Getting pulled over? Here are some tips.

[Yetiboy]

Nice write up. As a police officer as well as rider the best advice in the write up is all of the items that make it safer for the police. They will notice, and they will consider that. I.E keys out, dome light, and letting them know what and where you are reaching.

Secondly is the be honest approach. I have given more written warnings without to people who are honest. And most officers I know do the same.

Attitude is everything! If you are polite and call them officer it is a simple show of respect.

Not sure I agree with the not to look them in the face. I would immediately want to know why you are not making eye contact and speaking to me.

Unless your speed was to excessive, take a hearing on the citation. Another option not yet discussed it the possibility of pleading to a lesser violation. Most officers would be willing to consider this. In PA for example we have Title 75 § 3111(a) - Obedience to Traffic Control Devices. It normally saves the average drive about $40 on their fine, reducing it to $109 (currently). But here is the big win. NO POINTS ON YOUR LICENSE AND LITTLE TO NO EFFECT ON YOUR INSURANCE! Although I have not researched it I assume most states have a section like this or similar. Most people can handle the $109 fine, it's everything else that is the gift that keeps on giving.


Lastly, I don't normally reply to ignorant people that openly show their stupidity, but to "THEOCTOPUS". If you truly belive in the homicide of a police officer you are a piece of garbage, Sir. If you believe that a human life is worth $300 your post shows everything people need to know about your character. In law enforcement, as in any profession there are good and bad. But remember the good ones will be the ones that WILL come when no one else will. And they just might be the person that keeps you alive if you ever have a motorcycle accident.

 

[racepro716]

I don't know how insuraance works in the States but in Ontario Canada a conviction for anything on your driving record goes against your insurance. I've NEVER paid the full fine. I go to court everytime, plead guilty with an explanation, Boom! the fine is never more than half, plus extra time to pay. Having said that, it still goes against you on insurance. [mad] Thieving mother..... But that's another rant, great write up Dave! Wayne

 

[03Firebolt9R]

Good write up Dave.

Red93stang and I were pulled over yesterday by HP for doing 78 in a 45 mph zone. We were very courteous and polite. We shut our bikes off, got off and removed our helmets and gloves. He smiled broadly as he walked up to us. The first thing he said was "78". He then asked for our DL and insurance. While I was searching for my insurance card I said that I could not find mine. Then the officer suggested that I DON'T find my card. He went on to explain that he only writes one citation per traffic stop...hint, hint.

In the end, we only received warnings for speeding and only have to go to the county courthouse to show proof of insurance. He saved us about $208 a piece. Very understanding trooper.

 

[Red93stang]

That was one CRAZY exprience. I cant believe he let us go basically. Who gets a speed warning doing "33" over the limit?

Then he started to explain he was a adrenaline junky too. He liked to sky dive. All and all ended up being a down to earth very understanding guy. [up]

 

[Miami78]

Skydivers are cool like that.[cool]

 

[konarider94]

thats how it should be, i do realize there are good cops. instead i hear too many stories like jeepinbueller, who gets harassed about his rear fender.

 

[Miami78]

Not 33 over, but I did get pulled over in my car doing 28 over in the HOV lane in a construction zone. Came over the rise, saw the bike cop sitting in the median pointing the radar right at me, then a moment later getting ready to persue me. I beat him to the punch and pulled over next to where he was parked, rolled all my windows down, kept my hands visible, was very polite...he checked me for warrants, told me to slow it down, and let me go.

I calculated it when I got home, would have been over a 1k fine, and he could have arrested me for wreckless...

 

[dave_xb12r]

You guys got off lucky! That's awesome!

 

[03Firebolt9R]

I would say we did! Good thing he wasn't sitting one mile up the road, it could have been really bad, we had slowed a lot.

 

[beaterbaja]

Lol, couldn't resist

 

[03Firebolt9R]

Thank you very much for that^^ Mary Poppins.

 

[dave_xb12r]

I helped a fellow bueller write a trial by written declaration the other day. He just got the results, NOT GUILTY! Score!

 

[iman501]

This past fall my buddy kyle and me were getting one last ride in before winter him on his x1 and me on my bolt. We were riding along at a peppy pace. And when we saw the cop (in a flat black cherokee with no markings) we got clocked at 77 in a 55, but we both pulled over even before he started following us, when he pulled up behind us he asked for DL and all, to run our info. I came up clean and he told me to slow it down, and stay safe. He ran kyles DL, who apparently had a suspended license, and gave himm quite the scolding, but in the end said hed drive away and "assume" kyle didnt ride that bike home. Well since he was so nice we called a friend to come pick kyle up and i rode his bike home then i got a ride back to my bike.

I thought the cop was very friendly (to me at least haha) and was very easy going on kyle. Considdering he could have arrested him.

Long story short i ended up driving kyles dumb ass to school and work everyday for the next 3 months! Arent i such a good friend lol

 

[Miami78]

Funny this thread came back up, I got pulled over by a motorcycle cop on my way home from work today. Reckless according to the cop...weaving excessively through traffic. Pulled over immediately, was polite and respectful...left with a scolding and a warning.

 

[dave_xb12r]

Great story iman501! [up] for mutual respect

And Miami, [up] for warnings

 

[xb12 tripp]

It was 1999 and I was 19 driving my Beretta GTZ & peeled out of work with a friend headed to a party. Had ran it almost all the way out in third topped a hill right up from work and met a cop coming up the other side of Hwy. 74 in Charlotte. I saw him cutting for me so I pulled right over. He came to my car furious! He advised he clocked me at 83 in a 45 and asked for my license and my friends. When he returned he told me he could have arrested me and impounded my car. I was polite the whole time and he didn't ask me any questions just handed me a huge ticket for full pop. And he hooked Fred up with a seatbelt ticket. Got an awesome lawyer and received 55 in a 45. Have gotten several warnings and improper equipments since. I have heavy hands and feet but am always safe.

 

[RDuncan]

Good write-up Dave. +1 Rep. That is what this Forum is all about.

I want to add to never "Flash" your lights to on-coming traffic to warn of a Cop or Speed Trap ahead. I have a 90 mile commute to work everyday, and have been a truck driver for a long time and have been doing this for years, especialy to other trucks. I always look for Cops when I do this because I thought it was just "frowned upon" but found out it was illegal. "Improper use of high beams," is what I was told by the FDOT who saw me do it and pulled me over. He saw I was in a work uniform, and saw my address on licence and asked where I worked. He said that was a long commute everyday and since I hadn't had a ticket in 6 years, gave me a verbal. I was polite, and did all that Dave and others stated above, except for removing the key from the ignition. He thanked me for not speeding and wearing my seat belt. He was a young guy, and started out being a real dick, and I was really surprised at the outcome.

 

[Thomo]

Nice write up guys, seems most times these don't work for me after they see my license. No mercy for the young. Now I got to 30 and I only get pulled for my strobes and a quick check. No one ever says turn those blue lights off.


05 Blue XB12R (sweet)

 

[jandj_davis]

Got pulled over by a motor officer about a block from work doing 43 in a 30. All politeness, both from myself and the motor officer. Got a written warning. I was more than a little pleased.

 

[zdawg123]

Thanks! [up]