Carry permit. Would traffic stop make police be more cautious? yea or nay?

[houstonscott]

Are traffic laws that important? The whole police department is organized to stop people for traffic violations, and then use that stop as a sifting tool to look for other crimes.

 

[Bird]

I find that the LEO's initial greeting whenever stopped is what depicts the balance of the encounter.

If he arrogantly simply barks 'License and registration', that sets a bad scene. (here in Quebec it seems the norm)

In Ontario (and some States) it generally starts off with ,example, "pardon me sir but I hope you understand why I have pulled you over". Well I tell you it makes for a much better encounter and very often it ends up with a warning than a ticket.
In fact I leave the encounter and warning is actually welcomed.

Fact is driving long distances one often simply gets carried away due to the boredom and the speed just creeps up especially on some main highways that can handle much higher speeds than posted and with little or no traffic.

As a sales rep that traveled frequently between Montreal and Quebec City I learned that a Monday AM trick was to tail a speeding limo that had red lights behind the front grill as that was a member of parliament in his limo and they never got stopped!

Back then I generally put 30-40,000 miles on a car per year so a few stops was inevitable as was an occasional ticket.
Some well earned but others very frustrating as they suggested quotas being met.

The way I learned, and can't recall ever varying when I stopped a vehicle was "Good Morning (or Evening or "How do you do?"), I'm Officer (last name) and I stopped you for (violation), may I see your driver's license please?"

Incidentally, I love cruise control on my personal vehicles because, otherwise I, too, find it hard to avoid that speed creeping up on long trips.:laughing:

 

[check]

I find that the LEO's initial greeting whenever stopped is what depicts the balance of the encounter. If he arrogantly simply barks 'License and registration', that sets a bad scene. (here in Quebec it seems the norm) In Ontario (and some States) it generally starts off with ,example, "pardon me sir but I hope you understand why I have pulled you over". Well I tell you it makes for a much better encounter and very often it ends up with a warning than a ticket. In fact I leave the encounter and warning is actually welcomed. Fact is driving long distances one often simply gets carried away due to the boredom and the speed just creeps up especially on some main highways that can handle much higher speeds than posted and with little or no traffic. As a sales rep that traveled frequently between Montreal and Quebec City I learned that a Monday AM trick was to tail a speeding limo that had red lights behind the front grill as that was a member of parliament in his limo and they never got stopped! Back then I generally put 30-40,000 miles on a car per year so a few stops was inevitable as was an occasional ticket. Some well earned but others very frustrating as they suggested quotas being met.

Gee, Piloon, you must have a friendly face or something. I have NEVER had a cop here in Ontario say "pardon me, sir". "Good evening" is about the best I get. Nonetheless, my experiences have generally been positive, except of course that sometimes I end up with a speeding ticket! (Rarely)

 

[Bird]

Are traffic laws that important? The whole police department is organized to stop people for traffic violations, and then use that stop as a sifting tool to look for other crimes.

If you had to help pick up a few dead bodies at wrecks, as some of us have done, I think you'd decide that traffic laws ARE important. But no one is denying that it's been abused at times by some officers or departments.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

If you had to help pick up a few dead bodies at wrecks, as some of us have done, I think you'd decide that traffic laws ARE important. But no one is denying that it's been abused at times by some officers or departments.

I am an avid supporter of law enforcement; in fact someone near and dear to me is a member of the Police Department in another city and I have, and have had, friends in law enforcement. I have been helped more than hindered by law enforcement, so I can't complain, really. There were a couple of incidents that grind my gears a bit though. One was a speed trap that appeared deliberately set up; it was at night, on a through highway, topped a hill and there was a city limits sign and an immediate and substantial reduction in the speed limit. I saw it, and was slowing down when the lights came on. Cost me $90.00. Could have been more, but kept my mouth shut.

Another time, right after I had my little VW convertible fully restored; took it out for its first spin and cop stopped me for expired inspection sticker. Told him it was like a new car, etc. etc. Cost me $50 bucks...the inspectors commented "This is like a new car". But one thing I have learned in life, there are always a few bad apples in the barrel, and that even applies to lawyers.

Oh, one more thing. I wish they would crack down on some of the truckers in my area. They seem to ignore the speed limit, and I have been nearly driven off the road a couple of times recently when they crossed the center line...not to mention the texters and landscaping truck/trailers.

 

[Sigarms]

My expectations would be he would ask where gun was, then have me exit vehicle with my hands up. He would remove my weapon, clear it, secure it and then return it to me unloaded when traffic stop concluded.

My expectations are when I inform the officer that I have a gun, he asks me where it is, I tell him, and then we go on to why he pulled me over. The officer has no right to remove my gun from my person for a simple traffic stop.

I've gotten numerous seat belt violations. The above is how it always plays out.

 

[shaeff]

My expectations are when I inform the officer that I have a gun, he asks me where it is, I tell him, and then we go on to why he pulled me over. The officer has no right to remove my gun from my person for a simple traffic stop.

I've gotten numerous seat belt violations. The above is how it always plays out.

Yep. I never even want the firearm to come into play. That's why I don't even inform the officer unless I need to exit the vehicle.

The less handling of a firearm during a traffic stop, the better. That goes for all parties involved!

 

[PILOON]

Over the years I have had my share of tickets, some well deserved some not.
One that will burn me forever is when I pulled over (and had to cross a red light) which I did with great caution as an ambulance was hooting and bleeping for me to move over.
What I did not know was a LEO was nearby and that cost me a serious ticket (and points).
I will tell you that I now NEVER move for any siren or any emergency vehicle !

Nor does my wife as when she once did the emergency vehicle clipped her fender and guess who paid. (we have 'no fault here' which means you pay to fix yours and he pays for his. (Fire truck bumpers don't even get a scratch but a Nissan fenders can't take it)

An attorney confirmed that LEO's and other emergency vehicles are ruled by the same laws as other vehicles but are 'tolerated'.
I recently learned that postal vehicles also enjoy the special tolerances.
Shucks even an off duty volunteer fireman enjoys those privileges. (perhaps not in all jurisdictions but for sure in my neck of the woods)

Nope, whoop, holler, play siren all U want, I don't move any more!

 

[Bird]

The officer has no right to remove my gun from my person for a simple traffic stop.

I think you should check your state's statutes. I haven't kept up with any changes lately in Texas, but I do know that it used to be that the officer was within his rights to take the gun from you initially, and then return it when you're free to go; exactly the opposite of what you stated.

 

[Sigarms]

Over the years I have had my share of tickets, some well deserved some not.
One that will burn me forever is when I pulled over (and had to cross a red light) which I did with great caution as an ambulance was hooting and bleeping for me to move over.
What I did not know was a LEO was nearby and that cost me a serious ticket (and points).
I will tell you that I now NEVER move for any siren or any emergency vehicle !

Nor does my wife as when she once did the emergency vehicle clipped her fender and guess who paid. (we have 'no fault here' which means you pay to fix yours and he pays for his. (Fire truck bumpers don't even get a scratch but a Nissan fenders can't take it)

An attorney confirmed that LEO's and other emergency vehicles are ruled by the same laws as other vehicles but are 'tolerated'.
I recently learned that postal vehicles also enjoy the special tolerances.
Shucks even an off duty volunteer fireman enjoys those privileges. (perhaps not in all jurisdictions but for sure in my neck of the woods)

Nope, whoop, holler, play siren all U want, I don't move any more!

This is the same country where plain clothes cops would ask for handouts, and if someone took off their seatbelt to get their wallet, they'd write them up