Blue Light Special

billb · #1 11th September 2007, 05:05 PM

I recently got pulled over by a state trooper while on my way to a concert. I had a carload -- my wife, 6-yr old daughter, a dog, and another couple.

It was one of those times where you're driving the same speed as everyone else around you, but you're the unlucky one that gets pulled.

What I'm wondering is why would the first thing the trooper asks me be, "are you late to an appointment?"

Is there a correct answer to that question that would have kept me from getting a ticket? Is it just a smart*ss question deliberately asked to make me angry and give a smart*ss answer back (no, I didn't

)? Is it simply a tradition among law enforcement officers to ask you a stupid question when they pull you over? Is he just trying to determine if I can speak clearly?

Bob, you were a judge -- what is the magic answer to that question?

The New World · #2 11th September 2007, 05:20 PM

Having watched lots of American based cop chasing programmes, it looks like they were all born without the sense of humour gene so you were probably right keeping quiet.

***Dan*** · #3 11th September 2007, 05:45 PM

Hmmm.

That's better than having him hook one thumb in his Sam Brown belt, rest the other on the butt of his pistol, and say, "Now ... You in a heap o' trouble, boy!"

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Dan

sailor · #4 11th September 2007, 05:52 PM

I usually say "No sir, I was just going with the flow of traffic."

schwim · #5 11th September 2007, 05:53 PM

I've learned to just keep my mouth shut, as it's very expensive to have a little fun with them.

If(when) they ask a stupid question, I answer it as if it was the perfect thing to ask in the situation.

I'm still paying for the last time I had a little fun over two years ago

thanks,
json

rjstaaf · #6 11th September 2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The New World

Having watched lots of American based cop chasing programmes, it looks like they were all born without the sense of humour gene so you were probably right keeping quiet.

Ohh man don't take anything you see on American TV as representative of real life....

I have never had anything but positive experience in my dealing with law enforcement.

My most recent was driving my kids home from the library after my son's weekly tutoring. I drive a Mustang GT and it seems to be an import racerboy magnet as they all seem to want to race. I long ago got that out of my system but this guy was speeding up and slowing down in front of and behind me so I finally just got fed up and floored it leaving him way behind me. Unfortunately there was a South Carolina Highway Patrolman sitting on the side of the road next to an overpass. Fortunately he also saw the Honda and I explained why I did what I did. He let me off with a warning rather than ticket me for doing 89 in a 55

***bob*** · #7 11th September 2007, 06:09 PM

Well, as a Judge, I always met the ones who DIDN'T get away! A trooper told me last week that he had just let a speeder go when she gave him the explanation that: "I was listening to the B-52's Love Shack and just started groovin'..." . Probably wouldn't work if the Trooper likes Bach.

Then too, your response to "are you late to an appointment?" might have been: "Yeah, sorry, I got here as fast as I could.." (you're gonna want to get out of the car and put both hands on the hood afterwards...)

I haven't had a ticket in 25-30 years, but I always wanted to say: "Well the speed limit is 55 miles per hour, but I only planned to be on the road for 10 minutes...." (again, assume the position).

billb · #8 11th September 2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

Then too, your response to "are you late to an appointment?" might have been: "Yeah, sorry, I got here as fast as I could.." (you're gonna want to get out of the car and put both hands on the hood afterwards...)

I like that one!

I actually did use the, "just trying to stay with the flow of traffic" excuse, since that is what I was doing. I thought of plenty of bad things to say later...

My favorite one is when Jeff Foxworthy (I think) is talking about getting pulled over while drunk and he says to the trooper, "Boy am I glad to see you! Wheweee I could have killed somebody out there!"

Iron_Mike · #9 12th September 2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor

I usually say "No sir, I was just going with the flow of traffic."

Here is the best reply without being a smart ass. Or you could use the "I was picking a booger and didn't realize how fast I was going, sorry".........

***Dan*** · #10 12th September 2007, 02:48 AM

Mike ... I ask this with extreme caution ... but ... Were you ever a member of the 75M 3905 Booger net?

Iron_Mike · #11 12th September 2007, 03:04 AM

Dan.......There is gold in there them nostrils. With proper excavation boulders have been produced.......

***Dan*** · #12 12th September 2007, 03:10 AM

Whew! OK. there for a minute ... i thought you might have been KI6PR's evil twin! <..

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Plossl · #13 12th September 2007, 04:25 AM

A friend once told me how to "bet" the officer he/she wouldn't write me a ticket - i.e. hold out cash.

Never tried it, and I'm glad.

***Dan*** · #14 12th September 2007, 04:30 AM

Good thing too! 'cuz most cops I know are just honest people doing a job, and they're proud of their integrity. And that'd be the fastest way I can think of to bring out the very worst possibilities of the situation.

***bob*** · #15 12th September 2007, 04:37 AM

Um yes, I do know of a gal who was stopped for a possible DUI and when asked to blow into a alcho-sensor, she replied "Sorry, I don't blow on a first date". She did not get a second date, btw, and spent the night in jail. (And, no, this was NOT settled out of Court...)