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Cop stops - rascals report

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by bwilson4web, Jul 16, 2009.

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Traffic cop stops and warnings?

Poll closed Aug 6, 2009.

  1. Lights or safety equipment problem

    3 vote(s)
    21.4%

  2. Too slow or weaving, check for impairment

    2 vote(s)
    14.3%

  3. Parking illegally

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  4. Running a red light

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  5. Making an illegal turn against a light or sign

    2 vote(s)
    14.3%

  6. Failing to stop completely at a stop sign

    4 vote(s)
    28.6%

  7. Taking the right-of-way when it belonged to another

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  8. Changing lanes w/o using turn indicator

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  9. Using diamond or carpool lanes with passengers or sticker

    1 vote(s)
    7.1%

  10. Driving at night w/o headlights

    1 vote(s)
    7.1%

  11. Transporting an oversized load

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  12. Hitting another vehicle be it parked or moving

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  13. Impaired driving

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  14. Passing in no passing lane

    1 vote(s)
    7.1%

  15. Passing stopped school bus

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  16. Crossing railroad crossing when alarmed

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  17. Exceeding posted speed limit

    10 vote(s)
    71.4%

  18. Speeding in excess of weather or light conditions

    1 vote(s)
    7.1%

  19. Following too close

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  20. Improper right-turn on red

    1 vote(s)
    7.1%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Recently, a company in California (of dubious standing) reported hybrid owners get more tickets, 0.38/100,000 miles, than ordinary drivers, 0.23. Based upon the number of Prius sold, over 600,000, and 15,000 miles/year, that would be nearly 37,500 tickets each year. Also, there was a report in Motorweek about driving styles and of course, the "bell the hybrid" crowd is looking for a hook. So I began to wonder, "What sort of tickets are hybrid drivers getting?"

    This anonymous poll is just seeking information about traffic stops, where the officer initiated the stop even if there was no ticket. This is not a Spanish Inquisition nor a confessional although 'lessons learned' are welcome.

    In my case, a tail-light fuse blew after towing a rented jon boat trailer. The cop held his flashlight while I swapped in the radio fuse and proceeded home. I had no idea the brake lights were not working.

    The second stop happened at 2:00 AM after going to "House of Pancakes" for a late-night breakfast. I was doing 20 mph on a 40 mph posted, two-lane, access road that paralleled a four-lane, limited access road while fiddling with the radio. The cop checked to make sure I wasn't intoxicated (think "Ground Hog Day".) No, my wife wanted something I fetched it but not fast enough to avoid notice.

    There was a third stop when I was doing a mileage test. I was driving 20 mph on a 1.1 mile road that circles a parking lot and has no stop signs, yield or traffic lights and three lanes. I was on the outer two lanes on a Sunday afternoon. The officer noticed I was driving around the building and parking lot and wanted to know what was going on. ... Curiosity stop?

    There are a host of other tickets possible. If it isn't on the list, don't worry about it, and pick something 'close enough.' This really isn't an accuracy poll, just a curiosity.

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Jul 16, 2009
  2. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

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    I'm proud to say that after 10 years living in the US, and including living for a while in a small city in Texas where cops had nothing to do but search for minor driving mistakes; I have never get any ticket and neither has my wife. Now having said that, passport antiradar has helped me quiet a bit to stay clear in the past... but now I don't even have to use it in my Prius...
     
    #2 Indyking, Jul 16, 2009
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Been pulled over for speeding past roadworks.
    Was on a freeway with 110km/h speed limit, I was doing 110km/h but missed a temporary 80km/h speed limit sign erected for roadworks on the other side of the road. Then there was a 60km/h sign just before a crossover the road workers were using to drive on my side of the road.
    I missed the 80K sign but braked for the 60K sign which alerted the cop I was watching in the rear view mirror because I didn't brake for the 80 sign.
    I was only given a warning. I doubt the cop could have followed and timed my speed. I suspect I was given a warning because she had insufficient evidence for a conviction..
     
    #3 patsparks, Jul 16, 2009
  4. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

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    Since this post/poll wasn't clear on "when" or which vehicle, I chose to respond to everything that ended up w/ a warning or ticket.

    Nothing in the new Prius.

    Gen II I was pulled over once for tail light out (percussive maintenance would cause it to come back on), and once for not fully stopping at a stop sign (apparently they watch this particular intersection at Waddel Rd. and Saraval Ave. in Surprise, AZ). The tail light was a fix-it ticket. The stop sign was a warning as it was late at night and the guy saw my record was clean otherwise.

    Any other ticket was 10+ years ago.
     
    #4 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 16, 2009
  5. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Five years; no tickets, one warning for speeding. Something my younger motorcycle-riding self would not believe. Yup, gettin' old.
     
    #5 hyo silver, Jul 16, 2009
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Any stop even if no ticket is issued. We are unlikely to have enough tickets in this community to make a significant study. But a stop, even just a warning, well it is 'close enough' for now.

    Mostly I'm looking for clues ... the types of tickets or warning we are likely to see in the Prius or hybrid community.

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Jul 16, 2009
  7. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Bob, you needed to add "None of the Above".

    2 1/2 years of driving the Prius, I have yet to be pulled over. I like to think of it as the stealth vehicle. Yes, I do occasionally (well ok, most of the time) exceed the posted limit, but there are too many other larger faster boy racer targets for the traffic cops to choose from.
     
    #7 dogfriend, Jul 16, 2009
  8. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Hybrid cars that are more likely to hypermile get more tickets on the average? Sorry, but my BS detector is going off.

    Are you sure you don't have a Gen III that a Prius enthusiast cop just wanted to check out? :cool:
     
    #8 32kcolors, Jul 16, 2009
  9. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I've received two tickets in Priapus. Both were making illegal turns against posted signs. Oops.
     
    #9 TonyPSchaefer, Jul 16, 2009
  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    For those curious, the first two entries came from personal experience. The rest came from:

    I had thought briefly about including "none of the above" but the ticket rate was reported as a rate per 100,000 miles driven and would take more data. This is a non-scientific poll, just trying to understand the distribution of traffic stops rather than any absolute or accurate rates.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #10 bwilson4web, Jul 16, 2009
  11. Sphyrna

    Sphyrna Priusite

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    Bob, although it may be covered by the "Excessive speed" item, I think you should add one for driving too fast through a school zone. I have occasionally either misread the sign or just completely missed it and have been pulled over twice in the last ten years or so. I wasn't going more than 30-35 in a 15MPH zone but I hope my experience with the Prius is better, I think I've learned my lesson!
     
    #11 Sphyrna, Jul 16, 2009
  12. barbaram

    barbaram Active Member

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    I have to laugh. The NJ Transit cops stopped in front of my house tonight just to look at my spaceship! They haven't seen any before!
     
    #12 barbaram, Jul 16, 2009
  13. jammin012

    jammin012 The man behind The Man

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    Where does illegally tinted windows fall into this poll? 5% rear / 20% front, straight up illegal in Cali.
     
    #13 jammin012, Jul 16, 2009
  14. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    5% rear isn't illegal in CA, although 20% front side is. I got away with 35% front side for 10 years until a previous car was totaled.
     
    #14 32kcolors, Jul 16, 2009
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