The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Patrol cars are more or less assembly line cars. No conversion takes place once they are delivered from Ford. Agencies don’t have the money to modify every car in the fleet.

I rarely drive them, but even *I* have a key for all the Fords in the country.

[ricardofors68]

Anyone in here that could share information on Metro PD, Washington D.C.?

So I moved to the D.C. area last month, wanted to apply to local agencies, I have in my sights Fairfax County, WMATA, and MPD. Any pro/con on these would be appreciated. Already checking WMATA, but not sure about their 10 month academies. Thanks in advance.

[IndyRed128i]

As a general rule of thumb, and " I know this varies" How much over a posted speed limit will get someone pulled over on a main interstate, assuming no other rules of the road are being broken?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

Anyone in here that could share information on Metro PD, Washington D.C.?

So I moved to the D.C. area last month, wanted to apply to local agencies, I have in my sights Fairfax County, WMATA, and MPD. Any pro/con on these would be appreciated. Already checking WMATA, but not sure about their 10 month academies. Thanks in advance.

Hopefully someone can chime in with helpful information for you.

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

As a general rule of thumb, and " I know this varies" How much over a posted speed limit will get someone pulled over on a main interstate, assuming no other rules of the road are being broken?

On average, 10-15 MPH should be safe…….especially when surrounding traffic is flowing at approximately the same speeds. It’s when your driving behavior stands out that you begin to attract the attention of my law enforcement partners.

[bayarea328xit]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

On average, 10-15 MPH should be safe…….especially when surrounding traffic is flowing at approximately the same speeds. It’s when your driving behavior stands out that you begin to attract the attention of my law enforcement partners.

Assume that there are 4 lanes on a freeway. The two fastest lanes are mostly empty. I'm in the fast lane going 75-78 in a 65. Assume that the officer is in the 2nd to slowest lane going 65-68. Usually, in this scenario, when I come up on the officer, I slow down to their speed and continue following them until they leave the freeway and then go back to my original 75-78 speed. Now, I suspect the office has a good idea of my speed before I fall in behind them based on the rate at which I closed in on them. I'm assuming that were I to not slow down and "blow" past them at 75-78, at least some of the time, an officer may pull me over. To avoid this unfortunate outcome, the best practice is to slow down and only continue speeding once the officer departs.

What are your thoughts about the above scenario? I imagine it plays out all the time with you on the road.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by bayarea328xit

Assume that there are 4 lanes on a freeway. The two fastest lanes are mostly empty. I'm in the fast lane going 75-78 in a 65. Assume that the officer is in the 2nd to slowest lane going 65-68. Usually, in this scenario, when I come up on the officer, I slow down to their speed and continue following them until they leave the freeway and then go back to my original 75-78 speed. Now, I suspect the office has a good idea of my speed before I fall in behind them based on the rate at which I closed in on them. I'm assuming that were I to not slow down and "blow" past them at 75-78, at least some of the time, an officer may pull me over. To avoid this unfortunate outcome, the best practice is to slow down and only continue speeding once the officer departs.

What are your thoughts about the above scenario? I imagine it plays out all the time with you on the road.

the speed limit like many laws are draconian and not relevant.

it is selectively enforced, and there is no hard and fast rule.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by bayarea328xit

I'm in the fast lane going 75-78 in a 65.

What lane? I assume that you mean the left-most passing lane. That lane is reserved for speed demons and emergency vehicles, and police protect it like it's their own private turf. Plus, being completely unobstructed by surrounding traffic means that you are an easy radar/laser target. Keep right, except to pass.....

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by bayarea328xit

Assume that there are 4 lanes on a freeway. The two fastest lanes are mostly empty. I'm in the fast lane going 75-78 in a 65. Assume that the officer is in the 2nd to slowest lane going 65-68. Usually, in this scenario, when I come up on the officer, I slow down to their speed and continue following them until they leave the freeway and then go back to my original 75-78 speed. Now, I suspect the office has a good idea of my speed before I fall in behind them based on the rate at which I closed in on them. I'm assuming that were I to not slow down and "blow" past them at 75-78, at least some of the time, an officer may pull me over. To avoid this unfortunate outcome, the best practice is to slow down and only continue speeding once the officer departs.

What are your thoughts about the above scenario? I imagine it plays out all the time with you on the road.

If someone were to “blow past me”, chances are I’m conducting a traffic stop. I am not concerned with the vehicle that slowly passes me. My goal isn’t to cause congestion in my wake. Erring on the side of caution is never a bad idea however.

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

the speed limit like many laws are draconian and not relevant.

it is selectively enforced, and there is no hard and fast rule.

Every law [absent most felonies] is selectively enforced. It isn’t just speed laws. Speed IS relevant when you consider distracted driving and inattention, both of which are significant issues. Injuries and property damage increase exponentially relative to speed.

Originally Posted by vreihen16

What lane? I assume that you mean the left-most passing lane. That lane is reserved for speed demons and emergency vehicles, and police protect it like it's their own private turf. Plus, being completely unobstructed by surrounding traffic means that you are an easy radar/laser target. Keep right, except to pass.....

I agree with the final point: stay out of the #1/fast lane. It’s the first place we look when seeking to nab a speeder.

[Fly320s]

Pro tip: the right lane is the new left lane.

Around here, the left lanes are usually full, but the right lane is open. I stay in the right lane and pass all the "fast" drivers.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Pro tip: the right lane is the new left lane.

Around here, the left lanes are usually full, but the right lane is open. I stay in the right lane and pass all the "fast" drivers.

Did that on my way home today. Passed countless cars in the "fast" lane.

[M5Rick]

It's against the law here to pass in the 'slow' motorway lanes.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

It's against the law here to pass in the 'slow' motorway lanes.

But it’s probably also against the law to use fast lane with 3,762,896,876 cars wanting to go faster behind you
Just guessing

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

It's against the law here to pass in the 'slow' motorway lanes.

I believe it is here, too - although there may be exceptions in some states(?).

Nevertheless, enforcement is a pale shadow of what it once was, and I think there's no consequence to passing on the right as far as getting a ticket goes.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

It's against the law here to pass in the 'slow' motorway lanes.

We are allowed here if you are in a "continuous lane of traffic". There is a lot of leeway in that little phrase.

[vreihen16]

Only in Canada.....

https://news.yahoo.com/man-on-roller...200958594.html

.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Buug959

We are allowed here if you are in a "continuous lane of traffic". There is a lot of leeway in that little phrase.

Yes I should have mentioned that, if traffic builds up in a faster lane and that lane slows then you can go past. Just have to watch out for the sudden pull outs into your lane from impatient drivers.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Just have to watch out for the sudden pull outs into your lane from impatient drivers.

I don't "suddenly pull out" I merge into the next lane in a safe and rapid maneuver

Wait, whut???

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I don't "suddenly pull out" I merge into the next lane in a safe and rapid maneuver

Wait, whut???

Might be the rum talkin'

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Murf the Surf

Might be the rum talkin'

Better not be, I haven't left work yet.

Wait, whut????

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Better not be, I haven't left work yet.

Wait, whut????

I did some of my best work when I had a little jag on.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Murf the Surf

I did some of my best work when I had a little jag on.

Programmed a computer boot-up with FlipVGA back in the day after a pitcher at lunch. Victims were those who went straight from “restaurant” to home

[vreihen16]

A wrong-address tragedy.....

https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/new...e/70116189007/