I ran a left turn red light yesterday near home, after stopping.
I think I blew an O2 sensor or worse, and the van didn't like trying to idle. It'll probably inconsiderately die on me in the middle of the road when I try to make it to the auto parts store to get the codes read.
I was laughing with you wesleyg as I read your red light. I was on Berkeley PD in 1965/66 when I went throught the yellow. I am glad I am not the only one.
One Berkeley, I had many ride alongs with citizens who knew what to do when I asked them to do it. They were trained before they were allowed to ride with us on patrol.
On the CHP, my partner and myself numerous times had DAs ride along with us as we patrolled the Nimitz. Sure helped them to understand what we do on the freeways.
Ruking1 my compliments to you for your participation on the "hot night", friday/sat.
I spoted this evidence of an inconsiderate biker. At about the same time, I spotted an apparently off-duty (in plain clothes) police officer about to get into a copcar, who seemed VERY interested when I pointed it out to him. :shades:
One of my friends said something to the effect of "what do they care, they're not going to do anything", but with a few words I had to take out for a more family-friendly message forum. But then my other friend noticed the cop getting on the radio and calling it in. And then he started up the car and drove down to where the motorcycle was.
So, score one for the police. They have such a bad reputation around here, that it actually warmed my heart to see one of them do something nice. I know if I was that Corolla driver, especially, I'd be royally peeved.
I've never experienced the ride-along since our dept. would not allow the program due to I'm sure the liability factor. When polled once, our dept. members thought it was a good idea for community relations and were willing to participate, but unfortunately the uppers would not approve it. I suspect it would be a worthwhile program administered properly.
Ride Along Program? Try it with a trucker - it's a real eye opener. I'm lucky because a family member drives trucks (I use to) and still have a rough feel for the business. I think it would be a great program because people could see why a car will momentarily cause an incredibly hazardous situation.
Wow. That's better than your average handicapped space story.
I've only had the opportunity to point out a car illegally parked in a handicapped space once, but I'm always looking. It's a big pet peeve of mine. (Disclosure: I have a handicapped placard myself but only use it in pretty dire circumstances. My theory goes if I don't need it that very day leave the space for someone else.)
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
illegally parked in the handicap spaces irk me too. When I see them I get the urge to to not very nice things to the vehicle. I don't need one, but my mother did before she passed on and it was really a help when she was able to park close. So when I see very able bodied people very capable of walking the 10 extra feet parking in the handicapped space because they are too lazy, it really gets to me....
"...Parking in the handicapped space because they are too lazy..."
And it usually 20 somethings who look fit enough to run a marathon who park there.
My wife who has had a stroke could definatly get a placard but says "and have people think I'm an old lady?" I supose with my bad knees I could get one too but I would feel like I was "cheating".
Evidently some folks have no sense of shame.
I think I recently related a story from my local area where a citizen approached a bunch of young people who had parked in the handicapped spot. He got stabbed for his trouble.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
have a couple of officers to write tickets for those folks and to call the officers with guns if necessary. The parking enforcement officers do not have overhead lights and do not have guns.
I watched three 20 somethings, much overweight, totter out of a mid-sized car with their handicap sticker. They waddled into the local Walmart. The sticker probably belonged to a dear departed elder relative and they kept it for themselves. A few hundred feet of walking wouldn't have made a dent in their weight loss needs.
Some of the people the officers catch lie to say there's someone in the store who has the sticker. The officers wait for them at the entrance. One lady fought the officer when they stopped her after the lied. She felt it was her right.
I know here if you don't have either the plate or the placard displayed you are eligible for a ticket and the only thing that would save you is the cops not being there at the same time you are. Unfortunately that is usually the case.
At public facilities with people that direct you into parking lots sometime the placard or plate isn't enough. They want to see your handicapped ID and make sure the number matches the plate. This keeps the kids taking grandma's car out of the handicapped lot. I applaud that move. It's one of those times that I do use the ID.
Oldfarmer - if you can convince your wife have her get one of the placards you hang on the mirror. You only use it when you really need it and the rest of the time it can hide out of sight. That's what I do. The thing only comes out a couple of times a year.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Back when my dad was terminally ill he had handicap plates. I once took his car to run to the store and pick up a few things for him. Even though I passed the handicap spots and parked in a regular space some one told me that they thought it was despicable that someone who doesn't need handicap plates had them.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
lost her license back in 1999 because she couldn't pass the eye test anymore because of macular degeneration. They did issue her a hanging handicapped permit though.
Whenever I'd have to take her to a doctor's appointment, grocery store, or whatever, she'd tell me that I could park in the handicapped spot if I wanted to. But I'd just park in a regular spot and make her [non-permissible content removed] walk! I figured she was perfectly healthy except for not being able to see very well, and there was no reason for her to start getting lazy. I'd tell her that there are people that need those spots more than her.
But, she was also "only" 75 when she lost her license. She's 84 now, and while still healthy for her age, I can tell she's deteriorating. Her 83 year old cousin usually takes her grocery shopping, and I think they use her hanging permit. I don't mind that so much now, since they're both pretty old and not as strong as they used to be. And I guess if I was taking my grandmother out someplace, and it was a choice between a handicapped spot or making her walk a 1/4 mile across a roasting parking lot I'd probably take the handicapped spot. But usually, I'm able to find a place just a few spots further away.
I've known a couple people who got ahold of those temporary permits though, and would milk them for all they're worth. There was one lady at work who would put her mother's hanging permit in her own car, and then use it to park her Camaro in handicapped spots. One of my cow-irkers managed to get ahold of a hanging permit too, and milked it for all it was worth.
Poetic justice was served a few weeks ago, though. I think she still has the permit, but wasn't using it because she really doesn't need to (a real shocker, as entitled as she likes to act). But she had gotten into the habit of parking in a handicapped spot in front of her condo. Her reasoning was that nobody in her building is handicapped, and nobody that comes to visit is handicapped. Now how she knows that, in a building with 12 different units, is beyond me, but she's enough of a busybody that I guess it's possible!
Anyway, one morning she comes out to find a $500 ticket on her windshield! Now the sign said $98 fine, and I think the ticket was marked $100 but the cop scratched that out and wrote in $500. Is that even legal?! :surprise: She went to court, and I think ended up having to pay $100. And she's learned her lesson. For now.
Our police dept. had noticed a disproportionate number of car jackings of people with the handicapped license plate on the vehicle.(Ohio) Many of our officers now recommend to people to get a hanging placard for the rear view mirror which can be removed except when parking rather than the permanent handicapped license plates which must be always displayed for the above mentioned safety reason.
I've always thought that I would be in heaven if I could arrest a perpetrator in the act of mugging or jacking a handicapped plate victim. I would find it very hard to restrain myself from the old resisting arrest syndrome.
The sticker probably belonged to a dear departed elder relative and they kept it for themselves.
We all need to be careful of these assumptions. As some other posters here have demonstrated, it is possible for someone to appear to be physically able, but to have a disability that is not readily apparent.
A handicapped placard should have the owner's name and birthdate on it. It should be relatively simple for a policeman to determine whether the placard is being used legally or not; lying won't get the abusers out of trouble, I assure you.
There's no reason for anyone to wait for someone at the entrance to the store for the "owner" to show up. It's easy enough to say "go get your friend who owns this permit, or here is a nice, pretty summons for you."
You don't want to be putting the owners name and any pertinent information that can be used by others on the placard. You have a unique number on each one - just like a license plate. The actual person needing the handicapped ID has a card that looks like a drivers license that has that same number on it.
As far as I know a cop could demand that card from anyone if he has reason to believe the person doesn't belong in the handicapped space.
That's a loose interpretation of how it works in NJ. I imagine it's the same in most states.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Ohio does not have a coordinated ID card. I assume the police can access the registration for the number on the tag.
The best technique for handling the misuse would be to just impound the car when someone is found to be misusing another person's handicapped hanger. It's always amazed me how the police and authorities were gleeful to confiscate cars used by people running drugs or using drugs, but they didn't confiscate cars of drunk drivers. That would reduce drunk driving exponentially if they got their cars confiscated rather than just a large fine and lots of money to an attorney.
I can just see it now: Yes Ms. Healthy, you do not have the right to use a parking space and that handicapped tag is registered to your grandmother. She's not here. Your car has been confiscated. It is now property of the city of Justice. Please be careful walking home with your China bags from Walmart.
Might be how it works in NJ, but not in Virginia. The owner's name and birthdate are imprinted on the placard and they sure better match the ID of the person who claims to own it. I don't know this for sure, but it may be (I hope) that the name and birthdate are on the side that does not face the windshield. (OTOH, Virginia was very late to the party in providing ID numbers on drivers' licenses that were not SS numbers, so who knows?? :sick: )
In any case, I'm sure every state has a way of connecting the owner to the placard. Those who are using a placard illegally should be easy to catch - IF the cops are there to catch them, of course.
Imidizol, I understand your sentiments, but that's terribly harsh. A quite hefty fine seems sufficient enough punishment and deterrent to me.
I wouldn't want my name on the thing if I could avoid it. No doubt I'm paranoid but name and birth date strike me as enough information to start attempting identity theft with. I suppose the right person could figure it out with just a license plate.
I haven't seen other alternatives but it's easy enough to use the ID card. I keep it right behind my license in my wallet.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Jacked up dirty 4X4 pulls into handicapped space at grocery store. Able bodied woman in her 30's jumps out and goes in store. I proceed to write "Mentally Handicapped" in the dirt on her tailgate. I felt better.....
I proceed to write "Mentally Handicapped" in the dirt on her tailgate.
Like the scene from "Johnny Dangerously" where the pyscotic gangster parks in a handicapped space. His buddy says "You can't park here its a handicap space" to which he replies "I am handicapped, I'm mentally deranged".
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Saw a couple more inconsiderate parking lot fellows at the local big blue box store the other day. On one side of the aisle there is a concrete walk/median that cuts down the middle between a set of parking spaces. Although it provides safe walking space, it effectively cuts down the length of the space so that only a mid-size car or smaller will fit without it's back end poking out. A full-size extended cab truck parked there will have its rear wheels at the end of the space lines and the rear of it's bed will hang out into traffic. On the other side of the aisle is regular parking however that will allow most any size vehicle to park comfortably.
One this particular day I happen to be coming down the aisle looking for a space. Now it wasn't a particularly busy day and spaces were abound, so I figured I might get lucky and find one up close so I didn't pull into the first available space like I might usually. One my way down the aisle I look up and see this Dodge Ram 3500 Long Bed QuadCab pickup parked in one of the afore mentioned spaces along this median. Now if a regular extended cab short bed full size truck pokes out if parked there, you can imagine how far how this Dodge was sticking out. To make matters worse, on the other side of the aisle not 2 spaces down, was another older full size Dodge Ram (it was all about the Rams today) parked. Now this wouldn't normally be a problem, but he had not only double parked with a good 1/3 of his vehicle taking up a 3nd space, he neglected to pull all the way in, leaving his back end sticking out into the aisle, effectively cutting the pathway down to a barely negotiable single lane.
I had a good laugh though as I was waiting for the lane to clear of oncoming traffic, I noticed the vehicle shooting the gap was a buddy of mine. As he cleared the hole left by the two trucks and pulled next to me, we had a good laugh about people who needed to learn how to park. Surely they one of the two drivers had noticed the obstruction they were creating when they parked thier vehicle??? :confuse:
Yesterday I'm traveling north on a 4 lane (two in each direction) state highway which has a median in the middle used for making left turns in to driveways and such. I'm in the right lane, a woman is passing me in a little Toyota. Several SUVs are passing also in the left lane behind her. Speed limit is 55 and we're all doing every bit of it.
Suddenly, all the cars in the left lane slam on their brakes, the big SUV swerves into my lane almost hitting me. I brake hard and go onto the shoulder just missing getting sideswiped. Tires are screeching, horns are blowing and a good time was had by all. I'm dumbfounded at what would cause all this crazy driving. Then I looked back in my mirror.
I see the woman in the Toyota sitting stopped across both lanes of the south bound side (remember she had been going north). Cars south bound were now hitting their brakes because she was blocking the entire road.
As near as I can figure, she had slammed on her brakes when she saw a farm stand on the other side of the road. She didn't use the median to attempt her U-turn but just stopped in the left driving lane. To make matters worse, as she tried to turn she found another car blocking her from pulling up to the farm stand. So SHE PARKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD while she decided what to do next.
Those must of been the best darn tomatoes in the whole world! :mad:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I saw one of the local trophy wives driving inconsiderately today...woman with overdone hair in a new style X5 tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic. Of course as it was rush hour and the simps who work for the city here don't believe in light sequencing, it was getting her nowhere as traffic was getting worse because of being stuck at one red after another. She must have felt pretty important driving that big guzzler and rushing around...oh wait, she was stuck like everyone else, no matter how many houses have been bought for her.
I also saw an inconsiderate late 90s Passat in front of my place...as it rear ended a late model Odyssey at about 20mph. Really messed up the VW, fairly light looking damage to the Honda, the later was driven away while the former was not.
On the way home today, I happened up a blinged out Tahoe driven by a trophy wife. Normally I don't really pay attention but this one got me. As I was coming up to a a stoplight, I noticed that this Tahoe had it's reverse lights on. It was behind several cars and stopped, but it was in the left lane right next to the turn lane. At its front corner panel was another car and so I thought that maybe it was trying to back up to get into the turn lane. I braked and stopped several feet from it so that it could continue it's inconsiderate foray without being crunched. As much as it would have been her fault, dealing with an accident is never much fun.
Anyway, she didn't move. As I took a closer look at the Tahoe, I realized that it was blinged out. The reverse lights that were on were actually brake lights, but the factory lenses had been replaced with those retarded looking Euro-style fancy shmancy black and carbon fiber and clear and red lenses and the moron that put them in had put the brake light in the reverse light spot. Every time the SUV put on it's brakes the reverse lights came on! :sick:
The whole looked like it was for show with it's 20" highly polished chrome wheels and big tires, chrome door handles, chrome exhaust tip, black black tint and retarded tail lamps. It also had the front lenses modified too...
No one ever said that being rich = having good taste.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Hey Al and the rest of you folks! Check out this website...www.youparklikeana$$hole.com......... but spell it correctly. You'll love the pictures. And you can print out "tickets" to place on the windshields of lousy parking perps.
Friday I'm driving on I-90 at about the speed limit. Traffic is moderate-heavy such that both lanes are occupied by cars.
Suddenly a car flys by me going at least 80 and begins to slalom back and forth between the cars in both lanes. All the while he is doing this his left turn signal is on and he has a phone glued to his ear.
This continued until he was out of sight. What happened after that I don't know.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I'm traveling on a 4 lane "city" highway, with a middle turning lane. The speed limit is only 35 mph. A cop is in the slow lane and I'm in the fast. The cop is only doing about 37 mph, if I pass him he may be a jerk and give me a ticket for speeding. So, I kind of hang back a bit to see what he's going to do. He ends up putting on his signal (surprise) and merging in front of me. He goes down a couple blocks... then stops! Right in the middle of the street, the left hand (fast) lane... doesn't even go over into the turning lane... no turn signal. I sit there behind him for about 3 seconds,wanting to lay on my horn. A car going in the other direction passes, then the cop makes a "U" turn. No lights... no siren. Just a lazy/inconsiderate cop who wanted to use the turning lane so he could make his turn without hitting the curb. It's great to be king! :sick:
I headed down to Palmer this weekend and on my way through Wasilla (the road is two lanes each direction w/ center turn lane, 45 mph SL) a police cruiser ran a red light behind me. I knew it was red because the light turned yellow as I was approaching the intersection, so it must have been red within a second or two after I went through. The cruiser was probably 6 seconds or more back, but driving like a bat out of hell until through the intersection. No emergency, just impatient I guess. It drove behind me for another couple hundred yards, then used the center turn lane to make a left into a local business parking lot. Some LEOs.... :sick:
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
Jipster is right, "Just a lazy/inconsiderate cop who wanted to use the turning lane so he could make his turn without hitting the curb. It's great to be king! "
But being the king, has responsibilites. And sometimes the king makes mistakes. Nowsince I am retired from kinghood, I remember making numerous mistakes as a law enforcement officer.
Also agree there are some kings in their kingdom that are jerks. However, the other 90 % that risk their lives to save people from accidents and murders are more to the truth.
Yesterday, in a city very close to where I live, and next to the freeway I worked years ago, an officer went into a house to save a divorced woman from her (jmo) an insane ex husband was shot to death by the ex. Left a wife and several children. Having been a city king before being a highway king, I know that family disturbances are very deadly to city cops as high speed, and wrong way drivers are to the highway cops, er kings.
I.e. we kings are human and also grieve and we too do the best we can do, and at times, we are inconsiderate and make misteakes, er, mistakes. Now I feel better.
Good luck to all ans ( another mistake) stay safe.
I forgot to mention that the ex also shot to death his ex wife, who had a stay away restraining order on her ex. The ex was shot and killed by another officer that I know. That officer's son played baseball with my grandson last spring. And has a lovely wife and a little baby girl.
Also agree there are some kings in their kingdom that are jerks. However, the other 90 % that risk their lives to save people from accidents and murders are more to the truth.
Hope I didn't sound anti-police in that post. My uncle had 30+ years on the police force, so they certainly have my respect. That said, being in a position of authority much more is expected of ones conduct. If citizens are expected to follow traffic laws, then all police should be setting a good example for us to follow.
Running a police dept. for some years, I would occasionally get a citizen call regarding an officer committing a traffic violation. Amazingly, the info would be very detailed, car number, date, exact time and location, even usually a description of the officer, WOW.
This had to be taken seriously, because if I did not, the next step would be my boss, then it's me on the line, just wanted to say most would not ignore a complaint like that.
And Jensad, right on, 2 months ago, officer I know slightly, traffic stop at 2AM, reason, loud car radio, shot officer in the face 4 times with a 9mm.
100 % agree jipster. "being in a position of authority much more is expected of ones conduct. If citizens are expected to follow traffic laws, then all police should be setting a good example for us to follow".
I understand what you posted, and I did not take it in any way as derogatory. Indeed, I agree, there are people that should not have been in law enforcement, and that is the 10 % that make the other 90 % viewed in a negative light.
And wesleyg, I am just grateful to be retired, still married to a wonderful wife of 44 years, and thankful for the blessings WE have. And I loved my work and sometimes miss the "action" but not the reports.
I think all of us would agree cops are true heroes out there. It's just when you run into that BWB (Bully With a Badge), it really puts a sour taste in your mouth for the police force. Again, like the cliche, there are bad apples in every profession, but I hope you "good" cops harass those BWB's you know of. As a truck driver, I know there are some bad truck drivers out there. When I see one pulling a stunt, I don't hesitate to blow the horn or give them a "WTF were you doing" look. Now I've made mistakes while driving and I'm sure you all have too. But the difference between us and the people we write about is we're sorry for the mistakes we made but those other guys don't know any better or, worse, just don't care.
"...However, the other 90% that risk their lives to save people from accidents and murders are more to the truth..."
Gee, I hope there aren't 10% jerks on the typical force.
In our school district we have about a half dozen retired state troopers as bus drivers. We also have a retired Secret Service agent who works as a lunch room monitor.
I occasionally talk to them about their time on the job and have commented that this work must be easy compared to what they previously faced. To a man they all answer the same way. They say that working with kids is much harder because the crooks had the good sense to be afraid of them.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I think having retired troopers as bus drivers and Secret Service working with the children in the lunch room is excellent.
I retired and got a MS in counseling and worked for 7 years in the middle schools as a group therapist. It was as you mentioned, difficult but it was also a very rewarding life experience for me and my co facliltator. The payoff was that many of the group members stopped going to detention and their grades went up. I bet the troopers and Secret Service retiress will say their experiences now are rewarding.
I finally actually retired and next year when my wife retires, we will see the "lower 48" and enjoy our time together.
Hope all have a wonderful day and stay safe. God bless America it's the 11th.
P.S. Maybe oldfarmer50 my 10 % was abit high. But we usually ran the bad ones out of the area/profession.
Thank you for the invite xwesc. My wife and myself will be returning to your beautiful state probably in two years. Although my wife probably would not desire to live in Skagway, I would love to live in Skagway and/or several other areas. I loved AK. I'll keep your offer in mind. Tks.
One our first trip, the entire family did a ship tour. All 16 of us and it was wonderful.
A good friend and fellow CHP, quit the job down here and moved to Anchorage AK. Joined the local police force. Probably retired now.
Today some hick kid in a jacked up F350 ran a stop sign in a store parking lot and almost nailed me. Luckily I saw his lumbering beast, and was able to jam on my brakes/horn.
Not long later a jerk driving a tow truck, a smoky 30 year old model, decided to blindly and closely cut in front of me, in the left lane, and force me to pass on the right, as his left turn was upcoming...a mile down the road.
So this really wasn't a big deal, but it kind of struck me as funny...
Headed down the road through town the SL drops to 45. As you come into town the highway is still relatively clear of business entrances and intersections and this part of the road is usually traveled around 55ish. I say 'ish because if you go faster, you are bound to be ticketed, but rarely for anything 46-55. I am in the left lane, moderate traffic, and a BMW is in the right. I am going 53, the BMW about 50. I pass the BMW and as I get ahead of her (it was a her), she speeds up. At the same time a Chevy truck hurtles upon my bumper. As I can tell he wants to go faster, I attempt to move over, but alas that BMW is still hanging at my rear quarter panel. I increase my speed to 55 to get ahead and move over, but she increases her speed as well, never overtaking me, but not allowing any room for me to move over. This truck is still on my tail and so slowing down would only put him closer to my bumper which I really didn't want. So increase my speed to almost 60 and the BMW matches yet again. By now I am going over what I want to on this stretch of road, and so I start to slow a little to let the BMW pass, but she stays right in my rear quarter area.
However, by now we have entered "town" and a light is coming up about 1/4 mile away. As I look ahead, I can see that my lane is clear all the way to the light while the right lane has a stack of cars in it. I begin braking and the BMW has to stop several cars further back at the light than I do. Also at this point the Chevy truck realizes he is getting nowhere fast and backs off (a little).
There are two lights to go through before the highway opens up again and the left lane fortunately moves quite a bit faster than the right all the way through the 2nd light. After that 1st light I lost the BMW in the line of cars it had to stop for. However myself and this Chevy truck were able to keep going and once through town were able to take the speed back up to around 55ish. Actually I was going about 57 at some points as I tried to find a safe hole to duck into or get past traffic so I could over in order to allow the truck to pass me. I am not trying to sound self-righteous, but I didn't want to have to imped my progress by having to duck dangerously between two cars that were already too close just so some moron behind me can continue his road blazin'. Note I am not trying to play speed cop either. I am going 55ish in a 45 - well over the posted limit; he is on my tail and so I am moving as quickly as I safely feel I can while trying to find a safe hole to get over into.
Then as "luck" would have, we do happen upon a Corolla who did decide they needed to play Civilian Speed Patrol. They were doing about 45ish in the left lane and I came barreling down at 55ish. I thought that maybe they would move over after me hanging out for a few seconds, but to no avail. Granted, there wasn't too many options when I first happened upon them as I was already trying to find a hole. So I did my best not to hover on their bumper. As soon as I saw a hole open up on the right that I knew I could make work, I gave them a few seconds to see the hole and move over, but when they didn't I took the advantage and passed on the right. The Chevy truck that had been tailing me the whole way through town however didn't pull the same maneuver. Actually he could have because by now both lanes had cleared and the only one holding things up was the Corolla.
I watched my mirror and watched the Chevy practically munch the poor Corolla's bumper and then I saw the Corolla dive sharply and the Chevy swerve into the right lane. It was then that I realized that the Corolla had brake checked the Chevy...
Maybe I should have move over quite a bit sooner than I did, but I really did feel I did my best given the situation and I was already doing a pretty good clip although that Chevy truck sure didn't seem to think so...
You did nothing wrong, and were more considerate than most. You went above and beyond what could be considered courtesy.
The deputized speed enforcer Corolla and the tailgating truck (tailgating and truck go together like water and wet) were the real baddies. If the BMW was a 5 series that might explain it....some people say BMW drivers are jerky...I don't often see it, save for late model 5ers.
Corolla driver is lucky the truck driver didn't seek revenge. Most people I see who drive those things are in no position to make demands of how others drive.
Comments
I think I blew an O2 sensor or worse, and the van didn't like trying to idle. It'll probably inconsiderately die on me in the middle of the road when I try to make it to the auto parts store to get the codes read.
One Berkeley, I had many ride alongs with citizens who knew what to do when I asked them to do it. They were trained before they were allowed to ride with us on patrol.
On the CHP, my partner and myself numerous times had DAs ride along with us as we patrolled the Nimitz. Sure helped them to understand what we do on the freeways.
Ruking1 my compliments to you for your participation on the "hot night", friday/sat.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
One of my friends said something to the effect of "what do they care, they're not going to do anything", but with a few words I had to take out for a more family-friendly message forum. But then my other friend noticed the cop getting on the radio and calling it in. And then he started up the car and drove down to where the motorcycle was.
So, score one for the police. They have such a bad reputation around here, that it actually warmed my heart to see one of them do something nice. I know if I was that Corolla driver, especially, I'd be royally peeved.
I've only had the opportunity to point out a car illegally parked in a handicapped space once, but I'm always looking. It's a big pet peeve of mine. (Disclosure: I have a handicapped placard myself but only use it in pretty dire circumstances. My theory goes if I don't need it that very day leave the space for someone else.)
And it usually 20 somethings who look fit enough to run a marathon who park there.
My wife who has had a stroke could definatly get a placard but says "and have people think I'm an old lady?" I supose with my bad knees I could get one too but I would feel like I was "cheating".
Evidently some folks have no sense of shame.
I think I recently related a story from my local area where a citizen approached a bunch of young people who had parked in the handicapped spot. He got stabbed for his trouble.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I watched three 20 somethings, much overweight, totter out of a mid-sized car with their handicap sticker. They waddled into the local Walmart. The sticker probably belonged to a dear departed elder relative and they kept it for themselves. A few hundred feet of walking wouldn't have made a dent in their weight loss needs.
Some of the people the officers catch lie to say there's someone in the store who has the sticker. The officers wait for them at the entrance. One lady fought the officer when they stopped her after the lied. She felt it was her right.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
At public facilities with people that direct you into parking lots sometime the placard or plate isn't enough. They want to see your handicapped ID and make sure the number matches the plate. This keeps the kids taking grandma's car out of the handicapped lot. I applaud that move. It's one of those times that I do use the ID.
Oldfarmer - if you can convince your wife have her get one of the placards you hang on the mirror. You only use it when you really need it and the rest of the time it can hide out of sight. That's what I do. The thing only comes out a couple of times a year.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Whenever I'd have to take her to a doctor's appointment, grocery store, or whatever, she'd tell me that I could park in the handicapped spot if I wanted to. But I'd just park in a regular spot and make her [non-permissible content removed] walk! I figured she was perfectly healthy except for not being able to see very well, and there was no reason for her to start getting lazy. I'd tell her that there are people that need those spots more than her.
But, she was also "only" 75 when she lost her license. She's 84 now, and while still healthy for her age, I can tell she's deteriorating. Her 83 year old cousin usually takes her grocery shopping, and I think they use her hanging permit. I don't mind that so much now, since they're both pretty old and not as strong as they used to be. And I guess if I was taking my grandmother out someplace, and it was a choice between a handicapped spot or making her walk a 1/4 mile across a roasting parking lot I'd probably take the handicapped spot. But usually, I'm able to find a place just a few spots further away.
I've known a couple people who got ahold of those temporary permits though, and would milk them for all they're worth. There was one lady at work who would put her mother's hanging permit in her own car, and then use it to park her Camaro in handicapped spots. One of my cow-irkers managed to get ahold of a hanging permit too, and milked it for all it was worth.
Poetic justice was served a few weeks ago, though. I think she still has the permit, but wasn't using it because she really doesn't need to (a real shocker, as entitled as she likes to act). But she had gotten into the habit of parking in a handicapped spot in front of her condo. Her reasoning was that nobody in her building is handicapped, and nobody that comes to visit is handicapped. Now how she knows that, in a building with 12 different units, is beyond me, but she's enough of a busybody that I guess it's possible!
Anyway, one morning she comes out to find a $500 ticket on her windshield! Now the sign said $98 fine, and I think the ticket was marked $100 but the cop scratched that out and wrote in $500. Is that even legal?! :surprise: She went to court, and I think ended up having to pay $100. And she's learned her lesson. For now.
I've always thought that I would be in heaven if I could arrest a perpetrator in the act of mugging or jacking a handicapped plate victim. I would find it very hard to restrain myself from the old resisting arrest syndrome.
I believe the correct term for that would be a "tune up". This is an automotive forum after all.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
We all need to be careful of these assumptions. As some other posters here have demonstrated, it is possible for someone to appear to be physically able, but to have a disability that is not readily apparent.
A handicapped placard should have the owner's name and birthdate on it. It should be relatively simple for a policeman to determine whether the placard is being used legally or not; lying won't get the abusers out of trouble, I assure you.
There's no reason for anyone to wait for someone at the entrance to the store for the "owner" to show up. It's easy enough to say "go get your friend who owns this permit, or here is a nice, pretty summons for you."
As far as I know a cop could demand that card from anyone if he has reason to believe the person doesn't belong in the handicapped space.
That's a loose interpretation of how it works in NJ. I imagine it's the same in most states.
The best technique for handling the misuse would be to just impound the car when someone is found to be misusing another person's handicapped hanger. It's always amazed me how the police and authorities were gleeful to confiscate cars used by people running drugs or using drugs, but they didn't confiscate cars of drunk drivers. That would reduce drunk driving exponentially if they got their cars confiscated rather than just a large fine and lots of money to an attorney.
I can just see it now: Yes Ms. Healthy, you do not have the right to use a parking space and that handicapped tag is registered to your grandmother. She's not here. Your car has been confiscated. It is now property of the city of Justice. Please be careful walking home with your China bags from Walmart.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
In any case, I'm sure every state has a way of connecting the owner to the placard. Those who are using a placard illegally should be easy to catch - IF the cops are there to catch them, of course.
Imidizol, I understand your sentiments, but that's terribly harsh. A quite hefty fine seems sufficient enough punishment and deterrent to me.
I haven't seen other alternatives but it's easy enough to use the ID card. I keep it right behind my license in my wallet.
LOL that's perfect. Only thing, next time I would write "Morally Handicapped" instead.
If my wife saw what you wrote she would think it was me driving.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Like the scene from "Johnny Dangerously" where the pyscotic gangster parks in a handicapped space. His buddy says "You can't park here its a handicap space" to which he replies "I am handicapped, I'm mentally deranged".
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
One this particular day I happen to be coming down the aisle looking for a space. Now it wasn't a particularly busy day and spaces were abound, so I figured I might get lucky and find one up close so I didn't pull into the first available space like I might usually. One my way down the aisle I look up and see this Dodge Ram 3500 Long Bed QuadCab pickup parked in one of the afore mentioned spaces along this median. Now if a regular extended cab short bed full size truck pokes out if parked there, you can imagine how far how this Dodge was sticking out. To make matters worse, on the other side of the aisle not 2 spaces down, was another older full size Dodge Ram (it was all about the Rams today) parked. Now this wouldn't normally be a problem, but he had not only double parked with a good 1/3 of his vehicle taking up a 3nd space, he neglected to pull all the way in, leaving his back end sticking out into the aisle, effectively cutting the pathway down to a barely negotiable single lane.
I had a good laugh though as I was waiting for the lane to clear of oncoming traffic, I noticed the vehicle shooting the gap was a buddy of mine. As he cleared the hole left by the two trucks and pulled next to me, we had a good laugh about people who needed to learn how to park. Surely they one of the two drivers had noticed the obstruction they were creating when they parked thier vehicle??? :confuse:
Suddenly, all the cars in the left lane slam on their brakes, the big SUV swerves into my lane almost hitting me. I brake hard and go onto the shoulder just missing getting sideswiped. Tires are screeching, horns are blowing and a good time was had by all. I'm dumbfounded at what would cause all this crazy driving. Then I looked back in my mirror.
I see the woman in the Toyota sitting stopped across both lanes of the south bound side (remember she had been going north). Cars south bound were now hitting their brakes because she was blocking the entire road.
As near as I can figure, she had slammed on her brakes when she saw a farm stand on the other side of the road. She didn't use the median to attempt her U-turn but just stopped in the left driving lane. To make matters worse, as she tried to turn she found another car blocking her from pulling up to the farm stand. So SHE PARKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD while she decided what to do next.
Those must of been the best darn tomatoes in the whole world! :mad:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I bet it was tomacco!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I also saw an inconsiderate late 90s Passat in front of my place...as it rear ended a late model Odyssey at about 20mph. Really messed up the VW, fairly light looking damage to the Honda, the later was driven away while the former was not.
Anyway, she didn't move. As I took a closer look at the Tahoe, I realized that it was blinged out. The reverse lights that were on were actually brake lights, but the factory lenses had been replaced with those retarded looking Euro-style fancy shmancy black and carbon fiber and clear and red lenses and the moron that put them in had put the brake light in the reverse light spot. Every time the SUV put on it's brakes the reverse lights came on! :sick:
The whole looked like it was for show with it's 20" highly polished chrome wheels and big tires, chrome door handles, chrome exhaust tip, black black tint and retarded tail lamps. It also had the front lenses modified too...
Ahh, that's what I aspire to. A trophy wife and an outrageously over-blinged gas guzzler. That spells success!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Or as Bud Bundy would say, you can't buy love, but you can rent it. :P
Friday I'm driving on I-90 at about the speed limit. Traffic is moderate-heavy such that both lanes are occupied by cars.
Suddenly a car flys by me going at least 80 and begins to slalom back and forth between the cars in both lanes. All the while he is doing this his left turn signal is on and he has a phone glued to his ear.
This continued until he was out of sight. What happened after that I don't know.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
But being the king, has responsibilites. And sometimes the king makes mistakes. Nowsince I am retired from kinghood, I remember making numerous mistakes as a law enforcement officer.
Also agree there are some kings in their kingdom that are jerks. However, the other 90 % that risk their lives to save people from accidents and murders are more to the truth.
Yesterday, in a city very close to where I live, and next to the freeway I worked years ago, an officer went into a house to save a divorced woman from her (jmo) an insane ex husband was shot to death by the ex. Left a wife and several children. Having been a city king before being a highway king, I know that family disturbances are very deadly to city cops as high speed, and wrong way drivers are to the highway cops, er kings.
I.e. we kings are human and also grieve and we too do the best we can do, and at times, we are inconsiderate and make misteakes, er, mistakes. Now I feel better.
Good luck to all ans ( another mistake) stay safe.
jensad
Good luck to all and stay safe and I am now done.
jensad
Hope I didn't sound anti-police in that post. My uncle had 30+ years on the police force, so they certainly have my respect. That said, being in a position of authority much more is expected of ones conduct. If citizens are expected to follow traffic laws, then all police should be setting a good example for us to follow.
This had to be taken seriously, because if I did not, the next step would be my boss, then it's me on the line, just wanted to say most would not ignore a complaint like that.
And Jensad, right on, 2 months ago, officer I know slightly, traffic stop at 2AM, reason, loud car radio, shot officer in the face 4 times with a 9mm.
I understand what you posted, and I did not take it in any way as derogatory. Indeed, I agree, there are people that should not have been in law enforcement, and that is the 10 % that make the other 90 % viewed in a negative light.
And wesleyg, I am just grateful to be retired, still married to a wonderful wife of 44 years, and thankful for the blessings WE have. And I loved my work and sometimes miss the "action" but not the reports.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
Now I've made mistakes while driving and I'm sure you all have too. But the difference between us and the people we write about is we're sorry for the mistakes we made but those other guys don't know any better or, worse, just don't care.
Gee, I hope there aren't 10% jerks on the typical force.
In our school district we have about a half dozen retired state troopers as bus drivers. We also have a retired Secret Service agent who works as a lunch room monitor.
I occasionally talk to them about their time on the job and have commented that this work must be easy compared to what they previously faced. To a man they all answer the same way. They say that working with kids is much harder because the crooks had the good sense to be afraid of them.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I retired and got a MS in counseling and worked for 7 years in the middle schools as a group therapist. It was as you mentioned, difficult but it was also a very rewarding life experience for me and my co facliltator. The payoff was that many of the group members stopped going to detention and their grades went up. I bet the troopers and Secret Service retiress will say their experiences now are rewarding.
I finally actually retired and next year when my wife retires, we will see the "lower 48" and enjoy our time together.
Hope all have a wonderful day and stay safe. God bless America it's the 11th.
P.S. Maybe oldfarmer50 my 10 % was abit high. But we usually ran the bad ones out of the area/profession.
jensad
jensad, don't neglect #49 when you take the opportunity to tour the lower 48. I would certainly be happy to show you around the Fairbanks area.
All the best -
-Wes-
One our first trip, the entire family did a ship tour. All 16 of us and it was wonderful.
A good friend and fellow CHP, quit the job down here and moved to Anchorage AK. Joined the local police force. Probably retired now.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
Not long later a jerk driving a tow truck, a smoky 30 year old model, decided to blindly and closely cut in front of me, in the left lane, and force me to pass on the right, as his left turn was upcoming...a mile down the road.
Headed down the road through town the SL drops to 45. As you come into town the highway is still relatively clear of business entrances and intersections and this part of the road is usually traveled around 55ish. I say 'ish because if you go faster, you are bound to be ticketed, but rarely for anything 46-55. I am in the left lane, moderate traffic, and a BMW is in the right. I am going 53, the BMW about 50. I pass the BMW and as I get ahead of her (it was a her), she speeds up. At the same time a Chevy truck hurtles upon my bumper. As I can tell he wants to go faster, I attempt to move over, but alas that BMW is still hanging at my rear quarter panel. I increase my speed to 55 to get ahead and move over, but she increases her speed as well, never overtaking me, but not allowing any room for me to move over. This truck is still on my tail and so slowing down would only put him closer to my bumper which I really didn't want. So increase my speed to almost 60 and the BMW matches yet again. By now I am going over what I want to on this stretch of road, and so I start to slow a little to let the BMW pass, but she stays right in my rear quarter area.
However, by now we have entered "town" and a light is coming up about 1/4 mile away. As I look ahead, I can see that my lane is clear all the way to the light while the right lane has a stack of cars in it. I begin braking and the BMW has to stop several cars further back at the light than I do. Also at this point the Chevy truck realizes he is getting nowhere fast and backs off (a little).
There are two lights to go through before the highway opens up again and the left lane fortunately moves quite a bit faster than the right all the way through the 2nd light. After that 1st light I lost the BMW in the line of cars it had to stop for. However myself and this Chevy truck were able to keep going and once through town were able to take the speed back up to around 55ish. Actually I was going about 57 at some points as I tried to find a safe hole to duck into or get past traffic so I could over in order to allow the truck to pass me. I am not trying to sound self-righteous, but I didn't want to have to imped my progress by having to duck dangerously between two cars that were already too close just so some moron behind me can continue his road blazin'. Note I am not trying to play speed cop either. I am going 55ish in a 45 - well over the posted limit; he is on my tail and so I am moving as quickly as I safely feel I can while trying to find a safe hole to get over into.
Then as "luck" would have, we do happen upon a Corolla who did decide they needed to play Civilian Speed Patrol. They were doing about 45ish in the left lane and I came barreling down at 55ish. I thought that maybe they would move over after me hanging out for a few seconds, but to no avail. Granted, there wasn't too many options when I first happened upon them as I was already trying to find a hole. So I did my best not to hover on their bumper. As soon as I saw a hole open up on the right that I knew I could make work, I gave them a few seconds to see the hole and move over, but when they didn't I took the advantage and passed on the right. The Chevy truck that had been tailing me the whole way through town however didn't pull the same maneuver. Actually he could have because by now both lanes had cleared and the only one holding things up was the Corolla.
I watched my mirror and watched the Chevy practically munch the poor Corolla's bumper and then I saw the Corolla dive sharply and the Chevy swerve into the right lane. It was then that I realized that the Corolla had brake checked the Chevy...
Maybe I should have move over quite a bit sooner than I did, but I really did feel I did my best given the situation and I was already doing a pretty good clip although that Chevy truck sure didn't seem to think so...
The deputized speed enforcer Corolla and the tailgating truck (tailgating and truck go together like water and wet) were the real baddies. If the BMW was a 5 series that might explain it....some people say BMW drivers are jerky...I don't often see it, save for late model 5ers.
Corolla driver is lucky the truck driver didn't seek revenge. Most people I see who drive those things are in no position to make demands of how others drive.