Can a cop pull you over for having a dim light?? and are they supposed to ask you for your information??

Question

a friend of mine was pulled over recently, and he claims that the cop had no right to pull him over for a dim light. He also claimed that the cop had no right to ask him for him information (insurance, license, etc.). when the cop saw that his insurance expired..he gave my friend a $400 ticket. then he complains that the cop was also Mexican-American and that he should have given him a break on the ticket....was my friend right?? or was the cop right??

Answer 1

I think a dim light is a broken light, but all I have to say is PADIDDLE!!!

Answer 2

First, driving is a priviledge, not a right. The law states you must have properly functioning lights. He did not. That is why he was stopped. When driving, you are required to have a drivers lic and you are required to present it on demand to law enforcement. That is part of the requirements you agree to when you apply for a drivers Lic. Insurance is also required by law. To protect others from people who drive around with faulty lights. Your friend was wrong and got what he deserved. What does the cop's ancestory have to do with anything? I wasn't aware that played into it. I'll have to let all the irish Americans go for now on!

As far as the getting pulled over for no reason, thats a farce. Never ask a cop that. A little hint. If he's pulling you over, he has a reason. Thats why the lights are on! Any caron the road can produce numerous tickets at anytime, so never challenge a cop on that. You'll get whatever his "reason" was, plus several more. Most people are unaware of many of the traffic laws and every cop has his favorites for the special people. In most states, stickers on the rear window..ticket. Things hanging from the mirror?.. ticket. In NY you must have 2 hands on the wheel.. ticket. Tint... odds are its to much.. ticket. Frame around your plate? Ticket. Clear cover... theres another. After those are written, I'll move on to the things that are really wrong with your car like no insurance.
it usually seems that the biggest complainers are also the ones with suspensions, revocations, warrants etc. Thats the "reason"

Answer 3

Of course the cop had a right to pull him over - lights are part of the safety system of a car, and having dim lights is unsafe, and against traffic rules. It's the cop's duty to pull you over if your car is not fully safe.

Also, if you're driving, the police has the right to check your documents at any time - even if you did absolutely nothing wrong (routine checks).

Now, saying that the cop should have given him a break because they're both Mexican.American is simply a covert form of racism. The cop has to do his job exactly the same way no matter whom he's dealing with.

In a nutshell, your friend is wrong on all counts.

Answer 4

Well, boo-hoo. Yes, an officer can pull a car over for any safety matter and the lights on your car are to be in working condition at all time. And, yes, it is standard to ask for license and registration when stopped by an officer. Too bad your buddy didn't follow the rules and carry insurance. It might have been cheaper than the $400.00 fine.

Tell him to be a man, take responsibility for his own actions, suck it up, pay the fine, fix the light and get insurance. He also needs to believe that the rules that apply to the rest of us apply to him also...he is not a special case.

Answer 5

The cop was correct. In order to be legal to drive a motor vehicle, you need proof of insurance as well as a registration. A driver's liscense is obvious to drive. A cop needs all this information in order to find out of the person is completely legal. I think your friend is just pissed because he got a ticket for his insurance being expired and wants to blame someone else.

Answer 6

The cop's right, he does have a right to pull your friend over and ask for license, insurance etc especially if he suspects someone is driving without a valid license.

Answer 7

First if the equipment on the auto is not working property, the officer has a right to stop them.

While he did not have to ask for his info, he does have the right to.

It sounds like your friend just got caught and is mad because he was driving illegal without insurance.

We should all thank such a officer who will find people with no regard for others who will drive with no insurance.
People who drive with no insurance are a risk to us all, since if there is an accident, they have no way to pay for the damges without insurance

Answer 8

the very undeniable truth that he had no man or woman pulled over doesn't count number. What if he stepped outdoors of his motor vehicle merely as you've been passing and also you hit him? that is why the regulation become written to handle what you may want to do in case you spot flashing lighting fixtures...if he's too dumb to reveal his lighting fixtures on, you get a loose bypass. yet when the lighting fixtures are on, that dictates what you may want to do. lack of expertise of the regulation isn't any excuse. yet in case you're taking position to court docket, tutor regret to the choose, and plead responsible, he would have some sympathy for you and decrease the advantageous. you does no longer opt for to apply your lack of expertise as an excuse, yet say something like, "Your Honor, i did not learn about this regulation, and that become my fault, yet now that i do learn about it, i'd be a lot extra careful about this contained in the destiny."

Answer 9

Here we go again, another cop had violated somone rights. Yes they can pull you over for a dim light. Yes, they can pull you over for any thing they want. Yes, they can pull you over if they don't like your hair do, yes, they can pull you over if they don't like the color of your car. They will pull you over to let you know that you have a dim light and it is SOP for them to check your insr and lic. There.

Answer 10

The cop was within his rights to pull your friend over.
Impaired lighting is probable cause. From there, it's just a matter
of procedure.