Grayson County Trooper

BrassMonkey · #1

Got pulled over for the first time in years last night, 12:05AM. Got a warning... See below for details...

75 N Grayson County Mile Marker 212 - 80 in a 65 Trooper blacked out right shoulder

Trooper: "Sir, Texas Highway Patrol. I stopped you for speeding, License, Proof of insurance please"

Brass: Handed over all with CHL

Trooper: Looks at docs and says, "Your getting a warning for speeding, hang on"

Brass: "Thank you"

Trooper: What's the rush?

Brass: "Ehh, got a way from me a bit"

Trooper: "Just a wee bit ehh?"

Trooper: Goes back to unit, does his checks, comes back with a written warning

Brass: "Thanks sir, I appreciate it"

Trooper: "Take it easy..."

RKirby · #2

Got pulled over for the first time in years last night, 12:05AM. Got a warning... See below for details...

75 N Grayson County Mile Marker 212 - 90 in a 65 Trooper blacked out right shoulder............Trooper: Looks at docs and says, "Your getting a warning for speeding, hang on"

You really need to go buy a lottery ticket...right away!

BrassMonkey · #3

Agreed

RKirby wrote:
Got pulled over for the first time in years last night, 12:05AM. Got a warning... See below for details...

75 N Grayson County Mile Marker 212 - 90 in a 65 Trooper blacked out right shoulder............Trooper: Looks at docs and says, "Your getting a warning for speeding, hang on"
You really need to go buy a lottery ticket...right away!

BrassMonkey · #4

Oops,
That was supposed to be 80 (eighty) not 90.

AEA · #5

Just for discussion......I seem to remember where the PO were not allowed to be blacked out at night on the shoulder of any road!

I know it is done, and I know it is effective for the PO/City/County/Etc....

But is it legal?

Could the Perp (ha ha) have made a case in court on this?

txinvestigator · #6

AEA wrote:Just for discussion......I seem to remember where the PO were not allowed to be blacked out at night on the shoulder of any road!

I know it is done, and I know it is effective for the PO/City/County/Etc....

But is it legal?

Could the Perp (ha ha) have made a case in court on this?

Whether or not the LEO was in compliance with traffic laws at the time of the violation by BrassMonkey is irrelevant in court. it does not change the fact that he was speeding.

As far as your other question; it applies to all vehicles, but there is an exception.

Texas Transportation Code
Â§ 547.383. LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS ON PARKED VEHICLES.

(b) A vehicle, other than a motor-driven cycle, that is
parked or stopped on a roadway or shoulder at a time specified in
Section 547.302(a) (nightime or when persons or vehicles are visible at 1000 feet)shall display a lamp that complies with
Subsection (a).
(c) A vehicle that is lawfully parked on a highway is not
required to display lights at night-time if there is sufficient
light to reveal a person or vehicle on the highway at a distance of
1,000 feet.

BrassMonkey · #7

I prefer the term, "Infraction" thank you very much :-D

#8

I like "perp". I think that is going to be your new nickname.

BrassMonkey · #9

barres · #10

I thought traffic stops had to be made in a marked vehicle. Wouldn't an all black vehicle be unmarked? Or were you trying to say he had no lights on at all, BrassMonkey?

stevie_d_64 · #11

Just a wee bit...

I agree...I expect to see another millionaire soon!!! Get that lotto ticket!!!

BrassMonkey · #12

Blacked out means sitting on the side of the road with all lights turned off.

Good question though :-)

barres wrote:I thought traffic stops had to be made in a marked vehicle. Wouldn't an all black vehicle be unmarked? Or were you trying to say he had no lights on at all, BrassMonkey?

#13

I have been pulled over by an unmarked vehicle before, with the lights hidden in the grill.

And my daughter got pulled over by a bicycle cop. No lights or nothing. He rode up, tapped on her window, and told her to pull over. She didn't believe him, so she didn't pull over. But she found out that bicycle cops have friends with cars, and lights... and guns too! A real learning experience, shall we say.

So yeah, I think unmarked vehicles can make traffic stops.

HankB · #14

llwatson wrote: . . . So yeah, I think unmarked vehicles can make traffic stops.

I suppose they can . . . but if its unmarked, then by definition it isn't identifiable as a police vehicle.

A few years back right here around Austin there was a police impersonator in an unmarked vehicle stopping people - usually women - for no good purpose. He'd outfitted his sedan with lights behind the grill (probably from Warshawsky or JC Whitney) and was able to put on a convincing light show.

Certainly a marked car with a light bar on top is almost certainly a real LEO . . . but an unmarked vehicle? I'd probably keep going until one or more clearly marked units showed up. (I expect by that point I'd have to keep my hands up, too, but with the alternative being taken by a fake cop . . . bad no matter how you look at it.)

KBCraig · #15

Even as a well-armed burly guy, I'm not about to pull over for an unmarked vehicle.

I would, though, be on the phone to 911, giving them my name and vehicle description and asking for confirmation that the car behind me is authentic.

Arkansas State Police has, or had, a series of low profile vehicles, but they used them wisely. I saw a red Dodge Durango and other vehicles that looked "non-police", and I was pulled over once by a silver Crown Vic (not a Police Interceptor).

These vehicles had hidden lights front and rear, and the right front fender was marked (but no other markings). When I was stopped, they pulled up in the left lane so that I could clearly see both the marking. Then I glanced over and saw two uniformed troopers (Smokey Bear hat and all) making eye contact with me. Only then did they drop behind and hit the lights. And of course I promptly pulled over.

I only got a warning, too.