The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Once on the way to New Orleans with friends we came upon 2 semi trucks going about the same speed, and blocking the road in the process. This went on for several miles (the truck in the left lane was going faster, but the truck in the right lane had more torque, so every time there was a hill it'd catch back up).

My father in law worked for Overnight at the time, so I knew about penalties for trucks speeding, so I figured I'd just pass on the right when the opportunity presented itself.

I got into the right lane, and when the next long on-ramp came I used it to pass the trucks on the right.

20 miles or so down the Interstate I get pulled over by an angry police officer threatening to take me to jail for driving recklessly on the shoulder. He had me out on the highway while he spoke to the other people in the car as well. I honestly had no idea what was going on.

When I finally figured it out I explained my side of the story, he took my license (thinking I'd have no fun in New Orleans without it), and let me go.

Since that time I have read that in such cases both parties must go to court, and it seems like what the officer did by taking the witness' side, and my license, was illegal.

1. Was what I did illegal (using the onramp to pass)? It was a LONG on-ramp.
2. Was the HP in the right to take my license?
3. Can a police officer take a witness' side without seeing it happen?

Ok I'll break this down.

First a little education about trucks. Most 53'/74' semi-trucks are governed at/around 65-mph, so understand that they don't really have what I would call "passing power", especially when you consider their laden weight.

1. Yes, passing on the right in the manner you did is illegal. That could've caused a major collision had somebody being in the right place at the wrong time.
   
2. I'm not sure about Louisiana law, but here in California we generally do not confiscate licenses on scene unless it's related to a DUI or I request a DMV retest of the driver following a traffic collision. The Highway Patrolman may have that authority in Louisiana.
   
3. Yes, a traffic trained officer can cite for cause or determine cause based on the statements made by the parties involved, independent witnesses, his/her own observations and the physical evidence at the scene. Based on what you stated, he saw you drive on the shoulder?!?! He didn't really need statements from anybody else.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

[*]Yes, passing on the right in the manner you did is illegal. That could've caused a major collision had somebody being in the right place at the wrong time.

Understood, that's reasonable.

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

[*]Yes, a traffic trained officer can cite for cause or determine cause based on the statements made by the parties involved, independent witnesses, his/her own observations and the physical evidence at the scene. Based on what you stated, he saw you drive on the shoulder?!?! He didn't really need statements from anybody else.[/list]

He didn't see me, he was 20 miles down the Interstate. He took someone's word for it. If that's legal, I'm being reminded of why I don't like the law.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

He didn't see me, he was 20 miles down the Interstate. He took someone's word for it. If that's legal, I'm being reminded of why I don't like the law.

Well I can't speak on Louisiana law as vehicle and penal code laws vary state to state. In California we would not do that.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

If that's legal, I'm being reminded of why I don't like the law.

You don't like the law because you broke the law? I'm no angel but I'll take my lumps if deserved. Grow up.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

You don't like the law because you broke the law? I'm no angel but I'll take my lumps if deserved. Grow up.

No sir, you misunderstand.

I feel like if someone reports you for reckless driving you should at least have the opportunity to explain yourself before you are convicted on the side of the road. I believe that's what court/trial is for. But this officer didn't want to hear my side of the story, he just took my license and sent me on my way, based on someone else's observation.

If this is indeed the way it is, then anyone could say anything and have you pulled over for it, which doesn't seem legal, or correct to me.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

[*]I'm not sure about Louisiana law, but here in California we generally do not confiscate licenses on scene unless it's related to a DUI or I request a DMV retest of the driver following a traffic collision. The Highway Patrolman may have that authority in Louisiana.

Don't quote me on this, but I recall reading that some states confiscate licenses for traffic infractions. They issue the motorist a receipt for surrender, which is used as a proxy license until after a court appearance.....

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Don't quote me on this, but I recall reading that some states confiscate licenses for traffic infractions. They issue the motorist a receipt for surrender, which is used as a proxy license until after a court appearance.....

It may have been that in my case. The state was Mississippi. The officer told me to be on my way, and keep it on 75 (the speed limit was 70), which I thought was odd. I guess he had some idea in his head that I was in a super hurry (I wasn't). He even said "New Orleans will be there."

I called and spoke with the clerk of court and they agreed to send me my license back without an infraction, but if I did get an infraction in that state within 90 days then I'd have to appear in court.

[dreamingat30fps]

The other thread got me thinking about something that happened to me. When we were with the RV I ended up in the middle of the bronx with a 20’+ truck and 32’ trailer. Also I had just picked up this bigger truck and trailer maybe a week or so before. I was driving around and around on these narrow ass streets with cars parked everywhere, I’m having a nervous break down, my gf is freaking out, people are the street are like WTF kinda bus is that!??

The issue was everywhere we turned there was an underpass that was too low for us. We tried asking for direction, but once we said no underpass everyone drew a blank. We were at this for I dunno, an hour, maybe, it felt like an eternity and I couldn’t stop anywhere for more than a few seconds because I would be blocking traffic and people would go nuts.

At some point the thought crossed my mind… fuck it… I’m just stopping right here and let the cops come, maybe they can tell me how the hell to get out of here. Luckily I managed to get out, but I’m curious what would have happened if I had gone that route? Would they have gotten me out? Would they have found a big ass tow truck and towed me? Would they have given me a ticket and left me in the middle of the street?

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

When we were with the RV I ended up in the middle of the bronx with a 20’+ truck and 32’ trailer.
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Luckily I managed to get out, but I’m curious what would have happened if I had gone that route? Would they have gotten me out? Would they have found a big ass tow truck and towed me? Would they have given me a ticket and left me in the middle of the street?

NYPD for a traffic problem in the Bronx? Unless you struck an overpass, they probably wouldn't even notice!

Seriously, trucks/trailers/busses are not allowed on *any Parkways in NY State due to low bridges. About 2/3 of the major through-roads in the NYC area are Parkways. Many have low-hanging bars and chains over entrance ramps, to wake up truck drivers before they enter and whack a bridge. It seems that every day, there's a TV news story about a truck jamming a Parkway for hours because it got stuck under a bridge despite all of the warning equipment and signs.

This Parkway traffic jam brought to you by Robert Moses.....

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

NYPD for a traffic problem in the Bronx? Unless you struck an overpass, they probably wouldn't even notice!

Seriously, trucks/trailers/busses are not allowed on *any Parkways in NY State due to low bridges. About 2/3 of the major through-roads in the NYC area are Parkways. Many have low-hanging bars and chains over entrance ramps, to wake up truck drivers before they enter and whack a bridge. It seems that every day, there's a TV news story about a truck jamming a Parkway for hours because it got stuck under a bridge despite all of the warning equipment and signs.

This Parkway traffic jam brought to you by Robert Moses.....

Oh believe me I had no desire to be there. We were going to Maine. I figured I could take I95 straight up there… oh nay nay!!

Right after like VA it became a total cluster fuck. We were following the GPS and were on what seemed like a fairly large highway after crossing a bridge which probably cost us $100. Then out of nowhere we see a sign on the hwy of low clearance like 10’ or 11'. I’m like 11 and change so I get worried with anything under 12’. So I had no choice but to get off the hwy.

This was a few years ago so I’m sure my memory is no exact. I think it was the bronx. I think I remember seeing a sign for the bronx zoo or something, but who knows.

[vreihen16]

It definitely sounds like you crossed the George Washington Bridge, were on the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95) north, and somehow exited onto either the Bronx River PARKWAY (no trucks/trailers) or the Hutchinson River PARKWAY (no trucks/trailers). If you were following a non-truck-specific GPS, I'd put my money on the Hutch, since Google and other car-centric GPS units prefer the Hutch and Merritt Parkways over the parallel I-95 into Connecticut and on to Boston and points north.

FWIW, I don't live anywhere near the city, but used to have to tow my enclosed race car hauler through there several weekends per year.....

[shiftdnb]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Oh believe me I had no desire to be there. We were going to Maine. I figured I could take I95 straight up there… oh nay nay!!

Right after like VA it became a total cluster fuck. We were following the GPS and were on what seemed like a fairly large highway after crossing a bridge which probably cost us $100. Then out of nowhere we see a sign on the hwy of low clearance like 10’ or 11'. I’m like 11 and change so I get worried with anything under 12’. So I had no choice but to get off the hwy.

This was a few years ago so I’m sure my memory is no exact. I think it was the bronx. I think I remember seeing a sign for the bronx zoo or something, but who knows.

You have to make sure your settings on your GPS are for commercial or large vehicles especially when travelling anywhere north of DC. Lots of road restrictions on vehicles. Even with a good GPS the entrances to them can be very confusing. I'm willing to bet it happened just as vreihen16 described.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by shiftdnb

You have to make sure your settings on your GPS are for commercial or large vehicles especially when travelling anywhere north of DC. Lots of road restrictions on vehicles. Even with a good GPS the entrances to them can be very confusing. I'm willing to bet it happened just as vreihen16 described.

Yeah we tried downloading apps after the fact when we were already in the shit but didn't help at that point. I guess I had just never needed it until then and honestly never needed after. We don't tend to go to cities or craziness like that. Would never take that route again. Luckily coming back we went a totally different way and had no issues.

[UncleWede]

"Motorized cycles" require a helmet? Dude went cruising down major thoroughfare on his bike with an electric motor doing 25-30

[shiftdnb]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Yeah we tried downloading apps after the fact when we were already in the shit but didn't help at that point. I guess I had just never needed it until then and honestly never needed after. We don't tend to go to cities or craziness like that. Would never take that route again. Luckily coming back we went a totally different way and had no issues.

Yeah, unless you live in the area it can be super confusing in just a regular car. People also haul ass around you. Smart move avoiding it.

[Lady Jane]

On a lighter note,

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

On a lighter note,


Attachment 2807319

Nom nom nom! I would bite my dog too.

[NorCalAthlete]

https://lasd.org/board-of-supervisor...asd-personnel/

Bruh...big oof? Trimming fat? What's the total size of that dept?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

https://lasd.org/board-of-supervisor...asd-personnel/

Bruh...big oof? Trimming fat? What's the total size of that dept?

They've been threatening this for awhile, but there will be too many legal challenges for that decision to stick. It's the BoS doing their chest puffing thing again. As it sits now, we have a substantial amount of personnel who could retire tomorrow, crippling the LACERA pension fund AND making it impossible to provide police service(s) throughout the county. If you want to see total anarchy and zero response to crime, terminate 4000 deputies.

[Fly320s]

4,000 deputies getting fired, or 4,000 employees of the LASD? You guys have aout 9,000 deputies total so firing 4,000 would be a huge chunk.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

4,000 deputies getting fired, or 4,000 employees of the LASD? You guys have aout 9,000 deputies total so firing 4,000 would be a huge chunk.

It would be 18,000 county workers total across all departments. Included in that number are 4,000 deputies. The department would be crippled. Even losing 1000-1500 would render us unable to provide law enforcement services.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

It would be 18,000 county workers total across all departments. Included in that number are 4,000 deputies. The department would be crippled. Even losing 1000-1500 would render us unable to provide law enforcement services.

So, what are you going to do after you retire?