Do you "flash" to warn of police patrol ahead? Speeding content and rant.

[Jimmy_Russells]

Fill out Form VA-1320, submit it with your $500 application fee to the Virginia DMV via postal mail at least 6 months before your scheduled track day, give the date, time, duration and track location, and, if permission is granted, your speed limiter will be electronically re-programmed to deactivate on the given date and time for the given duration as long as you are within 1 mile of the track location.

I see what you did there

 

[justalubetech]

Don't do that in the US it is likely to cause road rage. When you want to pass someone turn on your blinker and go around. The car being passed should respond by moving to the right edge of their lane and slowing down some. There's only one semi-official interpretation of flashing headlights at someone and that is to say "You may cut in front of me."

Yepp, I don't know if it's not taught or what but that's literally why cars have a mode for the high beams where they don't stay on, aka "flash to pass", but anytime you actually do it people just get pissed off

I just try to make myself as "unthreatening" as possible now on the road, people come unhinged at the slightest things now and I don't need that drama with my 1 year old in the car.

 

[alarmguy]

You sound like you were a good cop. It's been awhile since I've gotten a ticket. Maybe our lenses about it are where we are from.

Ever heard of "Taxation by citation?" https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/11/...-non-profit-law-firm-says.html?outputType=amp

There is probably other law enforcement on here too, I think one is also from NJ.. I remember something about tickets from the 2A code vs the 2C code https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/about/regs.htm where one has fines that can then get shared with the municipality that wrote them, and one goes straight to the State etc; you're right, the money goes somewhere. If you are ever in a "Boro" in NJ... WATCH OUT!! (you could probably name a town in every state where it's legendary when they "got you." At soon-to-be 41 years old.. I've learned, drive THE speed limit when in an area like that.. 26 in a 25 could be you.. going slower than could be "suspicious." Seen videos about it. Drive THE speed limit.)

You'd have to go deep down the rabbit hole about how 55MPH came about etc and has since been raised to about 65MPH.. At the end of the day, I'd feel you are right, you have a job to do and the best way to not get a ticket is to not speed... you really can't argue your way out of that, I'm saying.

Wondering how you feel about New Jersey... (and it's against the law to camp out in the left lane here, as well.)

Speaking of NJ.. Now to see if the law has changed since 1999. If it hasn't I'll start doing it...

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendmen...been upheld,protected by the First Amendment.

View attachment 151221

The whole subject is almost silly. How would one prove in court that you flashed lights to warm of a police

I've lately been doing this thing. It's more an experiment... So I usually set my cruise at about 80 (you get to know when and where speed limits are more suggestions than enforced things.) It sometimes is on a two-lane road. I usually encounter people camped in the left lane, doing 70 or 75.....

So. Since the left lane is for passing. I keep my cruise on, until I'm just about on their bumper. Foot covering the brake, of course, of course.

USUALLY, the people DON'T move.

It's usually a lifted Ford pick up truck. But not always.

So, I go around them on the right. Enter my favorite bumper sticker: "If I passed you on the right, you were in the wrong lane." If I'm wrong on that? Well.. sure wouldn't be the first time. Either take a number and get in line or.. use the left lane for passing, please .

I know of an Internet forum where they made it a forbidden topic to talk about driving slow in the left lane. I'm still not aware of where it is taught, in driving instruction, where driving slow in the left lane is okay. Some people from some states make the argument that they can. Police sometimes issue tickets for it. That should tell you all you need to know right there. But. It's a whole thing.

Also. To be given a ticket for flashing the high beams.. I am of the belief the LEO has to have seen you do that. Yes?

Richmond politicians would *never* adopt the part of California regulations that mandates statewide emissions testing.

If it worked the way I suspected, emissions testing in Northern Virginia was implemented to avoid having to implement any regulations elsewhere in the state.

I just saw this in another post. So here we are with CA again requiring something that the federal government doesn’t on automobiles

Post in thread 'Like I said.....only a matter of time for EV's to be cost competitive'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...vs-to-be-cost-competitive.367833/post-6462205

 

[Chris142]

I loved truckers when I was patrolling. I worked in a rural area with backup 45 mins away. I knew a lot of the truckers rolling through and they were pretty much my only hope if I needed help. In all my years I may have written 5 tickets to truckers. I stopped a whole lot but usually just had them slow it down.

That's all changed now with the new steering wheel holders driving trucks now .

 

[bubbanik]

That's all changed now with the new steering wheel holders driving trucks now .

And that's 100% fact! I learned real quick the difference between a professional driver/owner/operator and the "people" sitting in the seat turning the wheel. There is a HUGE difference and a frightening one at that!

 

[Al]

No

 

[BHopkins]

The worst part about that is when trying to pass somebody and they speed up. Then I speed up more, then they speed up more and before you know it, I'm doing 85+ trying to pass the d-bag who can't keep their own speed.

When on the interstate, my favorite (yes, that is sarcasm) is the driver that is passing a semi at a 1/4 mph faster than the semi, while other cars are backing up behind them. But as soon as they get around the semi, the driver speeds up to 12-15 mph over the posted limit - faster than the 90% (including me). So if you drive sensible, you aren't getting around them before they get to the next semi.

And then the driver starts the game all over again, with passing the next semi at 1/4 mph speed difference.

I've often wondered what is going through the mind of drivers like that. Does passing a big rig scare them, so they think driving slow next to the semi will make everything safer? Or are they actually control freaks, and are getting their kicks and giggles by being able to control traffic with their antics? Or something else all together? I don't know. But if you do, please tell me. I'd sure like to know.

Yepp, I don't know if it's not taught or what but that's literally why cars have a mode for the high beams where they don't stay on, aka "flash to pass", but anytime you actually do it people just get ****** off

I just try to make myself as "unthreatening" as possible now on the road, people come unhinged at the slightest things now and I don't need that drama with my 1 year old in the car.

None of us do, young family in the car or not. Unfortunately, all too many in our current society don't seem to understand that.

 

[Dave Hess]

I cruise at 80 mph at a minimum, usually around 90 if safe.

I hate being in a traffic jam at 70, I feel like I’m in NASCAR and all it takes is one idiot to make a mistake and a major crash happens.

 

[Bladecutter]

A more recent example, my commuter route is on a 35 MPH road where I always go about 45 (it's a little used back road). an officer was approaching from the opposite direction and flashed his blues when he should have ticketed me.

Let's pretend speeding is not unsafe, but think of the incredible amount of revenue that they could rake in.

Police Departments are NOT supposed to be a for profit institution.

If you want to give your money to the local police department because you were speeding, feel free to go to your local department and self report your violation, and feel free to point out the exact time of day you passed that officer so that you can get him in trouble for NOT giving you a ticket at that very moment.

If you want to go even further to help out your local police department, bring several thousand dollars in cash with you, and let them know that they should seize it under asset forfeiture laws.

 

[KrisZ]

If you want to go even further to help out your local police department, bring several thousand dollars in cash with you, and let them know that they should seize it under asset forfeiture laws.

You don’t even need to do that. Just call them that you will be traveling with a substantial amount of cash, inform them when and they will take care of the rest.

They sure can use the cash.

 

[two-up]

The CDL standards should apply to all drivers and ones driving record really should be used for determining a persons suitability to enjoy other privileges and even some rights.

 

[alarmguy]

When on the interstate, my favorite (yes, that is sarcasm) is the driver that is passing a semi at a 1/4 mph faster than the semi, while other cars are backing up behind them. But as soon as they get around the semi, the driver speeds up to 12-15 mph over the posted limit - faster than the 90% (including me). So if you drive sensible, you aren't getting around them before they get to the next semi.

And then the driver starts the game all over again, with passing the next semi at 1/4 mph speed difference.

I've often wondered what is going through the mind of drivers like that. Does passing a big rig scare them, so they think driving slow next to the semi will make everything safer? Or are they actually control freaks, and are getting thour current society don't seem to understand that.

Maybe they were texting.
I see it a lot on the interstates

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

Just got done with my morning commute and I'm willing to venture that I think people in New York and New Jersey and most of these large northeast States view the whole topic differently than perhaps people in other places. You can do 80 miles an hour on a 2 lane road you will have people riding your bumper you simply cannot go fast enough. It is probably what they call football mentality people out here simply do not have a lot of firearms at least not legal ones anyway and it's certainly not something that would come up in most road interactions even extreme want it's just a honk and getting mad no guns. Combine that with a general acceptance of speeding being perfectly fine That ties into the speed limit in general.... I also agree with the posters that state that flashing lights is basically lost on newer drivers and I'm still not a 100% sure about the exact right time to use the gesture where you Flash your high beams telling someone in front of you that they can get in front of you .

 

[two-up]

I cruise at 80 mph at a minimum, usually around 90 if safe.

I hate being in a traffic jam at 70, I feel like I’m in NASCAR and all it takes is one idiot to make a mistake and a major crash happens.

More amazing than your customary speeds is that you will travel at 70 in heavy traffic-why ?

 

[Dave Hess]

More amazing than your customary speeds is that you will travel at 70 in heavy traffic-why ?

The flow of traffic is 70.

I don’t want an 18 wheeler tailgating me so I have no choice than to keep up with the traffic flow.

70 mph ‘traffic jam‘ is very dangerous.

 

[IndyIan]

More amazing than your customary speeds is that you will travel at 70 in heavy traffic-why ?

Because that's what everyone else is going, and its even more fun if its starting to snow! I find now though, there is almost always someone going 60(100km/h is our speed limit on most 4 lanes) in the right lane and so you can just slot in there, leave some space and not have a problem. But I'm on 4 lanes only a couple times a month or less.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

I loved truckers when I was patrolling. I worked in a rural area with backup 45 mins away. I knew a lot of the truckers rolling through and they were pretty much my only hope if I needed help. In all my years I may have written 5 tickets to truckers. I stopped a whole lot but usually just had them slow it down.

I admit I'm a very latecomer to this thread, but I've read every post and there are a LOT of legitimate posts made. When I was a MUCH younger man, I got a ticket in a small municipality for something stupid (I can't remember what, maybe expired plates, or a burned out bulb somewhere), but I appeared in Court and paid my debt to society. After leaving the courtroom the real drama began.
I kind of bumped into one of my "Juvenile delinquent" buddies out on the parking lot and we talked awhile. All of a sudden, lots of people started coming out, court must have adjourned. Got in my car to drive home, and as a lot of folks do when any event is over and lots of vehicles are leaving a parking lot almost simultaneously, we politely took turns merging...Maybe more so here because everyone knew there were law enforcement and court officials in private vehicles. Anyhow, at the last "merge" to leave the lot, I hand motioned this car to pull in front of me. It was late dusk, not completely dark yet; I recognized the driver. It was the self-righteous little prosecuting attorney, who had shamed everyone who was a defendant that night. I SHOULD have turned left to go home, but this joker turned RIGHT, and he took off out of that lot like he just got the green flag at a NASCAR race.
Not sure why to this day, but I followed him. He shot straight up to about 60 mph in a 35 zone, and I followed him not tailgating, but close, for at least 2 miles+. WHILE I'm speeding thru this jurisdiction, I have these funny little thoughts in my pea-brained young mind. Do the local police know his car? Of course, but not MY car. Am I going to get a ticket?? Good chance. How will I appear going back into the same courtroom for speeding and the Judge asks me why was I speeding? If I tell the Judge I was PACING the Prosecuting Attorney, is said Prosecutor going to admit this in a publicly attended courtroom?? NO. I'm a pimple faced little juvenile delinquent with no credibility. But this story is almost 40 years old, and I can recollect it with detail.
Law enforcement is discriminatory. Would a State cop give a speeding ticket to the state's Attorney? The Governor? The police Captains wife? What about cops who speed when they are off duty in their personal vehicles? Today, I drive with what I call common sense, which seems to be dying. I've done 140+ in the open desert with 10+ miles visibility and no one in sight, but I WILL NOT drive 31mph in a 30 zone thru a small town with Barney Fife likely hiding behind a billboard somewhere and/or small children playing. I also live in a state where it is Constitutional carry. I exercise that right; and I've been a victim of road rage on a couple occasions, but the ONLY way I'm going to defend myself is if someone gives me no other choice.
And yes, I will flash my lights to warn other drivers of Revenuers. As Mark Twain said, politicians, like babies, need to be changed often and for the same reasons.

 

[bubbanik]

I admit I'm a very latecomer to this thread, but I've read every post and there are a LOT of legitimate posts made. When I was a MUCH younger man, I got a ticket in a small municipality for something stupid (I can't remember what, maybe expired plates, or a burned out bulb somewhere), but I appeared in Court and paid my debt to society. After leaving the courtroom the real drama began.
I kind of bumped into one of my "Juvenile delinquent" buddies out on the parking lot and we talked awhile. All of a sudden, lots of people started coming out, court must have adjourned. Got in my car to drive home, and as a lot of folks do when any event is over and lots of vehicles are leaving a parking lot almost simultaneously, we politely took turns merging...Maybe more so here because everyone knew there were law enforcement and court officials in private vehicles. Anyhow, at the last "merge" to leave the lot, I hand motioned this car to pull in front of me. It was late dusk, not completely dark yet; I recognized the driver. It was the self-righteous little prosecuting attorney, who had shamed everyone who was a defendant that night. I SHOULD have turned left to go home, but this joker turned RIGHT, and he took off out of that lot like he just got the green flag at a NASCAR race.
Not sure why to this day, but I followed him. He shot straight up to about 60 mph in a 35 zone, and I followed him not tailgating, but close, for at least 2 miles+. WHILE I'm speeding thru this jurisdiction, I have these funny little thoughts in my pea-brained young mind. Do the local police know his car? Of course, but not MY car. Am I going to get a ticket?? Good chance. How will I appear going back into the same courtroom for speeding and the Judge asks me why was I speeding? If I tell the Judge I was PACING the Prosecuting Attorney, is said Prosecutor going to admit this in a publicly attended courtroom?? NO. I'm a pimple faced little juvenile delinquent with no credibility. But this story is almost 40 years old, and I can recollect it with detail.
Law enforcement is discriminatory. Would a State cop give a speeding ticket to the state's Attorney? The Governor? The police Captains wife? What about cops who speed when they are off duty in their personal vehicles? Today, I drive with what I call common sense, which seems to be dying. I've done 140+ in the open desert with 10+ miles visibility and no one in sight, but I WILL NOT drive 31mph in a 30 zone thru a small town with Barney Fife likely hiding behind a billboard somewhere and/or small children playing. I also live in a state where it is Constitutional carry. I exercise that right; and I've been a victim of road rage on a couple occasions, but the ONLY way I'm going to defend myself is if someone gives me no other choice.
And yes, I will flash my lights to warn other drivers of Revenuers. As Mark Twain said, politicians, like babies, need to be changed often and for the same reasons.

Good post and you are correct in much you say.
I will end with this. I stopped, and ticketed, a Captain from my own agency; while driving his patrol vehicle! I worked in one of those open desert areas you referred. I was traveling north running radar and got a 103 mph hit coming south which ended up being a marked patrol vehicle. I turned on it and lit it up.
I knew who it was as soon as I got behind it. Conducted a textbook stop and directed him to stay in the vehicle. Wrote and issued the cite and left.
I'm absolutely sure that cite never saw the light of day but like I told him, I write speed and reckless cites for less than the speed he was traveling and he was making me and every other cop look bad for driving like an idiot.
I also stopped and cited the District Court Judge in the same area for doing 99mph. When I walked up on him he knew me from being in his courtroom many times. Nice guy, had his license and vehicle docs in hand as I walked up on him. Just basically said sorry Judge but you know how this has to go right? He smiled, said I sure do and handed me his stuff. As I gave him the ticket I joked and asked him if he was going to fight it in Court? He laughed and said no, you got me, I deserve it.
I started as a cop after 25 years in the military so even as a rookie, people and/or rank don't impress or scare me. I treated everyone the same. I conducted approximately 25-30 traffic stops per day for the last 5 years of my service. The VAST majority were either "courtesy stops" (stopping the car and giving verbal warnings) or written warnings. Basically if I wrote you an actual ticket you deserved it.
Of course I'm going to have a different view of cops, what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. But I'm also a realist. There are lousy cops, just as there are lousy employees in every field; it's human nature, we are flawed. I just never forgot the awesome authority that was given me. My Dad drilled into my head when I was a kid "don't ever do anything to allow your word, character, or name to be called into question." Something I lived by all my life. I definitiely fell short in many ways but I think I succeeded in holding to my Pop's idea of character.
But I absolutely observed things just like what you described from cops, lawyers, and just about every segment of society.

 

[brianl703]

Not sure why to this day, but I followed him. He shot straight up to about 60 mph in a 35 zone

Many years ago, the Virginia House of Delegates voted down a bill to raise interstate speed limits.

Someone wrote a letter to the editor noting that, after the session ended, many of these HOD members got on I95 to get back to Northern VA, exceeding the 65MPH speed limit the entire way home.

In Virginia, HOD members get license plates showing that they are HOD members.

The unbelievable part of this story is that I95 was flowing well enough to exceed the speed limit...but it was many years ago.

 

[TiGeo]

Many years ago, the Virginia House of Delegates voted down a bill to raise interstate speed limits.

Someone wrote a letter to the editor noting that, after the session ended, many of these HOD members got on I95 to get back to Northern VA, exceeding the 65MPH speed limit the entire way home.

In Virginia, HOD members get license plates showing that they are HOD members.

The unbelievable part of this story is that I95 was flowing well enough to exceed the speed limit...but it was many years ago.

It was a big deal when they increased it to 70mph. I commuted on 95 south of Richmond for many years and was happy when they upped it as it reduced my chances of tickets as my comfy/set speed of 73.