Can police do whatever they want?

Question

Okay, so I deliver the local newspaper 3 nights a week. I say "nights" because its usually 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM in the morning and dark out when I work. An unfortunate side effect to this is that I often get pulled over by the local law enforcement basically because I am the only car on the road and they have nothing else to do. I have never commited any traffic violations while delivering the newspapers, but it is almost guaranteed that if I see a police car, I'm getting pulled over for some BS reason. Once they see that I am delivering newspapers, they say "okay, have a nice night", but my point is how can they just pull me over repeatedly when I'm not doing anything wrong?

Edit: To gunsandammoatwork... I believe you call that stereotyping. Just because you know some newspaper deliver people that do no obey the traffic laws, does not mean that I do not obey them. I think you should take these things on a case by case basis. Perhaps this is the problem. Again, if you do not see me commiting any traffic violations, how can you just pull me over? It is NOT illegal to drive a car at 4:00 AM, although you'd sure think it was around here.

Answer 1

That's funny that you say you haven't done anything. Most newspaper guys I see have a huge problem with speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, and have a general disregard for stop signs and other traffic signals. When I've pulled them over, a few of them even told me "It's O.K. I deliver the newspaper!"

So who is it that thinks they can do whatever they want?

Answer 2

Lloyd isn't the only one, Razzy.

I would like to give everyone here some good advice: if you have to be out in the early morning hours, you are the most vulnerable for police stops.

Always make sure you have all of your driving credentials and they are up to date and that your vehicle is visually sound in the space of a five-second walk-around. Always stop behind posted stop signs or the white lines at a red light completely before a right turn. Always drive the speed limit. If someone is rushing up behind you, try to get over into the right lane to let them by because it is probably a pursuit vehicle without the siren lights on.
All of this is especially important if you drive a hot, flashy sports car.

If I can prevent one person here at Yahoo!Answers from being pulled over today, my answer will have been worth the time. And I emphatically mean it, Razzy.

Answer 3

It is ODD to see a car out at that hour and if you are making frequent stops the officer could be checking on your personal wellbeing.

NOT to mention Drunk Driving is on the rise so they are probably doing random stops.

As you said they didn't ticket you for anything, so no harm done.

Apparently you have some real issues with the police force because this is the second post you put in regards to cops... Maybe it's just you and they are plotting against you????

Have a good day.

Answer 4

It may be strange in your area for normal people-ie those who aren't druggies to be out at that hour, apart from those going home from parties if there stupid but to answer your question YES police are able to pull you over at there discresion and question you, If you haven't commited any offences then you have no need to worry.

Just stay calm and dont arouse suspision because if you appear slightly drunk or anything they WILL do a random breath test (RBT) either by blowing into a plastic stick or saying your name and address into a machine that measures your BAC (blood alcohol content).

I hope this helps you out.

Mitch
Launceston,Tas
Australia

Answer 5

Keep this in mind, the neighborhood you deliver papers in have people that are awake in their houses watching what goes on outside, and they see you driving around probably slowly to deliver your papers and they call the police saying there is a suspicious vehicle driving around my neighborhood. Trust me I answer these calls for a living, I would say 9 out of 10 times that's why. The police officers are just trying to do their job......like you are tiring to do yours.

Answer 6

Usually only "meth heads" are out at that time and every cop loves to mess w/ those kinds, always hoping for that "big bust". You are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some night when you want to f*ck around, get a box of powdered donuts and sprinkle the powder all over your face (eat some too) and then when the cop pulls you over w/ your powdered face offer him a donut. Get and give a laugh!

Answer 7

In theory is absolutely NO"" for what any reasons. The corp pulled you b/c 1. It is their duties to take care or look after you. You are alone. 2. They suspected on you why you always come at late night time and for what, drugs, robbery or so on. Corp have to make peace to our society. do not have pesimistic againt them.Pls keep cooled.

Answer 8

if this is an on going thing a would suggest that you bring it to the attention of the chief of police for harassment! specially if you been doing this for some time now!I don't care what time it is unless there is alignment reason they cant keep pulling you over!

Answer 9

You mean the police stop someone who is creeping through their neighborhoods at 3am. Oh the horror. Those bad, bad men trying to keep their communities safe. You may know that you are not up to anything, but they don't.

Answer 10

they do whatever they know they can get away with. and pulling peopel over for no reason is just something to do. they love pulling people over for no reason. especially when ur of ethnic background. but thats not alwaysthe case. i suggest u get like a magnet sign that says newspaper delivery guy lol. i know that was dumb lol.