I got a ticket a couple of weeks ago, which is not my real guff as I deserved the ticket, it was that I was pulled over considering the events leading up to it. I am still kind of unsure as to why I was initially pulled over and what are the guidelines for being able to be pulled over? I was not speeding, I did not blow a stop light, etc. Read below and any feedback would be appreciated.
Here is what happened on my way home from the NMRA event in Byron, IL. I was headed toward a small farming town NW of Chicago that is allegedly well known for keeping their total ticket count high, so I know to make sure I don't provoke being pulled over for ANYTHING. I was behind a mid-80's Mercedes diesel that was choking me with black exhaust bellowing out his tailpipe and driving about 5mph below the posted 55mph speed limit. After about a mile behind him I pull out and pass him, nothing fancy just a pass on a two lane blacktop. As I go by I notice his light blue, collared shirt with a police patch on the sleeve. I was concerned for a moment, but though, "I have done nothing illegal, just get over it" and went on my way, besides he was most likely off-duty. I drive through the town in normal fashion, no problem. Right...wrong. Just outside the town I pull away from a stop sign and look in my rear view mirror to see a squad racing up to me w/o his lights on through the 4-way stop intersection. I watch his hood dip way down as he gets on his brakes heavy to avoid running into me then he throws on the lights. I pull off the main road and he comes up as quick as he can get out of the car. He asks to see my license and proof of insurance, so I hand them to him. He then asks me if I passed my emissions testing, because my plates are suspended due to non-compliance (yes, I admit I am guilty for this offense). I responded that I had not yet taken it in, but that I was going to take care of that the next week (hey, I know better than to lie to a cop). He said that he was going to run my license to see if anything else comes up. While he was running my license I noticed the same mid-80's Mercedes that I passed pull up behind him. That officer came up and talked to the cop that pulled me over for a couple of minutes. Gee, do ya think he radioed ahead to his on-duty counterparts and had them run my plates when I passed him? I doubt I have anything I can note/complain about, but can he do that, I mean legally? :fm:
Anyway it took a conferance between two officers, a sargent, a rules book (I saw them thumbing through a pamphlet and a binder) and about 20 minutes for them to decide to let me go with just a ticket and not tow/impound my Mustang (thank God!!). It was funny, because the cop said that he and his sargent were letting me go because I was, "being cool about the whole situation." I am sorry, but what did you expect me to do, try and run or jump out of the car and act disorderly?? He also explained that I only needed to prove that my car passed the emissions testing before the court date to have the ticket dismissed. I have taken care of getting my car to the test station and pass. I guess I will get out of it with only having to pay court costs, but we shall see. Thanx for letting me vent. Later.
Here is what happened on my way home from the NMRA event in Byron, IL. I was headed toward a small farming town NW of Chicago that is allegedly well known for keeping their total ticket count high, so I know to make sure I don't provoke being pulled over for ANYTHING. I was behind a mid-80's Mercedes diesel that was choking me with black exhaust bellowing out his tailpipe and driving about 5mph below the posted 55mph speed limit. After about a mile behind him I pull out and pass him, nothing fancy just a pass on a two lane blacktop. As I go by I notice his light blue, collared shirt with a police patch on the sleeve. I was concerned for a moment, but though, "I have done nothing illegal, just get over it" and went on my way, besides he was most likely off-duty. I drive through the town in normal fashion, no problem. Right...wrong. Just outside the town I pull away from a stop sign and look in my rear view mirror to see a squad racing up to me w/o his lights on through the 4-way stop intersection. I watch his hood dip way down as he gets on his brakes heavy to avoid running into me then he throws on the lights. I pull off the main road and he comes up as quick as he can get out of the car. He asks to see my license and proof of insurance, so I hand them to him. He then asks me if I passed my emissions testing, because my plates are suspended due to non-compliance (yes, I admit I am guilty for this offense). I responded that I had not yet taken it in, but that I was going to take care of that the next week (hey, I know better than to lie to a cop). He said that he was going to run my license to see if anything else comes up. While he was running my license I noticed the same mid-80's Mercedes that I passed pull up behind him. That officer came up and talked to the cop that pulled me over for a couple of minutes. Gee, do ya think he radioed ahead to his on-duty counterparts and had them run my plates when I passed him? I doubt I have anything I can note/complain about, but can he do that, I mean legally? :fm:
Anyway it took a conferance between two officers, a sargent, a rules book (I saw them thumbing through a pamphlet and a binder) and about 20 minutes for them to decide to let me go with just a ticket and not tow/impound my Mustang (thank God!!). It was funny, because the cop said that he and his sargent were letting me go because I was, "being cool about the whole situation." I am sorry, but what did you expect me to do, try and run or jump out of the car and act disorderly?? He also explained that I only needed to prove that my car passed the emissions testing before the court date to have the ticket dismissed. I have taken care of getting my car to the test station and pass. I guess I will get out of it with only having to pay court costs, but we shall see. Thanx for letting me vent. Later.