Things I fail to comprehend:

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
06/26/2014 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

When people are driving down the highway at or below the speed limit and they approach an officer of the law, whom is pulled over on the side of the road, with all his lights flashing away, and some poor SOB pulled over in front of him...

Why? Why do you people jack on your breaks as if A) you were going faster than the speed limit (you do know you can not get pulled over for driving at or below the speed limit unless you were doing something else wrong too, right?) B) that cop would see you and think "Well that guy appeared to be going 1 mph over the speed limit, and while I have this guy here whom I have already clocked well over the limit, I think Ill run back to my car, go catch up to this guy, and hopefully, maybe he is speeding more? And C) then continue to drive down the highway at the now slower than before, well under the limit speed?

I just don't get it.

DISCUSSION (30)

$kaycog > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:03

Me neither. I see it all the time.

EL_ULY > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:03

lol 100% true

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:04

my favorite is when they're going the speed limit, see a cop and JAB there breaks.

nothing looks more obvious to a cop on the side of the road than your front end nose diving as you're flying down the highway. just let off, or lightly press the brakes.

mcseanerson > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:05

You're free to go Mr.Bin Laden. I have bigger fish to fry. Nobody does 57 in a 55 on my watch.

thebigbossyboss > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:05

Things I fail to comprehend: Prius.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:05

Also when there is a police car driving under the speed limit on a multilane road and everyone stacks up behind it. Yes, it is indeed legal to pass a police car that is driving under the speed limit.

jariten1781 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/26/2014 at 11:07

Handbrake, no lights. It's like those folks were never teenagers.

Forgetful > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:08

We have a 'Slow Down and Pull Over' law in BC.

When a driver is approaching or passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a roadway, the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations requires drivers traveling in both directions to:

Drive at no more than 70 km/h where speed limit is 80 km/h or more

Drive at no more than 40 km/h where speed limit is less than 80 km/h

ttyymmnn > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:09

In some jurisdictions, notably here in TX, they have recently passed "move over" laws that state that drivers must change lanes to give an emergency vehicle room on the shoulder. If they can't change lanes, they must reduce speed to 20 below the posted limit while passing the emergency vehicle.

Now, in your case, I would guess that those people are probably being stupid and reactionary, rather than safe or law-abiding. It also bugs the shit out of me that when a cop is trolling for speeders and going 5-10 under the limit, people refuse to pass him while going the limit. Passing a cop is not, in itself, a crime.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > jariten1781
06/26/2014 at 11:09

oh please don't encourage those idiots to touch their hand brake at highway speeds. lol

They'll click it in place by not holding the button down aaaaaaand pile up crash.

They can't even use the normal brake subtly!

CAR_IS_MI > thebigbossyboss
06/26/2014 at 11:09

I started writing that article 10 years ago. There's so much non-comprehendo that I am still writing.

mcseanerson > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
06/26/2014 at 11:10

I like to push my luck and follow out of jurisdiction cops with no lights who are speeding. They would have a hard time explaining why they pulled me over and let the officer go who was also breaking the law.

jariten1781 > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:11

Some places have move over/ slow down laws. Doesn't excuse not picking up after you pass though. Texas, for example requires you to be 20 under the speed limit!:

The "Move Over Act" (Sec. 545.157 of the Texas Transportation Code) requires motorists approaching emergency vehicles that are stopped with their lights flashing by the sides of roads to move out of the lanes closest to these vehicles or to reduce speed to 20 mph under the posted limit. (If the speed limit is less than 25 mph, motorists must slow to 5 mph.)

CAR_IS_MI > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
06/26/2014 at 11:11

I had this once on a 5 lane highway. It was frustrating but a bit hilarious. There was a hill and the cop was one lane from the right and you could see, no one in front of or next to the cop, and about 100 feet behind the cop, all the other cars had formed a straight line across all five lanes. like something out of a movie.

CAR_IS_MI > Forgetful
06/26/2014 at 11:12

Most states have a similar law that says either move left one lane or slow down if you must stay in the right most lane.

jariten1781 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/26/2014 at 11:13

Haha, I've actually been in a car when a dumbass did that. Didn't cause a wreck but did give a lovely tinge of burning brakes for a bit.

CAR_IS_MI > ttyymmnn
06/26/2014 at 11:15

We have the same law out here, but again, the slow down part applies to the guy who is in the right most lane and cant move over one left to give the cop room, not the guy 4 lanes over in the left most lane. or everyone else in every other lane...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > jariten1781
06/26/2014 at 11:16

Hahahahaha.

Good thing he wasn't a few more "clicks" up

McLarry > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:17

Argh I hate that too! "AHH! A cop!" "Umm...in case you hadn't noticed he's already pretty busy."

Then there's the 'slam the brakes' folks. My wife still thinks this is the best thing to do, even though it's inherently unsafe to suddenly stomp on your brake pedal on the highway, and the cop will see your front end dip.

McLarry > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/26/2014 at 11:18

This! Downshift and engine brake if lifting won't slow you down fast enough.

anonsagainstanonymous > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
06/26/2014 at 11:22

"Yeah! Someone overtake that slow pig! Not me, though, because, umm.. I'm fine here and all. So someone else ... Anyone? Okay I'll just stay here then." -me every time.

zeontestpilot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/26/2014 at 11:41

I always found that amusing. Oh, cop, BRAKE!

zeontestpilot > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:43

One time, in FL, me and this other guy were in the lanes next to each other, going about 5 over the limit. We kept going and going and then he brakes just before we come in front of the sheriff's building. I knew I was over, I wasn't going to hide it. But I also knew the cops go 10 over the limit, so I figured I could get away with a 5.

KnotThatBusy > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 11:50

Always wondered this myself.....until 2 years ago, I got pulled over even going under the speed limit. Was in the Florida Keys on Card Sound Road...2 laner. 2 cops had a dude busted, well pulled over on the grass median about 10 yards off the road. Look into rearview mirror and one cop SPRINTS to his truck, lights me up, and pulls me and my 80+ year old parents over. 50 mph in a 55 mph during, 'National Pullover for Emergency Vehicles Month.' I was supposed to be going 10 mph under and veering over from the side of the road. I was 'yes siring' him for a good 2 minutes. Tried to point out it was a 2 lane road and I was slowing down. I mean this guy was PISSED! I thought my mother (riding shotgun and cop yelling through the passenger side window) was going to start crying... Kept my composure, kept apologizing and finally made off with a warning...."DO YOU KNOW WE WRITE THE MOST TRAFFIC TICKETS IN AMERICA IN THE KEYS!" I do now......be careful driving in the keys, my friends. Not making excuses, just telling my story.

CAR_IS_MI > KnotThatBusy
06/26/2014 at 11:56

But how could he know you were going 50 and not 45 unless he had a radar on you?? I mean sure, over time from constantly watching cars go by as you radar them you probably get pretty decent at judging speed, but it would LITERALLY NEVER hold up in any courtroom.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 12:01

When a cop has pulled somebody over you are supposed to slow down and move over to give them room on the shoulder. Also, I have seen cops sit on the shoulder with lights on but doesn't have a car pulled over.

CAR_IS_MI > jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/26/2014 at 12:09

Yes but not when you're already in the left lane, or any other lane that is not the most right lane. Also, if the cop is on the shoulder with no one pulled over, and you are currently going 60 in a 65, then there is LITERALLY no reason for you to touch your brakes.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > thebigbossyboss
06/26/2014 at 12:15

You mean Prii Folk. I understand the car...just not the cult or it's people

KnotThatBusy > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 13:16

I'm guessing the radar was still on in his truck and saw the speed when he ran back. I mean 50 mph standing still looks fast (in an E55 too)....no way was I going to ask this guy. Also mad that I did not pullover towards the left to avoid them.

pauljones > CAR_IS_MI
06/26/2014 at 15:18

You see this all the time on the Capitol Beltway. I don't get it either. The lion has eaten. He's found the weak one in the pack, bit its head off, and will be chewing and digesting for a while. Now is when you haul ass and get the hell out of there before he decides he's hungry again.