When Police Pull Over A Veteran

[uechibear]

I don't get pulled over while driving very often, but when I have, I almost always have gotten a warning rather than a ticket. I've attributed that partially to having veteran's license plates on the car — thinking that many police officers are also veterans, and maybe they were giving me a break for that reason, but I'm also very polite and compliant, so maybe it's more because of that.

Anyway, for my next extremely fast car, I'm considering NOT getting veteran's plates, but I don't want to lose any benefits they may provide. There is a very small "Veteran" symbol on my driver's license. For officers and others who have first-hand knowledge, when looking at someone's driver's license, does whether or not they're a veteran come into play when deciding your course of action, and is it standard practice to look for a Veterans symbol on the license?

[Artemas2]

I don't get pulled over while driving very often, but when I have, I almost always have gotten a warning rather than a ticket. I've attributed that partially to having veteran's license plates on the car — thinking that many police officers are also veterans, and maybe they were giving me a break for that reason, but I'm also very polite and compliant, so maybe it's more because of that.

Anyway, for my next extremely fast car, I'm considering NOT getting veteran's plates, but I don't want to lose any benefits they may provide. There is a very small "Veteran" symbol on my driver's license. For officers and others who have first-hand knowledge, when looking at someone's driver's license, does whether or not they're a veteran come into play when deciding your course of action, and is it standard practice to look for a Veterans symbol on the license?

Been out of the job for a while; within reason (your are getting a ticket if going 60- 35/residential area) driver attitude/license history was very much a factor. Any type of perceived "get out of jail free" was a non starter for me any and if you knew better, then you really should. Results may vary by officer/dept.

[jeep45238]

I don't get pulled over while driving very often, but when I have, I almost always have gotten a warning rather than a ticket. I've attributed that partially to having veteran's license plates on the car — thinking that many police officers are also veterans, and maybe they were giving me a break for that reason, but I'm also very polite and compliant, so maybe it's more because of that.

Anyway, for my next extremely fast car, I'm considering NOT getting veteran's plates, but I don't want to lose any benefits they may provide. There is a very small "Veteran" symbol on my driver's license. For officers and others who have first-hand knowledge, when looking at someone's driver's license, does whether or not they're a veteran come into play when deciding your course of action, and is it standard practice to look for a Veterans symbol on the license?

Pretty sure not driving like a jack wagon, and driving with traffic instead of "through" traffic, is the answer, to "does my veteran/FOP sticker get me out of trouble?" (not really a factor unless you've been tailed for a bit).


Never had trouble with a bright red, loud, supercharged V8 in several states near military bases, no identifiers on it. Be smart about surroundings, and how much you're pushing something.


Only pull over/court appearance was a small town cop claiming I was going 25 mph, which wasn't possible in the vehicle I was driving at the time and how many people were in it (2013 Fit 5 speed, 4 people inside, going uphill in 5th gear). Magistrate threw it out and admonished the cop. Prior to that, I was pulled over for speeding as a teenager, none otherwise.

[Le Français]

There’s a certain image that comes to mind when I think of places where past or present government jobs get you preferential treatment in the application of the law, and the thought of the USA falling into that category makes me uncomfortable.

When I was in uniform and making traffic stops, it was definitely not standard practice to look for veteran indicators on a license plate or elsewhere. The only time I think it would come up is when planning an arrest or search warrant, to be aware that someone had military training.

[EMC]

In my state we optionally have veterans status listed on our drivers license so in my case they know with or without the plates. I have experienced the same and wondered if any of that factored or if it was just my lucky day.

[BehindBlueI's]

I don't get pulled over while driving very often, but when I have, I almost always have gotten a warning rather than a ticket. I've attributed that partially to having veteran's license plates on the car — thinking that many police officers are also veterans, and maybe they were giving me a break for that reason, but I'm also very polite and compliant, so maybe it's more because of that.

Anyway, for my next extremely fast car, I'm considering NOT getting veteran's plates, but I don't want to lose any benefits they may provide. There is a very small "Veteran" symbol on my driver's license. For officers and others who have first-hand knowledge, when looking at someone's driver's license, does whether or not they're a veteran come into play when deciding your course of action, and is it standard practice to look for a Veterans symbol on the license?

It mattered to me. It took more for me to write a veteran than a non-veteran. I also had a higher bar to write someone with a CDL, because a moving violation punishes a CDL holder more than a non-CDL driver.

[JRB]

I didn't join the Army until my mid-20's. I was also mild-to-moderately knuckleheaded about enjoying the fast cars I owned before and after joining.

Active mil/Veteran or not didn't really seem to be a factor in whether or not I got a ticket.

What did factor in, in my experience:

==Totality of conduct after 'being made' by the LEO.

-Did I stop somewhere quickly and safely, and in a place that made sense for both my safety and officer safety? Did I turn on the dome light and keep my hands on the wheel with the windows down until the Officer gave me further instructions?

-In most states, CHL/CCL is connected to license plates, so if I'm packing I declare it immediately to that Officer, regardless of whether or not I've a legal obligation to do so. I do this while my hands are on the wheel and I verbally explain the location of the weapon(s). Keeping my hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel and saying 'Sir, I've got a loaded handgun in my (location) and a knife in my pocket, how would you like me to proceed?' goes light years all by itself, IME.

-Did I conduct myself respectfully and take 100% ownership of my speeding or whatever I was doing? Playing dumb to the Cop asking 'Do you know why I pulled you over?' when you were doing 15 over, etc is straight-up stupid. It suggests that you're either that unaware of your driving or you think the officer is an idiot. Neither are conducive to getting any slack, and IMHO, rightfully so. Sure, I've caught myself going 5-10 over unexpectedly in a particularly smooth or fast car on a nice piece of highway. I've never been surprised when I looked at the speedo and saw I was doing 85+mph.
IME, admitting 'I was driving a little fast, Officer' has never once made anything worse than it was already going to be.

==Was I just a bit 'over the line' or was I doing something truly gat-damn stupid?

-Do all of the above 'right' and if you're just over the line (say, 7-10 over) you've got a decent chance of getting a warning or otherwise getting cut some slack.
If I was doing something gat-damn stupid, I expect nothing and no slack.
I recall in particular a time I was pulled over for some truly spectacular speeding on a clear highway with virtually no traffic. It was well above the threshold in that state to get towed/license suspended/etc. But I pulled over immediately, conducted myself respectfully and deferentially, and completely owned my actions to that Officer. The Officer cut me a massive break by just writing me up for a speeding ticket that was a fraction of the total violation. I was surprised and very grateful, and opted to just send in payment and take my lumps like a grown up. The guy riding shotgun as I did that was astonished that I was happy. He was upset that I got a ticket at all - and try as I might, I couldn't explain it to him. Is what it is.

So, cliff notes, I'd say acting the way you'd want someone to act if you were an LEO pulling someone over, and being a grown adult about owning your actions are the best practice in general. Following that best practice is likely, in my experience, to be cut a little (or a lot) of slack. I can't recall a single time that my Mil ID etc seemed to have any measurable effect on the outcome of a stop.

That also said, friends of mine in LE routinely laugh about the dumb stickers and other crap people put on the outside of their vehicles. If you've got an 'F*$@ the Police' bumper sticker you shouldn't be surprised if you get a ticket *every* time.
If you've got stickers glorifying illegal drug use and act like a total asshole to the cop, you shouldn't be surprised if you're asked to submit to a search or stay stuck in a stop until RAS or PC is established with a drug dog or similar.

[Trooper224]

I'm a veteran too, so it didn't mean a damned thing to me when I pulled one over. Too many veterans wear their service like a chip on their shoulder. Whatever happened to, "it was an honor to serve."?

The best thing you can do is slow the fuck down like a responsible member of the motoring public, because that's all you are.

[Cory]

I'm a veteran, and had a brief stint in LE. I hated writing tickets in general. I tried to give a break to most folks. Like anybody I had things I would write for regardless. Blatent stuff like passing in a no passing zone.

I didn't cut other veterans a special break. I cut breaks to nearly everyone who didn't smell like weed, and didn't have past of dealing meth. Because finding actual bad guys is alot more fun.

[gtmtnbiker98]

I'm a veteran too, so it didn't mean a damned thing to me when I pulled one over. Too many veterans wear their service like a chip on their shoulder. Whatever happened to, "it was an honor to serve."?

The best thing you can do is slow the fuck down like a responsible member of the motoring public, because that's all you are.

A fucking men! Nothing irritates me more than those who want “thanked for their service” from 20, 30, 40 years ago. Get over it and move on, there is more to life.

[DMCutter]

I drive the limit because my mileage drops quickly at higher speeds and frankly, I'm almost never in a hurry. Speeding on an interstate is pointless. If I want to go "fast", it's on a twisty mountain road where the limit is probably 45 or less and fast is a very relative thing. And on a tangent, I never know what to say when someone thanks me for my service, except maybe "it was my pleasure" because what else would you say about being in the Marines?

[DDTSGM]

And on a tangent, I never know what to say when someone thanks me for my service, except maybe "it was my pleasure" because what else would you say about being in the Marines?

I only get that at Home Depot when they see me scanning my veteran discount off my phone, I just tell them 'your welcome' because if I stopped to tell them how awesome it was to be a Marine it would draw a crowd and flood the recruiting stations.

Regarding citing veterans, never made a difference, in most cases I liked to think that I had made my mind up when I stopped the car.

[Erick Gelhaus]

My old org didn't make traffic stops to write tickets. Not even in the contract cities we had. We had one guy who rode a motor for years, years, and I honestly don't think he went through a full cite book (25 tickets).

[uechibear]

Thanks for your input, everyone.

I've made my decision. I'm getting a regular vanity plate this time, rather than a Veteran vanity plate. That will allow one extra character, making it easier to display what I want people to see.

[TQP]

Is anyone even doing traffic any more?
(For context: I'm a fire dispatch/911 operator, we share the room with our PD's dispatch center)
Even in my well funded, well staffed, mid tier suburb on 3rds, when there isn't anything else going on, it seems like you have to be committing aggravated stupidity to get yourself pulled over.

People are certainly driving like there isn't any enforcement going on. I'm regularly doing 75ish on the interstate and getting my doors blown off by vehicles doing what I guess to be doing 90+.

[DMCutter]

People are certainly driving like there isn't any enforcement going on. I'm regularly doing 75ish on the interstate and getting my doors blown off by vehicles doing what I guess to be doing 90+.

Really. Red lights are hardly even a suggestion to slow down around here anymore.

[TGS]

Is anyone even doing traffic any more?
(For context: I'm a fire dispatch/911 operator, we share the room with our PD's dispatch center)
Even in my well funded, well staffed, mid tier suburb on 3rds, when there isn't anything else going on, it seems like you have to be committing aggravated stupidity to get yourself pulled over.

People are certainly driving like there isn't any enforcement going on. I'm regularly doing 75ish on the interstate and getting my doors blown off by vehicles doing what I guess to be doing 90+.

My observations are pretty similar. Fairfax County had a patrol car and subject car get creamed on a traffic stop by someone who lost control in a turn at a high rate of speed, and in response they did a "50 Means 50" campaign for a week or month after that. They flooded the Fairfax County Parkway with cops and anyone going 51mph was written.

I don't think I've seen a cop on the Fairfax County Parkway doing traffic since then. Similarly, 10 years ago it was pretty dicey to consistently speed 10+ on 95 in Maryland or the highways in NJ. I barely see Troopers from either state doing traffic, now.

Virginia State Police are still pretty prevalent and strict on the highways, but that may be a Virginia specific thing since VSP has always been notorious for writing, and traffic offenses here can be pretty serious compared to other states (anything over 80mph here is actually a misdemeanor, not a ticket). Since they can't really do proactive police work anymore given our new anti-cop primary and secondary traffic offense system, I guess that leaves more time for writing speeders even if they're short staffed.

[Borderland]

In my state we optionally have veterans status listed on our drivers license so in my case they know with or without the plates. I have experienced the same and wondered if any of that factored or if it was just my lucky day.

Same in WA. Veterans status is one my DL. I wouldn't want that on my license plate.

[GyroF-16]

And on a tangent, I never know what to say when someone thanks me for my service, except maybe "it was my pleasure" because what else would you say about being in the Marines?

FWIW, my standard response to “Thank you for your service” has become “Thank you for your support.”
But, reflecting on a previous post upthread, I may start using “Thank you, it was an honor to serve.”

[BN]

Thanks for your input, everyone.

I've made my decision. I'm getting a regular vanity plate this time, rather than a Veteran vanity plate. That will allow one extra character, making it easier to display what I want people to see.

I always try to go low profile with non-descriptive plates and a non-descriptive white SUV, just like all the other vehicles on the road. But, I guess with all the Corvette stuff in your sig line, that you're not really going low profile. :)

[Borderland]

Many years ago I drove coast to coast WA-VA and back using different routes. Judging from that trip, WA and VA had more visible state patrol than any other state I drove through. At that point in time a person could drive through a midwestern state and never see a state patrol. I think I was on I-70 somewhere and was shadowed by SP for about 10 miles. Sneaky buggers. These days you can't ID the cars. Dodge Chargers with lights in the grill are hard to spot. A guy I know has a white Charger. He says vehicles slow down when he comes up behind them on the interstate.

[RoyGBiv]

Tangent

In TX you can get a Radio Operator plate with your HAM call sign.
Actually, you can have multiple of the same plate on more than one vehicle, which is kind of interesting.

However, I'm not sure why anyone would have their call sign on their license plate, since you can simply google it and find out the address registered to the owner, since FCC data is public domain.

/Tangent

It makes me sad that Veterans would want to conceal their Veteran status... Here in TX, seems like half of the cars on the road have Veteran tags. DFW airport waives parking fees for most Veteran plates.. Handicap Veterans and any Veteran plate bearing a listed service medal. Even a "Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal" gets free parking at DFW.

https://www.dfwairport.com/park/military/

[Chuck Whitlock]

I'm a veteran, ..... I hated writing tickets in general. I tried to give a break to most folks. Like anybody I had things I would write for regardless. Blatent stuff like passing in a no passing zone.

I didn't cut other veterans a special break. I cut breaks to nearly everyone who didn't smell like weed, and didn't have past of dealing meth. Because finding actual bad guys is alot more fun.

^
This.



I also had a higher bar to write someone with a CDL, because a moving violation punishes a CDL holder more than a non-CDL driver.

^
And this.



I'm a veteran too, so it didn't mean a damned thing to me when I pulled one over.

While a veteran plate didn't sway my decision tree, it 1) gave me an opening to build a rapport, and 2) an expectation that they would behave like adults.



Too many veterans wear their service like a chip on their shoulder. Whatever happened to, "it was an honor to serve."?

Yeah. While we never did anything particularly "heroic", my immediate family has at least four generations of service. Anyone who tries to fly the flag in my face gets shut down pretty quick.

[Chuck Whitlock]

I'm a veteran, ..... I hated writing tickets in general. I tried to give a break to most folks. Like anybody I had things I would write for regardless. Blatent stuff like passing in a no passing zone.

I didn't cut other veterans a special break. I cut breaks to nearly everyone who didn't smell like weed, and didn't have past of dealing meth. Because finding actual bad guys is alot more fun.

^
This.



I also had a higher bar to write someone with a CDL, because a moving violation punishes a CDL holder more than a non-CDL driver.

^
And this.



I'm a veteran too, so it didn't mean a damned thing to me when I pulled one over.

While a veteran plate didn't sway my decision tree, it 1) gave me an opening to build a rapport, and 2) an expectation that they would behave like adults.



Too many veterans wear their service like a chip on their shoulder. Whatever happened to, "it was an honor to serve."?

Yeah. While we never did anything particularly "heroic", my immediate family has at least four generations of service. Anyone who tries to wave Old Glory in my face gets shut down pretty quick.

[Borderland]

Thanks for your input, everyone.

I've made my decision. I'm getting a regular vanity plate this time, rather than a Veteran vanity plate. That will allow one extra character, making it easier to display what I want people to see.

I was thinking about this one.

https://i.ibb.co/Dt3s7xh/download-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/G0gBVKy)

[DDTSGM]

I was thinking about this one.

https://i.ibb.co/Dt3s7xh/download-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/G0gBVKy)

Got to say, that one ain't hard to figure out. Problem with Kansas is you have to tell them what the letters mean. I'm not sure who makes the decision but I had to go into extended detail to get 11B5Y on a motorcycle plate, something I thought no one but another 11B would trip to.

[TGS]

It makes me sad that Veterans would want to conceal their Veteran status

It's just humility, is all.

[DMCutter]

I was thinking about this one.

https://i.ibb.co/Dt3s7xh/download-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/G0gBVKy)

I thought that was Van Halen's tag. No, wait, no IC.

[DDTSGM]

It makes me sad that Veterans would want to conceal their Veteran status...


It's just humility, is all.

Less than 3% of Americans serve in the Armed Forces. My thought is that they should issue veteran tags for free instead of charging an additional fee.

In Kansas they charge an extra $5.50. It's not much, but think of the revenue if they gave veteran tags at no charge and instead charged a $5.50 surcharge for non-veteran tags.

I'm semi serious.

[GyroF-16]

Less than 3% of Americans serve in the Armed Forces. My thought is that they should issue veteran tags for free instead of charging an additional fee.

In Kansas they charge an extra $5.50. It's not much, but think of the revenue if they gave veteran tags at no charge and instead charged a $5.50 surcharge for non-veteran tags.

I'm semi serious.

According this this Census Bureau report from 2020, it’s more like 7% of the adult U.S. population…

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/veterans-report.html

I was surprised too, as I had always had the 3% figure in mind, too.

[Coyotesfan97]

It mattered to me. It took more for me to write a veteran than a non-veteran. I also had a higher bar to write someone with a CDL, because a moving violation punishes a CDL holder more than a non-CDL driver.

Firefighters, ER Nurses and Doctors, and veterans had the same higher bar with me. I don’t remember writing a CDL holder but I knew it’d hammer them more than a random driver. I never wrote another cop unless there was an accident or something similar where I had to. I do have to say there were several cops with attitudes I almost wrote and frankly probably should’ve.

[JRB]

....It makes me sad that Veterans would want to conceal their Veteran status...


I have mixed feelings about it. I'm proud to have done what little I have, but so many have done so much more and given so much more than I have...
Makes me feel awkward honestly when folks show me a lot of love about it. All I can think about are the Gold Star families and the crying wives and family at funerals. I wish those folks would show those families that love, not me. I'm one of the lucky ones.



Here in TX, seems like half of the cars on the road have Veteran tags. DFW airport waives parking fees for most Veteran plates.. Handicap Veterans and any Veteran plate bearing a listed service medal. Even a "Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal" gets free parking at DFW.

A veteran buddy of mine -my first unit's combat medic- lives in San Antonio now. I was joking with him about all the various special Texas award plates out there, and we joked about seeing if he could get a 'Certificate of Achievement' or 'Military Atta-boy' vanity plate.

[TQP]

I'm was a stinkin' reservist from 85-93. The only danger I was ever in was my own driving. Once on the way home from AT at Ft Riley on no sleep , once on Reforger 86, because you couldn't let stinkin' reservists have crypto, so we didn't get the wordthat it was condition black and everything was cancelled. Did a complete 360 on an ice-covered 2 lane road and by sheer luck didn't kill all 3 of us.

I only have the vet ID on my license because I used my DD214 as one of the 27 pieces of documentation that you needed for a real ID when that was a thing. I don't identify as a vet unless I need to unmask and make fun of some Air Scout. PS anyone got any good Space Force jokes?

People act the same way toward firefighters, and it makes me just as uncomfortable as the vet stuff, so I don't out myself as a (now retired) firefighter either. I got to have an awesome career that I loved, and you paid me to do it. I should be thanking you.

I'm going to have to remember that line.



I have mixed feelings about it. I'm proud to have done what little I have, but so many have done so much more and given so much more than I have...
Makes me feel awkward honestly when folks show me a lot of love about it. All I can think about are the Gold Star families and the crying wives and family at funerals. I wish those folks would show those families that love, not me. I'm one of the lucky ones.




A veteran buddy of mine -my first unit's combat medic- lives in San Antonio now. I was joking with him about all the various special Texas award plates out there, and we joked about seeing if he could get a 'Certificate of Achievement' or 'Military Atta-boy' vanity plate.

I mean Ohio has a superman plate, so why the heck not? That's not the current plate, now it says 'Ohio the birthplace of Superman' . Apparently Truth, Justice, and the American Way is out of fashion.

113216

[Redhat]

As a veteran, I think I would be pretty embarrassed if I was pulled over for doing something stupid to expect anything. No way I'd bring it up to the officer.

[fatdog]

Mrs. Fatdog does not have a heavy foot, so not part of a plan to get out of tickets. I don't think she has been pulled over in more than a decade at least. But last car she bought she finally opted for the veterans tag after bypassing it for a couple of cars and not wanting to do it.

Last summer she got into a minor traffic crash with no injuries. The tag prompted the state trooper who wrote up the report to engage her about where she had been, and it turned out they had a near overlap of their tours in A'stan, that lead to a much longer conversation, just vet to vet stuff. No break needed, she wasn't getting a ticket for anything anyway, but the whole "met a fellow vet" thing and getting to talk to somebody who had trod the same ground made her pretty happy that he brought it up.

I think that one experience convinced her to keep buying these in the future.

113222

[uechibear]

I always try to go low profile with non-descriptive plates and a non-descriptive white SUV, just like all the other vehicles on the road. But, I guess with all the Corvette stuff in your sig line, that you're not really going low profile. :)

That's correct.

Paradoxically, I'm a very private person, but the vanity plate on my next Corvette will be meant to spark conversation and/or attract people to my website.

As I posted before, it'll be a regular NH vanity plate. This was my last one, which was a "vet 'vette" plate.

113287

[BN]

That's correct.

Paradoxically, I'm a very private person, but the vanity plate on my next Corvette will be meant to spark conversation and/or attract people to my website.

As I posted before, it'll be a regular NH vanity plate. This was my last one, which was a "vet 'vette" plate.

113287

I hope that you're just there for the photo op, and you're not going to drive down that muddy road. ;)

[45dotACP]

Firefighters, ER Nurses and Doctors, and veterans had the same higher bar with me. I don’t remember writing a CDL holder but I knew it’d hammer them more than a random driver. I never wrote another cop unless there was an accident or something similar where I had to. I do have to say there were several cops with attitudes I almost wrote and frankly probably should’ve.

More than a few nurses I know got let off easy because they were in scrubs.

I never had need to test that theory, save for one time when I was still in nursing school and the officer who pulled me over (for going too fast, yes) was writing me up and his name badge looked familiar. So I say "Hey, officer so-n-so, I have a nursing professor so-n-so at such-n-such University" thinking he'll let me off easy and I'll drive right off into the sunset.

Well officer so-n-so looks like he just swallowed a whole lemon, fixes me with a humorless look and says "Yeah...she's my ex-wife"

I just laughed and said "well, how much is the ticket then sir?"

He let me off with a warning though. I thought I detected the slightest chuckle at my wisecrack, but it was dark out.

[El Cid]

I always try to go low profile with non-descriptive plates and a non-descriptive white SUV, just like all the other vehicles on the road. But, I guess with all the Corvette stuff in your sig line, that you're not really going low profile. :)

My daily driver is typically low key, regular tag, no stickers, etc. But when I had a turbo Supra, or before it, a Saleen Mustang, they had vanity tags. They were going to stand out anyway. lol!


Tangent

In TX you can get a Radio Operator plate with your HAM call sign.
Actually, you can have multiple of the same plate on more than one vehicle, which is kind of interesting.

However, I'm not sure why anyone would have their call sign on their license plate, since you can simply google it and find out the address registered to the owner, since FCC data is public domain.


Had a couple buddies who were amateur radio operators in Virginia. They told me their tags allowed them to re-enter an area after a disaster before most folks because the government wanted radio operators in there to establish comms. Of course that was before the internet and cellphones were anything close to what they are today.

[uechibear]

I hope that you're just there for the photo op, and you're not going to drive down that muddy road. ;)

For two years and 16k miles, I never drove my C8 down a dirt road, even avoiding one of my brother's houses entirely.

I'm going to try and loosen up a bit with my ERay (which is being built this month), and even plan on driving it in the snow — if for no other reason than to get some YouTube footage. The main thing I want to avoid is road salt.

[Rex G]

I was never a ticket-writin’ machine. I always reckoned that it was a plus, if the result of the traffic stop was a verbal warning, as part of an overall positive conversation. An indication that someone was a veteran would be one of several mitigating factors I would consider.

[LittleLebowski]

I don't get pulled over while driving very often, but when I have, I almost always have gotten a warning rather than a ticket. I've attributed that partially to having veteran's license plates on the car — thinking that many police officers are also veterans, and maybe they were giving me a break for that reason, but I'm also very polite and compliant, so maybe it's more because of that.

Anyway, for my next extremely fast car, I'm considering NOT getting veteran's plates, but I don't want to lose any benefits they may provide. There is a very small "Veteran" symbol on my driver's license. For officers and others who have first-hand knowledge, when looking at someone's driver's license, does whether or not they're a veteran come into play when deciding your course of action, and is it standard practice to look for a Veterans symbol on the license?

I sure as fuck didn't get a warning the last time I was busted for doing 8mph over because my young children's bus was early and my wife got detained at work. Got the ticket right in front of the bus and the cop kindly took over half an hour. That was about 6 years ago and it was my first ticket in over 10 years. Haven't gotten a ticket since then. I have Marine Corps plates, but it didn't matter.

[LittleLebowski]

I just expect my Raptor to afford me no leeway and take it easy accordingly.

[Welder]

I used to get warnings when I was younger and more innocent -looking 😇

[DDTSGM]

I sure as fuck didn't get a warning the last time I was busted for doing 8mph over because my young children's bus was early and my wife got detained at work. Got the ticket right in front of the bus and the cop kindly took over half an hour. That was about 6 years ago and it was my first ticket in over 10 years. Haven't gotten a ticket since then. I have Marine Corps plates, but it didn't matter.

Maybe the officer was Army or Navy?

[uechibear]

I just expect my Raptor to afford me no leeway and take it easy accordingly.

I see what you did there!

[BehindBlueI's]

I sure as fuck didn't get a warning the last time I was busted for doing 8mph over because my young children's bus was early and my wife got detained at work. Got the ticket right in front of the bus and the cop kindly took over half an hour. That was about 6 years ago and it was my first ticket in over 10 years. Haven't gotten a ticket since then. I have Marine Corps plates, but it didn't matter.

https://i.imgur.com/THH21yi.jpeg

[Coyotesfan97]

I sure as fuck didn't get a warning the last time I was busted for doing 8mph over because my young children's bus was early and my wife got detained at work. Got the ticket right in front of the bus and the cop kindly took over half an hour. That was about 6 years ago and it was my first ticket in over 10 years. Haven't gotten a ticket since then. I have Marine Corps plates, but it didn't matter.

My department had a policy that we didn’t write speeding tickets for ten or under unless it was a special zone like a school. Arizona speed violation is speed not reasonable or prudent so you have to be able to show in court why it wasn’t. Generally I didn’t consider stopping violated unless they were 15+ over the limit. I know there are states, Oklahoma comes to mind, where if you 66 in a 65 they’ll write you. Is VA like that?

Yeah that’s just someone being a dick. 30 minutes to cut a speeding ticket is purposefully being slow. Hell I knew traffic motors who’d hand write speeding tickets in five minutes. They’d prewrite a book of tickets with all the date/times, violation, and their signature. They just had to write the driver and vehicle info in. Half the time they didn’t run checks on the driver. Then off to the next.

There were several times I arrested guys on warrants that had a new cite from a motor in their pocket. They never ran him or told him to take care of it.

15 minutes was probably my average from first contact to the driver signing the cite and that included all the checks. I never had the automated cite machine with a printer. That really cut down the time needed.

Sorry you ran into a jerk.

[RoyGBiv]

My department had a policy that we didn’t write speeding tickets for ten or under unless it was a special zone like a school.

At our local citizens academy class we were told the same... as well as that the local PD did not enforce stop signs in parking lots and a few other things. The best laugh of that class was the 70+ lady who said aloud "So, you're telling me that I've been driving too slow!"..

:cool:

[DDTSGM]

My department had a policy that we didn’t write speeding tickets for ten or under unless it was a special zone like a school. Arizona speed violation is speed not reasonable or prudent so you have to be able to show in court why it wasn’t. Generally I didn’t consider stopping violated unless they were 15+ over the limit. I know there are states, Oklahoma comes to mind, where if you 66 in a 65 they’ll write you. Is VA like that?

Yeah that’s just someone being a dick. 30 minutes to cut a speeding ticket is purposefully being slow. Hell I knew traffic motors who’d hand write speeding tickets in five minutes. They’d prewrite a book of tickets with all the date/times, violation, and their signature. They just had to write the driver and vehicle info in. Half the time they didn’t run checks on the driver. Then off to the next.

There were several times I arrested guys on warrants that had a new cite from a motor in their pocket. They never ran him or told him to take care of it.

15 minutes was probably my average from first contact to the driver signing the cite and that included all the checks. I never had the automated cite machine with a printer. That really cut down the time needed.

Sorry you ran into a jerk.

George Thompson (Verbal Judo) told the story of a California motorcycle officer who pulled over a guy for speeding shortly after the guy had done an armed robbery. The motor officer had just attended VJ and tried the 8-step vehicle stop patter on the violator. Wrote the ticket and turned the violator loose.

Story is that the robber was later arrested in Oregon (I believe) after he had killed an officer on a traffic stop. The robber/murderer still had the cite from the other stop in his possession.

When questioned about the citation the bad guy told the officers that he had his pistol/revolver laying under his thigh but the way the officer approached the car gave him hope the officer hadn't heard about the robbery, this was confirmed when the officer told him right away why he had stopped him - illegal crossing of the median. Bad guy decided to wait and watched the officer write the citation in his rear view mirror. When the officer finished the cite and it didn't appear the officer knew of the warrant the bad guy took the ticket and drove off.

As Thompson told it the other officer had not told his murder the reason for the stop and was shot as a result.

Of course, Thompson was selling a program and spun stories like that to his best use. What I took from that was that moreso than the 8-step what saved the traffic officer was the usual non-tactical approach that many traffic officers adopt after a whole bunch of stops, and probably most importantly he didn't run a record check.

[Coyotesfan97]

At our local citizens academy class we were told the same... as well as that the local PD did not enforce stop signs in parking lots and a few other things. The best laugh of that class was the 70+ lady who said aloud "So, you're telling me that I've been driving too slow!"..

:cool:

I generally tell people they can drive 5-9 over all day not even get noticed.

[BehindBlueI's]

At our local citizens academy class we were told the same... as well as that the local PD did not enforce stop signs in parking lots and a few other things. The best laugh of that class was the 70+ lady who said aloud "So, you're telling me that I've been driving too slow!"..

:cool:

We can't legally enforce signs in parking lots unless very specific verbiage is posted at the entrances to the private property. I've never seen a lot with the signs. State/city traffic ordinances don't extend on to private property unless specifically written as such (handicapped parking and fire lanes come to mind).

Other states likely differ.

[Coyotesfan97]

We can't legally enforce signs in parking lots unless very specific verbiage is posted at the entrances to the private property. I've never seen a lot with the signs. State/city traffic ordinances don't extend on to private property unless specifically written as such (handicapped parking and fire lanes come to mind).

Other states likely differ.

Arizona doesn’t have the law for the signs. On private property we can enforce parking violations along with reckless driving and DUI IIRC. Everything else is a wash.

[RoyGBiv]

We can't legally enforce signs in parking lots unless very specific verbiage is posted at the entrances to the private property. I've never seen a lot with the signs. State/city traffic ordinances don't extend on to private property unless specifically written as such (handicapped parking and fire lanes come to mind).

Other states likely differ.

As someone who tries to stay on the safe side of motor vehicle laws (at least since my 30's :o), having the people who would be responsible for writing the ticket tell you they would never write it... is impactful. Much more so than even reading it here.

Was also interesting to hear from officers on what violations they lean towards a citation vs warn... everyone has different hot buttons. I tried to make my case for increasing tailgating citations along a particular stretch of road with a 30MPH limit... No interest from anyone... although passing across that double yellow (happens frequently if you drive close to the limit) will definitely get you a citation.

[uechibear]

I'm appreciating the different perspectives. Thanks, guys.

By this point, I think it's pretty clear that the "extremely fast car" I referred to in the OP is a Corvette, but in the middle of the night, something came to me that I'd never thought of before.
Cropped from above...

113808

I was in "The Corps" too, so I'm a Vet. I'm not a car, but I am a Cor(ps)Vet!

[BehindBlueI's]

Arizona doesn’t have the law for the signs. On private property we can enforce parking violations along with reckless driving and DUI IIRC. Everything else is a wash.

Criminal codes still apply, so OVWI (our equivalent of DUI) and reckless driving, hit and run, etc. are enforceable.

[the Schwartz]

I always treated traffic stops and the issuance of citations with the formula, "The amount of enforcement discretion exercised will be directly proportional to the amount of personal accountability and respect demonstrated by the individual being contacted''.

Since most veterans* (there are always exceptions, of course) are instilled with at least a modicum of that precious commodity, it was not unusual that I found myself in the position to extend a lottle professional courtesy to them more often than to the general unwashed masses.

The ability to extend discretion, being dependent upon the employing agency, is nice to have, but there are limits to its use; if you do something really stupid the law enforcement officer may not have leeway even if sympathetic to your situation.

[DDTSGM]

I always treated traffic stops and the issuance of citations with the formula, "The amount of enforcement discretion exercised will be directly proportional to the amount of personal accountability and respect demonstrated by the individual being contacted''.

One of the problems with that is how do you measure acceptance of personal accountability on the short duration of the t-stop?

Using that formula the Eddie Haskell's of the world always get a break and laugh at the officers who fell for their schtick just like Eddie laughed at everyone.

[the Schwartz]

One of the problems with that is how do you measure acceptance of personal accountability on the short duration of the t-stop?

Using that formula the Eddie Haskell's of the world always get a break and laugh at the officers who fell for their schtick just like Eddie laughed at everyone.

Your arrogance is endless.

Gee, I s'pose that we'll never know how I prospered, without your sage wisdom and advice to guide me, across my 20+ years in the profession of law enforcement. :rolleyes:

Many, but not all, of us develop a sensitive, finely tuned "B.S. meter" (or at least we should) after a few years in the profession; the assumption underlying the premise of your perspective suggests that you lack that quality.

Not for the first time, you've certainly managed to max my B.S. meter out.

[Coyotesfan97]

One of the problems with that is how do you measure acceptance of personal accountability on the short duration of the t-stop?

Using that formula the Eddie Haskell's of the world always get a break and laugh at the officers who fell for their schtick just like Eddie laughed at everyone.

Usually the Eddie Haskell types aren’t as slick as they like to think.

[DC_P]

I generally tell people they can drive 5-9 over all day not even get noticed.

This speed would get you run over in Atlanta. The only speed limit anyone seems to pay attention to is in a school zone, where people drive 3-5 under the posted limit.

[4RNR]

Not a cop, not a vet, not fire or EMS. Dont even have the Police Chief Association donation sticker. Nothing on or in my car to indicate anything about me. Not playing "Gray Man" just never been into stickers or having all kinds of crap in the car. I have probably been pulled over north of 5 but less then 10 times since 97. Have been issued 2 tickets both of which were dismissed in court with the officer's suggestion.

[the Schwartz]

This speed would get you run over in Atlanta. The only speed limit anyone seems to pay attention to is in a school zone, where people drive 3-5 under the posted limit.


Doesn't sound like Atlanta has changed much since I was last through a couple of years ago on my way to Florida..


Depending upon the time of day, the freeway is either everyone driving at ''ludicrous speed'' or it's a ''parking lot''. ;)

[Shawn Dodson]

I generally didn't write a ticket unless there were outstanding tickets on the driver's record or the violation was egregious.

Active duty and Vets got a break unless they had an attitude problem.

The last two times I was pulled over (passing in the center median, and running a red light) I wasn't ticketed. I have a license plate frame that says "Submarine Veteran Cold War" on it.

For passing in the center median I told the officer exactly why I did it (the car I passed pulled right out in front of me, forcing me to brake, and then did 20-25 in a 35 zone).

For running the red light I truthfully told the officer I sat there for 3 cycles of the light and it never turned green in my direction, so when it was safe, I proceeded through the intersection.

When they took my license and registration and returned to their cruisers, they both came back in about 30 seconds, handed back my documents, and told me to have a good day.

[Coyotesfan97]

This speed would get you run over in Atlanta. The only speed limit anyone seems to pay attention to is in a school zone, where people drive 3-5 under the posted limit.

I’ll keep that in mind if I ever go there. I generally adapt to local conditions. I give advice for Arizona speeds. There’s plenty of people here who want to meet a State Trooper. If I’m going 10 over on the freeway here in the middle lane a Trooper isn’t even going to look at me.

[Magsz]

It mattered to me. It took more for me to write a veteran than a non-veteran. I also had a higher bar to write someone with a CDL, because a moving violation punishes a CDL holder more than a non-CDL driver.

Sigh.

I wish I could say that I objectively assess each and every traffic violation and subsequent traffic stop but the honest truth is I don't.

I try to consider the following:

Severity of the traffic infraction
The violators willingness to accept responsibility and acknowledge that they did indeed commit said traffic infraction. It's as simple as "Sir, the reason why I stopped you was I registered your speed at 62 in a 35." "Yes Sir". It's really that simple. I know that some people consider this an admission of guilt but it's what I'm looking for. Simple acknowledgement. Unless you have a suspended DL or another criminal traffic issue, you're getting a warning.
Driving record when accessible.
CDL Status.
Mil/LEO status.

The honest truth is that unless the person is a serial traffic offender and has a history of citations a mile long, if they're a veteran they're getting off with a warning. I have immense respect and appreciation for our veterans.

It's not exactly a fair and impartial way to police but it's the way I do it.

I rarely write citations. When I do it's because of the above criteria. Sometimes the only way to educate someone is to hit them in their wallet. My personal opinion is that traffic enforcement has two purposes:

1. You're looking for a way to get access to the person driving the vehicle for purposes of investigation/detention.
2. You're seeking to educate the public when they commit a violation that is dangerous to themselves or others.

Lastly, just because you have a fast car doesn't mean you have to drive it like an asshole. Go to the track to do that. As a veteran who spent a portion of their adult life following rules, the public roads are a not a place to start disobeying said rules. Veterans should know better. Especially since it's about more than just you.

Years ago I was called an asshole and someone who was policing with my ego for ascribing to the above philosophy. In fact, it was this forum where I was called an "asshole".

To me, my methodology is policing as a damn human, not a robot.

[the Schwartz]

Sigh.

I wish I could say that I objectively assess each and every traffic violation and subsequent traffic stop but the honest truth is I don't.

I try to consider the following:

Severity of the traffic infraction
The violators willingness to accept responsibility and acknowledge that they did indeed commit said traffic infraction. It's as simple as "Sir, the reason why I stopped you was I registered your speed at 62 in a 35." "Yes Sir". It's really that simple. I know that some people consider this an admission of guilt but it's what I'm looking for. Simple acknowledgement. Unless you have a suspended DL or another criminal traffic issue, you're getting a warning.
Driving record when accessible.
CDL Status.
Mil/LEO status.

The honest truth is that unless the person is a serial traffic offender and has a history of citations a mile long, if they're a veteran they're getting off with a warning. I have immense respect and appreciation for our veterans.

It's not exactly a fair and impartial way to police but it's the way I do it.

I rarely write citations. When I do it's because of the above criteria. Sometimes the only way to educate someone is to hit them in their wallet. My personal opinion is that traffic enforcement has two purposes:

1. You're looking for a way to get access to the person driving the vehicle for purposes of investigation/detention.
2. You're seeking to educate the public when they commit a violation that is dangerous to themselves or others.

Lastly, just because you have a fast car doesn't mean you have to drive it like an asshole. Go to the track to do that. As a veteran who spent a portion of their adult life following rules, the public roads are a not a place to start disobeying said rules. Veterans should know better. Especially since it's about more than just you.

Years ago I was called an asshole and someone who was policing with my ego for ascribing to the above philosophy. In fact, it was this forum where I was called an "asshole".

To me, my methodology is policing as a damn human, not a robot.

Well, if you're an asshole, so am I.

Your procedure and practices are very close, if not identical, to the ones that I applied in the field.

Some folks get a break because they deserve it, contribute more to society, or exhibit uncommon honesty and accountability when called on their behavior. It may not be fair, or even ethical, but we operate in the real world where fairness and equity don't necessarily exist.

Each traffic stop is a unique event unto itself. Sometimes justice is served, sometimes not. We're only human after all.

[Kanye Wyoming]

Excep to tag JRB, not at all sure where to put this. It involves a serviceman, speeding, and the punishment therefor, so I’ll take the liberty of putting it here.

I can’t vouch for what’s reported, although there are news articles about a soldier assigned to Fort Liberty riding an e-bike and being rear ended by a minivan on Wednesday, and killed. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/fort-liberty-soldier-killed-by-minivan-while-riding-electric-bike-police-say/ar-AA1mS15i

1745890371119329397?s=61&t=wmOExLrvrYmeFOVr8qFeRQ

[DDTSGM]

Your arrogance is endless.

Gee, I s'pose that we'll never know how I prospered, without your sage wisdom and advice to guide me, across my 20+ years in the profession of law enforcement. :rolleyes:

Many, but not all, of us develop a sensitive, finely tuned "B.S. meter" (or at least we should) after a few years in the profession; the assumption underlying the premise of your perspective suggests that you lack that quality.

Not for the first time, you've certainly managed to max my B.S. meter out.

Actually I wasn't trolling you on that, serious question.

Depending on your reasons for conducting traffic stops, the duration of the stop will vary. In most cases for straight enforcement stops there will be minimal interaction at the driver's window before the officer returns to the unit to run records (if you didn't before the approach) and write the citation.

I agree there are generally indicators present if someone is bullshitting you and those do warrant extra time to satisfy your instincts. And for me the decision to write or not write was usually based on my gut feeling as to what would generate further voluntary compliance with the law on that trip. If you are running 15+ my gut feeling was that you had already accepted that an occasional citation was part of the deal. In those case, glad to oblige.

In terms of them showing respect and not getting cites in circumstances where a less respectful person would get a cite, I tried to always avoid that. If a guy mumbled 'MF'er' under his breath while he was reaching for his wallet, I was more interested in watching what came out with/in his hand and being prepared to move than I was in telling him to watch his mouth.

BTW, I made my first traffic stop in 1976 and my last one probably around 2005, so there's that. We didn't either one get killed along the way so we must have been doing something right.

Reference: Not for the first time, you've certainly managed to max my B.S. meter out.

I got that from your responses in the Israeli War thread. One of the reasons that I pulled out to read status is that I didn't want to continue trading barbs with you and KW when in reality our only difference of opinion on the current events in Israel and Gaza was whether the IDF could inflict fewer civilian casualties if they tried.

[JRB]

Excep to tag JRB, not at all sure where to put this. It involves a serviceman, speeding, and the punishment therefor, so I’ll take the liberty of putting it here.

I can’t vouch for what’s reported, although there are news articles about a soldier assigned to Fort Liberty riding an e-bike and being rear ended by a minivan on Wednesday, and killed. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/fort-liberty-soldier-killed-by-minivan-while-riding-electric-bike-police-say/ar-AA1mS15i

1745890371119329397?s=61&t=wmOExLrvrYmeFOVr8qFeRQ

I've seen stupider punishments for less, sadly.

What's worse is the shiny idiots who made that draconian decision will face absolutely ZERO consequences. They'll quietly stop pulling driving privileges and move on.

All I can do is hope that CPT got fast tracked to something a whole lot better than being an S6 staff officer.

[the Schwartz]

Actually I wasn't trolling you on that, serious question.

So you weren't trolling me on that question, but I'm supposed to give a damn when you call a ''time out!'' from your historically obtuse behavior to ask me a ''serious'' question?

Serious dip-shittery right there.

You are one of a small number of members here that I never initiate conversation with.

Now you know why.