Police discretion re ticketing in passing lanes

**Jack Miller** · 13th September 2011, 23:05

Originally Posted by cowpoos

the odd one does do it Scummy....we have a passing lane opposite the farm im on...there is often the same highway patrol car parked in one of our farm access ways, under the trees, pointing a gadget out of his window...it always seems to be the same guy...oddly I've talked to him a couple of times when I'm going out that way with some machinery...and he seem like a nice fella??

Actions speak louder than words. He's not a nice fella. If you tell me the road I'll set him up to give me a ticket, just need to find someone willing to play the part of impeder, any volunteers? He won't know what hit him.

Acquittal* number four coming up.

____________________
*Sorry rustascat, whatever the correct word is. Might be an actual acquittal this time anyway, if he & his bosses are mad enough to take it all the way.

**Jack Miller** · 13th September 2011, 23:24

Originally Posted by Pseudonym

I’ve been booked at 112 on a passing lane, I was most pleased…
The upside was now I knew where he was I could have a little fun!
...
Anyway, sorry OP I’ve gotten way off topic.

No problem, tell us about the fun you had with him.

**scumdog** · 14th September 2011, 17:02

Originally Posted by cowpoos

the odd one does do it Scummy....we have a passing lane opposite the farm im on...there is often the same highway patrol car parked in one of our farm access ways, under the trees, pointing a gadget out of his window...it always seems to be the same guy...oddly I've talked to him a couple of times when I'm going out that way with some machinery...and he seem like a nice fella??

but also...its the only time I've ever seen a cop praying on passing lanes.

Was he actually writing out tickets?

Or just doing a survey on speeds in that area?

Not sticking up for him but i've known guys to have been directed to record speed for a certain time/area but not ticket anybody.

And to try and remain out of sight so as not to create a false sense that speeds are low in the area when everybody who spots them slows down.

**rastuscat** · 14th September 2011, 18:46

Originally Posted by scumdog

Was he actually writing out tickets?

Or just doing a survey on speeds in that area?

Not sticking up for him but i've known guys to have been directed to record speed for a certain time/area but not ticket anybody.

Yeah I'm sure he was surveying speeds. I expect he was handing personal questionnaires to people who went too fast, and charged them a fee for their input, proportional to their speed.

**rastuscat** · 14th September 2011, 19:26

Originally Posted by Jack Miller

Actions speak louder than words. He's not a nice fella. If you tell me the road I'll set him up to give me a ticket, just need to find someone willing to play the part of impeder, any volunteers? He won't know what hit him.

Acquittal* number four coming up.

____________________
*Sorry rustascat, whatever the correct word is. Might be an actual acquittal this time anyway, if he & his bosses are mad enough to take it all the way.

Hey Jacko

Here's a challenge, you and I should catch up, and I'll loan you a bike to speed on. I'll then write you a ticket, and the challenge is on !! Lets go to court and see who wins !!

Funny thing is, I actually care more about people complying than playing the sometimes silly court game. So if you don't come down and speed I've won anyway !!

Seriously tho, I saw a bloke go through a red light today. He and I had a hearty discussion during which it was clear to me that he actually believed it wasn't red. It must be a shit of a thing, being accused of something you are convinced you didn't do. Thing is, we act on what we see, so he got the ticket anyway. It truly must be hard.

**ducatilover** · 14th September 2011, 20:22

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Hey Jacko

Here's a challenge, you and I should catch up, and I'll loan you a bike to speed on. I'll then write you a ticket, and the challenge is on !! Lets go to court and see who wins !!

I'll watch and warm doughnuts

**rastuscat** · 14th September 2011, 20:42

Originally Posted by ducatilover

I'll watch and warm doughnuts

Cool, I was thinking of getting a donut sponsor.

**ducatilover** · 14th September 2011, 20:47

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Cool, I was thinking of getting a donut sponsor.

I can probably help out, I'm nice like that.

**rastuscat** · 14th September 2011, 20:52

Back on topic, I note that the thread started as a discussion on the exercise of discretion. There appears to be an impression that exercising discretion means giving a warning.

Now, I have consulted with the interweb, and find that discretion is The ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be presupposed. see Websters Third New International Dictionary (unabridged)

Nowhere does it say choosing not to take action. It says considering the options, and choosing one. So, I can consider all the options and exercise my discretion by choosing to write a ticket.

Just a thought.

**ducatilover** · 14th September 2011, 20:54

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Back on topic, I note that the thread started as a discussion on the exercise of discretion. There appears to be an impression that exercising discretion means giving a warning.

Now, I have consulted with the interweb, and find that discretion is The ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be presupposed. see Websters Third New International Dictionary (unabridged)

Nowhere does it say choosing not to take action. It says considering the options, and choosing one. So, I can consider all the options and exercise my discretion by choosing to write a ticket.

Just a thought.

I'd say you're probably on to it when it comes to discretion

**rastuscat** · 14th September 2011, 21:00

Originally Posted by ducatilover

I'd say you're probably on to it when it comes to discretion

Ta for that. Thought I was going mad.

Exercised my discretion several times today, wrote tickets.

Lots of cellphone use out there folks, watch out for the distracted idiot who might nudge you without knowing you are there.

**scumdog** · 14th September 2011, 21:01

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Back on topic, I note that the thread started as a discussion on the exercise of discretion. There appears to be an impression that exercising discretion means giving a warning.

Now, I have consulted with the interweb, and find that discretion is The ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be presupposed. see Websters Third New International Dictionary (unabridged)

Nowhere does it say choosing not to take action. It says considering the options, and choosing one. So, I can consider all the options and exercise my discretion by choosing to write a ticket.

Just a thought.

Damn tootin' right.

What some think 'discreton' means:
I don't care what the cop thinks I did, I don't think it I should get a ticket".

**Jack Miller** · 14th September 2011, 21:36

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Back on topic, I note that the thread started as a discussion on the exercise of discretion. There appears to be an impression that exercising discretion means giving a warning.

Now, I have consulted with the interweb, and find that discretion is The ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be presupposed. see Websters Third New International Dictionary (unabridged)

Nowhere does it say choosing not to take action. It says considering the options, and choosing one. So, I can consider all the options and exercise my discretion by choosing to write a ticket.

Just a thought.

So what is it if not "discretion" that causes traffic cops not to take action against people exceeding the speed limit if the amount over is less than the current tolerance? Whatever the answer is, substitute that for discretion in the poll.

**scumdog** · 14th September 2011, 21:38

Originally Posted by Jack Miller

So what is it if not "discretion" that causes traffic cops not to take action against people exceeding the speed limit if the amount over is less than the current tolerance? Whatever the answer is, substitute that for discretion in the poll.

You mean you can get a ticket for less than the current tolerance?

Must be bad kharma for that dude if he gets a ticket.

**cowpoos** · 14th September 2011, 21:47

Originally Posted by scumdog

Was he actually writing out tickets?

Or just doing a survey on speeds in that area?

Not sticking up for him but i've known guys to have been directed to record speed for a certain time/area but not ticket anybody.

And to try and remain out of sight so as not to create a false sense that speeds are low in the area when everybody who spots them slows down.

well...you may be right...I don't actually remember him pulling anyone.