More likely to pull over a fast car than a slow one?

[RegularJohn]

I drive 2 cars. A Ford Mustang Cobra,a Ford Lightning truck. I do take the Ford Mustang to the race track occasionally to have my fun. I don't like to speed on the roads, because I don't want traffic tickets. On the road, I've been told that I "drive like my grandpa". I pretty much drive the speed limit everywhere. I manage to get pulled over quite a bit, regardless of the fact. Despite the fact I drive a truck 50% of the time, I have been pulled over atleast 15 times in the past 3 years in the Mustang and 1 time in the truck. In your honest opinion, do officers actually discriminate a car based on the type of car? I realize someone driving a Mustang or a Vette is more likely to be putting the pedal to the metal but the Ford Lightning is actually faster than my Mustang and I drive them both in the same manner. I just never get pulled over in the truck. Btw, I get pulled over a lot because I work until 2 am at a University and I usually get tailed back to my apartment. I live a few blocks from both the university police station and the city police station. I rarely get tickets. They usually just want to make sure I'm not some drunk college kid driving home.

[NBW791]

We need more info. What are the violations you're being pulled over for? If you're driving the Mustang more at night (2 am like you said) and you're being pulled over for failing to maintain a single lane or something like that which is indicative of an impaired driver, it's really apples to oranges. We "drunk hunt" around the times when the bars are closing and look for lane vigilance problems, etc.

-Nick-

[SgtScott31]

We need more info. What are the violations you're being pulled over for? If you're driving the Mustang more at night (2 am like you said) and you're being pulled over for failing to maintain a single lane or something like that which is indicative of an impaired driver, it's really apples to oranges. We "drunk hunt" around the times when the bars are closing and look for lane vigilance problems, etc.

-Nick-

DITTO.

You're failing to post why you're actually getting pulled over. Officer's can't pull you over for driving a hyped-up Mustang. Little more to the story.

Driving 10-15 mph under the posted speed limit will get my attention for two reasons:

1 - You could be impeding traffic which is a violation in TN
2 - Driving extremely slow is one of many clues during the "vehicle in motion" phase for DUI's

[hemicop]

Leaving work at bar closing time IS when many offs. "drunk hunt" & depending on why the offs. are saying they pulled you over may legitimately account for the stop. I drive a bright yellow '05 Mustang GT & got stopped one night by an off. claiming he was looking for an assault suspect that just left a bar down the road in a yellow Mustang--trouble was there were no bars down the road I was just on. My professional opinion--he was just "fishing" & like any rookie was over zealous.(Better than being lazy). So what if he stopped me? But to answer your question--generally,no, (good) cops don't target hi-performance vehicles.They look at the driving behavior more than the vehicle.

[Bigg Dogg]

Lets see,Moms mini van going 15 over the limit with kids all in it,or Mustang going 14 over the limit???Now how many of us are going to stop Moms bus????

[RegularJohn]

Usually I assume it's for going 5 miles over. The entire campus is a speed trap and I don't like to go 10 miles over because I don't want tickets. A lot of times they don't say why. They just want to know if I've been drinking. The fact that an officer legally needs a reason to pull you over doesn't mean they can't make one up. I usually have no problem and they send me on my way, aside from one who proceed to talk to me about 10 minutes about his mustang and gave me his card because he was looking to sell it.

[NBW791]

The entire campus is a speed trap...

In your own words, define a speed trap for me and tell me why this campus you're referring to is a speed trap. Don't research it on the internet before posting, just say what comes to mind and why you feel it's a speed trap.

-Nick-

[broke]

*not LEO



When I had my camaro I was never pulled over...in fact, I drove that car a lot slower than any car before.

I ride a sportbike now and same thing, no problems though I may occasionally gun it from 20 mph to 65 mph to get on the freeway from time to time :)

[SgtScott31]

The entire campus is a speed trap

No such thing as a speed trap.

The fact that an officer legally needs a reason to pull you over doesn't mean they can't make one up

So they're making reasons up to stop you because you drive a Cobra? That's what it is. It's a government conspiracy to harass all Cobra drivers because their cars are fast. I would like to hear from the officer that pulled you over. I'm sure his reasoning will differ from yours.

Saleens are better anyway. ;)

[Bing_Oh]

I seriously doubt the officers are making up reasons to stop you because of the type of vehicle you drive. However, infractions that might not be noticed in other drivers because of the nondescript nature of their vehicles may be noticed in you becuase your vehicle stands out. If you want to drive a vehicle that attracts attention, realize that it's going to attract attention from everybody, including LE. If I'm paying more attention to you, I'm more likely to notice infractions that I may otherwise not see.

[RegularJohn]

I say it's a speed trap because the roads on the outer edgest of the campus used to be 35-45 mph depending on where you were. Recently, they completed construction on the campus, a highway expansion project. They also revamped the campus entraces onto that highway. In doing so, they added some new roads. The new roads are all 25 mph. They also dropped all the other roads that were previously up to 45 mph down to 25 mph. Now, I can understand dropping 2 of those roads down to 25 because people are usually crossing on them at crosswalks. So it makes sense. However, dropping the speed limit on the other roads makes absolutely no sense and they have become speed traps. Officers even regularly camp out on the roads that used to be higher. In fact, one time I got pulled over before they actually updated the signs(they had blank signs up for a few months). It was a young officer told me the speed limit was 25. I explained to him that it has been 35 for over 6 years. He let me go and informed me that it has changed.

[gotthblues]

if am am understanding what you just said, they added more cross streets than were previously there, if that is right, then they dropped the speed limit more than likely due to greater chances of accidents, more cross streets = more traffic which = more accidents,

[RegularJohn]

no, they actually reduced all the cross streets that existed and turned them into massive entrance ramps. And roads that were physically unchanged that ran on the outside of the campus had their limits changed. As I said, it makes sense in certain aspects because at certain areas, there are now an increased number of pedestrians but other roads it makes no sense at all. Either way, I drive a lot slower on these roads now than I did 2 years ago.

[Drunkcop]

Question:

How loud are your pipes?

Loud pipes = noise ordinance violation = probable cause = blue lights


There are tons of traffic laws the average driver has never heard of, but are fully constitutional probable cause for stops.

[NBW791]

I say it's a speed trap because the roads on the outer edgest of the campus used to be 35-45 mph depending on where you were. Recently, they completed construction on the campus, a highway expansion project. They also revamped the campus entraces onto that highway. In doing so, they added some new roads. The new roads are all 25 mph. They also dropped all the other roads that were previously up to 45 mph down to 25 mph. Now, I can understand dropping 2 of those roads down to 25 because people are usually crossing on them at crosswalks. So it makes sense. However, dropping the speed limit on the other roads makes absolutely no sense and they have become speed traps. Officers even regularly camp out on the roads that used to be higher. In fact, one time I got pulled over before they actually updated the signs(they had blank signs up for a few months). It was a young officer told me the speed limit was 25. I explained to him that it has been 35 for over 6 years. He let me go and informed me that it has changed.

I'm still not seeing how that's a "speed trap". To me, a speed trap is sitting in a 25 mph zone right at the end of a 45 mph zone and hammering people going 45 in the 25 before they have a chance to slow down. I believe there are guidelines in place to avoid such a thing though. The speed limit can only go down 10 mph at a time I think and it has to reduce over a longer stretch of road. For example, 45 to 35, stay 35 for 1/4 mile, then 35 to 25, etc. That gives the driver time to reduce his speed. Usually there are "reduced speed ahead" signs before you even get there anyway. Therefore, speedtraps don't exist around here.

-Nick-

[BluDrgn]

I could care less what kind of car it is. A speeder is a speeder. Porche to the farmers beater pick up.


"Ahh the high road"

[BluDrgn]

Lets see,Moms mini van going 15 over the limit with kids all in it,or Mustang going 14 over the limit???Now how many of us are going to stop Moms bus????
I will take whom ever is available. If the soccer mom is first in line then she wins the summons. As I mentioned earlier. Police see no color(race) and the same should apply to traffic violations.

[RegularJohn]

I'm still not seeing how that's a "speed trap". To me, a speed trap is sitting in a 25 mph zone right at the end of a 45 mph zone and hammering people going 45 in the 25 before they have a chance to slow down. I believe there are guidelines in place to avoid such a thing though. The speed limit can only go down 10 mph at a time I think and it has to reduce over a longer stretch of road. For example, 45 to 35, stay 35 for 1/4 mile, then 35 to 25, etc. That gives the driver time to reduce his speed. Usually there are "reduced speed ahead" signs before you even get there anyway. Therefore, speedtraps don't exist around here.

-Nick-


Well, our opinions differ. It's also difficult to explain. Maybe I'll take a picture for you some time. But picture a 4 lane road (2 lanes each way) that looks like a highway in the middle of 4 empty fields. I've been passed by people going over 50 there on a daily basis. I think the speed limit there should be 40 mph.

I call it a speed trap because the roads look like they should be 40 and they're 25, even though some of them used to be 35 and 40. And the new road they put in looks like it should be 40 as well. And consquently, further down right before you enter campus, the road is 40 mph and jumps down to the changed 25 instantly, so I guess it is technically a speed trap by your definition, even though no one ever drives there and cops don't hang out there.

[P036]

If You Think Its A Trap We Are Not Going To Convince You Otherwise! On The Car Question Bro If You Have The Money To Own Those Two Cars Just Pay The Tickets And Drive As Fast As You Want. No I Do Not Look For Sport Cars On Any Thing Other Than The Guys That Do Not Mount The Front Plate Because It Looks Bad. To Tell The Truth I Hate Writting Speeding Tickets. I Do Not Run Radar Unless I Am So Urrr That I Am About To Chew My Fingernails Off. I Am Prob. The Wrong Person To Answer The Question.

[ME1998]

1997 Saleen S-351.. probably cheaper than your cobra, and would chew it right up, they market that as a "viper eater" i gotta agree with sgt on this one

[trafficcmdr]

I don't discriminate. If you speed, your gonna get stopped (regardless of vehicle type). IF you get a citation, that's a different story.

[SgtScott31]

If You Think Its A Trap We Are Not Going To Convince You Otherwise! On The Car Question Bro If You Have The Money To Own Those Two Cars Just Pay The Tickets And Drive As Fast As You Want. No I Do Not Look For Sport Cars On Any Thing Other Than The Guys That Do Not Mount The Front Plate Because It Looks Bad. To Tell The Truth I Hate Writting Speeding Tickets. I Do Not Run Radar Unless I Am So Urrr That I Am About To Chew My Fingernails Off. I Am Prob. The Wrong Person To Answer The Question.

What's up with capitalizing all your words?

[Chacha]

You're probably being pulled over because you are driving when there are not that many cars on the road and the officers are eyeing any car for any PC to pull it over. A mustang cobra in a college town doesn't help. :(

[SgtScott31]

You're probably being pulled over because you are driving when there are not that many cars on the road and the officers are eyeing any car for any PC to pull it over. A mustang cobra in a college town doesn't help. :(

RS, not PC. ;)

[Shifty]

Not a LEO*


Just be happy that the LEO's are doing their job and checking cars out on the road late at night. If your car was stolen or if you got plowed by a drunk driver you would appreciate the LEO's attemps to check for sobriety and correct paperwork. On a side note, I drove a 00 Mustang GT for 2 years, it always had Drag Radials on it, no cats, flowmasters, tinted windows, and I'm sure a few other violations, but I only got pulled over twice in 2 years and never recieved a ticket. It was loud and it stuck out like a sore thumb, but my attitude has definetly helped me in a few situations. When ever I get pulled over I roll down the windows, shut the car off, turn the interior light on and place my hands on the steering wheel so the Officer has no questions when walking up to my car, and when he does get there I don't give him a ****ty attitude like he's holding me up or wasting my time. If you show respect, you get respect. Remember, when you get pulled over it is more then likely for your own safety, but nobody appreciates it until they need something or something bad happens to them... Sorry for the rant, but the point is, don't act like it's a problem to get pulled over if you're not getting any tickets, just be respectful and don't act like it's a problem, usually it only takes a few minutes out of your time, and if the LEO recognizes you, more then likely he won't bother you next time he sees you.... :cool:

[Cold Zero]

I

[AnGardaSiochana]

If You Think Its A Trap We Are Not Going To Convince You Otherwise! On The Car Question Bro If You Have The Money To Own Those Two Cars Just Pay The Tickets And Drive As Fast As You Want. No I Do Not Look For Sport Cars On Any Thing Other Than The Guys That Do Not Mount The Front Plate Because It Looks Bad. To Tell The Truth I Hate Writting Speeding Tickets. I Do Not Run Radar Unless I Am So Urrr That I Am About To Chew My Fingernails Off. I Am Prob. The Wrong Person To Answer The Question.

What's up with capitalizing all your words?

Hello Chief/Asa/et al,
Wow so many different usernames but yet you have the same annoying method of posting. Real cops call that an MO.

[RegularJohn]

If You Think Its A Trap We Are Not Going To Convince You Otherwise! On The Car Question Bro If You Have The Money To Own Those Two Cars Just Pay The Tickets And Drive As Fast As You Want. No I Do Not Look For Sport Cars On Any Thing Other Than The Guys That Do Not Mount The Front Plate Because It Looks Bad. To Tell The Truth I Hate Writting Speeding Tickets. I Do Not Run Radar Unless I Am So Urrr That I Am About To Chew My Fingernails Off. I Am Prob. The Wrong Person To Answer The Question.

Did you even read my post? I don't speed at all there because I'm paranoid about getting a ticket.

[RegularJohn]

No such thing as a speed trap.



So they're making reasons up to stop you because you drive a Cobra? That's what it is. It's a government conspiracy to harass all Cobra drivers because their cars are fast. I would like to hear from the officer that pulled you over. I'm sure his reasoning will differ from yours.

Saleens are better anyway. ;)

I've been pulled over before for a plate light being out. It wasn't. Once, a cop ran my license plate (while I was at a stop light) and since my father owned the car (his license was suspended at the time for a parking ticket), I got pulled over. I've been pulled over for not having my headlights on before sundown. I've been pulled over, and the officer has taken my license, walked around the car, and gave me back my license just because he wanted to look at my paintjob. I didn't get a ticket in any of these situations. I'm not complaining, just saying...you really don't need a legitmate reason to pull over someone. Now, I'm sure the majority of officers don't act like this, but some do, and to deny it would be ignorant. I'm not trying to give the idea that "they are out to get me". I simply wanted to know opinions on whether you show preference to pulling over people with fast cars to slow ones. I'm not even worried about getting tickets anymore. A family member PBA card takes care of that here in NJ...No need to get defensive...or offensive.

[Hinged]

Well said shifty, In my city we have probable cause/ reasonable suspicion. If you are on a college campus at 2:00 am and you are driving a mustang I dont care, look at the begining "If you are on a college campus at 2:00am". The officers most likely want to make sure that you are not operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Reasonable Suspicion college campus' are known to all throw these nice keg party's and more, how many times have you seen on the television another teen driver leaving a college party while he/she was intoxicated has killed an innocent person crossing the street.
Then you will say "man those officers on campus dont do nothing". I would be glad that they are checking the vehicles traveling through there so late at night regardless if your doing the speed limit or if you are going over by 5 MPH. I'm all done with this novel here good luck to you. :)