Devo_213 said:
So let me get this straight, a cop can not only give you a ticket for trying to get help, but can also inconvenience you by forcing you to go out of your way to get ANOTHER insurance card while driving around town without one and risking getting another ticket--because he kept it??
Okay ... what exactly do you want to do, then? Have him arrested for theft? That won't happen because there is a lack of intent. If you get stopped again and have not received the new card that I am sure you ordered, show the cop the old ticket and explain what happened. If that doesn't work, then tell it to a judge later on.
Sure, it's a pain, but what do you WANT to happen?
I got a ticket for SLOWLY pulling through a flare line and cones (didn't hit one either) in order to try to get directions. Mind you, it was cold and rainy (and 11pm) and the officer vehicle(s) were a good 20-30 feet past the beginning of the barrier. I made sure no one was around that I could hit (including the street workers) and did not go over 5 mph. My main intention was to stop right where the officers were and just ask if they knew an alternate route seeing as how my exit to ANOTHER HIGHWAY was closed. The minute I pull up they start freaking out making it seem like I put their lives in danger.
As I was fond of pointing out to people: the flares are there for a reason. It could have been a crime scene, for all you knew at the time (probably not, but, you never know). You also could have waved someone over to ask that question rather than drive over/around the flare pattern. Out here that's a citable offense as well.
The officer not only was irate but demanded to see my insurance and registration without even acknowledging my request or the reason I was there.
Well, you DID break the law, after all. He had no obligation to acknowledge your request. However, it would have been good form to give you directions after citing you.
He seemed even more irked that I left my Drivers License at home that night. I told him I knew my license #, but he just wanted my D.O.B and full name (this was a first because I have never had a cop NOT take my D.L.# when I told them I knew it). As he was leaving I asked if I was going to get my insurance card back and he ignored me.
He probably ran your name and birthdate so he didn't need your license.
After waiting 10 minutes, he came back with a FREAKING ticket!!?? He then said that I need to get back on the highway and take the next exit. "It will be there that someone can give you directions".
Well, you DID cross the flare pattern.
Explain it to the judge and maybe the judge will understand it better than the officer did.
But, take it from someone who has spent hours babysitting flares in the rain keeping people from crossing a flooded stretch of roadway - your patience wears thin after you've been in the rain a few hours, the umpteenth person asks direction, and people keep crossing the flares and then ask if the flares were meant for them. It's a pisser.
Never even gave back my insurance card.
Call and ask for it. Or order a new one. It really is pretty simple.
Jesus Christ. I always thought the police were supposed to be here to protect AND SERVE. Instead I am going to be forced to pay almost 200 dollars AND have to go out of my way to get ANOTHER insurance card.
All this just for directions??
No - all that for crossing the flare pattern in violations of state law.
Sorry.
- Carl