[Leekay07]

Why do cops sit on the side of the highway with lights on and then pull over the next car that fails to move over.

It sets a very bad example of how to exploit the any and all law for capital gain. A law put in place to save lives of people who really are trying to assist other road users. Not only does this taint any respect people have for police officers but it also increases the already terrible image of state troopers.

I always move over for people on the side of the road because you never know who or what is getting out the parked car but lately I have seen some pretty shady stuff by comps. Namely parking on the left side of the road with lights on for no reason but to catch people out on the move over law.

[SCS15]

Im not law enforcement here but lemme just ask you a question...

If he had a car pulled over and a passer-by didnt move over whats the difference then if he didn't have a car pulled over. The person still didnt move over and obid to the law... And I doubt they were able to see over the patrol car and bright ass lights to notice there was no one stopped anyway.

[maristgrad09]

Lets just say for hypothetical purposes there is a person they have been investigating for a while for like drug trafficking. On the day they decide to arrest the person in transit, while driving the criminal doesn't break any other traffic laws... he stays in the left lane going 55mph, signaling and everything else.. but they don't move over for a stopped emergency vehicle. When they pull that person over and it goes to court and the judge asks "why did u pull this person over, do you ever pull people over for that..." You have proof that it is your normal procedure. That and quota

[Leekay07]

I totally agree with you. My problem is they are using this law for capital gain. I drive the same stretch of road every week and between exit 20+21A on I87 to Albany they do this deliberately. Park on the center of the highway with lights on and you can see them for almost 2,000 yards I would hazard a guess at and they do nothing. Lane will be empty because all of us will move over and the one person that thinks this guys doing nothing but forcing traffic to bottle neck needlessly will stay in the lane and bam he will pull them.

LOL I am just saying this is really a pretty crappy stunt. The highway is littered with road crew why not go sit by them with the lights on and help keep them safe and ticket the loser who doesn't move over.

[Leekay07]

Originally Posted by maristgrad09

Lets just say for hypothetical purposes there is a person they have been investigating for a while for like drug trafficking. On the day they decide to arrest the person in transit, while driving the criminal doesn't break any other traffic laws... he stays in the left lane going 55mph, signaling and everything else.. but they don't move over for a stopped emergency vehicle. When they pull that person over and it goes to court and the judge asks "why did u pull this person over, do you ever pull people over for that..." You have proof that it is your normal procedure. That and quota

This seems a very logical response but still pisses me off especially when I saw 3 road works crew seeping the highway with no cones no nothing Wednesday morning trying to clean up the mess left by some kid who just lost control of his car and mounted a guard rail and shared his cars liquid and glass content for every other road user. and I saw nobs drive in the lane without moving over. Just makes me pretty Between the same exits.

[jeanmary456]

Originally Posted by maristgrad09

Lets just say for hypothetical purposes there is a person they have been investigating for a while for like drug trafficking. On the day they decide to arrest the person in transit, while driving the criminal doesn't break any other traffic laws... he stays in the left lane going 55mph, signaling and everything else.. but they don't move over for a stopped emergency vehicle. When they pull that person over and it goes to court and the judge asks "why did u pull this person over, do you ever pull people over for that..." You have proof that it is your normal procedure. That and quota

wow i had no idea thanks

[MikeyComputers]

just downshift ! and dip!

[2M]

Wait so if a cop is pulled over in the right shoulder, you have no right passing him in the right lane, so you have to switch in the middle lane before passing him?

[Leekay07]

Originally Posted by Alpine3

Wait so if a cop is pulled over in the right shoulder, you have no right passing him in the right lane, so you have to switch in the middle lane before passing him?

correct.

[N8N]

Originally Posted by Alpine3

Wait so if a cop is pulled over in the right shoulder, you have no right passing him in the right lane, so you have to switch in the middle lane before passing him?

In many places yes, or slow to "a reasonable and prudent speed" if it is not possible to move over (similar laws for at least VA, MD, and PA)

It's pretty much ignored here in NoVA as it's literally impossible to move over on many highways without cutting someone off, traffic is so dense. But it is still the law.

I believe that in most places it applies not only to police but to any emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights, including road crews.

[andrew335i]

Originally Posted by Leekay07

correct.

Yes sir. The state of NY just passed this law about a year ago. You must leave atleast one lane between you and ANY emergency vehicle.

[1QuikWS6]

I guess I still don't understand why you don't just simply move over (if safely possible) regardless of why he is there as it IS the law in many states?

Could be he had someone pulled over at that spot, already gave out the ticket and the perp had already pulled away - yet he was still off the side finishing up whatever they do after they give you a ticket (seen this many times).

Personally, I never have a problem with this law as I am in fast lane passing most of the time anyway, & cops tend to pull over on right side shoulder of road - I have never seen a cop pull over someone in center of highway - only there if there has been an accident where vehicle cannot be safely moved to shoulder...