PO'd at police

[two_bit_score]

A good amount of people who claim to have insurance but no proof do not. If the officer would have let him go and he had a wreck down the road and no insurance, it would have been his butt. We all want law enforcement to do their job and ticket the other guy but not us. What if someonee the cops let go for no insurance then hit you? What would you say about his lenienncy then? If he has insurance the case will be dropped. If he doesn't then he is finded as he should be, no harm no foul.

Just to keep it straight -- he had insurance, just not his current card.

What do you think they do with people who dive w/o insurance? Take them to jail or something? No, mostly they give them a ticket and the offender "drives" on down the road. Hows that going to stop themfrom hitting you three blocks away???

Some states, including Texas, can impound your car for no insurance. That's not done all that often because if they did no wreckers would be available to respond to wrecks because they'd all be tied up towing insurance violators.

 

[Artimus]

Just to keep it straight -- he had insurance, just not his current card.

What do you think they do with people who dive w/o insurance? Take them to jail or something? No, mostly they give them a ticket and the offender "drives" on down the road. Hows that going to stop themfrom hitting you three blocks away???

Some states, including Texas, can impound your car for no insurance. That's not done all that often because if they did no wreckers would be available to respond to wrecks because they'd all be tied up towing insurance violators.

I realize he states he had insurance as do many who do actually not. Just like everyone in jail is not guilty. I am not negating that this poster had insurance but putting it in perspective. Some jurisdictions do indeed tow cars and put non insured drivers on foot but that is not the point. If the officer did not do what he was supposed to do he is in the wrong. As many seem to point out here, because he is doing what he is supposed to do he is wrong. It is a damned if you do and damned if you don't job that few wish to have but many think they can do better or criticize.

 

[two_bit_score]

Artimus, in Texas we have many millions of dollars in fines for such things as seatbelt tickets and insrance violations that are 'uncollectible' then they tack on other charges that multiply the amount owed until it's absolutely ridiculous. And guess what......we still have uninsured people driving and without seat belts............and the fines are still unpaid.

Seatbelt fines are a revenue raising tool but only for people who pay them.

Police officers ALWAYS have the option of descretion. A warning ticket is just as valid a 'violator contact' as a ticket. The cop in this situation just wanted to write a ticket. Some days that's what it takes to make him feel like he's 'somebody'. Sometimes that's what he does in response to a 'attitude'. Some are just jerks who like to exert authority. Some just haven't 'matured in the job' enough to realize when to apply descretion.

>>>I realize he states he had insurance as do many who do actually not. Just like everyone in jail is not guilty.<<< You haven't been around many people in jail have you? Almost all of them admit their guilt.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

. If the officer did not do what he was supposed to do he is in the wrong. As many seem to point out here, because he is doing what he is supposed to do he is wrong. It is a damned if you do and damned if you don't job that few wish to have but many think they can do better or criticize.

Where does it state anywhere that the officer has to issue a citation. Unless it has changed it has always been up to the officers discretion on whether he issues a warning or a citation. This was a new officer that has been on the locale force for about a month. I just ran into one of the sargents I know at the store and he told me to go to the court house after work and show them my insurance card and it would be dropped. luckily I wont have to miss work to get this taken care of.

 

[brin]

Where does it state anywhere that the officer has to issue a citation. Unless it has changed it has always been up to the officers discretion on whether he issues a warning or a citation. This was a new officer that has been on the locale force for about a month. I just ran into one of the sargents I know at the store and he told me to go to the court house after work and show them my insurance card and it would be dropped. luckily I wont have to miss work to get this taken care of.

Hooked - You are exactly right ! Imagine missing a day of work for something the officer could have easily dismissed on the spot. It has always been and is up to the officers discretion whether to issue a citation or not. He just wanted to get his numbers on a cheesey ticket. If we keep going like this in this country the economy will screech to a halt. I mean unless the cop is stupid he can tell when someone simply forgot to put their new insurance ID card in the glove compartment or whether they really don't have insurance in that they can't produce any old cards. If you were such a hazard then why did he let you continue to drive...proves my point..he accomplished nothing.

 

[Dargo]

I think the only time I have really been ticked at a cop was when I got a ticket for running 63 in a 60 zone while I was driving in traffic. I was baffled at first and then ticked when the 23 year old trooper started giving me a verbal bashing and lecturing me that he can issue a ticket for 1 mph over etc.

I pulled in one of my favors from a political friend and the crappy ticket went away. Otherwise I can't say I've personally experienced any issues.

 

[deepNdirt]

A good amount of people who claim to have insurance but no proof do not. If the officer would have let him go and he had a wreck down the road and no insurance, it would have been his butt. We all want law enforcement to do their job and ticket the other guy but not us. What if someonee the cops let go for no insurance then hit you? What would you say about his lenienncy then? If he has insurance the case will be dropped. If he doesn't then he is finded as he should be, no harm no foul.

well I must say, after thinking more on this subject and reading this reply,it got me wondering! If this Cop actually did think he had no insurance why should he have turn him loose in the first place? isn't the thing to do is arrest him and have the car impound? not let it back on the roadway, wouldn't this still hold the cop accountable if an accident did happen in results of turning him loose without Insurance?

 

[dave1949]

In Maine, if your auto insurance lapses, for whatever reason, the insurance co. is required to notify the state. Then the state sends a letter notifying you. There is some rigamorole involved in getting off the state's lapsed insurance list, but it is possible

I discovered this when I changed carriers. We are required to carry proof of insurance in the auto, but I wonder if a LEO can reference the state's list on-line. ? It would be easy to get an annual proof of ins. card then stop paying or cancel the policy.
Dave.

 

[Rob-D]

That said. I am against the seat belt law. It's just a revenue raising move by government.

The belt saved my life.
I kept me in the seat so I could control my car when I blew a tire back in 1969 and hit a truck on the interstate. Belts weren't required then but I knew it was a good idea.

You only have to be in one bad accident to know the benefits of seat belts.

As for police. I got stopped about 6 mos. ago for doing 68 in a 55. I saw the lights come on, he was going in the opposite direction. As soon as i saw the lights I pulled over so he wouldn't have to chase me. I don't speed but Nancy had an appointment and we were late. I took the blame and said I didn't have a ticket in thirty years. He checked the licence, came back and said don't get another one in the next thirty years. Decent of him I thought. I'm more careful now and haven't sped since.

I figure these guys are doing a job I don't want and they get all kinds of lip and excuses. I was wrong and admitted it. Goes to show you!

Rob

 

[Bedlam]

I think the only time I have really been ticked at a cop was when I got a ticket for running 63 in a 60 zone while I was driving in traffic. I was baffled at first and then ticked when the 23 year old trooper started giving me a verbal bashing and lecturing me that he can issue a ticket for 1 mph over etc.

I pulled in one of my favors from a political friend and the crappy ticket went away. Otherwise I can't say I've personally experienced any issues.

This solved the immediate problem But I'm sure the kid didn't know it went away and he will just continue on down the line. Its up to the more mature seasoned cops to mold the younger ones and up to the high ups to weed them out if they continue to use abuse their power. Unfortunately now adays they are afraid of this...