well, I had fun with the youngsters around here...they always got a warning the first time for simple speeding, and sometimes they washed patrol cars not to get the second one...lol...better than a citation. After awhile, they knew not to do it in town, and take it somewhere a little more safe...the point is this, if, IF, I wanted to look for speeders, I would never have the unit on, and I also had vascar at my disposal. We have remotes for the unit...sets there by my leg...while moving, or in my hand while stationary...push the button, up pops the speed, done. Now, anyone else coming down that same road might think, hey, there's a cop up there somewhere and they slow down...wow, that radar detector saved me today....well, not really, wasn't looking for you...but got the guy I was looking for...15 or over guy...detectors will let you know we are around....but you also must watch traffic and pay attn...that is just as important...unless we are assigned to a traffic detail, we are running around with the unit on just to get your attn...or to get the guy dumb enough to continue to speed by us....lol...be safe...

 

The best way to avoid a speeding ticket (if you are caught) is to have a close family member in the poilce department.

The bigger/real police depertments have PBA cards and badges that family members give out. Some people call them "get out of jail free" cards.

By the way, in some departments police officers are certified to visually judge your speed and it holds up in court. No need to even have a radar gun if you are blowing past them on the highway.

 

You know what, i had one of those cards as well and yes they are great but i never flashed them, if the conversation came to that point i mentioned it and it helped. But, if i was an officer and somebody flashes that thing to me the the minute i walked to their car, i would be a little annoyed and depending on my mood and the "attitude" of the person, i would probably issue a citation. I just don't like the idea of some people thinking that they can get away certain things by flashing that kind of stuff.

 

Actually you are wrong in this case (and I mean this in the kindest way). They want you to flash it. That is why they gave it to you in the first place. It all depends on your attitude when flashing it. The cop may choose to reject it based on the story you tell him about where it came from. Or he may just decide not to extend the courtesy.

I have immediate family members that are police officers in major cities. There were times I didn't flash it and the cop said "why didn't you tell me sooner". I was told "if you don't speak up and ask then I won't extend the courtesy". Some cops may see it in your wallet but won't bother to ask. Not every cop feels or reacts the same way.

Keep in mind.... if you are doing 130MPH chances are the card won't work! But if you are breaking the law within reason it is more likely to help the situation.

 

Doc, You got one of those for your family? I always get a kick out of these because when I was coming back from a Vikings game with my friend's family, his dad was pulled over for doing 20 over on an interstate. He flashed his badge as he took out his DL and the cop asked him if he was a LEO, which he quickly replied something to the effect "yeah, can I be on my way?" Instead of just a speeding ticket, he got a citation for license plate light out, crack in the windshield, seatbelt and speeding. Officer told him he needed to set a better example. Best part was the officer was my Dad's classmate and friend all through high school and knew who we were and really is a nice guy. Just got rubbed the wrong way by my friends dad flashing his badge.

 

i guess it is not wrong or right, it is how would you respond. If somebody flashes a card to me the minute i walk to the car "hey my brother is a cop, here is my card" i wouldn't like it. but after i talk to the driver and he/she nicely says, "i don't know if this makes a difference but my father is a cop" in a nice way, i sure would take that the consideration. I guess the ticket or no ticket is how you bring that up to my attention. That is how i would react to those kind of situation. I also donate to FOP every year and they send some kind of card to you to flash it but i never did and would NEVER. I wouldn't want somebody to flash me "hey look i donate to LE" card.

 

 

those are illegal...its an old practice that is frowned upon now...if you aren't a LEO, it isn't going to do you any good...I got a speeding ticket in OHIO...I didn't mention I was an officer until he peeved me off, at which point, I explained to him, if I were in the adjoining county in my state, I would make his name famous. I would ticket every OHIO plate I could and tell them, "compliments of officer so and so"....he didn't like that so well....but I felt better...still cost me $140....lol