This last weekend I went up to Logan to see a few friends of mine. I stayed over Saturday night and on my way back, I had a UHP officer pull me over. I was totally stumped because he was waiting for me on the shoulder of the road with his lights on in Ogden. When he pulls me over, he says that somebody called in a complaint that I was doing "well over 100 mph and they'd be willing to testify against you".

My question is: how could anybody possibly prove this? And, if the UHP didn't catch me speeding (I was well below the speed limit at that time in Ogden traffic), could a normal citizen actually give me a speeding ticket?

In a weird way, I wished that somebody had actually followed through with the complaint so that I could make them look like an idiot. Instead, the officer came back, handed me my license and registration and said that they didn't wish to prosecute me. In short, I got a verbal warning.

One last thing. While he was in his patrol car, I tried to snap some pictures of his car with it's lights on for use on my avatar, but he came back and told me I had to erase them for his safety.

The last thing seems kinda silly. Basically, if you get pictures of him doing anything wrong, you need to delete them so he doesn't get in trouble?

I heard something about citizens being able to give speeding tickets. Never understood how it worked exactly.

Citizens can now earn a speeding merit badge to qualify toward your eagle scout award.

see scoutmaster for details.

To be honest, the UHP office was perhaps the nicest highway patrolman I've ever met (I've met several in the past;)). That's probably why I didn't give him attitude when he asked me to erase the pictures.

I've never gotten anywhere with cops when I scream obscenities at them. I don't know why. Oh, and, chick cops are bitches for the most part. It's like they have something to prove because they lack the right "equipment".

Citizens can now earn a speeding merit badge to qualify toward your eagle scout award.

see scoutmaster for details.

Merit badge? I'm almost there. I saw a whole bunch of cars that looked real fast a couple weeks ago. Who do I call?

I worry about driving fast when there's a cell phone in every car. All it takes is some grouch to call the cops and there you are, pulled over and given the business.

I think they would have a hard time proving how fast you were going and I don't think any cop wants to go to court based on a citizen's observation of another car's speed. What, did the citizen clock you by going 100 and you are still pulling away? Or were they driving 65 and you passed them to get out of the way of that truck bearing down on your bumper?

How many more posts to avatar?

This last weekend I went up to Logan to see a few friends of mine. I stayed over Saturday night and on my way back, I had a UHP officer pull me over. I was totally stumped because he was waiting for me on the shoulder of the road with his lights on in Ogden. When he pulls me over, he says that somebody called in a complaint that I was doing "well over 100 mph and they'd be willing to testify against you".

My question is: how could anybody possibly prove this? And, if the UHP didn't catch me speeding (I was well below the speed limit at that time in Ogden traffic), could a normal citizen actually give me a speeding ticket?

In a weird way, I wished that somebody had actually followed through with the complaint so that I could make them look like an idiot. Instead, the officer came back, handed me my license and registration and said that they didn't wish to prosecute me. In short, I got a verbal warning.

One last thing. While he was in his patrol car, I tried to snap some pictures of his car with it's lights on for use on my avatar, but he came back and told me I had to erase them for his safety.
The truth is, that cases like these will be thrown out. For someone to be charged with anything you must prove beyond a reason of doubt. A citizen can help the police but unless they have physical evidence (such as videos,pics, whatever) it will be your word against theirs . . . . in other words a case that will go no-where. Once the fact that neither party has any evidence the judge will probably give you some lecture like slow down or else next time, but in the end he has no real choice but to cut you loose. Let that guy say whatever he wants. Its just a waste of both your times. I am guessing it was an older gentleman . . . . Had this happen to me once. Court was a joke and the guy wasted his time. I walked out smirking at him the whole time. I was late and was speeding down a busier road (maybe doing 75 in a 55) and I got caught up at a light and he was shouting at me so I guess he took the plate then.

Merit badge? I'm almost there. How many more posts to avatar?

31 and counting...Good luck! :buttrock

going down I-215 on Saturday like bats out of h$ll. If I remember right, a couple of silver 5's, a white M3, Red M3, and a Porsche of all things were leading rag-tag bunch of assorted 3 series vehicles. Looked like they were asking for trouble, but I decline to provide testimony if asked.... :nono

Common sense tells me that no reasonable officer would actually cite you based on the word of some third-party citizen. The chances of a conviction are just too slim. However, as we know, common sense doesn't always prevail. If you gave the officer some attitude, he would be well within his discretion to cite you and make you waste your time going to trial (in Logan). That would likely kill an entire day of your time which is no small cost to you even if you skate. And, who knows, the citizen's testimony may stick. You may not get convicted for 100 mph, but you may get convicted for some lesser offense, like 10 over.

I think you handled the situation correctly. My advise is to always treat the law with the utmost respect (it's what makes the system work) and that respect will generally be reciprocated (unless the unmistakeable smell of pot flows from your car when you roll down the window).

I will note that at a recent session of traffic school I attended (with Chase -- a little father/son bonding experience), the teacher encouraged everyone to report anyone driving around with small children unbuckled. That situation is different, of course, in that the infraction would also be viewed by the officer and they would not need to rely on your testimony for a conviction, but it does show that law enforcement will react to citizen reports.

I wonder what would happen if I call 911 on my cell and tell them that someone is driving under the speed limit in the left lane. Can you be cited for wasting the 911 dispatcher's time?

30 more?

I'd have handled it the same way Brad. Although, I think it would be hard not to smirk or laugh, but I'd have kept it together and started laughing afterwards.

Now, I wonder if they had several people willing to testify if you could land yourself in more trouble? :devillook

I wonder what would happen if I call 911 on my cell and tell them that someone is driving under the speed limit in the left lane. Can you be cited for wasting the 911 dispatcher's time?

30 more?

I agree. That conduct absolutely drives me crazy. :mad

Actually, this reminded me of a story back when I had the Boxster S

A guy sped insanley trying to catch me after I took off at a light, I thought we were racing and I was kicking his ass.
It was some dumb Pontiac thing, so I was like WTF...
I wasn't really trying, I was just playing with him really.

Anyway, I finally got caught at a light and the guy pulled in the right turn lane to get next to me.
He started yelling at me with cell phone in hand. Something about endangering lives... :rolleyes
Then he said, "I have the police on the phone."
I said, "Good, Show me your Badge"
He ignored the comment.
He said, "There will be a police man coming in 5 mins."
I laughed.
Light Turned Green and I dropped the Clutch at 4,000 RPMS and left an awesome patch. He was FURIOUS as I watched him in my rear-view.

He gave chase, but this time, he couldn't catch up. Bye Bye :wave
Fun Times. Makes me miss that car.

Actually, this reminded me of a story back when I had the Boxster S

A guy sped insanley trying and catch me after I took off at a light, I thought we were racing and I was kicking his ass.
It was some dumb Pontiac thing, so I was like WTF...
I wasn't really trying, I was just playing with him really.

Anyway, I finally got caught at a light and the guy pulled in the right turn lane to get next to me.
He started yelling at me with cell phone in had. Something about endangering lives... :rolleyes
The he said he had the police on the phone.
I said, "Good, Show me your Badge"
He ignored the comment.
He said there will be a police man coming in 5 mins.
I laughed.
Light Turned Green and I dropped the Clutch at 4,000 RPMS and left an awesome patch. He was FURIOUS as I watched him in my rear-view.

He gave chase, but this time, he couldn't catch up. Bye Bye :wave
Fun Times. Makes me miss that car.

:jump

I'm laughing so hard I can't type.

What a great response to some serious righteous indignation - "endangering lives" !!! Really?

Citizens can now earn a speeding merit badge to qualify toward your eagle scout award.

see scoutmaster for details.


WAFFFFFF1eZ

:rofl

...and laid down an awesome patch.


:rofl :rofl :lol

great stuff ant.
good read.

the whole idea sounds insane... citizen's speeding arrest :rolleyes:

Your problem is running only 100 mph. stand on it, then they wont have time to read your plates.


I just had a good idea I should market. Rotatable license plate mounts. Gota go call ronco to help with a good name. Very James Bondian. I like my martinis without vermouth[/english accent].

Your problem is running only 100 mph. stand on it, then they wont have time to read your plates.
I agree with ya Makr! :thumbup:

What about my idea?

Let's go drink a few liters... :D

As the law is written, citizens can make arrests period. With reasonable force. Even traffic infractions. But, as stated by Chas, it really would be a waste of time in court and more than likely the City Prosecutors office will dismiss the matter in the interest of justice.

It should be noted on citations there is a signature for the complainant. People get so hot and heavy, it makes them fell better they are signing something against you.

For me, I slap the red/blue kojack light on the dash of the DINAN, yank em over, pull them through the wing window with my Glock in hand, then I cuff em and stuff em. Then I let them go and tell them to have a nice pleasant day. :D

P.S. Brad, you want a pic of a cop behind you for a sig (like I had many moons ago with my E34), let me know, I have connections.

That was the best sig ever. If your "connections" are volunteering I’d love a new sig. Something with hand cuffs and maybe a SWAT team.

Your problem is running only 100 mph. stand on it, then they wont have time to read your plates.


I just had a good idea I should market. Rotatable license plate mounts. Gota go call ronco to help with a good name. Very James Bondian. I like my martinis without vermouth[/english accent].


I didn't say I was doing 100 mph. The complaintant did ;)

My theory is this: if I'm going to get pulled over for 100+ mph (in a 65 no less), I'm already screwed anyways, so why not do 130 and make it something memorable.

Or 145 over Parley's summit chasing down sport bikes!

As the law is written, citizens can make arrests period. With reasonable force. Even traffic infractions. But, as stated by Chas, it really would be a waste of time in court and more than likely the City Prosecutors office will dismiss the matter in the interest of justice.

It should be noted on citations there is a signature for the complainant. People get so hot and heavy, it makes them fell better they are signing something against you.

For me, I slap the red/blue kojack light on the dash of the DINAN, yank em over, pull them through the wing window with my Glock in hand, then I cuff em and stuff em. Then I let them go and tell them to have a nice pleasant day. :D

P.S. Brad, you want a pic of a cop behind you for a sig (like I had many moons ago with my E34), let me know, I have connections.

Actually, I do want pictures of me "getting pulled over". Do you drive a normal police cruiser or is it something undercover?

For me, I slap the red/blue kojack light on the dash of the DINAN, yank em over, pull them through the wing window with my Glock in hand, then I cuff em and stuff em. Then I let them go and tell them to have a nice pleasant day. :D


I would pay good money for a vid of you doing that to the guy who threatened to arrest Ant -- reckless endangerment in a Pontiac buddy!

...
P.S. Brad, you want a pic of a cop behind you for a sig (like I had many moons ago with my E34), let me know, I have connections.

Invite your connections to you party on say so we can all get a pic of our cars "getting pulled over" :) If not, I want one too;)

Actually some places that are under budget are training citizens to drive a patrol car, use the radar, and call this kind of stuff in. I'll see if I can find the news thing on it.

That sucks

That sucks

Hey were you on 4th south turning onto 7th east yesterday at 5:15ish?

I got a ticket from some 1 calling and said the people in the L to the triple R Land Rover Range Rover and the BMW were driving recklessly down the road. The cop was from SO JO UT and was a dick He gave Me and my friend a ticket. We wEnt and fought it and didn't even talk to the judge the prosecutor dropped it. Why did the cop give the ticket we were teen agers and he was bored I don't know. The fact of the matter is we did rev our engines but no reckless driving they came over we argued words were said they called the cops. DAMN TEENAGERS :evil2 The prosecutor had no proof on us just word vs. word so Prosecutor didn't waste time The defense against you would have no ground they would cave in like a sand castle. Citizen arrest tickets are pointless in most traffic cases.

The truth is, that cases like these will be thrown out. For someone to be charged with anything you must prove beyond a reason of doubt.

Might want to double check that. Usually traffic offenses are "civil infractions" and not actual crimes. So you only need to have "preponderance of evidence" and not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. (It is also why you cannot demand a trial by peers.) At least that is how it works in Indiana. I've not had the need to research it in Utah yet.

How do you think they get away with all this Mickey Mouse crap?

http://dictionary.law.com/definition2.asp?selected=1586

:wave
What color is your car?