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

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

As a regular Joe driver, I don't care if you are looking at your phone, eating a taco, picking your nose, or half asleep, so long as you stay in your lane. Both literally and figuratively.

LMAO

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Sara504

Can you tell if I'm looking at my phone if I'm wearing sunglasses?

Sometimes, but I don't need to prove you were looking at it. By California law, I can write the cite if you have your phone in your hand. I'm not sure about the laws in other states.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

They probably can't and that's why he didn't do anything.

That's factually incorrect (...see my post above).

[Fly320s]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

That's factually incorrect (...see my post above).

Do you have to see the phone in her hand?

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Sometimes, but I don't need to prove you were looking at it. By law, I can write the cite if you have your phone in your hand.

Dang. Good to know.

Does that same rule apply for watches? If I’m reading and replying to a text on my watch, I can’t get in trouble, right?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Why should I bother to have insurance if there is no legal penalty for not having it while I drive?

I got the CHP report. The same insurance information provided to me was provided to the officer. After reading the report, I asked the officer at the desk for some assistance: This insurance doesn't include auto liability" "It's a civil matter now" "But he lied to you and didn't provide a valid insurance policy" "If he had a number written on a piece of paper, that what I put in the report, we can't verify" "Well, I have verified, the policy isn't for vehicle liability, you aren't going to do any sort of enforcement?" "No, have a nice day"

So now, a known non-insured vehicle is still out there on the roads, capable of committing more damage with no finnacial liability.

There's a legal penalty: court fines.

[Fly320s]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Drives me batshit crazy! Put the phone down and drive. What the F is so impotent you have to text or read while driving. I see it every single day.

I think it is one of two things:

1. Drivers are bored.
2. Drivers think their job/life/family is so important that a text can't wait.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Do you have to see the phone in her hand?

Yes!

Originally Posted by Sara504

Dang. Good to know.

Does that same rule apply for watches? If I'm reading and replying to a text on my watch, I can't get in trouble, right?

That's a gray area, but there are other laws I could cite that would fall into the realm of distracted driving......not that I'm looking to jam up people talking to their side piece on their Apple Watches.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I see people including cops blatantly looking at their phones while driving here in GA all the time. In 2018 I think, a new law was put in place that was supposed to decrease this habit called the "Hands-free Law". It hasn't done a damn thing as far as I can tell. In fact, people aren't even supposed to be handling their phone, let alone texting while in the car. I see it every single day.

Cops have exemption (...at least here in California).

[Fly320s]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Yes!



That's a gray area, but there are other laws I could cite that would fall into the realm of distracted driving......not that I'm looking to jam up people talking to their side piece on their Apple Watches.

Side piece? Is that the loophole? I wonder if my wife would sign-off on that.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

I think it is one of two things:

1. Drivers are bored.
2. Drivers think their job/life/family is so important that a text can't wait.

If I’m driving, I’m driving. I’m watching everyone and anticipating their next asshole move. How can you possibly be bored?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Side piece? Is that the loophole? I wonder if my wife would sign-off on that.

LOL! That's how people get down these days. No judgment.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

That's factually incorrect (...see my post above).

But if you couldn't see the driver with phone in hand, how can you cite them? You stated that you do in fact need to see the phone in hand.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Cops have exemption (...at least here in California).

Hmmm interesting. Are cops not human?
I mean not to drag this into a debate, but why is it safe for a police officer to be looking at their phone while driving?

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

If I’m driving, I’m driving. I’m watching everyone and anticipating their next asshole move. How can you possibly be bored?

Lol you are well trained in driving aka a defensive driver. I'm also always aware of my surroundings knowing there are plenty of idiots behind the wheel that aren't paying attention.

[Fly320s]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

If I’m driving, I’m driving. I’m watching everyone and anticipating their next asshole move. How can you possibly be bored?

Depends on traffic, I guess. I'm bored most of the time, even in traffic. And that is a Good Thing! I'd rather be bored than having to dodge Massholes all day.

Cars are easy to drive. Roads are mostly smooth, straight, and wide. We have power steering, power brakes, cruise control, collision warning, lane departure warning, espresso machines, anti-lock brakes, and all kinds of driver aids. Eventually we will have Musk Drive, which is fully autonomous, so we won't even need a steering wheel.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

If I’m driving, I’m driving. I’m watching everyone and anticipating their next asshole move. How can you possibly be bored?

Exactly!

[Samurai of 2day]

Is operating a vehicle without registration but had the title in hand/ on their person count as an arrestable offense or would said driver just get ticketed?

[M5Rick]

Don't text,don't read texts while driving or in traffic just hand's free talk then check the texts when I park up.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Yes!



That's a gray area, but there are other laws I could cite that would fall into the realm of distracted driving......not that I'm looking to jam up people talking to their side piece on their Apple Watches.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

Don't text,don't read texts while driving or in traffic just hand's free talk then check the texts when I park up.

I text at red lights. I’m technically stopped, but I’m sure it’s still illegal. I am guilty of changing songs while driving.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

If I’m driving, I’m driving. I’m watching everyone and anticipating their next asshole move. How can you possibly be bored?

Drive across the country 5 times in 6 months. 1,037 miles each time. You get bored very easily. Lots of song changing