for having a Porsche!

Im 99.9% sure that that was the reason! This happened yesterday evening. I pulled into a local restaurant to pick up some food for my wife.

As I was leaving, a few other cars blocked the main entrance, so I took the alternate exit (legal), but had to back out b/c of no other choice (plus the steepness of the driveway would have knocked my lower lip right off).

As I was backing out, a cop was pulling up but came to a complete stop to let me back out. I thought to myself "nice gesture" and waited for the light to turn green. Meanwhile, I noticed that the cop had his right blinker on and as the light turned green, I continued on my way (going straight). Next think I know, the cop decides to follow me. I paid no attention and continued driving. About a mile down the road, the food spills (thank God it was well packed) and so I pulled over and came to a complete stop to pick it up, etc. Out of no where the cop turns on his lights?!?!?!

So now Im thinking to myself, what the hell did I just do? He came up to me with hand on gun and asked for my license, registration and insurance. I kindly asked why he pulled me over and he claimed that it was b/c I illegally backed out of the restaurant! WHAT?!?!?!

He asked why I didnt pull out through the main entrance and I told him exactly why? He shruged, asked me if I had any points (none) and then went back to his car. About 10 minutes later, he comes back and gives me my documents along with a moving violation for "Improper backing". Finally, he states that he had to come to an abrupt stop b/c he didnt see me! What a bunch of BS!!!

Now, dont forget that he kindly let me pull out. We waited at the stop light for about a minute or so and then he decides to pull me over a mile down the road. WTF?!?!? If what I did was illegal, he should have pulled me over right then and there...no excuses.

I am so livid right now b/c of this nonsense. Could it be that I had out of state tags, a roaring exhaust on a 996TT that probably scared the crap out of him (and made him spill his coffee as he was stuffing his face with powdered doughnuts), or b/c it was a saturday evening and he was bitter that he had to work????

I'll see that SOB in court!!! Sorry for the long post...just needed to vent! Sheesh!

 

well it's normal for them to wait a little while after the infraction because they are usually running your license plate and that takes some time.



Get a traffic lawyer, fight it and hope it works out

 

I dont know about that. From my experience, they run the plate, check if you have a warrant for your arrest, etc. after they pull you over....which is why you sit there for 10-20 minutes.

Traffic lawyer? Maybe, but I think im just going to represent myself. Plus, I had a witness following me in another car. He can at least attest to where I got pulled over, etc....

We'll see.

 

I know the feeling. My brother in-law got pulled over twice in my car on Thursday. First stop was for tints and the second time was for tints and no front plate. Both times drove away without a summons and compliments on what a nice car. Go figure!!!!

 

BCS.....make sure that you explain this to the judge,and have a good traffic lawyer with you...i don't think this will be a big deal

 

you ought to know, especially if you are in nj. in some towns, the cops have nothing to do but to hassle the citizens. i am not generalizing-most cops are hard working public servants. but some towns have a reputation for living off their traffic summonses. try driving up rt. 208.

 

Doc,
I can't agree with you more. I just got a ticket today in the MINI due to tinted windows. I have had nothing but bad traffic cop related experience in this State (NJ) in the 21 years I have been licensed to drive. The worst part about it is that in general, we (collective group of Porsche afficionados) are actually among the safest and most knowledgable drivers out there. Safe in the sense that the majority of us tend to know how to handle a car (driver's education events, autocross, etc.). We are not the menace. The problem is that sports cars have been labeled as threats to the motoring public and because of it, we are scrutinized by the police. Remember the campaign, "Speed Kills!" Oh, bull****! Stupidity and drunkeness kill. Anyway, I digress. BCS996TT, FIGHT THAT TICKET AND DON'T GIVE UP!

Unfortunately, this is what we have to deal with if we are to have these cars. I have also experienced it on my bright red sport motorcycle. The assumption goes.....If it looks fast, he must be speeding. Can you sense the pent up anger I have on this topic? There was a post with a link recently http://www.ticketassassin.com/ that had some good advice during a traffic stop. BCS996TT, you broke one of the rules by asking him that question. You should read it.

On a slightly different note:

I have often thought how cool it would be to have one day a year where all speed limits were lifted on all roads in the nation. That would be a repeating vacation day for me and I would not get out of the seat of my car except to gas-up.

I also thought how cool it would be to have a national campaign, televised even, that expressed the need to stay right except to pass with heavy fines being levied for violators.....just like on the Autobahn. The prize would be higher speed limits.

The bottom line here is that I feel we are harassed as Doc said.

Sorry for the verbose response guys!

 

I know you are indignant, and perhaps it was unfair, but don't assume that truth will out in a courtroom in a small town in traffic court. If there are no points attached to the violation, that's one thing, but if you accuse the cop of any misconduct, i guarantee you will lose. If you want to beat the rap, see if you can discuss the matter with the officer personally, well in advance of the hearing. If you can't for any reason, hire a lawyer. Sorry, but i've been there too many times, and seen too many of my friends plead their own cases to no avail. You cannot win this stuff; you've got to work the system. PS: I am a lawyer and would never plead my own case. I find the local lawyer with the connections, and often talk with the officer who wrote the ticket to see if can be negotiated in advance.

 

billhart-i am a police physician for a small town. you are completely correct and your advice is to be listened to. most cops are reasonable, and an attitude of "i am sorry officer, i have learned my lesson" can work wonders. if you go into a small traffic court armed for bear, you will lose. i also agree-seeking out the attorney who is effective in that town can help. but, having said that, there are some towns that are notorious for using a highway as an income producing assett-in those towns, you could stand on your head, and you will still get points. i am not complaining about personal experience, as i have not gotten a ticket in over 25 years, but we all know that these towns exist.

 

BCS,
What town was it?

 

sorry to hear that....
I would have been pissed off.

 

Same situation I had a few years back ... driving about 115 mph on 55 North from Newport Beach in a 500SL (now I drive a '03 TT) ... saw a "smokey" going on the on ramp ... slowed down ... switched lanes ... going the speed limit, he comes right behind me ... hmmm, go about 2 miles with him still on my tail ... decide to pull over at the next exit ... as soon as I switch on my light to pull off he turns on his lights and pulls me over ... then comes up, after getting my info, says "I guess you are wondering why I pulled you over? Well, my partner will come up and tell you." What the hell is that??? Sure enough, his partner comes up, and says they are giving me a ticket for ....... driving to close to the car in front of me about 2 miles back!! Obvious BS, but what can you do??

 

sit down, smile and be happy you aren't getting pulled over and hauled to jail for doing over 100

 

Ain't that the truth! Don't laugh but when I was in college in the states, coming from Europe were people follow that rule to stay right, I kept waiting and waiting for the slow moving cars in the left lane to move back to the right, banging my head against the steering wheel wondering why doesn't anybody move right when they are done passing. And on top of that, while I was waiting in the left lane, here came other drivers in the right lane who would pass me and the driver in front!! I couldn't believe it until I found out there is no left lane yield to faster moving traffic.

And the police would be more worried about giving guy doing 5 miles over the limit a ticket than the guy driving with the cellular in his hand weaving in and out of traffic or the woman in the SUV eating the icecream while screaming to the kids who were loose inside the car So everybody has to go at the same speed and nobody feels they need to pay attention to the traffic!

In essence while I admit I drive very hard and faster than other drivers in the street, I have never had an accident in my life (sportbike or car) and always worry about being curtious to other drivers and not driving as if I was the only one in the road, but inspite that, I almost finished college without a licence from the speeding tickets
I'm glad I'm back in european streets now were driving is a pleasure again.

 

Ken,

I was in Fort Lee, NJ.

To everyone else, thanks for the advice. I was honestly going to represent myself, but after reading everyone's response, my best bet might be to get a traffic attorney.

Just curious, does anyone know if points accrued in NJ will transfer to MD?