I like to follow speeding cops when they don’t have their lights on, they are supposed to follow the posted speeds unless they have their lights on to indicate they are responding to an emergency.
I did that for a cop that was busy on their computer waiting for a left turn at a light. They didn’t notice the 2 cars ahead had made the turn and noone behind them could tell or dared honk. I was beside them watching. They eventually looked up, I think we’re confused because the cars were long gone so their autopilot didn’t think “ok follow now”, then slammed on the gas and then slammed on the brakes as the light had gone red and cross traffic was proceeding. I sent the car number, licence plate and description of the officer, as well as time of day, to the complaints number.
The response I got back was “thanks so much, we looked into it. Bye.”
It is still important to report each incident. They are supposed to keep records of this type of thing. They may well be keeping those records but unable to tall you results. If there are records, a long list of complaints will build up. Even if there are not, just enough people complaining will get someone annoyed enough to do something.
I just remembered another time a distracted cop made me unhappy.
There is a weird intersection that leads in from a right bend, then you must go north or south at lights, and there are 2 left turn and 1 right turn lane. It also sucks as there is another light to the south (left) that often backs up into this one.
At least sometimes, the intersection was under construction so everytime I went through (once a week sometimes, sometimes not) I would get blindsided by “surprise the middle lane for left turn is closed!” Or “psyc! The middle lane is for right only and the right lane is closed!” Whatever, but you didn’t get to know that until you came around the bend.
So I’m coming slowly around the bend, and there is already a lineup in the leftmost lane. Is this because the centre is closed? Because the centre is the only left lane? Because Toronto traffic? Who knows?!?
So I round the corner and it’s because the centre lane is for right turning today and the right is closed right at the intersection. So I immediately start to look for a friendly soul to let me in. Low! A cop car, leaving a full car length of room ahead of them! I approach slowly and merge in. Sadly I’m a truck so my butt is sticking out slightly, but because the right lane is totally closed ahead there is 1 3/4 lanes to get around me. I wave a thank you at the cop.
Oops.
The cop rolls down her window and squeezes in along side my angle, blocking the bike ‘lane’ or whatever space was there before the temp barrier for construction.
I get a dressing down, how I’m cutting her off, blocking the other lane and I should line up like everyone else (I don’t point out that 3 cars have gone around me and are now signalling and butting in while blocking right turn traffic.)
I passive aggressively say “sorry, I guess you were distracted and that’s why you left the space!” And as soon as the car ahead gave me an inch I weaslesd back out and into the centre lane. I wait for the people butting in to get out of the way and I make a right, make a left into a lot and turn around and pull out. And as I drive through the intersection I can see her still 2 cars back from being able to turn. So from then on I just did that if I got caught in the wrong lane.
And to the officer I say: if you don’t want people to think you are being a thoughtful driver, pay some fucking attention. Also maybe pull over one of the countless asshats who were blocking traffic and forcing their way in? So strange you didn’t bother doing that as I’m sure if you WERE WATCHING you would have noticed many…
Cops don’t follow laws? No way!
I like to follow speeding cops when they don’t have their lights on, they are supposed to follow the posted speeds unless they have their lights on to indicate they are responding to an emergency.
Better yet, get their car number (which should be printed on the back) and lodge a formal complaint.
I did that for a cop that was busy on their computer waiting for a left turn at a light. They didn’t notice the 2 cars ahead had made the turn and noone behind them could tell or dared honk. I was beside them watching. They eventually looked up, I think we’re confused because the cars were long gone so their autopilot didn’t think “ok follow now”, then slammed on the gas and then slammed on the brakes as the light had gone red and cross traffic was proceeding. I sent the car number, licence plate and description of the officer, as well as time of day, to the complaints number.
The response I got back was “thanks so much, we looked into it. Bye.”
It is still important to report each incident. They are supposed to keep records of this type of thing. They may well be keeping those records but unable to tall you results. If there are records, a long list of complaints will build up. Even if there are not, just enough people complaining will get someone annoyed enough to do something.
We are on the same page.
Just don’t anybody get their hopes up.
I just remembered another time a distracted cop made me unhappy.
There is a weird intersection that leads in from a right bend, then you must go north or south at lights, and there are 2 left turn and 1 right turn lane. It also sucks as there is another light to the south (left) that often backs up into this one.
At least sometimes, the intersection was under construction so everytime I went through (once a week sometimes, sometimes not) I would get blindsided by “surprise the middle lane for left turn is closed!” Or “psyc! The middle lane is for right only and the right lane is closed!” Whatever, but you didn’t get to know that until you came around the bend.
So I’m coming slowly around the bend, and there is already a lineup in the leftmost lane. Is this because the centre is closed? Because the centre is the only left lane? Because Toronto traffic? Who knows?!?
So I round the corner and it’s because the centre lane is for right turning today and the right is closed right at the intersection. So I immediately start to look for a friendly soul to let me in. Low! A cop car, leaving a full car length of room ahead of them! I approach slowly and merge in. Sadly I’m a truck so my butt is sticking out slightly, but because the right lane is totally closed ahead there is 1 3/4 lanes to get around me. I wave a thank you at the cop.
Oops.
The cop rolls down her window and squeezes in along side my angle, blocking the bike ‘lane’ or whatever space was there before the temp barrier for construction.
I get a dressing down, how I’m cutting her off, blocking the other lane and I should line up like everyone else (I don’t point out that 3 cars have gone around me and are now signalling and butting in while blocking right turn traffic.)
I passive aggressively say “sorry, I guess you were distracted and that’s why you left the space!” And as soon as the car ahead gave me an inch I weaslesd back out and into the centre lane. I wait for the people butting in to get out of the way and I make a right, make a left into a lot and turn around and pull out. And as I drive through the intersection I can see her still 2 cars back from being able to turn. So from then on I just did that if I got caught in the wrong lane.
And to the officer I say: if you don’t want people to think you are being a thoughtful driver, pay some fucking attention. Also maybe pull over one of the countless asshats who were blocking traffic and forcing their way in? So strange you didn’t bother doing that as I’m sure if you WERE WATCHING you would have noticed many…
Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.