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gigag04 wrote: I don't know you if I'm pulling you over. You could be a 65 yo grandma or you could be the chainsaw killer that just stole away a 6 year old girl...It's not personal. If you shined a light on me, I'm not sure what exactly you could be charged with but it would definitely make your traffic stop more interesting.

If it hurts eyes shield them and turn slightly away...that also makes it harder for you to shoot me first.

There are a few others on here that will understand as they have also done traffic stops at 3:30 am - I flood that car with light, spotlight, take downs, highbeams, and one of my handhelds. There are other tactics in play too that I won't get into on a public forum but they keep us safer. If you don't want to get pulled over don't give an officer PC to stop you.

I was taking my husband some food one night, around midnight, and an officer pulled into the lot behind me, blocked my car, and shone his spotlight on the car. I had no idea what was up but rolled down my window and asked if there was a problem. It was apparent by the look on his face that I was not what he expected to see.

Evidently the strip where my hubby works had been recently hit by people coming in the middle of the night and stealing computers. The cop had been staking it out and, of course, it IS odd to see a vehicle pull in at that late hour since every other company on the strip closes at 9pm. I explained that my hubby works at the EMS company there and held up the food I was bringing him. The cop never asked me for ID but also didn't turn off the spotlight until he was back in his car.

I had no problem because, though the light was blinding, I knew he was being cautious and wanted an eye on everything. I wasn't doing anything wrong, but that doesn't mean he knows that when he pulls up behind you.

I totally back you on the lights, gigag04. Seriously, guys, if the light bothers you, just shield your eyes. If it makes things easier for the officer, I'm all for it. These guys put their lives on the line every shift. I've heard traffic stops are the worst for cops, so I can understand a desire to have things lit up in an attempt to avoid a bad situation.

Pinkycatcher wrote:

gigag04 wrote:
Regarding lights in your face at night - that's a safety issue. I can see you and you can't see me. It's tactically great

And if I did the same? Pulled out my 3 million candle power spot light and put it on my back windshield? I bet I'd get arrested wouldn't I? I'm just saying it might be better for y'all but it turns me into a jerk and it'd do the same to you if I shined you like that.

Except that you've been pulled over and he's just doing his job. If it makes him safer and lets him go home to his family at night maybe you should suck it up. A little light won't hurt you.

gigag04 wrote:How are not writing the OP a ticket and showing professionalism correlated? I understand that nobody likes getting tickets...but I don't see how either outcome would be related to officer's professionalism as long as he/she is fair and consistent in his citing for violations. (loaded issue...)

Probably because the OP pulled over immediately, the LEO decided to just ask him to slow down and didn't give him a hard time about driving so quickly in his fast car. The LEO behaved professionally by not making it into a big deal. The not getting a ticket thing is just icing on the cake.


I've never gotten a ticket (but I sure deserved one the one time I've been pulled over) and I hope I never will!