jb451

Quote: Originally Posted by roadPilot Why would he feel like an azzhole because he was doing his job? Not every stop for suspicion of DUI results in an arrest. What you do BEFORE being pulled over can certainly be interpreted as reasonable suspicion, but further investigation can clear you. It's only 1/3 pf the investgation process, my friend. You weren't stopped for 'safety' or for driving a friend home who had too much to drink. You were apparently stopped for your failure to maintain your lane/improper use of the shoulder. And i totally agree with you, but i have 3 other people who can vouch for me that the only "abnormal" (if you wish to call it that) thing about my driving was that i had slowed down a bit. There was no "swerving" as he called it, or even so much as me crossing a line, and even if i had, you could barely see ahead of you as it was, so that's why i thought it was a little absurd for him to pull me over. I figured he gave me the warning just to give me something since he could actually take me in or find anything wrong.lol

10-95

Speed under the limit is just one of many clues used to detect impaired drivers. You probably did cross the fog line, which is another clue.

Once stopped the interview of the driver is to see if anything else needs attention.

With your dad in the truck, and him having a few, that's probably all the troop could smell when he talked to you so he is going to pull you out to get a good look at you, that's a given and part of his duties. SFSTs are part of it, and yes I agree they are hard, they are divided attention exercises, used to detect people who have been drinking. You'd be surprised how "sober" career drunks can appear.

The warning ticket almost assuredly is going toward his required traffic contact numbers (note I did not say quota. Quotas are illegal ENFORCEMENT actions, not contacts)

The flashlight is bright so he sees everything/everyone in the truck. Don't expect him to carry a candle up to the truck. You'd also probably be surprised how many people try to hide things when contacted or actually mean harm to the person stopping them. Take your PO'd feeling for being "harassed" [bad use of that word and not exactly correct] and multiply that by the feelings of some of the nuts we have in society and you'll understand.

Oh, and if you just got your CDL, get used to being stopped. There are TONS more laws concerning commercial drivers and you can be 100% sure you'll get to know a few new laws and the L&W Troops that deal with that.

Dasboot

Well put 10-95 (I like your screen name, btw). Sounds to me that a lot of driving clues that op admits to screem DWI to me. I'm a lot more likely to look at someone driving too slow than someone driving too fast.

I have a questions for the op. Did you have ANY to drink? Which SFSTs did he administer. Typically, I'd be surprised if you went past HGN (the eye test). If I'm not seeing clues on that, I don't bother with the other two tests.

Don't complain about an officer that actually is taking the time to do DWI stops, complain about the ones that don't.

Kevin_MacArthur

Never do a ****in' "sobriety test."

sgtpatiolantern

I wouldn't take offense to being pulled over. I have had a few traffic stops like this and although they are stressful, I'd rather an officer double check that everything is okay rather than just assume. That's what he is paid to do. I had a DOT officer pull me over in my company vehicle to do a routine check of all my required equipment even though I did not have dangerous goods on at the time. Five minutes and I was on my way. Did I enjoy it? No. Am I happy they have a strong presence on the highway I travel to work? You bet! Hardly any instances of stupidity on my ride to work as of late. If getting pulled over means increased safety for me, then I'm all for it.

Again, don't be offended. After all, you just got a warning and that is a sign that the officer realises you were doing okay, but pointed out something that may require practise or attention. That's all.

Dasboot

Brilliant advice....LOL... that will just about guarantee a trip to jail and a warrant for a blood draw.

sgtpatiolantern

Yeah, a buddy of mine tried that because he had not been drinking and felt his rights were violated buy the officer asking. He lost in court even though he was able to prove sobriety. Lost his license.

fordfan77

Every time a cop is behind me, I'm sure I start swerving, because I spent more time looking in the mirror than looking at the road.

It wouldn't bother me if a cop pulled me over, if he thought I swerved and might be drunk. I don't drink, my registration and insurance is current, and I took the bodies out of the bed of the truck. So I know he would not have anything to ticket me on or arrest me for.

I say let the cops do their job. As long as they are not a**holes, they don't bother me.

sgtpatiolantern

Oh, good point! Nothing piques and Officer's curiosity faster than the sweet gamey tang of dead hooker under the tonneau! Lol!

XtraLargeTall

That's what febreze is for!