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Mira

(22,641 posts)

16. If suddenly I see a policeman who turned around ahead of me

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 09:56 AM

Jul 2015

start to tail me I might easily get out of my lane to let him pass and not signal, very easily, very probably.
Especially on a road where practically no-one else is driving at that time.

The thought that he is after me and I may be stopped would occur in such an instance.
I would be extremely nervous, but I would not fear for my life, or fear incarceration even if I mouthed off at him, which I have been known to do.
But then,
I am white. And I would fear mightily and immediately if I were not. I admire Sandra's courage to object.

Worst thing ever for me - a piece of paper flew out the back of my truck and a police car hidden in the bushes came after me.
I had 13 anti Bush stickers on my tailgate, was in a flaming "red" county in NC, was on the way to the airport, and told them that. They sat behind me for 40 minutes and did not let me go, my 85 year old mother was in my truck with me, then issued a 312 dollar citation. I had not been speeding.

I cursed them incredibly, in hindsight. I was never asked to get out of the car, though they suggested I could go find that piece of paper and clean up the highway.
I NEVER feared for my person or my life, it was inconceivable, but was spitting furious for the harassment.
I fought the ticket, with a lawyer friend helping me for free, got off for $ 25.
I did not miss my plane.

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Dear MSM,stop calling Sandra Blands arrest a "routine traffic stop". [View all] sufrommich Jul 2015 OP

There is something very wrong in America when while simply ladjf Jul 2015 #1

Sudden movements (including raising your unarmed hands) ecstatic Jul 2015 #29

If you can, while cop is approaching place wallet and registration on dash. Sit with hands on wheel. ieoeja Jul 2015 #33

NO,NO,NO,NO!!....Do NOT reach into your pocket or glove box for documents!!!! louis-t Jul 2015 #43

Partly OK! Have your registration and insurance card easily accessible. Place on dash with license. TheBlackAdder Jul 2015 #46

You don't want an approaching cop to see you COLGATE4 Jul 2015 #52

They are already expecting something. Finish your collection and minimize movement after contact. TheBlackAdder Jul 2015 #64

That's why I said you should FIRST inform the officer COLGATE4 Jul 2015 #65

That's why you tell him where you are reaching, what you are doing. louis-t Jul 2015 #72

A Standard Police M.O. - She was going to get pulled over regardless. TheBlackAdder Jul 2015 #42

good insight. yurbud Jul 2015 #50

Just put your hands, clasped, on top of the wheel nadinbrzezinski Jul 2015 #69

Not to mention he whipped his car around once he got a good look at her BEFORE ... Hassin Bin Sober Jul 2015 #2

Yeah, not only whip his car around but he immediately sufrommich Jul 2015 #4

The behavior he engaged in was reprehensible and IMO criminal... kristopher Jul 2015 #14

If suddenly I see a policeman who turned around ahead of me Mira Jul 2015 #16

You would mouth off to a cop? CANDO Jul 2015 #80

Police speed up on cars for the sole purpose of intimidating the driver into making a mistake. nt TheBlackAdder Jul 2015 #48

You are so right. It was not routine. That cop was heading the other way . . . brush Jul 2015 #3

Yup. truebrit71 Jul 2015 #6

By that logic there are no routine stops mythology Jul 2015 #5

But you'd expect to be pulled over for speeding or running a red light kcr Jul 2015 #7

I do know several people who have, in fact, gotten tickets for that precise thing. niyad Jul 2015 #35

Yeah, I should clarify. I don't know anyone who simply got a ticket for that as a matter of course kcr Jul 2015 #59

I was pulled over for that once in Suburban Chicago. Ace Rothstein Jul 2015 #36

And if there is no traffic and it is safe treestar Jul 2015 #8

If you watch the very beginning of the 52 min video... blackspade Jul 2015 #24

He was inappropriate with the first driver as well, IMO ecstatic Jul 2015 #57

+1 Lilith Rising Jul 2015 #60

True though that could also be friendly chat treestar Jul 2015 #74

She was a sophomore. Igel Jul 2015 #76

My hearing isn't good enough to disern her ethnicity. blackspade Jul 2015 #77

Umm- it was a routine stop Lee-Lee Jul 2015 #9

Except his attitude changed immediately on the second stop. Kingofalldems Jul 2015 #45

It was a bs stop and you know it. Kingofalldems Jul 2015 #53

Texas has a new law that went into effect Horse with no Name Jul 2015 #10

it's a fucked up reason to get pulled over but we all signal when we know a cop is nearby because Demonaut Jul 2015 #11

I know if you are a truck driver it would be a routine traffic stop. I can't count how many times B Calm Jul 2015 #12

I know a number of cops... Whiskeytide Jul 2015 #13

It's routine if you have out of state plates. Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2015 #15

That's why there numbers are in the toilet bigdarryl Jul 2015 #17

Follow a cop for 2 minutes. Guarantee you'll see a lane change without signal. AtheistCrusader Jul 2015 #18

They also think it's okay for them to travel at very high speeds in the left lane. Many B Calm Jul 2015 #19

Seriously, I don't know about that state, but here in WA there is no exemption to the speed limit AtheistCrusader Jul 2015 #27

Welcome to Texas maindawg Jul 2015 #20

She was profiled and harrassed. Because she didn't play, "Yes sir, no sir" it escalated. jalan48 Jul 2015 #21

Yep! She knew her rights. brush Jul 2015 #25

Unfortunately, knowing her rights probably got her killed. It's Amerika. jalan48 Jul 2015 #26

Putting out a cigarette is a lawful command when detained for a traffic stop Lee-Lee Jul 2015 #30

Show us evidence of that in legal code. brush Jul 2015 #32

Here is some reading for you Lee-Lee Jul 2015 #38

As was the request to leave the vehicle. Indydem Jul 2015 #40

Tell me where is the part about not violating the 4th Amendment . . . brush Jul 2015 #41

If the cop did nothing wrong, why is he on desk duty? Kingofalldems Jul 2015 #47

Mr policeman, do you signal every time you change lanes? Kingofalldems Jul 2015 #49

I'm not a man, thank you Lee-Lee Jul 2015 #51

kick samsingh Jul 2015 #22

Her arrest should have never happened. blackspade Jul 2015 #23

The cop was a testy unprofessional. Starry Messenger Jul 2015 #28

No one signals in Texas when they change lanes Gothmog Jul 2015 #31

the first thing I put in my alternative driving manual for texas was, "turn signals are optional niyad Jul 2015 #37

It is dangerous to show any weakness on the highway Gothmog Jul 2015 #54

+1 uponit7771 Jul 2015 #75

It fucking drives me crazy. I do, and I expect others to do so. X_Digger Jul 2015 #79

I am a Missouri resident... Moostache Jul 2015 #34

I was stopped for speeding recently Ms. Yertle Jul 2015 #39

What I used to tell my clients all the time. COLGATE4 Jul 2015 #55

I agree with you, BUT MH1 Jul 2015 #58

I understand what you are saying, but one problem I see with it is the inherent reinforcement niyad Jul 2015 #61

No. The idea is that the Supreme Court has made it clear COLGATE4 Jul 2015 #66

wonderful reinforcement of submitting unquestioningly to authority. niyad Jul 2015 #67

So far as I know, the Supreme Court is the law of the land. COLGATE4 Jul 2015 #70

and it is always the peasants who face the consequences of their actions. the jackboots niyad Jul 2015 #78

Highly rhetorical but not really very relevant COLGATE4 Jul 2015 #82

I didn't say "always" Ms. Yertle Jul 2015 #73

Good people can snap sometimes, even when every neuron ecstatic Jul 2015 #63

The cop had to know she was changing lanes to get out of his way. Kingofalldems Jul 2015 #44

Routine for African-Americans malaise Jul 2015 #56

The entire premise of this discussion is way wrong. Glassunion Jul 2015 #62

No, it is not Lurker Deluxe Jul 2015 #68

Cops kill a black person about once every 40 hours. Glassunion Jul 2015 #71

In NYC, not signaling between lanes is a huge no-no Reter Jul 2015 #81