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#1 ·
Okay, I've been debating doing this for a while now. And, I'm kind of tired of the "I hate cops" threads. Have you ever wondered why a cop gave you the ticket rather than someone else? Is this mod or that mod legal? What would a cop do if he saw this or that happen on the road? As many of you know, or have been able to figure out, I'm an Officer with the California Highway Patrol (It is, therefore, my primary job to give tickets, take drunks to jail, and write-up accident reports). I've been doing the job for about three years, which doesn't make me an expert. I figure that it would be nice to allow you guys to "pick me brains" on stuff. I'd like to be able to answer questions that you guys have about certain situations, and what not.

Keep in mind that some of these answers are MY opinion, not those of the department, or even other Officers. Even if you do what I suggest, you might still get a ticket, or go to jail. There will have to be rules, though. Here they are:

Main rules are these --

1) RESPECT -- I'm not going to put on my flame suit, anyone that's going to post in this thread SHALL be respectful to me, and other Officers. Anyone who is not, won't get a reply. Call anyone with a shiny piece of metal on their chest a "Pig", and you won't get a reply.
2) HONESTY -- Be honest about what happened, and how you reacted. What you, and the Officer said.
3) BE NICE -- Not following this is the most important. Foul language SHALL be kept to a minimum! If you can't express your anger without first calming down and using adult words, then I have no room for you in my life.

Others are things along these lines --

1) Questions about Vehicle Code SHALL be in regards to California laws only! I don't work in other states, and therefore have no knowledge of their laws. If you bring up a law in another state, you have to post the law in question. Even then, I would only have limited knowledge in regards to it.
2) You can ask me what I would do in a given situation, but don't expect other Officers to do the same.
3) Other Officers can post replies to questions, but everyone SHALL follow the two primary rules.
4) I enforce the law, I don't write the law. If you have a problem with how a law is written, this isn't the place to air your concern.
5) After I turn the ticket in, I have limited knowledge on how to deal with it. My knowledge is limited to what I have encountered in my own experiences with getting tickets (yes, I do get them from time to time).

Questions about the CHP might be able to be answered on the Departments website www.chp.ca.gov

With all this in mind, let's see how this thread goes. I'll try to answer questions as best, and as quickly as I can. I don't have the ability to spend hours upon hours each day on these forums, so I might not be able to answer things right away.
 
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#302 ·
E55 said:
Quick question:

Can CHP pull you over and give you a ticket on local city streets for things such as speeding/fix-it tickets?

Can local city police pull you over on the highway/freeway and give you a ticket for things such as speeding/fix-it tickets?
What's the first work in CHP? That's where my jurisdiction is. I can write tickets/take people to jail/handle crimes, anywhere in the state. And I will, too. We primarily handle freeways and unincorporated county areas, but I've written my share of tickets on city streets.

As for local PD's writing tickets on freeways. It's not likely to happen. You'd have to do something horribly wrong for them to pull you over. It happens, just not very often. Basically, if you see a cop car, you're better off not doing something stupid in front of them.
 
#303 ·
mashalah20 said:
I got one about the carpool lane:

Suppose your speeding in the carpool lane, and there is no shoulder to your left (that is, the center divider is immediately to your left). If a cop comes behind you and turns on his lights, do you cross the double solid line to pull over to the right side of the freeway, or wait the mile or so until the broken lines come up? I'm always scared I'll end up in this situation and wait until the broken lines come up and have the cop think im running or something. Then again, if I cross the double solid, he might ticket me for that too! What should we do???
Per the California Vehicle Code when you see an emergency vehicle behind you with their lights on, you're supposed to move immediately to the right. If you're in the HOV lane and see a cop car with their lights on, just turn on your signal and SAFELY move to the right. Even if there's a left shoulder. Move to your right safely, one lane at a time. Anytime you get pulled over you should crack your window and listen for any specific instructions they might give you, though. Depending on how wide the center median is, I might have you go that way, but I'll tell you first.
 
#304 ·
elemnt | 0ne said:
Suppose someone here has the same Nova 4 strobes that police cars have.

If someone had them installed in their front turn signal and rear tail lights (in the clear part) and had them on and a cop saw them, would they get arrested or just ticketed? Keep in mind, it would have the same 'strobe pattern' as a police car, but would be in a bright white, instead of red and blue.
It's illegal, but only an infraction (ticket) as long as you aren't impersonating an officer. It would fall under 24003 VC - Unlawful lighting. I've been debating putting them in the rear of my car. But, I'd only use 'em if I was off-duty and came across a crash that was blocking the freeway (I really don't want to get my car hit because of some other crash).
 
#305 ·
elemnt | 0ne said:
I have a question too...

Suppose someone here has the same Nova 4 strobes that police cars have.

If someone had them installed in their front turn signal and rear tail lights (in the clear part) and had them on and a cop saw them, would they get arrested or just ticketed? Keep in mind, it would have the same 'strobe pattern' as a police car, but would be in a bright white, instead of red and blue.

Thanks! :thumbup:
:lmao: :eeps:
 
#306 ·
Another question,

If you are patroling in the canyons, areas like Angeles Crest Hwy, Mulholland Hwy, that kinda thing, what are the chances that you will attempt to pursue a fast car, obviously modified suspension car, in that kind of really tight cornering situation?

I mean, would you take a gamble on those small windy roads that you can catch up to the driver, and if you did, could you compare your Crown Vic or Camaro to a 330 or a M3?

And the other question, how easy is it in court to disprove a visual estimation ticket at night when the officer was going the other way on a divided road, or pacing over about 1/4 mile on a road that has speed bumps? ticket is 35 in a 25 at 11:40 Fri night.
 
#307 ·
bimmerboi330 said:
If you are patroling in the canyons, areas like Angeles Crest Hwy, Mulholland Hwy, that kinda thing, what are the chances that you will attempt to pursue a fast car, obviously modified suspension car, in that kind of really tight cornering situation?

I mean, would you take a gamble on those small windy roads that you can catch up to the driver, and if you did, could you compare your Crown Vic or Camaro to a 330 or a M3?
Jim (My 330Ci) will out handle the Crown Vic eight days a week. But, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't give chase. I drive the Crown Vic at higher speeds than I do Jim. And I corner harder in the CV than in my own car. Why? Because I do it more often in the CV, and I'm more comfortable doing it in a car that I slid around a track, than in one that has limits which I've yet to push. But, could I post a faster time through a stretch of road, or track, in Jim than I could in the CV? Sure. But I have to pay for the repair bill when I break something in my own car.

And the other question, how easy is it in court to disprove a visual estimation ticket at night when the officer was going the other way on a divided road, or pacing over about 1/4 mile on a road that has speed bumps? ticket is 35 in a 25 at 11:40 Fri night.
It all depends on the exact situation. Were you going faster than that, or is that just what you were cited for? I assume, since the street has speed bumps, that it was in a residential area. You have to think about it this way:

While 10mph of the limit doesn't seem like alot, you were going 140% of the speed limit, right? Now, if you were going 140% of the speed limit on one of SoCal's 65mph freeways, then you'd be going 91mph. That's fast, but if it's all relative, then you were flying down that road!
 
#308 ·
I was doing about 30, but I slowed to a crawl on the speed bumps, like under 10 mph, I hate screwing my suspension on the BM, there are 4 of these speed bumps.

It was on campus, near one of the res halls, cold as hell, so no pedestrians around anywhere, conditions listed as dry etc on the ticket, safe speed listed as 25.
 
#310 ·
elemnt | 0ne said:
I have a question too...

Suppose someone here has the same Nova 4 strobes that police cars have.

If someone had them installed in their front turn signal and rear tail lights (in the clear part) and had them on and a cop saw them, would they get arrested or just ticketed? Keep in mind, it would have the same 'strobe pattern' as a police car, but would be in a bright white, instead of red and blue.

Thanks! :thumbup:

In addition to the CVC violation that Frobie mentioned, keep in mind that if you are able to "deceive any ordinary, reasonable person" into believing that you are a police officer (or police car in this case), and pull over or otherwise intimidate or delay someone, you are subject to a felony charge under P.C. 146a(b) for impersonating.

In my opinion, there are not many people with strobes in the corners that are on the level....it is not a normal thing to do unless its for a show car or something
 
#311 ·
OHCM3 said:
In addition to the CVC violation that Frobie mentioned, keep in mind that if you are able to "deceive any ordinary, reasonable person" into believing that you are a police officer (or police car in this case), and pull over or otherwise intimidate or delay someone, you are subject to a felony charge under P.C. 146a(b) for impersonating.

In my opinion, there are not many people with strobes in the corners that are on the level....it is not a normal thing to do unless its for a show car or something
Hmm... interesting... thanks for the info.

And the reason I do have them is because my car is a show car :thumbup: I try not to turn it on while I'm on the road anyways :)
 
#312 ·
most of it seems obvious but with bimmerfest coming up this weekend i had a good idea for you to post some information. What do you think would be top 5 or top 10 tips you can give everyone for driving to bimmerfest/ driving around in SB while at bimmerfest.

Obviously its don't speed, race, or peel out. But Id like to know other things with acting towards cops because they all know we will be there and i assume most of the cars going will have radar detectors so how will cops view us with those? Any tips will be great. Ive been following this thread from the beginning its great! TIA

Josh
 
#313 ·
elemnt | 0ne said:
Hmm... interesting... thanks for the info.

And the reason I do have them is because my car is a show car :thumbup: I try not to turn it on while I'm on the road anyways :)

..except on drives... :eeps:
 
#314 ·
calibimmer said:
most of it seems obvious but with bimmerfest coming up this weekend i had a good idea for you to post some information. What do you think would be top 5 or top 10 tips you can give everyone for driving to bimmerfest/ driving around in SB while at bimmerfest.
I guess the top driving tips to/during/from bimmerfest would be these:

1) Be cool. Nothing looks better than rolling up the freeway in a huge pack of cars when you're all obeying the speed limit. Nothing looks worse than a group of cars driving like idiots.

2) Get communicating. Get Walkie Talkies in every car. Or, make sure that everyone in the group has everyone else's phone number. Nothing worse than being the last car, getting caught out at a red light, and getting lost all alone :(

3) As simple as it sounds, obey the laws. Don't California stop that stop sign. There are going to be alot of cops out during this, and you don't want to be the one that has your trip ruined by something like this.

4) Try to fly "under the radar". Not the speed radar that I use, but the visual radar. The less attention you draw to yourself on the road, the better off you are. No loud stereos, no strobes :rolleyes:, and no driving around at night without your lights on (it sounds simple, but you'd be suprised).

5) No drinking and driving. Again, sounds simple, but all it takes is one too many to turn your weekend, into hell. There's enough people rolling to the 'fest that there should be DD's aplenty.

6) No weapons. Unless, of course, you can carry them legally. The last thing anybody here needs is to be carrying that knife that they THOUGHT was legal, only to get jacked up by the cops for it.

7) Just use plain common sense. Plan for a couple of stops on the way for everybody to re-group in case they get separated. And never, stop on the freeway to wait for someone. Get off the freeway. Have at least one person carry a fairly complete set of tools with them. And some spare parts; spark plugs, oil, belts, and make sure that at least a couple of people in the group have a spare tire (a spare from a 330 would be best, that way it'll fit every car in the group).

That's all I can think of for now.
 
#315 ·
Chris@AutoWerks said:
..except on drives... :eeps:
haha that was only for like a second :shhh:

Hey Chris... we need to discuss plans for our 'late sacramento caravan.' Is 4PM a set time or can we go a little earlier? Let me know... I'll email you since I can't use AIM at work.

-------------

Thanks for the tips, Josh! Too bad you won't be joining us at Bimmerfest- when are you moving to Hanford? I have some friends that live there (not an exciting place to live) :p

I drive up and down I-5 all the time and there seems to be a lot of CHP near the Coalinga, Firebaugh area :\ Maybe one day you'll see me driving down :thumbup:
 
#317 ·
Hey Frobie, I think this is a great service that you’re providing on this forum. They should give you OT PAY for this!!! hahah :thumbup:

Anyhow my question is that for 2006, is the California Legal limit for alcohol at .06% now? Instead of .08%?
 
#318 ·
TheTuan said:
Hey Frobie, I think this is a great service that you’re providing on this forum. They should give you OT PAY for this!!! hahah :thumbup:

Anyhow my question is that for 2006, is the California Legal limit for alcohol at .06% now? Instead of .08%?
I can tell you that it is still .08 Please note that the code section for DUI in CA has two subsections. One section notes generally driving under the influence while the other specifically notes that the BAC was .08 or higher. You can still be written for a DUI and be below .08 for one of the subsections, but it will be a tough case to make stick.
 
#319 ·
Somethin to think about....

elemnt | 0ne said:
I have a question too...

Suppose someone here has the same Nova 4 strobes that police cars have.

If someone had them installed in their front turn signal and rear tail lights (in the clear part) and had them on and a cop saw them, would they get arrested or just ticketed? Keep in mind, it would have the same 'strobe pattern' as a police car, but would be in a bright white, instead of red and blue.

Thanks! :thumbup:
Here in the "Sacto" area, there is "four" unsolved incidents of rape by a person(s) impersonating a Peace Officer.... who has pulled over women driving by themselves by the use of illegal lighting systems. :thumbdwn:

I'd be leery of driving around with "Strobes" :yikes:
 
#320 ·
325 & 55 said:
Here in the "Sacto" area, there is "four" unsolved incidents of rape by a person(s) impersonating a Peace Officer.... who has pulled over women driving by themselves by the use of illegal lighting systems. :thumbdwn:

I'd be leery of driving around with "Strobes" :yikes:
Really? Wow... that's scary sheit.

Yeah, I don't turn them on all the time, usually with just people I know that are around- I don't go around trying to pull people over....
 
#323 ·
TheTuan said:
Hey Frobie, I think this is a great service that you’re providing on this forum. They should give you OT PAY for this!!! hahah :thumbup:
I wish :D Maybe I could bring it up to the Captain...

Anyhow my question is that for 2006, is the California Legal limit for alcohol at .06% now? Instead of .08%?
No, it's still .08% Blood Alcohol Content. You can go to jail for anything over .05% if there is only alcohol suspected. If drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol is suspected, then you can go to jail under .05%.
 
#324 ·
elemnt | 0ne said:
Yeah, I don't turn them on all the time, usually with just people I know that are around- I don't go around trying to pull people over....
So your friend that's in front of you knows that you're kidding. But the cop down the street doesn't. Next thing you know, you're getting pulled over, and arrested because they think you're the pervert out there raping girls. Just be careful with those things.
 
#325 ·
mike_e46 said:
i went to go to court today, but they didn't have my ticket on record. is there a reason why some people have their tickets on record earlier then others?
There should be a court date at the bottom of the ticket. That's the last day that you have to take care of the ticket. PM me with what the exact sections are that you were written for, court date, court location, etc. I'll see if I can help you out a little with what you're facing.
 
#326 ·
BMWintoxication said:
:idea: i think forbie should arrange a police escort for the caravan to bimmerfest :D
And I think you should spell my screen name right..... but aparently neither is going to happen :p

Seriously though, if I could figure out a way to get there, I'd go. And if I could get paid for it, then :thumbup:
 
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