[mitchntx]

I am cruising, putting easy miles on my new motor when the DPS trooper I meet hooks a U and lights me up. When I saw him, I knew it was gonna happen ... 2 lane hiway, no traffic ...

I immediately pull over, right tires just off the pavement in some weeds. Gonna make it tough if he wants to look at the exhaust.

He walks up and sees me sitting, hands on the wheel and seat belt still on.

<not exact words, but close enough>

He says,
DPS trooper, sir, do you know why I've pulled you over?

I respond,
Well, I wasn't speeding, no traffic to follow too close to, I know my lights all work because I just replaced a couple of lamps and I had my seat belt on. It must be the front plate that you didn't see.

Him,
Yes, you must display a license plate on the front and rear of the car.

Me,
It's up there, just really low. (I have it attached to the air dam)

He walks about 15' in front of the car and says,
It needs to be visible.

Me,
Standing, 15' in front of the car it isn't visible, I understand. But sitting in your car 50' in front of me, it's perfectly visible.

Him,
But I can't read it.

Me,
Really? You should be able to read 4" tall letters from 50', sir. And you also said visible, not legible.

Him,
I'm just gonna issue you a warning, no violation citation.

Me,
Thanks. I've read very closely that statute with an attorney and it is so loosely written, it can be interpretted many ways.

Him,
It sure can

Me,
And I realize driving a car like this, I'm a target. And anything questionable will give you an excuse to pull me over.

Him,
That is true.

Me,
So when you profiled the car, did you expect an old man to be driving it?

Him,
<silent>

Me,
<silent> (I figured I had pressed my luck far enough)

He asked me a few more qustions about where I was headed and why I needed a roll cage in the car ...

I took the warning, said be carefull and have a nice day and then drove away.

Oh well ... it was 3 minutes out of my life and maybe it will cause him to think a little next time. That makes 4 times in a year. Does anyone else keep a file of the warnings received?

Now, the funny thing is, as I was sitting there and the trooper running my 28/29, an Eclipse w/ the typical coffee can out back came by and revved me and the trooper. I snickered.

I laughed out loud when I saw the Eclipse pulled over about 3 miles down the road. It was hard, but I resisted a rev back at him ....

So, in the grand scheme of things, everything worked out just fine!
:gruffy:

[pknowles]

i avoid attracting attention to myself by cruising at 65 in a 55 while everyone passes me. i don't care. im in no hurry and i spend way to much time on that road to rush.

I drive the same way, is the extra 5 mph really going to save you that much time? Plus 25 and a red Camaro is prime target for a ticket. I have the front plate on my Camaro, but not on my truck. The truck came from Michigen where I geuss they don't need them.

Some cops are cool some just like to pick on people to make them feel better. When I was 16 and very stupid I got stopped in my 79 Chevy Malibu, grey and red two tone paint with red interior (pimpen) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) . Was speeding in the car with no headlights, no taillights, exhaust fell off and was loud (best sounding 305 I ever had though with the 4v carb not the 2v (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif) ), cracked windshield, half put together Suzuki GS550 motorcycle in the trunk (remember when cars had trunks), and a disassembled 3 speed manual tranny on the passengers seat (on my way to the junk yard to get a new one). Cop was one of the "good ol' boys" and had a southern accent. He walked around the car and siad "Son I could fill my quota on you" then asked for my registration, which I had to use a screw driver to break into the glove box because it was stuck. Needless to say he let me off with just a speeding ticket, which I was very happy with.