Cop driving without headlights on. Is that legal?

[weflyhigh]

I went to see Toy Story 3 with some friends tonight (it was fucking amazing) and when I was leaving there was a DUI checkpoint in the middle of the road (611 in PA for you drunks). They were stopping every car and asking where have you been and have you had anything to drink.

I went through the checkpoint and being annoyed at waiting forever, I was going about 10 over the speed limit minding my own business and then all of a sudden lights come on behind me. Not blue and red, just headlights. They weren't on before... the cop must have not had them on so I wouldn't see him (which I didn't)? Or maybe forgot? I just let off the gas to the speed limit and he turned into a Wawa and I went on my way.

Is that legal?

 

[MJinZ]

Yup

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

What's with all of your "is it legal" threads lately?

is it legal to ask for ID when using a CC?
is it legal for the DMV to not accept money?

 

[vshah]

OP is planning something, we just need to figure out what it is.

 

[mugs]

I doubt he was driving very far before he turned on the headlights. He was probably sitting on the side of the road and pulled out when you passed him.

Where on 611?

 

[weflyhigh]

I doubt he was driving very far before he turned on the headlights. He was probably sitting on the side of the road and pulled out when you passed him.

Where on 611?

a bit before here

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...09491,-75.138352&spn=0.004105,0.0081&t=h&z=17


Can someone explain to me why a drunk person would go through one of these checkpoints? You could see the signs for the checkpoint like a mile away with tons of flashing police lights... Just make a U-turn and take some back roads?
Although, I could definitely see someone being like, "I'm not that drunk, I can go through" and then start going through and getting really flustered. Like 20 cop cars with their lights on and a tight little path to navigate could get overwhelming.

 

[AndroidVageta]

I highly doubt that even for a cop it is legal...you NEED to headlights on at night not just so that YOU can see while driving but also so that those on the road with you can see you as well.

If it is legal for cops to drive with no headlights Id love to know why they can put others lives at risk.

 

[mugs]

a bit before here

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...09491,-75.138352&spn=0.004105,0.0081&t=h&z=17


Can someone explain to me why a drunk person would go through one of these checkpoints? You could see the signs for the checkpoint like a mile away with tons of flashing police lights... Just make a U-turn and take some back roads?
Although, I could definitely see someone being like, "I'm not that drunk, I can go through" and then start going through and getting really flustered. Like 20 cop cars with their lights on and a tight little path to navigate could get overwhelming.

There are usually cops watching for people who make U-turns, and they pull them over.

 

[Perknose]

I went to see Toy Story 3 with some friends tonight (it was fucking amazing) and when I was leaving there was a DUI checkpoint in the middle of the road (611 in PA for you drunks).

You live up this way?

What the hell were you doing delivering pizza in Chester before, then?

Fyi, the Doylestown Intelligencer always helpfully posts in advance where and when all the checkpoints are going to be.

At the bitter end of me getting that paper, it was just about the only really useful thing in it.

 

[MJinZ]

I highly doubt that even for a cop it is legal...you NEED to headlights on at night not just so that YOU can see while driving but also so that those on the road with you can see you as well.

If it is legal for cops to drive with no headlights Id love to know why they can put others lives at risk.

I'm sure that smart little brain of yours can think of a few reasons.

 

[SampSon]

Bust out your military ID and ask if thats legal.

 

[AndroidVageta]

I'm sure that smart little brain of yours can think of a few reasons.

Well of course...to do things like making busts and what not...for obvious secretive reasons and shit like that...but they cant just drive around all willy nilly like without their headlights on.

Either case this thread is kinda dumb.

 

[MJinZ]

Well of course...to do things like making busts and what not...for obvious secretive reasons and shit like that...but they cant just drive around all willy nilly like without their headlights on.

Either case this thread is kinda dumb.

They can drive around slowly without headlights and make up some bullshit.

It's legal and that's what they do (Collect taxes).

 

[dahunan]

Maybe it was a driveby

You ask why am i like this?
Cuz you wanna hear about shit like this
So i tell it,how i know it,just hope the fuck i dont show it
Niggaz out frontn ,lottering and looting.
Lets recreate a drive by shooting
More brothers in a car blocks away
Waiting to spray, shotgun,mack10 and an ak
They roll thru to a line of awesome dude`s
It was 9 just like tha fuck they figured
Go around tha corner come back real slow
Lights off,cars in neutral,rolln at a snails pace and creepn
Hoping to catch all of them sleepn,a so called gang,drugs and sex (nwa)
Start busting a cap and all tha others jet,3 of`em fall to their doom
Pronounced dead at the scence,with gun shot wounds

 

[BoomerD]

Pull out your ROTC ID, make a citizen's arrest and declare martial law.

 

[HOWITIS]

holy shit, this guy is trying to use a stolen credit card at the dmv in some type of illegal activity. Then he is going to comb for cops to make sure he can getaway. i also suspect this has something to do with an anti-religion fat gay guy.

 

[theflyingpig]

It's as legal as a cop killing a dog.

 

[0roo0roo]

It's as legal as a cop killing a dog.

wait..aren't you forgetting something?

 

[alfa147x]

Pull out your ROTC ID, make a citizen's arrest and declare martial law.

BWhahahhahaa fucking awesome!

 

[PlasmaBomb]

OP is planning something, we just need to figure out what it is.

He is a terrorist!!!

 

[alkemyst]

You really don't have to answer "where have you been", I have never been asked that in any stop. Sometimes if it's really late I may get ask "why am I out" which I answer "because I want to be".

IRT if I have been drinking, it's always "NO". There is only one reason to say "Yes", that's if you want to begin the process of being booked.

Many that have been drinking will say "Yes, but it was several hours now and only 1 or 2". Whether this is true or not, the cop assumes that you know you are probably intoxicated/have been drinking and trying to rationalize.

Say no to curbsides too. Tell the officer you have no problem with a blood test, but do not feel yourself capable of hearing commands roadside nor performing balance acts.

I pressed on the curbside tests, I usually say I have an inner ear deficiency that affects my balance and ability to hear properly with any background noises...that I am worried about hurting myself or not hearing a car coming.

The cop is looking at each DUI arrest as at least $5000 in the coffers.

 

[jlee]

You really don't have to answer "where have you been", I have never been asked that in any stop. Sometimes if it's really late I may get ask "why am I out" which I answer "because I want to be".

IRT if I have been drinking, it's always "NO". There is only one reason to say "Yes", that's if you want to begin the process of being booked.

Many that have been drinking will say "Yes, but it was several hours now and only 1 or 2". Whether this is true or not, the cop assumes that you know you are probably intoxicated/have been drinking and trying to rationalize.

Say no to curbsides too. Tell the officer you have no problem with a blood test, but do not feel yourself capable of hearing commands roadside nor performing balance acts.

I pressed on the curbside tests, I usually say I have an inner ear deficiency that affects my balance and ability to hear properly with any background noises...that I am worried about hurting myself or not hearing a car coming.

The attorney is looking at each DUI arrest as at least $5000 in the coffers.

Fixed.

 

[Hacp]

Its illegal when the cops say its illegal.

 

[alkemyst]

Fixed.

Not attorney at all. Most won't take a real DUI case for less than $10k though.

All areas are a bit different but most break down like this:

1) You have impound which is at an extremely high tow rate. They must tow your car. You can't have someone else take it and even if it's already in your driveway it has to be towed.

2) you have to pay for 10 days of booting your car

3) you have court costs, DUI school and two mandatory classes. All cost a bit of money. You have a court fine of $500-2000 here (<.15 $500 to 1000, >.15 $1000-2000)

4) you have to serve or pay out 50 hours minimum of community service time

5) you have to get rides the first 90 days at least and then have a work only permit an additional 3 months.

6) Judge may put you in jail...it's rare, but not uncommon to get weekend stays for someone that caused property damage/personal injury.

The average here when it's all said and done is about $5000 if you buy out the community service time ($10/hr @ 50 hours mandatory). That's with no attorney involved and just the minimum mandatory penalties.

 

[killster1]

you dont have to get rides they dont even take your license that i know of till your found guilty and then you can have your restricted. Lawyers will take case for 2k im sure. Also i like to flash my high beams at anyone with out headlights cops included hehe. I once flashed them at undercover narq's im sure they loved that.