Dumb traffic tickets

[b5blue]

  I got many tickets in my younger days. The dumb ones were for "exhibition driving" (Catching 2nd gear rubber.) and driving with no helmet in a 64 Nova wagon. (I was followed around driving a dirt bike I didn't own.) I was pulled over for a bumper sticker that said WARNING I SPEED UP TO RUN DOWN SMALL ANIMALS and later for saying "You'll never catch me copper" as I passed a cop at a 4 way STOP. (I'd watched Jimmy Cagney's movie the night before.)
  You guys have any oddball stops? 

[armor64]

My only ones (not actually a ticket) was when I first got my '78 GMC truck on the road in 08ish, (back when temp plate/rego was allowed during registration process)

I Triumphantly drove my buddy home, back across our small town. On the way out, I got pulled over for no plate, but after he called in the temp paper on the windshield, I was let go with a "have a good one, and nice truck Kid". Dropped buddy off and heading home, on my side of town, another cop pulled me over for the same reason, she was a motorcycle cop. as she also called it in, i heard the dispatch say "blue truck, young kid driving with a temp plate? Mike just called him in, hes good to go" got a laugh and on my way again.

[RallyeMike]

How about non-tickets?: 1981 just put a new (used) engine in my buddies brand X car and he wanted to go for a spin. He got nailed doing a burn out and a doughnut right in front of a cop, then speeding, no hood, expired tabs, no registration in the car, and no drivers license on him.... and the cop let him off. 43 years later I still can't believe it.   

[70 sublime]

Back in the 80's we used to fix up wrecking yard write off cars
In 1986 I fixed up a brand new Black 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo 5 speed standard car

It was a Tuesday night and had just had one of my best nights I ever had at bowling
On my way home stoped right next door at the plaza to check my lotto tickets
I won $5
Another plus for my already great night
This is all on the edge of town
We live on a farm about 5 miles out

So when I left the plaza I was not wasting any time cause life was good and started winding it out through the gears
Looked back and saw the lights
Hmm is he looking for me cause I was not over the speed limit by much yet 
So I slowed down and waited
Yep he wanted to talk to me
Just wanted to make sure I had not robbed the store because he had seen me leave in a hurry
Cop said thanks for stopping and try to keep my foot off the gas a bit while still in town limits

[Wingnut426]

I got pulled over when I was young by a cop that was known as a prick. He looked over my car and saw I had a small crack in my windshield on the passenger side. He gave me a ticket with "inspection required" checked off. Most cops would just say "get it fixed".
I went the next day to the motor vehicle dept. in the rain and parked real close to the car next to me on the passenger side.
The inspector ran out to my car just looked real quick in the pouring rain. Never saw the crack. He checked off my ticket and said "you are all set".
I dripped white shoe polish on the crack so it looked like bird poop. The same cop stopped me and said, "I see you got a new windshield".  WINGNUT

[Old Moparz]

Any ticket that I ever got I technically deserved. What's unbelievable about it is that I NEVER got a ticket in my own car & I've been driving since 1980.   Most were for speeding 10 to 15 MPH over the limit. One time I was ticketed for making a left at a certain time of day in NYC where I wasn't supposed to. Cop in a 3 wheeled scooter was hiding behind a dumpster & when I turned he pulled out in front of me to stop me.

Another time & was trapped behind a person doing 15 in a 30 zone for several miles late at night. I couldn't take it & finally went over the double yellow line to pass him & a cop further down the road coming towards me saw it & waited until I passed & then made a u-turn to pull me over. It wouldn't surprise me if the slow poke I was behind was a drunk who should've been pulled over.

I had been pulled over in my own cars but no tickets. There was this time I bought a 1970 Charger for parts for $200 but it was a running & driving car so I drove it. I transferred plates & insurance to it & NJ gave you 14 days to get it inspected & then 30 days to fix what it failed for. I failed for loose steering, no exhaust & open headers, no brake lights & probably a couple more things. It was 100% legal but the cop was angry that he couldn't give me a ticket. 

The only other time I was pulled over was in my 1970 Coronet for absolutely no reason except that the cops were hoping to find something. Was on my way to the drag strip with friends & a cop pulled us over. He never gave a reason but made us get out, empty out pockets, looked in the car & the ashtray & lectured us on how smoking pot was illegal. None of us has smoked or had anything on us. I told him he forgot to search the trunk & should look inside. He said no need but I insisted & showed him a great looking spare tire. (Fucking prick...LoL)

[JB400]

9 times for walking to Wal-Mart in a 3 month period.

[timmycharger]

Got pulled over in my town 2 times about 20 years ago in my 68 Charger.  No tickets though!

The first time, I was with my Dad who came with me for a ride to the parts store. My Father is from Italy, came here in his 30s and doesn't really get the muscle car thing, he is more of a sports car guy. He was lecturing me while we were driving about how in Italy, the car would not be able to be registered or even legal if you change the original engine out (not sure how true this was). This is just after pulling the 318 out and putting in the 440 and I am not even running a hood at this point.   So we get pulled over in the parking lot. The officer gets out and the first thing he asks me is " Is that the original engine?" I said no and looked at my Dad who was visibly nervous.  About 20 minutes later about chatting about Mopars he let us go. Not even sure why he pulled me over, but I got some great stories about my town and in the early 70s when a local Dodge dealer was doing exhibition runs down main street. Pretty cool but it was fun to see my Dad's face.

The second time I deserved to be pulled over but still didnt get a ticket.  I was going to the track that weekend and was trying to tune my six pack, changing squirters, springs and jets.  I would make a change and then go for a spin around the neighborhood.  I went to a spot I know where there is little to no traffic and did a couple of off the line launches into second gear (car was auto then).  An officer was stopped where I didnt see him and of course pulled me over.   Instead of giving me a ticket or even a warning he was more interested in the six pack set up as he never saw one in person. After several minutes of talking cars, he left.  I must have left 10 feet of dark rubber, he didnt seem to care.

I try not to push my luck anymore, that was 20 something years ago, I dont think the current crop of officers in my town would appreciate that anymore.

[Polygon]

Only had one ticket last year for running a red light with a camera. I was actually paying attention to another car that switched Lanes in front of me. Hey that was my fault.

But in my younger days, my 1969 Chevelle SS was a ticket magnet. The funny thing is I let my buddies drive the car and they would come back with tickets.

I've been pulled over five times, twice for speeding, (70 in a 55), once for spinning tires in the rain. And a couple others I can't remember and every time I did not get a ticket. I simply said yes sir officer I did it.

My ex-wife said I drove like an old fart. I'm very careful today cuz there's too many nuts on the road. If the link works that's my car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3agWeLv57vzhSkYu9

PS, went back to Upstate New York with my chevelle. I think I'm 19 or 20 years old with my buddy Rick. The town has 2,000 people. Rick is driving and hitting the gas just to chirp the tires. We're having a great time. And the cop on duty waves at us pulls us over, "Rick, go do that out in the country".
That was Fort Plain New York about 1979

[426HemiChick]

Only had one ticket last year for running a red light with a camera. I was actually paying attention to another car that switched Lanes in front of me. Hey that was my fault.

But in my younger days, my 1969 Chevelle SS was a ticket magnet. The funny thing is I let my buddies drive the car and they would come back with tickets.

I've been pulled over five times, twice for speeding, (70 in a 55), once for spinning tires in the rain. And a couple others I can't remember and every time I did not get a ticket. I simply said yes sir officer I did it.

My ex-wife said I drove like an old fart. I'm very careful today cuz there's too many nuts on the road. If the link works that's my car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3agWeLv57vzhSkYu9

PS, went back to Upstate New York with my chevelle. I think I'm 19 or 20 years old with my buddy Rick. The town has 2,000 people. Rick is driving and hitting the gas just to chirp the tires. We're having a great time. And the cop on duty waves at us pulls us over, "Rick, go do that out in the country".
That was Fort Plain New York about 1979

Only had one ticket last year for running a red light with a camera. I was actually paying attention to another car that switched Lanes in front of me. Hey that was my fault.

But in my younger days, my 1969 Chevelle SS was a ticket magnet. The funny thing is I let my buddies drive the car and they would come back with tickets.

I've been pulled over five times, twice for speeding, (70 in a 55), once for spinning tires in the rain. And a couple others I can't remember and every time I did not get a ticket. I simply said yes sir officer I did it.

My ex-wife said I drove like an old fart. I'm very careful today cuz there's too many nuts on the road. If the link works that's my car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3agWeLv57vzhSkYu9

PS, went back to Upstate New York with my chevelle. I think I'm 19 or 20 years old with my buddy Rick. The town has 2,000 people. Rick is driving and hitting the gas just to chirp the tires. We're having a great time. And the cop on duty waves at us pulls us over, "Rick, go do that out in the country".
That was Fort Plain New York about 1979

Hola Folks,            22 April 2024

Times have changed, so have the cars, the cops and society in general; none for the better. Tough to see our country being torn apart by scum with nothing at stake.

Hopefully, common sense will prevail, though I won't put any money on it. What the heck, our money is worthless so nothing much to lose.

Hoping all gets better in the near future.

Best Always
426 HC's

[Kern Dog]

I am not going to claim that Police are perfect but it has been my experience that every time that I have been cited, I was guilty of something.
Speeding, following too close, failure to stop, vehicle too low, expired registration, loud exhaust. bald tires, cracked windshield....I earned them all.
Not so much anymore. Maybe I'm better at spotting the cops and toning it down when I see them??

[426HemiChick]

Hi Folks,          27 April 2024

April is almost finished for another 12 months. Kind of glad to see it go. Hasn't been the best April we've had here in Phoenix; did get a bit of rain.

1968 was a good one in that's when we bought the Hemi RR. The day we bought her, the sky was clear, warm and sunny. Asked the dealer to have her ready by 1730 EDT / 5:30 PM. About 5 minutes before we were handed the keys, rain took over. Got her nice, wet and dirty (Akron Ohio). Barely saw the sun until sometime in June. 29 days of May were rained out. Weekends we no better, nine in a row rained out.

By August it was so cold you needed a jacket most days. At that time the "crazies" were wailing about Global Cooling. When that didn't work they went to global Warming. That didn't go over too well so they switched to "Climate Change." Gotta give them credit, the climate changes 4 time each year, except here in Phoenix. We have two seasons, Hot and Hotter. Not complaining, we do like it.

If you use YouTube look for "Friday's With Frank," He's a Sheriff Deputy in Pinal County AZ. He drives an unmarked white Charger. He does traffic only. They record his stops and put the good ones together to make "Fridays With Frank." He's originally from Long Island. His name is Frank Sloup. He's just a neat cop doing his thing and has become a fairly big YouTube star. Advice: If you have dark tinted windows, "Stay out of Pinal County." Since this a Mopar site, we think you'll enjoy his shows.

As soon as our Interceptor is finished, we are going to go down for a visit with Dena's Race Red Mustang Dark Horse and our Interceptor, speaking of which the Ford dealer thinks they have finally located the guilty part causing the "Check Engine" light making unwelcome appearances.

Take care folks
Best Always
426 HC's 

[moparguy01]

I got 1 ticket for 1mph over the limit in a 25 zone. It was thrown out in court. The judge was pissed at the cop.

I also think i held the record on this next one. At the time in 2001ish, in north dakota it wasnt a primary offense to not wear a seatbelt, but it was a secondary. Before the law passed to make it a primary offense, they made it a special thing in town for a month. I was pulled over 13 times in 2 days by the same cop for seatbelt violations. I was in my 1964 Dodge Polara, which never had seatbelts. The judge wasnt so happy about those either, but i was pretty much his entire afternoon docet(however you spell that) they all got tossed too.

Any of the speeding tickets, i usually deserved. Except for 2. But they werent so bad.

[b5blue]

Our county decided no seatbelt tickets deserved an added 100.00 fine. So a 30.00 ticket cost me 130.00. Now when  called to donate to cop fund I tell them they got their money. 

[Kern Dog]

How about "penalty assessments?"
There will be the base fine, then all the other bullshit fees tacked on to it.
$40 for speeding, $25 for administrative fees, $15 night court fee, $10 for some other crap and in the end, the penalty assessments are MORE than the base fine.

[426HemiChick]

Hi Folks,         04 May 2024

Maybe they should create a "NO Ticket" holiday. Go as fast as you like and break every traffic law known to man.

The idea being all sane folks take the day off and stay home. Let the crazies have the roads to themselves. Hopefully, they'll decimate one another and the embalmers will reap a windfall.

I Know, it won't work; just dreaming.

Best Always
426 HC's

[496polara]

16 years old and had a buddy in the car. Stopped at the bottom of a hill in a shopping center parking lot (late at night)and did a burnout all the way up the hill. Came rolling over the top of the hill with smoke rolling out of my wheel wells and three Raleigh NC police sitting side by side talking and staring at me. I pulled over and waited to see which one would write me up. He gave me a careless and reckless ticket.Went to court three times and they postponed it each time.The fourth time they dismissed it.Cop had a nervous breakdown and was committed so all pending cases dismissed.

Six months later some asshat in a Chevelle passed me on the double yellow line in front of my high school(at night), When he leaves the stop sign I floor it and go past him sideways and wind out first and second gear. Look in the rearview and blue lights way back.SHIT! Don't know where he was or if he saw my tag so I pull over. He comes up and thanks me for stopping and asks what the hell? Told him the asshat story (true) and that I was pissed because my gf just broke up with me (not true). He goes back to his car for a few minutes and comes back with my license,hands it to me and says slow down and have a nice night.

All in my first car,1973 Charger with 400/727/3.23. Man I wish I could afford to recreate one exactly like that.

[John_Kunkel]

Not really a "traffic" ticket because it's not a moving violation, but the cops in my state love to write citations for tinted windows deemed too dark. The law says "Front-side windows must allow over 70% of light to be transmitted. This restricts tint to 30% or lighter."  How the hell does a cop determine this?
They write the ticket and it's up to you to prove it's not too dark. 

[426HemiChick]

Not really a "traffic" ticket because it's not a moving violation, but the cops in my state love to write citations for tinted windows deemed too dark. The law says "Front-side windows must allow over 70% of light to be transmitted. This restricts tint to 30% or lighter."  How the hell does a cop determine this?
They write the ticket and it's up to you to prove it's not too dark. 

Hi John,            06 May 2024

They do it because they can, most likely the average driver hasn't a clue what to do to beat the citation. It's "Guilty Until Proven Innocent;" just the opposite of what the constitution says. We are already a "Dictatorship" Ala "Joe Schmo" Pricktator in Chief."

Here (AZ) Pinal County is big on enforcing the window tint law, which is the same as yours; the cops have a meter they put on the window which lets them know the tint percentage. Here in Phoenix they seem to turn a blind eye to window tint.

Our truck had the legal stuff on it. We got tired of rolling the windows down at night so we had it removed. Love it OFF !!!

Best Always
426 HC's

[John_Kunkel]

Here (AZ) Pinal County is big on enforcing the window tint law, which is the same as yours;

Hmm, that's interesting. Both of my current cars came from AZ. and I assumed they had no such law because one is on the borderline of being too dark here and the other is almost limousene black.

[doctor4766]

Not really a "traffic" ticket because it's not a moving violation, but the cops in my state love to write citations for tinted windows deemed too dark. The law says "Front-side windows must allow over 70% of light to be transmitted. This restricts tint to 30% or lighter."  How the hell does a cop determine this?
They write the ticket and it's up to you to prove it's not too dark. 

A lot of police carry either meters that test VLT (visible light transmittance) or a card they can slip behind the film to check how dark it is.

I use the same meter to check if what I'm about to tint is legal or not with my film.

[Kern Dog]

Some limits seem subjective and difficult to determine.
Excessive noise for loud exhaust? What annoys one person may be fine for another.
Tint too dark ....without some measure of testing as mentioned above, this again is subjective.
A friend of mine was cited for turning movement for taking a corner at a speed the officer didn't like. There was no tire squeal or spin and he stayed in the lane. If he were speeding, the ticket should have reflected that but it didn't.

[Kern Dog]

One time I was stopped while driving a beat up '70 Dodge Dart.
I didn't have insurance. I bought it from a neighbor but didn't transfer the registration to my name yet. I was 21 years old and just out messing around at the local mall. The 225 wouldn't allow me to peel out on pavement so I wasn't hot rodding it. Maybe I was being profiled as a low rent dirtbag?
Ha ha...Yeah, maybe for the moment I was.
My Camaro was wrecked a few weeks before when someone crossed my path and I broadsided them. They were cited for failure to yield and while I had another vehicle to drive, a neighbor in the apartment complex only wanted $150 for a running and driving Dart! This was 1987 or so.
They had me exit the car and stand outside of it. One cop looked at the seat and made some funny comment to the theme of...this guy must have a problem...his farts have disintegrated the front seat! I think that I laughed at that and after a warrant check turned up clean, I was free to go straight home.
I've been given a break many times. I have either been silent or respectful when I've been stopped but never begged or humiliated myself to get out of a citation. I was with a guy that didn't cry but still sounded like a brown nosing wimp trying to get out of the ticket. Screw that...Have some pride, apologize but don't grovel and whatever happens, you at least preserve some dignity.

[b5blue]

My first mighty Mopar was a 73 Duster I swapped a convertible Mustang for. The trunk lock had been punched and around midnight one night I was pulled over. The cops were looking for green car that was suspected in robbery near by. Wanting to see in the trunk they asked for the key. When I reached in the car and handed them a screwdriver they were puzzled. After farting around a few minutes they admitted defeat so I popped the lock and they were satisfied.     

[hemigeno]

A local cop wrote me up for "excessive acceleration with audible tire noise" when I was still in college.

I challenged that one in Municipal Court, based on the cop's lousy attitude and other factors.  The judge (a former Middle School principal in my small hometown) only gave me a 1-year SIS, with something like $15 court costs.  Seeing the local cop having to admit his witnessed-by-others behavior to the judge?  Worth it.  He ended up quitting not too long afterward.