New Calif Law on Traffic Stops

[Ben]

Shockingly, could CA have done something right here?

https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-california-law-change-way-police-officers-interact-drivers-pedestrians

I still recall years ago, and I think I posted about it here, getting pulled over by a CA Highway Patrol cop for speeding (and I was). Besides the "Why did I pull you over?" crap, my problem was that he focused on my Maxpedition ruck (as I recall, he said something to the effect that it was not "normal") and started giving me the third degree about what I was doing, what was in the ruck, etc. Still bugs me to this day. I drove away with just the ticket, but it could have gone sideways, especially with a legally stored pistol in the ruck.

On the other hand, I got pulled over by an Oregon State Trooper last year, and besides being friendly and telling me why he pulled me over, I'm pretty sure my telling him that I was armed with a CCW license got me a warning instead of a ticket.

[Hawkmoon]

I don't see how this law will in any way reduce pretextual stops.

[zahc]

Seems like a positive improvement I would say. "Do you know why I pulled you over" has always been blatant fishing and an attempt to get the driver to waive the 5th.

I don't like police enforcing traffic law in general though. It's sort of a waste of police resources, so either they are taken away from peacekeeping functions, or they use peacekeeping functions as an excuse to do absolutely no traffic enforcement. I swear license plates are effectively optional in the PNW now; the cops are on soft strike in general but any attempt to call them on it gets a "we have other priorities".

They should create programs where citizens can submit dashcam video of traffic violations.

[cordex]

 

zahc is the living embodiment of the “nobody: “ meme.

[JTHunter]

"Do you know why I pulled you over" has always been blatant fishing and an attempt to get the driver to waive the 5th.

  Although I have never had a chance to reply to that question, I always thought of replying to the officer with this:  "I'm sorry but I'm not a telepath.  I have no idea what you might have been thinking." 

[WLJ]

"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I got asked that once. I replied "because I f'ed up and totally misjudge that light back there.
He looked at me for a moment and said "Sounds like you know what you did, have a nice day" and got back into his car.
I have a funny feeling that if I had replied "because you're a f'ing ahole!" things would have gone a bit differently

[bedlamite]

"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I got asked that once. I replied "because I f'ed up and totally misjudge that light back there.
He looked at me for a moment and said have a nice day and got back into his car.
I have a funny feeling that if I had replied "because you're a f'ing ahole!" things would have gone a bit differently

In the early 90's, I had time and more attitude than I do now and said  "you wanted to thank me for my excellent driving?" He was obviously fishing. I don't remember the exact conversation, but I was a wise guy through the whole thing. He changed the reason he pulled me over and I called him on it. I passed the stupid human tricks and breathalyzer, refused a search, sat in the back of the cruiser while tried but failed to get a dog. He eventually let me go with a BS warning.