true blue in wake county: blog 
true blue in wake county's blog
the stop sign and that long white line on the right
Published Nov. 9, 2009Views: 1020
I'm going to address two issues that seem to be the prevelant source of confusion for alot of motorist and one that recently, we seem to be issuing alot of traffic citations for:
STOP SIGNS
ILLEGAL PASSING ON THE RIGHT
Here is the scenario: Its 5 p.m. and you are getting off of work. Its been a long day and the significant other has increased the "honey-do" list by about 20 items. Day care is about to go into double rate increase and this darn traffic is driving you nuts. You are now approaching a long line of traffic with a single stop sign that leads to the main road you need to get on. You look over to your right and there appears to be another lane just on the other side of the white "fog" line next to the backed-up traffic. You ease over, pull up to the sign. You make a perfect 4 second stop and clear traffic both ways. You make your right turn with your turn signal active and turn out onto the highway. Suddenly, a police cruiser appears with blue lights activated. You have no idea why he's behind you and begin the mental replay of everything you did traffic wise...."no way I ran that sign" you think.
The officer explains that what you just did back there, and he is careful to explain every detail to you, right down to which direction you looked when you first turned your head to clear traffic. He is very precise. When you took your vehicle to the other side of the fog line, drove past all of those other cars lined up at the stop sign and then made your right turn - its called Illegal Passing on the right, under NC Statute 20-150(e) he says.....
The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another on any portion of the highway which is marked by signs, markers or markings placed by the Department of Transportation stating or clearly indicating that passing should not be attempted. The little white fog line is such a marker......
HUH?????
"But officer, everyone else does it." (everyone else does not go and take your drivers exam do they?)
"Deputy, look at all those other cars doing it, are'nt you going to stop them too" (right now, you and I are stopped...does it make sense for me to say "wait right here, I'll be bachhhh")
and my favorite of all - "I didn't know you could do that" (???)
Its a common occurence and alot of us do it without even thinking...."I aint got time to wait in all that traffic..looks like I can go around these cars, off the shoulder a little and still make my turn......"
Folks, I have worked some UGLY wrecks, some with children injured in the car over that little white fog line. Bottom line - no, you cannot drive around all that traffic and go....just follow the traffic pattern with everyone else and you will get to where you need to go safely. Whats the hurry????
The stop sign in general.....
Is it a confusing little rule.....approach the sign....slow....apply gentle pressure to the brake pad, stop......clear traffic....go....Pretty easy???
You'd be surprised....
The "tap and go" - No way officer, I stopped you must be mistaken.......No mistake, you yielded (there is a difference).
The "California Roll" - "Trooper, did you not see that my brake lights were on the entire time??" (ummm I was'nt watching your brake lights).
Most cops do watch a number of things on your vehicle when they are "running a sign" or intersection....Me, I watch the tires on the car. Tires indicate motion. If all tires are continuing to make revolutions - the vehicle is still in motion....The statute does not describe what a complete stop is, only that the vehicle come to complete one.....its up to the officer to determine what constitutes running the sign.
Believe me when I tell you (most of you wont) that if you are stopped for running a stop sign - you ran it, plain and simple. We do not get up in the morning and wonder "hmmm how many stop sign tickets can I invent today." Attorney's know all the ins/outs of stop sign traffic stops...trust me, I hate watching other LEO's look stupid in court....
Word of advice - if you decide to appear in court - never represent yourself!!
TRU
Filed under: Crime
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The assumption is the cop is telling the truth, which isn’t always the case.
As for the rest of the blog, it does annoy me when people pass on the right.
GOLO member since August 16, 2007
November 10, 2009 8:32 a.m.
All we have are those stupid, constantly malfunctioning message boards.
GOLO member since September 22, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:33 p.m.
GOLO member since September 22, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:29 p.m.
True Blue as well, Thanks!
GOLO member since March 28, 2009
November 9, 2009 5:24 p.m.
GOLO member since September 22, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:24 p.m.
Having live in germany for almost 17 years before entering law enforcement I will tell you this: No, it cant.....
The Autobahn is designed so that the lanes are wider and less winding. Also, there ARE speed limits on certain portions of it (outside built-up areas, towns, along certain corridors).
Second, european emission standards are different than ours hence the cars can handle the speed. Tires are wider, thicker, and developed for autobahn driving.
Third, when you get your drivers license in germany (Fuhrerschein)it is good for life. The drivers exam is the hardest exam ever devised - %30 do not pass it the first time. Drivers training (Fahrschule) is MANDATORY prior to being issued your license. Two test are administered, a 30 question theory test and a practical driving test......
GOLO member since November 28, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:22 p.m.
Yeah, I'll take our freaky rules any day over Mexico's.
GOLO member since September 22, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:18 p.m.
I wish more LEO's could be around the exit ramp for Wake Forest Rd off the beltline around 8am every morning. I wait in the line like I am supposed to (takes all of about 2 mins.) but so many people fly up and then jump over onto the ramp at the last second as if they are important. When I get up to the mouth of the ramp I start looking for them so I can "make my vehicle wide enough" to force them into the grass! Then they curse at me as if they have been troubled... classic.
GOLO member since March 28, 2009
November 9, 2009 5:14 p.m.
I've never averaged it by the hour. In a shift, I could for all practical purposes write between 10 - 15, depends on how resiliant I am. Thats not counting calls for service, warrants that I might chose to try and serve or just plain sitting and wanting to be "seen" as a deterant.
GOLO member since November 28, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:13 p.m.
GOLO member since March 31, 2008
November 9, 2009 5:11 p.m.
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