OK, lock request, thanks for the (redundant) input

[Capt Caveman]

Sorry, rudeguy - link. Faith in humanity not to be restored today. Look at the date of the thread. Makes the question has he been driving with no license/insurance since then? Scary.

Wow! If the mods can get his personal info, he should be reported before he kills someone. Seriously, WTF!

 

[Capt Caveman]

I was coming back from the supermarket tonight, 11:30pm (they close at midnight). Tooling down the highway, driving the speed limit. Saw the cops on the right shoulder up about one mile away with their lights on. There was a tractor trailer about 30 feet ahead of me, in the nearest lane. Figured he'd want to move over, so I changed lanes to let him slide over (toward the left).

Passed the cop, changed lanes back (so did the big rig). I got over to the right hand lane because my exit was coming up, using my blinkers and changing lanes safely. Just as I took the exit ramp, I notice this car in my rear view coming up on me very aggressively. Looking at the headlight and grill configuration, I can tell its a Ford Crown Victoria, and then half-way up the exit ramp, I can see the lights on top (but they were off). Its either the Highway Patrol or my local PD, they have nearly identical cars.

I figured, the way he came up on me so fast, he was responding to another call or complaint. So I wasn't worried about it, I figured he would just pass me. I turned and crossed the overpass. He got right on my ass. I was like..."WTH?" There is absolutely no reason for him to be scrutinizing me, at all. I did nothing unsafe or any moving violations, everything on my car is in order, so I was still expecting him to blow by me at any time, on the way to some other thing. He had multiple opportunities, there was not a single oncoming car in the other direction.

But then he follows me for like another two miles and two turns, passed about six cross streets. Fucker. He never pulled me over but bricks were being shat because I don't have a license.

I hate it when their only reason for scrutinizing you is "Ahh yes, a car. And its driving, on the road. And driving the speed limit, no less. Very suspicious. Good enough reason to run his plates and follow behind him for three fucking miles."

Quoted for evidence.

 

[zerocool84]

Wow! If the mods can get his personal info, he should be reported before he kills someone. Seriously, WTF!

Seriously, that's more dangerous than a drunk driver.

 

[JDawg1536]

no no no...you are looking at it all wrong.

Its not about personal responsibility. Its about being able to transfer his fear of being arrested into anger at the cop for doing his job. The cop is obviously in the wrong. He should have been a school teacher. Or a coal miner. Until the OP crashes his car into a barrier doing 75 MPH and the OP needs help. Then he will be screaming for a cop.

Douchebag OP is douchey

Indeed.

I was an MP, have cops in my family, and some very good friends are cops. I'd go out on ride alongs with one of my friends frequently. It was amazing how many speeders, red-light runners, stop-sign rollers, etc... he would let go, then out of nowhere he would spot a tail light out on the opposite side of a vehicle driving toward us an pull him over. Nine times out of ten there were hard drugs in the car, warrants, weapons, no licenses (ahem), etc.. So why was the cop scrutinizing you, op? Because something seemed fishy to him.... and he was right. Stop breaking the law, a$$hole.

 

[Bignate603]

Sorry, rudeguy - link. Faith in humanity not to be restored today. Look at the date of the thread. Makes the question has he been driving with no license/insurance since then? Scary.

Wow... just wow. I too agree that the mods should send his info to the police. What he's doing is inexcusable.

 

[FallenHero]

OP sounds like a child. A child and a troll. STFU and move on with life. Heaven forbid a cop actually is looking for drunk drivers or UNLICENSED DRIVERS.

 

[exdeath]

There is absolutely no reason for him to be scrutinizing me, at all. I did nothing unsafe or any moving violations, everything on my car is in order,

I don't have a license.

:hmm:

 

[BoomerD]

Since MOST auto insurance won't cover an unlicensed driver, the OP was definitely putting the public at risk...especially in light of the info posted by allisolm.
Too bad the cop didn't follow his first instincts.

So OP, was it CHP, Merced County, or Livingston City?

 

[CurseTheSky]

This reminds me of the thread on some (Florida, I think) message board a while ago where a kid bitches that he got cited for driving too slow, and openly admits that he was driving ridiculously fast. Of course, to his surprise, the cop happens to be a member of the same message board and utterly owns him for his stupidity. Anyone got a link?

OP:
- You were driving without a license, with a known medical condition which has caused serious accidents in the past. You're already in the wrong, both legally and morally.
- You were lucky enough NOT to get pulled over, but still feel the need to come here and bitch about your lucky break, just because a cop followed you for a while?

Get a clue. Do yourself a favor and thank whatever higher power you believe in, if any at all, rather than complaining about your apparent inconvenience. Then, do the rest of us a favor and STAY THE FUCK OFF THE ROAD until you are deemed medically capable and regain your license. Thanks.

 

[SooperDave]

Since MOST auto insurance won't cover an unlicensed driver, the OP was definitely putting the public at risk...especially in light of the info posted by allisolm.
Too bad the cop didn't follow his first instincts.

So OP, was it CHP, Merced County, or Livingston City?

I knew he lived in the area but I didn't know he was that close to me.

 

[Rifter]

OP is an idiot, i dispatch tow trucks and have seen the results of people falling asleep at the wheel, driving drunk, or just incompentnt idiots driving with no license and have no idea how to drive. IMO what the OP is doing is as serious as attempted murder and should be reported to police by the mods.

 

[tcsenter]

So OP, was it CHP, Merced County, or Livingston City?

I couldn't tell, but it wasn't Merced because they drive white cars.

As for how "dangerous" it is for me to drive, the previously linked post describing my accidents and near-accidents referred to the 10+ year period BEFORE being diagnosed with narcolepsy or even being aware that I was suffering from some serious sleep disorder, thus I did not understand what I was up against, what my limitations were, and why I was having such problems with drowsiness. Allisom is well-aware that she was deliberately misrepresenting the facts by posting a link to that conversation out of its context.

Studies have repeatedly found that persons who are not aware of their condition are the real danger behind the wheel, NOT those who are finally diagnosed, understand the condition (thus their limitations), and are receiving treatment.

Since being diagnosed nine years ago and understanding exactly what my condition is, and making adjustments to my lifestyle, I have never had an accident nor even a near accident. I have lived with this for some 20 years, and now that I am aware of the condition, I know what I'm capable of doing and what I'm not capable of doing. e.g. I would never attempt to drive for longer trips without assistance or company, or during certain periods of the day where I am most likely to experience episodes of sleepiness, or when I'm not feeling alert. For those who aren't aware, narcolepsy is predominantly a disorder of excessive DAYTIME sleepiness, not "any time" sleepiness. Its mostly during daylight hours.

Like I said, the process of obtaining medical clearance is a long one, but I objectively meet all criteria to be granted clearance. Who says? My physician does, who has agreed to help me get my license back by attesting to those objective criteria.

 

[jlee]

Like I said, the process of obtaining medical clearance is a long one, but I objectively meet all criteria to be granted clearance. Who says? My physician does, who has agreed to help me get my license back by attesting to those objective criteria.

So it's taken nine years?

The state says you can't drive. That trumps your physician, who cannot directly grant you your license back.

I'd whack you with op w/o valid license, and the owner of the car for allowing an improper person to drive. Consider yourself lucky you didn't get stopped.

 

[tcsenter]

So you determined that it is OK for you to drive with your " medical " condition and endanger everyone on the road. And then claim the cops are fucked up.

See my post above. My condition is "manageable", but not curable. That means I can mitigate the risk, limit my exposure to certain things that aggravate the severity of my symptoms, do some things that help reduce the severity of my symptoms (i.e. by taking periodic naps or napping when I start to feel tired), and out-right avoid certain things that I know I can't do, but only if I'm aware of what the condition is or understand it. Before being diagnosed with narcolepsy or even being aware that I was suffering from some kind of medical problem, I was a HUGE risk behind the wheel. I've never denied that and have only admitted it freely. It scares the shit out of me how much of a risk I was BEFORE being diagnosed.

Since being diagnosed and understanding what I'm up against, I'm not a significant risk behind the wheel. I have never had an accident or near-accident since being diagnosed nine years ago. The difference is night and day.

Its unfortunate that some people are assuming the worst (with the help of Allisom, who knows that post about my narcolepsy being out-of-control BEFORE being diagnosed was completely out of context).

 

[tcsenter]

So it's taken nine years?

I only recently decided to try getting my license back simply because I also suffer from some moderately fucking terrible depression. Its extremely hard for me to get up in front of people face-to-face and talk about my condition. Plus, I had some negative impressions about my battle to get disability (having to hire an attorney, go to court). It wasn't a great experience. I could envision having to do the same thing to get my license back, and I just haven't had much fight left to offer in recent years. If you don't know what that's like, to not feel as though there is any fight left in you, consider yourself lucky.

I'd whack you with op w/o valid license, and the owner of the car for allowing an improper person to drive. Consider yourself lucky you didn't get stopped.

Of course I do. That doesn't mean one cannot also be a little miffed about being scrutinized like that for no reason.

If I had left out the little detail about not having a license, you and I both know that 95% of the responses here would have been in complete agreement (it rubs most people the wrong way when it happens to them).

 

[jlee]

If I had left out the little detail about not having a license, you and I both know that 95% of the responses here would have been in complete agreement (it rubs most people the wrong way when it happens to them).

And the other 5% would suspect that there was more to the story, which there usually is.

Funny how that works.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

I've got to say that there's been far too much OP bashing in this thread.

Enough people have made the point that the OP should be careful while driving, and that driving without a license is a poor choice. Hopefully, tcsenter, you're able to make transportation arrangements so you're not driving until you have your license. Yes, I don't agree that police officers should run up on your car, it's a dangerous driving tactic and you just don't know how someone's going to react/handle road rage. IF they need to get close to run your plates, fine, but they could at least show some respect for other drivers.

 

[jlee]

I've got to say that there's been far too much OP bashing in this thread.

Enough people have made the point that the OP should be careful while driving, and that driving without a license is a poor choice. Hopefully, tcsenter, you're able to make transportation arrangements so you're not driving until you have your license. Yes, I don't agree that police officers should run up on your car, it's a dangerous driving tactic and you just don't know how someone's going to react/handle road rage. IF they need to get close to run your plates, fine, but they could at least show some respect for other drivers.

If your mental state is so bad that you're going to road rage because a cruiser is behind you, IMHO it's far better to happen right then (with someone equipped to deal with you) than it is for you to go off on some poor hapless soccer mom who wasn't paying attention.

 

[tcsenter]

And the other 5% would suspect that there was more to the story, which there usually is. Funny how that works.

Had there been more to the story, such as I may have neglected to mention that I was driving a little fast or something, he WOULD have stopped me. He didn't, because there wasn't. Kudos to him for at least that.

What's even funnier, is that I'm the one usually supporting the cops on these forums and half of those weighing in favor of the cops here are usually bashing them for any little exaggerated reason.

Now that's funny.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

It's obvious the OP will have to kill someone before he admits he shouldn't be driving. Even then... I'm sure he'll have a great excuse.

 

[Kirby]

I'd whack you like Rodney King, and the owner of the car for allowing an improper person to drive. Consider yourself lucky you didn't get stopped.

 

[tcsenter]

It's obvious the OP will have to kill someone before he admits he shouldn't be driving. Even then... I'm sure he'll have a great excuse.

Yes, obvious.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I was coming back from the supermarket tonight, 11:30pm (they close at midnight). Tooling down the highway, driving the speed limit. Saw the cops on the right shoulder up about one mile away with their lights on. There was a tractor trailer about 30 feet ahead of me, in the nearest lane. Figured he'd want to move over, so I changed lanes to let him slide over (toward the left).

Passed the cop, changed lanes back (so did the big rig). I got over to the right hand lane because my exit was coming up, using my blinkers and changing lanes safely. Just as I took the exit ramp, I notice this car in my rear view coming up on me very aggressively. Looking at the headlight and grill configuration, I can tell its a Ford Crown Victoria, and then half-way up the exit ramp, I can see the lights on top (but they were off). Its either the Highway Patrol or my local PD, they have nearly identical cars.

I figured, the way he came up on me so fast, he was responding to another call or complaint. So I wasn't worried about it, I figured he would just pass me. I turned and crossed the overpass. He got right on my ass. I was like..."WTH?" There is absolutely no reason for him to be scrutinizing me, at all. I did nothing unsafe or any moving violations, everything on my car is in order, so I was still expecting him to blow by me at any time, on the way to some other thing. He had multiple opportunities, there was not a single oncoming car in the other direction.

But then he follows me for like another two miles and two turns, passed about six cross streets. Fucker. He never pulled me over but bricks were being shat because I don't have a license.

I hate it when their only reason for scrutinizing you is "Ahh yes, a car. And its driving, on the road. And driving the speed limit, no less. Very suspicious. Good enough reason to run his plates and follow behind him for three fucking miles."

So you deliberately changed lanes after the cop would have seen you head lights and then passed him on the opposite side of a big rig? You know what? That's what a criminal who didn't want his plates run would likely do... knowing that, I would have definately wanted to get a look at the plates if I was a cop!

Sorry, rudeguy - link. Faith in humanity not to be restored today. Look at the date of the thread. Makes the question has he been driving with no license/insurance since then? Scary.

That is damn scary... driving around since ~1993 with narcolypsy? Lucky no one was seriously hurt. REALLY LUCKY!

 

[tcsenter]

So you deliberately changed lanes after the cop would have seen you head lights and then passed him on the opposite side of a big rig? You know what? That's what a criminal who didn't want his plates run would likely do... knowing that, I would have definately wanted to get a look at the plates if I was a cop!

Good lord, that's not what I said.

When I first saw the flashing lights, we were one mile+ away from the officer. The big rig was in the far right lane, the officer was on the right shoulder. I was in the middle lane of a three lane highway. I anticipated the big rig would want to move over into the middle lane (they are required to do this in some states). So I moved from the middle lane to the far left lane. And the big rig immediately put on his blinker and started to move over, exactly as I anticipated he would. He even thanked me by flashing his lights. We proceeded in this configuration until we passed the cop. The big rig moved back into the right lane and I moved to the middle lane, and then to the right lane (behind the big rig), because my exit was coming up.

That is damn scary... driving around since ~1993 with narcolypsy? Lucky no one was seriously hurt. REALLY LUCKY!

Fer sure. I'm atheist but it still makes my hair stand-up thinking how many near-accidents I averted at the last second, before being diagnosed. I blew the law of averages completely out of the water, BEFORE being diagnosed.

Since being diagnosed, I haven't had a single incident or near-incident of any sort. Spin that into something that I never said or implied.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Good lord, that's not what I said.

When I first saw the flashing lights, we were one mile+ away from the officer. The big rig was in the far right lane, the officer was on the right shoulder. I was in the middle lane of a three lane highway. I anticipated the big rig would want to move over into the middle lane (they are required to do this in some states). So I moved from the middle lane to the far left lane. And the big rig immediately put on his blinker and started to move over, exactly as I anticipated he would. He even thanked me by flashing his lights. We proceeded in this configuration until we passed the cop. The big rig moved back into the right lane and I moved to the middle lane, and then to the right lane (behind the big rig), because my exit was coming up.

Fer sure. I'm atheist but it still makes my hair stand-up thinking how many near-accidents I averted at the last second, before being diagnosed. I blew the law of averages completely out of the water, BEFORE being diagnosed.

Since being diagnosed, I haven't had a single incident or near-incident of any sort. Spin that into something that I never said or implied.

I was perhaps not the most eloquent... I was trying to suggest that if a cop had spotted you and wanted to run your plates, and you had (not deliberately as you state) moved out of his sight, he may view it as an attempt to hide from scrutiny...