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So im on my way up 360 in Austin last night and one of two Austin PD passes me just above speed limit on my left (i was in the right lane).

His buddy is coming up behind me pretty fast, well he doesnt switch lanes ad i see headlights coming up and he aint moving. At the last moment before he plows into me, i jerk hard on my steering wheel to my right and swerve onto the right shoulder as he passes me on the left (IN MY LANE).

Scared the daylights out of me, i was so upset and amazed. I dial 311 and report his car number to his supervisor.

The end, who knows what will come of it.

I would have let him rear-end me, but I need a new car so *shrug*

Did you have any idea he was even a cop until he passed you? Were his "police" lights on? (I don't know what the "red and blue" lights are referred to as). I really get annoyed when cops speed and they don't have their lights flashing. I don't care what the situation is - if you're speeding, you should be considered to be breaking the law like everyone else. If there is some sort of emergency, why not just use your flashing lights to alert those around you to move out of the way?

Sorry, maybe this is a rant better suited to its own thread...

CrimsonSoul wrote:I would have let him rear-end me, but I need a new car so *shrug*

There are a number of places with steep drop offs and cliffs on the right on 360 in Austin. Purposely letting someone rear-end you could cause serious bodily injury or death. IF the speed differential was enough, you could be pushed off the road into a canyon or cliff. Not to mention the possibility of the rear-end collision sending you into opposing traffic. The OP was fortunately aware enough to pull over and avoid such an incident.

CrimsonSoul wrote:I would have let him rear-end me, but I need a new car so *shrug*

It was APD so you probably would get ticketed for failing to yield right of way.

I you feel inclined then head down to APD HQ and file a complaint. Bring the LP and car # to them along with the times, location and direction of travel.

LE can speed while on routine patrol, but they must drive with due regard.

particle wrote: (I don't know what the "red and blue" lights are referred to as).

Bubble Gum Machine
Red and Blues
Woo Woo's


that's all I got for now.


agree. Letting someone clip you from behind is baaaaaaaaaaad times. Seen many a Rescue unit come in with "pieces" after one of those.
some digital units turn on automatically when a certain speed is reached. the Sarge would be able to look at "the tape" (it's not really a tape, anymore...) and assess what kind of TomFoolery was going on.

trdvet wrote:LE can speed while on routine patrol, but they must drive with due regard.

Where did you find this? There are exceptions in the vehicle code (except for parking prohibitions -i.e. center lane) if emergency equipment is activated. Same exceptions volunteer firefighters have when they have lights and siren activated in regard to speed, stopping, one way streets, etc. However yyou are right they must exercise due regard.

You didn't say if their lights were on or not.

If he had his emergency lights on, then you should have slowed down and moved over to the right.

If the APD car had his "Party Lights" lit up....slow down and move to the right. Same thing for
fire trucks and meatwagons.

AFCop wrote:

trdvet wrote:LE can speed while on routine patrol, but they must drive with due regard.

Where did you find this?

545.365. SPEED LIMIT EXCEPTION FOR EMERGENCIES;
MUNICIPAL REGULATION. (a) The regulation of the speed of a vehicle
under this subchapter does not apply to:
(1) an authorized emergency vehicle responding to a call;
(2) a police patrol; or
(3) a physician or ambulance responding to an emergency call.

(b) A municipality by ordinance may regulate the speed of:
(1) an ambulance;
(2) an emergency medical services vehicle; or
(3) an authorized vehicle operated by a blood or tissue bank.

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't "routine patrol" slightly different than an "emergency"?

Doesn't say routine or not... just "police patrol". So.. a cop on patrol doesn't have to pay any attention whatsoever to speed limit signs?

CrimsonSoul wrote:I would have let him rear-end me, but I need a new car so *shrug*

That's not a chance I'm willing to take. I'm not willing to risk accident investigators covering for co-workers. Even if that doesn't happen, I am not willing to risk waiting for the goverment to compensate me for my losses.

particle wrote:Did you have any idea he was even a cop until he passed you? Were his "police" lights on? (I don't know what the "red and blue" lights are referred to as). I really get annoyed when cops speed and they don't have their lights flashing. I don't care what the situation is - if you're speeding, you should be considered to be breaking the law like everyone else. If there is some sort of emergency, why not just use your flashing lights to alert those around you to move out of the way?

Sorry, maybe this is a rant better suited to its own thread...

Yes, i knew he was a cop. I was behind both of them at a red light a couple miles earlier. The light turned green and they both just sat there. So, i decided to go around them and was up ahead about a mile or so before they both passed me.