Poll: Catch 22 Traffic Law Question...

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

I don't think you would have gotten in trouble for holding up traffic in the left lane. And, well, passing cops is never a good idea anyway.

In any case, you got off with a warning, so wtf are you bitching about?

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
Is this that hard? Speeding is against the law, so you shouldn't have done that (not being holier than thou, just answering). You exit was a left lane exit, so stay in your lane (assuming exit was approaching). If the exit is far away, slow down, move behind the cop, let the guy behind you pass, then get back over for you exit.

"slow down, breaking the law by acting retarded in a passing lane..."

I think slowing down to the speed limit isn't acting retarded. Also, not letting the guy pass is excusable because you had a left exit coming up.

yeah, but we had not only had no clue how far off the exit was, we weren't even sure if we were going to take it... beltway versus doing this...

it just really bothers me that it was such a catch 22.... I am religious about only being in the left lane when I'm overtaking, and at the time we were.... it just bothers me that there was no clear "right" thing to do here.... I have never encountered a situation like this before....

According to state law in Texas is 4 people approach a 4-way stop sign at the same time, the only legal action is: all four proceed causing a 4-way wreck or everyone stays there forever.

There is a "right" thing to do here, don't speed (obvious), and stay out of the passing lane unless your exit was coming up.

Don't know if your taking it, or how far away it is? Simple, more over. Missing you exit is not illegal. Neither is exiting, making a u-turn to get back to it. Again, I'm not playing holier than thou, but that's how to legally work this situation.

Do you stop traffic so you can move over to make your exit? Of course not, you miss the exit and catch the next one.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: conjur
1) Slow down
2) Get behind cop
3) Let faster driver speed past cop
4) Watch cop pull faster driver over
5) Laugh hysterically and take :camera:s

6) Make a thread like this one, except funnier, and with :camera:s

7) speed off into the distance

8) Write book about event
9) Sell book rights to Hollywood
10) Profit!!

You have revealed the missing step. We are coming for you.

-Underpant Gnomes.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
Is this that hard? Speeding is against the law, so you shouldn't have done that (not being holier than thou, just answering). You exit was a left lane exit, so stay in your lane (assuming exit was approaching). If the exit is far away, slow down, move behind the cop, let the guy behind you pass, then get back over for you exit.

"slow down, breaking the law by acting retarded in a passing lane..."

I think slowing down to the speed limit isn't acting retarded. Also, not letting the guy pass is excusable because you had a left exit coming up.

yeah, but we had not only had no clue how far off the exit was, we weren't even sure if we were going to take it... beltway versus doing this...

it just really bothers me that it was such a catch 22.... I am religious about only being in the left lane when I'm overtaking, and at the time we were.... it just bothers me that there was no clear "right" thing to do here.... I have never encountered a situation like this before....

According to state law in Texas is 4 people approach a 4-way stop sign at the same time, the only legal action is: all four proceed causing a 4-way wreck or everyone stays there forever.

There is a "right" thing to do here, don't speed (obvious), and stay out of the passing lane unless your exit was coming up.

Don't know if your taking it, or how far away it is? Simple, more over. Missing you exit is not illegal. Neither is exiting, making a u-turn to get back to it. Again, I'm not playing holier than thou, but that's how to legally work this situation.

Do you stop traffic so you can move over to make your exit? Of course not, you miss the exit and catch the next one.

well, I tend to lock all four of my wheels and slide sideways across 7 lanes of traffic in a purple cloud of tire smoke but we aren't talking about mustangs here.... if we were, that guy would have arrested us for something :roll:

I'm not bitching, I'm just getting input.... I see that the consensus is that we should have slowed and gotten behind the cop or run mirror to mirror with him until he tired of it...

I can't imagine running mirror to mirror with a cop for any lenght of time.... cops hate me :laugh:

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Rogue
Don't know how it is elsewhere and someone already mentioned it, but so far it seems to be ignored.

You CANNOT go over the speed limit to pass someone! It's a common misconception that you can exceed the speed limit for a short period to do so, however, in most states you can't do it. Passing is intended only when a vehicle is going slower than the posted speed limit. Then, and only then, can you accelerate up to the POSTED SPEED LIMIT to pass.

Example: large truck is going 55mph in a 65mph zone due to a large load that's he's hauling. You may pass him, but you may only go 65mph or less to do so.

I know this is technically correct, but who the hell does that anyway? Around where I live, the roads aren't flat forever (so you can't see who's coming way off in the distance), but they're not too hilly to the point that it's not safe to pass (as long as you can do it quickly).

The problem is if you need to pass Jenny-bob Slowpants doing 45 in the 55 mph area, and you have to keep it <= 55mph, then you may be beyond the top of the next hill before you get back in your own lane. Faced with the choice of either 1) doing 60 mph or so to get past them, or 2) wasting time and getting PO because I'm late to [whatever I'm doing], I'll choose the former, as long as no police are in sight.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: conjur
1) Slow down
2) Get behind cop
3) Let faster driver speed past cop
4) Watch cop pull faster driver over
5) Laugh hysterically and take :camera:s

6) Make a thread like this one, except funnier, and with :camera:s

7) speed off into the distance

8) Write book about event
9) Sell book rights to Hollywood
10) Profit!!

You have revealed the missing step. We are coming for you.

-Underpant Gnomes.

:Q

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
it just really bothers me that it was such a catch 22.... I am religious about only being in the left lane when I'm overtaking, and at the time we were.... it just bothers me that there was no clear "right" thing to do here.... I have never encountered a situation like this before....

There was a VERY clear "right" thing to do, if by "right" you mean "unlikely to get me a ticket OR piss anyone off". Merge right and cruise behind the cop, going his speed, letting the traffic to your left pass you. As soon as you see your exit coming up, merge left and take it.

<Nick Burns>"Was that so hard!??"</Nick Burns>

 

[TTM77]

Here is your only choice...say this "I'm sorry officer, my brain is not up to speed to out smarted you right now because it's on boos. Else you wouldn't have a chance to catch me!!!" *then laugh really hard*

 

[TimMyMac]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Screw it, even knowing that it got you pulled over, I still would've done it. Pulled over for 70 in a 65, HAH! He's got nothing better to do. I'm not a fan of showing weakness around the cops. Not that I'm going to break the law in their face, but hell, 70 in a 65? Get real!

most of the time anything from 1-10 MPH, especially when you are driving 70-ish, can ussually be brushed off as mechanical error, cars have gotten better these days but, with regular dials you WILL have some variation in speed from one car to another.