Confused about why I was just pulled over...

[HoneyBadger]

I was just pulled over on my way home by a member of the El Paso County Sheriff's office.

This was the first time I've ever been pulled over and I legitimately didn't know why.

The officer was polite and respectful, as I tried to be throughout the encounter. This thread is not about cops. If it goes there, I'll ask the mods to shut it down.

The officer initially told me that he pulled me over because I failed to signal for a lane change and because I was driving with a cracked windshield. I immediately objected (as politely as I could) because I am very adamant about using a signal when changing lanes. It really ticks me off when people change lanes without signaling - just one of those things, I guess. I asked him where I committed the alleged offense and he pointed to the rough spot about 200yds behind our current location. I kind of stared at him in disbelief because I didn't know what to say. I gave him my license and registration, along with my insurance card (which expired on 5 Dec).

When he came back, I immediately apologized for the insurance card, which I knew was not up to date, and I showed him the up to date card on my phone. He brushed it off. He then handed me a ticket for $48.50 for the cracked windshield, didn't mention the alleged lane change without signal, and said he wasn't concerned with the insurance card. He asked if I had any questions. I asked how he could justify fining me $50 for a cracked windshield that in no way obscures the driver's vision. He gave me the whole "signing is not an admission of guilt" line and wouldn't offer any further explanation. He told me to be safe when I re-entered traffic and to have a nice day.

I'm kind of confused by the whole exchange.... Was he writing me a ticket for the windshield to pry some money out of my pocketbook when he knew the lane change thing was BS? Was he just being a nice guy and letting the lane change without a signal go (if I did, in fact, commit the alleged actions... I'm not perfect, but I'm pretty darn sure I used a signal. Like 99% sure.) and writing me a lesser ticket for the windshield? Why didn't he care about my insurance?


And now with that out in the open, is it possible and/or reasonable to fight the windshield ticket? It's basically a poor tax. Or a conspiracy with the county road commission that puts GRAVEL on the roads when it snows. Is there any chance I could go to court and not have to pay the windshield ticket? I really don't want to pay it because there is no principle reason to: driving with a cracked windshield like mine certainly does not endanger the public or submit innocent people to unnecessary dangers.

What do you guys think? Did I get a BS ticket? Was the LEO doing me a favor by ONLY writing me a windshield ticket? Can I fight this in court?

[SideShow Bob]

I thought Honey Badger don't give a Shit ?

[Dave_L]

Windshields are secondary offenses so a "primary" reason was needed. Quick $50 later, you're on your way.

[Monky]

Windshields are secondary offenses so a "primary" reason was needed. Quick $50 later, you're you your way.

+1 thank you for providing for the el paso county christmas party!

[Mtn.man]

Shoulda kicked the windshield out all the way and told him you were heading for Windshield America Store.

[Great-Kazoo]

Windshields are secondary offenses so a "primary" reason was needed. Quick $50 later, you're on your way.

+1 thank you for providing for the el paso county christmas party!

Both of these.
You mad Bro. You've just experienced the revenue generators for the United States.

I'm surprised when people who never had a ticket receive one, especially for a defective vehicle / tail light / windshield etc . If you take the time you have been a licensed driver vs tickets received you're doing good.

FWIW: Between now and jan 2 - 3rd, expect to be on the radar of every LE in CoS. Tis the Season for Giving and your local LE thanks you.


Your Rant receives a MINUS 1 based on honey badger not giving a shit (as mentioned) Pay it and move on. ALSO replace that WS ASAP.

[Irving]

The other possibility is that he was having a bad day and wanted to fist some poor schmuck, but when he got up to your window he realized he forgot his latex gloves at home and just wrote you a BS ticket instead.

[rbeau30]

My wife drives a 1991 Mazda 323 (dents, rust, water leaks and all) to and from work 30 miles one way every day and things like this are a regular occurance for her. They think they can get her for no Insurance or lax registration or more. She ALWAYS gets off with no ticket. Because she has all her stuff in order, and they cannot get her for anything.

Seriously this happens all the time for her, you would think they would recognize the car the amount of times they pulled her over and got nothing.

It seriously is something like she failed to signal or she crossed the dotted line or whatever. The latest one was the cop was entering a roadway (iliff) from a driveway from an apartment complex while she was in the right lane on Iliff. He argued that she didn't yield to him. She quickly put that arguement down since he didn't have any lights or sirens on she explained to him that she was going straight down Iliff and he in fact had to yield to her.

[Great-Kazoo]

ETA: You have a busted windshield, deal with it. How long's it been broken?

[KAPA]

I had this a few years ago. Two Dougco Sheriffs were checking for speeders and kind of blocked a lane a bit as they were sitting next to each other in one of the two turn lanes on to Lincoln. I decided not to get in their way and crossed a solid white line (there was no traffic anywhere around) and then I made my turn only to see one of the deputies behind me with the lights on. Pulled me over and said I changed lanes over a solid line which was a good 100 yds prior to the intersection where there were no other cars. Anyway, I told him I was trying to give them space. He then asks if I have any other offenses he could write me a ticket for instead of a 3 point ticket for crossing a solid white line. Not able to come up with anything I jokingly told him i had a star on my windshield (literally smaller than a dime) and he said that would work. No points and the fine was $45 instead of the $120 the ticket would have been for crossing a white solid line. Sounded good at the time but as he started walking away, I was kind of pissed and felt like it was nothing more than a money grab.

If these two weren't parked illegally in the first place, I never would have crossed the solid line.

I guess in the end, no points and $45 out of my wallet is better than what he could have done if he was a total dick. I think this way they piss you off just enough to not launch a formal complaint and they get revenue.