Search found 4 matches

by chabouk
Sun May 09, 2010 1:34 pm
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)
Replies: 58
Views: 12809

Re: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)

92f-fan wrote:
srothstein wrote:
92f-fan wrote:
chabouk wrote:
gregthehand wrote:I use to just use what we called the trigger on the radar so I didn't have to leave it running just for that reason.
I think you mis-spelled "I used the trigger because continuous mode is an unconstitutional search of the driver, and I only searched drivers with radar after establishing probable cause via my trained and accurate estimation of the driver's speed."

I'm sure that's what you meant. Right? ;-) :mrgreen:
HUH ?
Under the law, an officer to using an electronic device to check a car's speed constitutes a search. To do this legally, the officer must have probable cause. The probable cause comes from an officer being able to testify that he saw a vehicle approaching at what appeared to be a speed in excess of the speed limit.
A perpetually ignored law. If it weren't ignored there would be no market for detectors.

So does that law not apply to speed cameras ?
The only real value in a radar detector, is knowing when one is working in your area because it's used against someone else. If it's targeted against you, your detector does no good. (Yes, I understand about picking up a continuous radar signal before the unit is able to get a lock on you, but in traffic this is rarely the case.)

I'm fairly confident it would be upheld against speed cameras too, if anyone ever appealed it to that level. Are speed cameras even used in Texas?
by chabouk
Sat May 08, 2010 1:59 am
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)
Replies: 58
Views: 12809

Re: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)

gregthehand wrote:I use to just use what we called the trigger on the radar so I didn't have to leave it running just for that reason.
I think you mis-spelled "I used the trigger because continuous mode is an unconstitutional search of the driver, and I only searched drivers with radar after establishing probable cause via my trained and accurate estimation of the driver's speed."

I'm sure that's what you meant. Right? ;-) :mrgreen:
by chabouk
Sat May 08, 2010 1:53 am
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)
Replies: 58
Views: 12809

Re: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)

GOP wrote:I use a radar detector to speed, and get a way for it! i commute about 25 miles one way to work, so any way to shave a few minutes off is ok with me.
What's the speed limit along your route? How much time can you actually save?

25 miles @ 50 mph = 30 minutes
25 miles @ 60 mph = 25 minutes

And that's average speed, including starting and stopping and traffic lights.

Now, I think most speed limits are arbitrary and stupid and rigorously enforced just because violations are easy to prove, not because there was any actual unsafe speed involved. I'm a procrastinator and leave for work at the last possible moment, so I have plenty of incentive to hustle. But, I've timed my 6.5 mile route (two blocks 30 mph, half mile 45 mph, two miles 50 mph, 3 miles 55 mph, the last stretch 35 mph). Stop lights, school buses, and traffic conditions make a far bigger difference in my commute. I can drive 10 over, or 5 under, and still arrive at work within the same 3 minute window.
by chabouk
Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:06 pm
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)
Replies: 58
Views: 12809

Re: Amusing DPS encounter in Hickory Creek (Denton County)

particle wrote:I was driving below the speed limit on the way home from work - about 55-60 in a 65. There was a grass fire off in the distance on the side of the road. The truck I was behind was the reason I was driving below the speed limit - he was interested in the fire, I was interested in getting home after a long commute. As soon as I had a clearing in the left lane, I moved over and accelerated around the truck. Behind me, up came racing a full-size white Chevy pickup. I wasn't seriously speeding at this point - maybe 2-3mph over the speed limit (normal traffic flow reaches 75-80mph on this stretch of highway). When I saw the truck come racing up on me, I stepped on it, then moved over into the right lane. At this point, the truck is tailgating me, so I sped up some more... By this point, we're both WELL over the posted speed limit (I honestly don't know fast we were going, I was just paying attention to the road and trying to figure out why this guy was riding my bumper). I pulled into the turning lane on the shoulder to prepare to pick up a movie for my wife, and the truck stayed right on my tail - he was so close, I couldn't safely slow down to enter the parking lot - I overshot the parking lot entrance a few feet (remember, he was riding my bumper), and (stupid, I know) I flipped the guy off. He responded by flashing his badge out his window. I pulled into the parking lot at the next opportunity, he got out and gave me heck for speeding, but never asked to see my license or insurance - he told me to put it away.

I was pretty ticked about the whole ordeal, but kept my cool. Personally, I felt like this guy acted WAY inappropriately in an off-duty, personal vehicle. I know I shouldn't have let the guy push my buttons, but (as a police officer) he should have never been pushing the buttons in the first place. I would have never sped up that much if he hadn't come racing up on my tail. I keep wondering if maybe he felt partly responsible for escalating the situation, but probably not.

I still have a great amount of respect for LEO, but guys like this don't do much for public opinion.
A few years ago I recall some complaints in the Little Rock news about marked cruisers pulling the same thing: they would charge up behind someone, and when they (naturally) sped up to get around the car they were passing, they got ticketed for speeding.

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