Police Protocall Question

[AARR]

Maybe someone (Norm) will know the answer to this.

When police officers pull over someone why don't they get them off the road? Why not have the drivers pull into the next parking lot or subdivision? I've seen cars pulled over in the driving lanes, turn lanes, u-turns, etc. And these are not accidents or broken down vehicles. The police are writing tickets. So does anyone know? Norm, thought you might know something?

[SD40-2]

Don,
I believe if they where too stop in a parking lot it would be private property
no?

[AARR]

I'm not sure, SD40-2. I see cars pull into parking lots too.

[Norm]

Maybe someone (Norm) will know the answer to this.

When police officers pull over someone why don't they get them off the road? Why not have the drivers pull into the next parking lot or subdivision? I've seen cars pulled over in the driving lanes, turn lanes, u-turns, etc. And these are not accidents or broken down vehicles. The police are writing tickets. So does anyone know? Norm, thought you might know something?

Well, yes and no; it depends, and all the other dodges I can think of. Motorists are not noted for intelligence when being stopped. I've seen them stopped in the left turn lane, in the traveling lanes, and the occasional thinking motorist actually pulls as far off the road as he/she can. Obviously, a cop with sense would prefer they stop somewhere safe, but motorists don't think of that.

[Stitch]

Maybe someone (Norm) will know the answer to this.

When police officers pull over someone why don't they get them off the road? Why not have the drivers pull into the next parking lot or subdivision? I've seen cars pulled over in the driving lanes, turn lanes, u-turns, etc. And these are not accidents or broken down vehicles. The police are writing tickets. So does anyone know? Norm, thought you might know something?

Well, yes and no; it depends, and all the other dodges I can think of. Motorists are not noted for intelligence when being stopped. I've seen them stopped in the left turn lane, in the traveling lanes, and the occasional thinking motorist actually pulls as far off the road as he/she can. Obviously, a cop with sense would prefer they stop somewhere safe, but motorists don't think of that.

Usually they will signal the drive to pull into a parking lot but 9 times outa 10 the driver isn't paying attention sees the red lights and stops in the street.

[hoborich]

Obviously, a cop with sense would prefer they stop somewhere safe, but motorists don't think of that.

Some cops aren't that bright. I had a Dearborn Hts cop stop me one night about 3 am, on Telegraph, for nothing. Just because it was late at night, and he was fishing. I put on my turn signal and slowed way down and started looking for a place to pull off Telegraph. Within a block, he screamed at me over his speaker, to "STOP YOUR CAR NOW! So I stopped right there, in the right lane. He came up to the car and started to lecture me about stopping. I explained that I was looking for a safe place to stop, for his safety. It must have caught him off guard. He said he just wanted to check my sobriety, and told me I could go. Forget about finding a safe place to stop. Most cops go ballistic if you don't immediately screech to a stop when they light you up. Many times on my scanner, I have heard cops call in traffic stops, and within seconds they are yelling "he's not stopping". Then a few seconds later, they say, OK he's pulled into a lot at such and such.

[AARR]

hoborich, I had a similiar experieince except I was on a long bridge with no shoulder so I put on my flashers and slowed down to 45. The officer started weaving back and forth behind me and shouting for me to stop. I waited till I was off the birdge. The officer was furious and shouting at me I'd better stop next time. Like you, I told him I was waiting to find a safe spot for him. he cooled right down and looked embarrassed. He didn't show up to my court hearing

[hobojim]

hoborich, I had a similiar experieince except I was on a long bridge with no shoulder so I put on my flashers and slowed down to 45. The officer started weaving back and forth behind me and shouting for me to stop. I waited till I was off the birdge. The officer was furious and shouting at me I'd better stop next time. Like you, I told him I was waiting to find a safe spot for him. he cooled right down and looked embarrassed. He didn't show up to my court hearing

That guy was a real hole in the butt (my words )

[CAT345C]

This would be why we have the "Pull over and slow down" Law when you come up on a cop that is lite up.

[J T]

This would be why we have the "Pull over and slow down" Law when you come up on a cop that is lite up.

Huh? What law is that?

There is a "get over one space" law when you come up on a cop that is lite up (haha), but I've never heard about one that says you have pull over if you come across one that has someone else pulled over.

[CAT345C]

JT have you never seen the big signs on the freeway that say to move over one lane or slow down for police and emergency vechiles, its a state law in michigan.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

JT have you never seen the big signs on the freeway that say to move over one lane or slow down for police and emergency vechiles, its a state law in michigan.

Other states have them too...one would think JT would know this, after reading all the posts here about how he drives everywhere...

[CSX_CO]

Last I knew in Indiana they could take your DL on the spot if they got you for not moving over a lane or slowing down. I saw a State Trooper leave one person they had pulled over to go after a lady in a minivan who didn't merge or slow down. He RAN back to his car, and caught up to her in no time. Not sure what the other car did, if they stayed put or took off.

Practice Safe CSX

[BerkshireKid]

Ya know what I tell em?? I say "FU MAN!!!"
Not really. If i see lights behind me (happens on a regular basis) i slow down and put hazards on and find a safe place to stop. Usually the cops i encounter aren't to bad about it. At least anymore. Kinda hard to give me a hard time when i'm on a first name basis with about 10 cops.
Prolly should try to lower that number but hey, i've been honest and never give them a hard time. Thankfully only one ticket for no proof insurance (on refrig at home) that got thrown out.
My problem is everyone drives freakin slow so i look like i'm goning faster than i am. I drive NASCAR style, oh i got 3 inches of room! HERE I GO!!!!

[GreatLakesRailfan]

Driving out here is no fun. They have signs with the minimum tickets for speeding, reckless driving and tailgating. It's like a crime to enjoy your time on the road anymore...

[GTW6401]

In Illinois its known as Scotts Law, named for CFD Lieutenant Scott Gillen who was killed by a drunk while his fire company was working at an accident scene on the Bishop Ford a few years ago. The CFD will always have a firetruck serve as a blocker at accidents on the freeways because of this.

[BB]

I've seen cars pulled over on the shoulder of a two lane highway with a center lane where the police car was halfway in the driving lane so you had to move over.

JT have you never seen the big signs on the freeway that say to move over one lane or slow down for police and emergency vechiles, its a state law in michigan.

Other states have them too...one would think JT would know this, after reading all the posts here about how he drives everywhere...

He must know because he said it right here.

There is a "get over one space" law when you come up on a cop that is lite up (haha),

Last I knew in Indiana they could take your DL on the spot if they got you for not moving over a lane or slowing down. I saw a State Trooper leave one person they had pulled over to go after a lady in a minivan who didn't merge or slow down. He RAN back to his car, and caught up to her in no time. Not sure what the other car did, if they stayed put or took off.

Practice Safe CSX

In that situation what would be the right thing to do, suppose the officer didn't say something like have a nice day then took off?

[CAT345C]

I'd call 411 and get the departments number and call them to see what to do personally.