I'm late for work" (or something else I've done too), then they MAY get a break. Sometimes 20mph and above is just too much. It all depends on the time of day/night, traffic, cooperation, driving history etc.

Back to the original question. If I see a radar detector they get a citation automatically for the speed they were clocked at. It's like it was said earlier that the ante was upped and they gambled but lost. If they got my cite I'm sure they got out of at least a few others. It's like a guy who says he didn't mean to do X crime but we prove it was all planned out. Putting a radar/laser detector in your car is like saying you "intend to speed", and it does not "appear" to be an accident. I know alot of guys I work with, and others on the traffic enforcement unit that feel the same way.

If you use a detector, and see a police car getting ready to stop you, toss it in the back hatch. (Just make sure he doesn't see you do it:ack2: )

Disclaimer: I'm not a hypocrite. I do not cite people for the same things I do myself. No radar detector in my car. I also try to wait until the cars reach 20 mph over the limit on highways, and 15 over in residential before I stop them. I make a conscious effort to stay close to the limit myself in my Vette, but that right pedal is very easy to push....:rolleyes:

Interesting. One of the guys asked me what I would do if I would happen to be going 120 mph and got nailed by a LEO for doing it. What would I say to him? Well I thought about it, and told him I would just point to the car and say "Sorry officer, but can you really blame me?" :wavey: As he hauls me off to jail, I guess...........

Larry, I was pulled over a few years ago for doing 60 in a 45 by an officer whose job was strictly giving tickets. I think they are a little less likely to let someone off. I had a Camaro SS at the time, with a radar/laser detector. We had a nice conversation (30 minutes) about my car and cars in general. He didn't let me off completely, but changed it to "violation of a traffic sign". Less points.

I'm also very polite to any officer that has ever stopped me. I usually make sure the windows are rolled down and both my hands are on the wheel. If it's night time, I'll make sure my interior lights are on. I know they would have a flashlight anyway, but I try and make it as easy as possible. :thumbsup: I have a few friends that are NYPD and I even went on a ride along in Tampa. (That was very cool) I realize you guys and gals have very stressful jobs and I would think that things like that would make it a little easier.

Speed in and of itself is not a crime. If you're doing 120 mph and passing other cars (ie moderate to heavy traffic) then you stand a good chance of being deemed "reckless". That's a willful and wanton disregard for the life safety and property of the others around you. That's a traffic misdemeanor, and could be a court date on a ticket or an arrest. The same result is that it counts as an arrest. The ticket you go home and an arrest you go to jail to post bond then go home.

If you're doing 120 mph at 3am and you aren't passing anyone then it's just an infraction. It's a ticket with a fine and points is all.

Speed if you're near another car who's speeding as well (more than just highway cruising etc when your really on it) could be interpreted as "racing" which is the same as the reckless driving in terms of punishment resulting in a court date or arrest. The difference is a possibility of having your DL suspended if found guilty of racing. Alot of the racers here go straight to the grey bar motel for a brief stay with the Sheriff's guys. They are real hospitable and even have room service! LOL

It does make it easier. Pass the word on to family and friends if the topic ever comes up. It is appreciated when people do as you described.:thumbsup: It really sucks to walk up to a very dark tint job at night when we can't see in.

It's nice having LEO on the forum to give us some inside information!

I like you already :lmao:

To: "C5Statetrooper" and to "Hot Pursuit":
OK...tell me, where are we supposed to go to enjoy our cars? I would love to able to "let it happen" without fear of a ticket and all that goes with it...fines, points, increased insurance, etc. I've got 400 hp and have to drive it like an old man because I don't know where we can go to drive flat out. Sure there's the Silver State Classic in Nev. Have you seen the costs? As a newbie, it's close to $1,500 PLUS all the costs to get to Nevada and back. (www.silverstateclassic.com)
I'm open for where to go to "enjoy" my Corvette to max. I'm in Tampa area.
Let's hear from everyone
06 C6

Well now, I'm sure when you spent $50,000+- on your new car you didn't expect special privileges on the highway. We vette drivers are held to the same standard as everyone else out there, maybe even a higher standard because we are responsible for driving a performance automobile. Don't get me wrong, I love driving my Z and there are times where me and the law might be at odds, but I have no illusions about what and where the law permits me to drive it hard. There are drag strips and road courses for those that really like to drive em hard and that is where it's permitted. If you try it on the highway, and don't hit a school bus, a pedestrian, or another car, then you will probably have to answer to John Law sooner or later. Is that a surprise to you?:shrug01:
Flame suit on............Tom

Well I'm pretty sure they are going to say that having the capability to break the law doesn't give you permission to do so. Unfortunately I don't know of any roads in Florida that do not have posted speed limits.

That being said, yes, I will admit to letting it all hang out a couple of times. Just to do it. No one else was in sight in one instance, and the other some arsewipe in a ricemobile was riding my bumper and I just wanted to give him a reason to prove he could pass me and get out of my hair. After I slowed down, of course... :thumbsup:

06 C6, I think what our officer buddies are telling you, is don't be stupid and endanger others! But if you do, then don't blame them for the citation.

Now bare with me, because I am a newbie to Florida, and a part timer as well. But you said that you are in the Tampa area, if I am not mistaken, there is a pretty decent drag facility north of you in Gainsville. I realize that is more than a 15 minute drive for you, but I have driven an hour and a half each way to thrash my car all day long at a vintage drag meet. I had a smile on my face going to the track and a bigger smile on my face coming home.

If pointing your car straight ahead with your foot on the floor is not what you are looking for, then you might want to consider Sebring. In the grand scheme of things, not that far southeast of you. There you can roll into the throttle, then hard on the brakes, turn left, throttle, brakes, turn right, etc. Personally, as I have gotten older, I prefer the road courses to the drag strip. Just my opinion.

So, there are facilities that you can exercise your ride reasonably safely. You might want to check with a local club and see what sort of performance events they hold.

But, if what you are really interested in is driving your C6 (nice car by the way) to its limits on the street, let me be the first to introduce you to:

C5Troop, HP, and the Shadow.

I'd have to echo what the others have said. Driving a vehicle (especially high hp cars) involves using a lot of common sense and restraint. If you want to drive fast, there are a lot of places you can go to do that. You may have to drive a bit to get there but it's worth it. If you do it on public streets, be prepared to accept the responsibility for your actions. All of us , at one time or another, have driven faster than we probably should have.;) It's pretty much a matter of knowing when and where to do it.

The only thing I can say is that you chance getting ticketed when you race on the highways. If you find a slightly more isolated place that has little or no traffic, and let loose then there's less chance a police officer will see you. The ratio of police to citizens/cars on the road is a drop in the bucket. If you use it sparingly and not recklessly then you open it up occasionally you will hedge the bets that you won't get caught. The only truly safe place (ticket free) would be an organized racing location like Sebring or a local drag strip.

I personally find the thrill of the chase more fun than delivering the penalty for the speed/racing I observed. I have on several occasions caught both racers and had them both stop. I have more often than not given them a much needed lecture, but eventually let them go with a silly equipment cite or no cite at all. If I get a runner, or someone who turns off to avoid capture when they see me coming, I go after them. The guy who maintained his course and slowed down gets a free pass. The runner gets everything.:yesnod:

Yeah, I would think running from a cop would be the epitome of stupidity. You can't outrun a radio and you run the risk of your tag already being noted. So you can run all you want, but you have to go home sometime and there will be a welcoming committee waiting for you.

And you would have to attain speeds that would be extremely dangerous for a momentary lack of good judgement. Even glancing in the rear view mirror for even an instant travelling at 140+ mph could get you killed. On a road that is not completely empty and perfectly straight and visible, it could get you and some innocent person killed. And if the road is THAT straight and THAT visible, you are not getting out of sight of the pursuing vehicle. I don't care who you think you are, you are NOT making that turn into the side street at 120 mph without leaving one hell of a trail marker of tire marks in the pavement.

I too have a powerful Corvette and I knew that when I bought it and made the modifications that I was really doing something that I was not going to legally get to play with - that is just the cost of having our hobby I guess.

We catch high pwered cars and motor cycles all the time with the use of the FHP plane. In fact, it is becoming more and more frequent for us to let the plane track the vehicles and the ground Troopers arrerst 'em. 3 times this week just in my Troop alone. The result, if the guy does not crash and burn is a lot of tickets, a trip to jail, and countless dollars wasted on defending yourself, and hopefully, not to an innocent victim that might get hurt in the end.

Take a ride out to one of the many tracks in FL to play. But take it easy on the road - our cars are too hot and our lives are too priceless. Arrive Alive!

Not that I don't find it enjoyable to watch, but the whole car chase thing is highly glamorized in Hollywood. I think some of the younger generation try it just to emulate what they see. They may still know the difference between what is right and wrong, but want to do it anyway to see how far they can push it. You can put all the warnings and disclosures on racing games and movies, it won't help.

You're right! In fact, we cringe when a new movie comes out like Fast & Furious, Biker Boyz, etc. Kids copy what they see and innocent people and cops get hurt in trying to prevent this madness.

Trooper Larry Coggins is quoted today on the front page of the St Petersburg newspaper right under the photo of the crash at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 275. A 9 year old girl died and 7 people were injured.The children were not wearing seatbelts..---- Speed Kills-----:ack2:

A friend of mine was stuck in the traffic from that while 2 BayFlite helicopters were called in. It's a damn shame.

The I-75 @ I-275 crash was a case of a driver not paying attention and steering the wheel at the last minute to go south on I-75 instead of I-275 (the lane that he was in). Once the SUV began to rotate and collided with the guardrail, it was all over! Three little bodies came flying out, killing one child. The 3 chilren that remained in the vehicle were all restrained properly. When will people learn to drive safely, especially when children are on board :shrug01:

Da**, hate to see that. Definetly a bad part of the job. Really sucks to see that. Turns your stomach, no matter who you are.:nonod: Seatbelts work, so please use them folks.

Yeah, I'll bet. I don't like these people who rubberneck at stuff like that. Damn if I want to see broken bodies and internal organs. My imagination is too vivid as it is and I would see that stuff forever in my mind.

I can't imagine that being part of my job.........

Catching the bad guys is what we live for. The gruesom crashes are not the high points of our time on the job. Especially when the crimes or crashes involve kids:nonod: