positive I was going to get a ticket......but didn't

[TaraFirma]

So this morning I was on my way home from church on a nice back road, when I was pulled over by the local police. This is the first time since late 06 that I've been pulled over for speeding, and the first time ever in the GT350. This wasn't my first time getting pulled over and I thought for sure I was getting a ticket based on what I knew my speed was when I recognized the SUV to be a patrol vehicle. I didn't however, and was very surprised based solely on the speed I was told I was clocked. I'd like some input from the SVTP LEO's on what they think about my interaction. I'd like to believe it was my actions and attitude that got me a warning instead of a hefty fine.
I pulled over immediately when it was safe to do so, shut my car and radio off, rolled down the windows, and placed both hands on the steering wheel. The female officer was very polite and professional. Greeted me, I greeted her back, then told me why I was pulled over. (67 in a 45)
She mentioned the fast car and that it was "beautiful", and that she too has a fast challenger and likes to drive it, then asked for the licence and insurance. Right then I mentioned that I had a licence to carry and that my pistol was in my center console. She thanked me for informing her, then I grabbed my wallet in the cup holder and pulled out my DL, licence to carry, and military ID. I then told her my insurance was in the glove box. She said go ahead and get that, so I did. She goes back to her vehicle and after a few minutes comes back and tells me to slow it down and to take it out onto the TOLL road to go fast (TX 130 ha 85 MPH speed limit) hands me back my stuff and tells me to be safe and have a good day.
I can't think of a better way this could have gone other than me not speeding in the first place, but at 22 MPH over the posted limit I thought for sure I was getting a citation.
My question to the LEO's here is; did I just get really lucky today in having a car enthusiast pull me over or did my actions and attitude play more of a role in me getting just a warning?

Thanks in advance for any input
Also, I've got a lot of respect for what police and first responders do day in and day out for little pay and even less recognition.

 

[13COBRA]

Well.

How would anyone in here know? lol

 

[CobraBob]

Oh, we've got a few LEOs on board.

Ken, I'd say it was probably a combination of a number of things.
1. You were polite and quick to work with the officer.
2. She shared your interest in performance cars (ie. an enthusiast).
3. She was returning your politeness with a break for you.

 

[spectreman]

Here's the bottom line w/LEO's and I speak as a retired one.

You never know who's gonna pull you over. I knew guys who would write their own mom; matter of fact, I just met a motorman who did just that fairly recently- wrote his mom a ticket for not wearing her seatbelt, no shiite.

Other times, officers are 'encouraged' to work traffic to show they're doing something, or they're targeting an area for accidents or citizen complaints of speeders, or they're working proactive patrols, looking for drugs. Who knows?

Generally tho, I think it's fair to say that if you're polite & respectful, it decreases your chances- not guarantees- your chance of a ticket. Cops are people too and want to be treated that way, even the guys who'd write their moms. Courtesy goes a long way.
Lee

 

[13COBRA]

Oh, we've got a few LEOs on board.

Ken, I'd say it was probably a combination of a number of things.
1. You were polite and quick to work with the officer.
2. She shared your interest in performance cars (ie. an enthusiast).
3. She was returning your politeness with a break for you.

Oh I knew that.

I guess I was just pointing out that maybe the LEO:

1.) Was having an exceptionally good day.
2.) Had another call that was more important.
3.) She was headed to lunch.
4.) She had a thing for the OP.
5.) She didn't have any more tickets in her book.
6.) She wasn't a traffic officer and just pulled him over when she saw him exceeding the speed limit to slow him down.
7.) Etc etc etc

 

[tistan]

Any time I get pulled over, first thing I do is hand the officer my ccw, inform them that I am armed, and ask if he would like for me to remove my gun. Usually they ask where it is, and if it isn't in reach they tell me to keep it where it is. I have not received a ticket anytime I have shown my ccw. I also havn't been pulled over for anything crazy since I've had my ccw. I think the worst was 17 over the limit.

 

[TK1299]

A lot of cops don't like to write tickets. I am thinking because you were polite, had all your stuff(current and valid T.D.L., insurance, etc..) and Military ID(which is a big help), and came across as a good person then the officer probably felt no need to issue a citation. Plus she liked your car, and quite possibly your haircut lol, and seems a car enthusiast herself so she could relate.
The stars were aligned. But in a normally busy area where the cops see a lot of action, 67/45 is really NBD anyway.

 

[Mojo88]

One of my best buds is retired LEO, and his policy was if you are military or cop or firefighter, then you ain't getting a ticket unless it's REALLY deserved. I believe the proper term is "professional courtesy". However, as a civilian it doesn't really seem fair that certain folks get to break the law while others don't. But this is the way of the world.

 

[choate]

Oh I knew that.

I guess I was just pointing out that maybe the LEO:


4.) She had a thing for the OP.
5.) She didn't have any more tickets in her book.

Bold LOL. I think he just got lucky and she liked the car. You never know about getting tickets. About 2 weeks ago I was cruising in the left lane b/c I needed to exit in about 2 miles from the left lane and cars were on the right. I was doing about 75-80mph in a 65 running radar. Car lights coming up behind me hard like 100mph but I didn't get over b/c I didn't know if I'd be able to get back in time to exit. As the car gets close to me like 5 car lengths bright lights me so I floored it. As soon as I did that I got the cherries and berries. I let off but passed the rest of the cars and got right and officer turns off the blue and reds and goes on about his way. I thought I was in trouble for SURE and didn't even get pulled over

 

[black92]

I'd say you got lucky, like I did. My truck wouldn't start one morning and I needed to get to school, so my dad let me take a 1996 Eagle Talon Turbo that was sitting there. Got to school and a friend wanted to go for a ride, so we went for a quick spin. I got pulled over for doing 87 in a 55. The car had no tags, no insurance, I was in front of the high school and 16 years old... He gave me a warning. Whew!

 

[massmustang02]

My guess is courtesy, honesty, military ID, type of car since she liked it, and perhaps if you have a good driving record. I'll also echo from my personal experience when I conduct a traffic stop, the driver's behavior and honesty tend to determine the outcome of what they receive. The idea behind traffic citations is to deter and educate. I also have a lot of discretion because of management and Mass not allowing quotas.

 

[OETKB]

I haven't had a ticket since 1989.
I clearly drive too slow.

 

[EzraRoss28]

Lucky break. It would be better if that was the rule instead of the exception. All comes down to the judgement of the individual I guess.

 

[DaleM]

Do not do that on a trip from Fayetteville not Myrtle Beach. Aikens SC will get you for 1 mph over. Probably because the shear volume of people traveling through that route and they want the reputation of being hard ass, I could see needing a deterent to prevent major traffic inncidents.

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[Blk04L]

Do not do that on a trip from Fayetteville not Myrtle Beach. Aikens SC will get you for 1 mph over. Probably because the shear volume of people traveling through that route and they want the reputation of being hard ass, I could see needing a deterent to prevent major traffic inncidents.

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that's strict. Indiantown FL used to have their police at each end of the main drag and would get you if your speed was over 5mph from the 30 or 35 mph limit.
It's off beeline highway so right before you enter the town the speed limit goes from 55 to 35 just like that.

 

[me32]

Glad it all worked out.

 

[Bill@HPTuners]

Last ticket I got was probably close to 10 years ago, but I've never been anything but polite to police when I was pulled over but I've never NOT gotten a ticket when pulled over. Last one was for not using my turn signal at a round about which I ultimately had thrown out in court.

 

[Revvv]

Do not do that on a trip from Fayetteville not Myrtle Beach. Aikens SC will get you for 1 mph over. Probably because the shear volume of people traveling through that route and they want the reputation of being hard ass, I could see needing a deterent to prevent major traffic inncidents.

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Aiken County SC is an odd place. My little brother lives out there.

I have only had one bad incident in Aiken County (N. Augusta to be exact). There was a license / DUI check and I thought it was an accident. The car in front of me ran, and for whatever reason I thought he was waived through. I eased through with my windows down to hear any instructions for lane changes. Before I knew it I had a pissed off officer standing in the street, in front of my moving Quad Cab Dodge Ram.

I don't know what that guy was thinking, but he decided to do his absolute best to find a way to cite me with something. I even got a chance to stretch my legs and do a little DUI roadside dance.

Fun times. Lol

...and no, I was not drinking and driving. All was good.

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[Revvv]

that's strict. Indiantown FL used to have their police at each end of the main drag and would get you if your speed was over 5mph from the 30 or 35 mph limit.
It's off beeline highway so right before you enter the town the speed limit goes from 55 to 35 just like that.

The entire town of Harlem, GA and Grovetown, GA are speed traps. Those boys enjoy what they do.

Harlem has a strict noise code. I know everyone there, and still idle through town. My brother in law was ticketed multiple times. Noisy off road tires = citation. Stereo = citation. Exhaust = another citation. All at different times.

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[Revvv]

Last ticket I got was probably close to 10 years ago, but I've never been anything but polite to police when I was pulled over but I've never NOT gotten a ticket when pulled over. Last one was for not using my turn signal at a round about which I ultimately had thrown out in court.

My last ticket was a wrong way in a one way. I got turned around in Savannah and did not realize I was on a one way street. It was a Thursday night in October and no one was on the road.

I decided to fight that in court. I should have paid the fine. That ticket took me 5 years to resolve. I also had an attorney because I wanted to make sure my story was straight. To make the long story shorter, the officer and I became friends. The night became laughable. I ended up getting a bigger charge.

The D/A got me with a good question. He knew the officer wasn't going to push for a fine, and the DA had a point to prove. I was asked if driving the wrong way on a one way street was reckless.

Yes, it is reckless if other vehicles had been oncoming.

Is that a yes or no?

Yes, it can be reckless.

I lost my game of wits and words. The judge not only gave me a reckless, he decided to express how much he enjoyed my presence in his courtroom over the years due to a traffic violation.

I got a huge fine of $1100 + court fees + my attorney + a few driving classes just to help me spend a little more money.

Next time I will mail in a check with the ticket. I played all of the court games I want to play.

I can confirm that the courtroom smelled like a rank bar. The drunk man in the room walked away, free of all charges of DUI because the arresting officer did not appear. This man drove to court drunk, with a DUI charge, and left with what was clearly a DUI. That honestly pissed me off.



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