How To Avoid Being Targeted On The Road?

John From Detroit said:

There are indeed communities where the Police target out of state vehicles, and also high end vehicles... AAA maps will show these towns underlined in RED (May well be the origin of the phrase "Red-Line" for all I know).  and avoidance is suggested. 

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I think you need to re-read your map key......

Kevin Means said:

I certainly don't want to engage in a non RV-related debate, but here's another perspective on this issue, because it comes up from time to time. I'm a recently retired officer from the San Diego Police Dept. (32 years) and I never had a single person, from any rank, suggest or tell me to focus my activity on vehicles with out of state plates.

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This makes perfect sense. I've never ever heard of targeting out state and particularly motorhomes.

Kevin,
This may be a shot in the dark, but do you know Sgt. Jim Seal?
His beat is on a Smith & Wesson bicycle. Several years ago he gave me a "police escort" through part of Mission Gorge where he thought the traffic was a bit too hazardous for bicycles. Jim was riding right down the middle of main street with me behind and people got out of his way right quick. One look and a point of his finger, and drivers pulled over immediately. Maybe because it's a small town, everyone seemed to know him and he commanded a lot of respect on that bike.

/off topic

In the 50's and 60's I had a very heavy foot and would get stopped.

Ref. Kev.  Also a retired LEO  , I have never been told to target any out of state plates nor as Chief told my Officers to do so. The substance of his thread is right on and requires no need to repeat.  HOWEVER in a few weeks we will be heading to Yosemite NP from Phoenix.  The threads about going with the flow of traffic VS the 55 MPH speed limit concern me.  Forty five DP with 2016 GMC 2500.  I think I will obey the law until I see a need to do otherwise. The right lane is for slower vehicles with the exception of a lot of on/off ramps.  Too many close calls from those on cell phone coming onto roadway.  Love that loud horn!

yes we know cops hate to go to court on a contested traffic citation.

so....do you think an  'out of state driver'  will likely to show up in court weeks later ?

anniemae said:

Ref. Kev.  Also a retired LEO  , I have never been told to target any out of state plates nor as Chief told my Officers to do so. The substance of his thread is right on and requires no need to repeat.  HOWEVER in a few weeks we will be heading to Yosemite NP from Phoenix.  The threads about going with the flow of traffic VS the 55 MPH speed limit concern me.  Forty five DP with 2016 GMC 2500.  I think I will obey the law until I see a need to do otherwise. The right lane is for slower vehicles with the exception of a lot of on/off ramps.  Too many close calls from those on cell phone coming onto roadway.  Love that loud horn!

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I have been driving 55 in the slow lane for years in all types of vehicles. Never a problem.

My father in law (R.I.P.) was a retired homicide detective in Detroit and a former patrolman. He beat into our brains to always have our creditials in order for easy access when driving. If pulled over for whatever reason have them in hand with both hands on the wheel when the officer approached the vehicle. Be always polite and follow instructions.
Their job is tough enough, now more than ever.
Oh yea, sunglasses off! Show respect.
Jeff

Not that I'm a world traveler but I've been as far west as Idaho with NY plates and never been pulled over towing our various campers. I did get pulled over in my car once at 3 AM in VA on my way to Myrtle Beach for a golf weekend. After checking my license and making sure all 3 of us were sober the cop said in a surprisingly heavy southern drawl "Your tag light is out...get it fixed before you go home". I did.  ;D

Alpena Jeff said:

My father in law (R.I.P.) was a retired homicide detective in Detroit and a former patrolman. He beat into our brains to always have our creditials in order for easy access when driving. If pulled over for whatever reason have them in hand with both hands on the wheel...

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Interesting perspective - I've been told never to reach for your license or other paperwork until the officer gets to the car - you certainly don't want him or her to think you are either stashing something or reaching for a weapon.

John From Detroit said:

There are indeed communities where the Police target out of state vehicles, and also high end vehicles... AAA maps will show these towns underlined in RED (May well be the origin of the phrase "Red-Line" for all I know).

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Actually the term "red line" (or "red lining") comes from an illegal practice by insurance companies years back where they would draw a red circle on a map around parts of cities (for example, those with high crime rates) where they did not want to write policies.

TonyDtorch said:

yes we know cops hate to go to court on a contested traffic citation.

so....do you think an  'out of state driver'  will likely to show up in court weeks later ?

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People don't need to show up in court for tickets anymore Tony, and they haven't for many years (At least not here.) Instead, they can do a, "Trial by Declaration" via U.S. Mail. A large portion of tickets are handled that way, and that process was created to accommodate people's schedules and out of state drivers.

Yes Bob, I do know Jim. I haven't seen him in years though.

Most of us have, or will get, pulled over by LE at some point in our lives (some more than others) and a discussion like this could go on forever. That's not necessarily a bad thing - discussing issues like this is healthy when done in a civil manner, but pretty much a waste of time if not. There are far too few civil discussions in our country today.

I know I'm giving good advice when I say that the best way to avoid getting stopped is simply to comply with traffic and vehicle laws - and no, I'm not saying I always do. If you do get stopped, the best way to avoid getting a ticket is to relax and be polite. There may be something wrong with your car/RV of which you weren't aware.

Most of the time, we're going to know exactly why we were stopped (aren't we.) Being a jerk about it will amost certainly guarantee a ticket. Do everyone a favor... Turn on your dome light if it's dark, and have everyone in the car keep their hands in sight - at least until the officer has time to see who he or she is dealing with. Doing so might just score some points with them and help you talk yourself out of a ticket.

Kev

Joezeppy said:

Interesting perspective - I've been told never to reach for your license or other paperwork until the officer gets to the car - you certainly don't want him or her to think you are either stashing something or reaching for a weapon.

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He's been retired 40 years, maybe practices have changed. I will continue to do so until told otherwise.
I dont sit on my wallet when I drive. It sits in a cup holder. My license, ins, registration and CPL are all together. I can have them in hand before I stop rolling.

Window down, hands at 2 and 10 on the wheel, dome light on when dark inside vehicle. If carrying, state that you have a CC card, and have "one" on my person (or wherever you're carrying). Keep your hands on the wheel, just tell the LEO, don't attempt to show it. And don't say "pistol" or "gun", just say you have "one". Be prepared to be asked to keep your hands in sight, exit the vehicle, and get disarmed temporarily during the stop. Most Leo's I know won't generally go that far. If you have one tucked at your backside and it gets seen while you're reaching for the glove compartment, and it takes the LEO by surprise, it may not be so good for you shortly thereafter.

All good stuff folks. Reminders like this occasionally are a good thing.

Greetings,

I have been driving over 150.000 km in The Land Down Under and never been pulled over by Police. Hope it will continue on my 6 months stint around the Western part of the USA this spring.

As for the "being chatted up by police". In this part of the word that has a different meaning. Having been a cop in Holland and Down Under I too used to "chat up" people when I was young and single. Seeing I was a red blooded single male at the time it always involved young good looking females.
As my boss used to say:"You must have perks in every job"

regards, Case

SeilerBird said:

I have been driving 55 in the slow lane for years in all types of vehicles. Never a problem.

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That's what I plan on doing most of the time too.
One reason is in my trailer owners manual it states:  MAX SPEED 55mph.
I have to believe that there is a reason they put that in the manual.

Yet I see so many people pulling a trailer or toad and going 70+ down the highway.
I guess they don't consider themselves as a truck when a "Truck Speed Limit" sign is posted.

Oh well - I doubt too many people get a ticket for going to slow - unless it's like 20-30mph under the minimum speed limit
and holding up traffic and creating a backup of some kind.

Here's a funny left lane story: Years ago 2 co-workers had to drive from Riverside, CA to John Wayne Airport to pick up an aircraft part. The driver was a left lane guy who parked there at a little above or below the speed limit. CHP pulled him over and the driver, being the belligerent guy he was, questioned the officer: "How come you stopped me? All these other people were going just as fast or faster than me?" The CHP smiled and said: " Mr xxxx, have you ever been duck or goose hunting? You kinda aim at the lead bird and hope you hit one in the flock. I took my shot and you were the one I hit." Shut the driver up and the passenger almost blew a gut laughing. ;D ;D ;D ;D

casehulsebosch said:

Greetings,

I have been driving over 150.000 km in The Land Down Under and never been pulled over by Police. Hope it will continue on my 6 months stint around the Western part of the USA this spring.

As for the "being chatted up by police". In this part of the word that has a different meaning. Having been a cop in Holland and Down Under I too used to "chat up" people when I was young and single. Seeing I was a red blooded single male at the time it always involved young good looking females.
As my boss used to say:"You must have perks in every job"

regards, Case

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You dirty young man ;D

Kevin Means said:

Yes Bob, I do know Jim. I haven't seen him in years though.

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Such a small world. Sorry you've lost contact. He was such a friendly and helpful cop.
Much like all the others I've encountered.
As mentioned.. be polite.. follow instructions... you will be treated in kind.
I don't buy into this "targeting" nonsense.

I guess it's been many years ago..... but I can promise you a young kid in a nice car with California plates gets pulled over a bunch in the rural counties of Texas.  Most of them saw that I was in the Army,  and let me go with a severe warning about something.

but, I had one old cop write me up for 20 over through a one block city,  he then escorted me to the justice of Peace's house at 3:30 am so I could pay the fine since I was from out of town.

After waking the good Justice,  she enters the living room/court room in a robe/slippers.... ( a robe that that looked somewhat similar to a Judges gown )...

so thanks to Belton Texas it cost me $34,  not to go to jail and piss off the first Sargent again.

Well heck Tony... if I'da known it was you, I'da pulled you over too!  

The town at the entrance to Zion National Park, Springdale, UT, ran a racket on international visitors that got them pulled up on federal charges. They would imply that a ticket (at an obscene cost) had to be paid immediately or the individual would go to jail. It made news just because it was so uncommon and egregious. So I know such things happen, but they are quite rare. I must admit that I have never been pulled over for any reason not my own fault. It isn't common (though I do have more of a lead foot than my husband), but it does happen. Most of the time I get a warning. Sometimes I get a ticket. Fair.