Why do some cops think it's okay to speed?

Question

I see cops on the highway ALL THE TIME cruising along at speeds that would get me a ticket.
I mean, if they are going somewhere in an emergency, they use the lights and what not, I get that, but when they are just cruising, sometimes I wonder why some police officers feel they are above the law.

Answer 1

We do not think it is ok....You are seeing a police car speed by but is that what you are really seeing, please read this.....

Legally..........The law allows for police officers to break traffic laws when needed in the 'actual' performance of their duties....meaning anytime we are taking a police action wether on or off duty....in or out of uniform....in a patrol car or personal car.......

Some situations require a timely response, but for reason, activation of lights and siren would be detrimental to the response and may also cause a safety risk to the officer.

IE: Bank Robberies....Drug Transaction Calls.....Some medical Calls

Please think about it. If you are driving and a car comes speeding up behind you, you are going to just move over. If you see a car with lights flashing and blinding you, and a siren shrieking in your ear, you are going to:

1. Slam on your brakes, possibly causing and accident
2. Not move over because you are trying to figure out if you are being pulled over and wonder what you did
3. Delay us because of reason 2

It may look like the police car is just cruising along...But they really arent...Hope that opens your eyes and mind the next time you think a police car just 'speeding' on by.

Answer 2

AS usual, there are people trying to answer questions and they have no Idea what the heck they are blabbering about!! I'll say this one more time so listen hard. In most every State, A Police Officer on Duty, In a Police vehicle, that is registered and owned by a Municipal, County or State Is exempt from most every traffic regulation specifically by STATE STATUTE!!!!! HOWEVER- If an Officer causes an accident and it is determined that the Officer was negligent in not using his Lights and Siren while not abiding by those same traffic laws, then he himself can be found civilly liable. So basically, if the Officer is speeding without his lights and siren and doesn't cause an accident, then he is A-OK. To answer your question- Yes, an Officer on duty IS above Traffic law. ONE MORE THING- Pay more attention to your own driving and you won't need to be worried about WHAT the Police are doing.

Answer 3

There are some cases where they can't use the lights because they don't want to spook the person they're trying to catch and you don't always have to use the lights they are there to help make people move if they don't get out of the way. And how often do you speed on the highway probably going 70 in a 65 I have a hard time believing that you only go 65 on the highway.

Answer 4

SGT D,

Which states say that cops can break traffic laws just by being on duty with no other stipulations?
Not in Colorado at least. Here, an officer can't break traffic laws unless they are following a suspected traffic violator or responding to an emergency. If they are breaking traffic laws at any other time then it is the exact same thing as if a civilian were to do it, which is a problem. (if it is a problem for a civilian to break traffic laws, then it is a problem for cops too...simple as that. I don't make the laws, but the law is the law)

I disagree with you saying that civilians shouldn't worry about cop's driving illegally. If civilians don't hold cops accountable, who will? Cops could just break the law willy nilly and NEVER get caught. IF cops are going to hold civs responsible for breaking the law, shouldn't it follow that civs should hold cops likewise? That would be FAIR, right? There should be checks and balances for cop-civilian relations.

How about if a civilian said to you "don't worry about my driving, worry about your own"? How would that fly? See my point?

Answer 5

Well, On the highways. Highway patrol speeds 10 or more mile on the freeway to "pace" the reason of this if the speed limit is 65 they go 75 they are on the look out for speeder if any car behind them is getting closer or a car ahead of them is pulling away they know they are speeding, And will take action against those speeder's. Most HP give tickets to people usually going 5 + the legally speed limit.

Answer 6

I do agree that some officers speed. But they also sometimes are in route to an emergency.

Believe it or not, it's more of a personal preference for an officer to use lights/siren. If not necessary, some will not. They are supposed to in heavy traffic and through intersections, but not always if these situations are not present (ie: highways, residential areas, etc.)

Just ignore it. If it seems like a dept. does it repeatedly or often, call the Patrol Supervisor for the dept. and notify them.

-CS

Answer 7

if the cop has its lights on he is allowed to speed. but if he is just crusing along you can go just as fast as he is going and get away with a ticket. cops have power trips and yes i agree some think they are above the law
i got pulled over by the same cop i was following along beside him then i passed him. he gave me a ticket for speeding
i took it too court and they dropped it because the cop didnt have its lights on and i said i was trying not to hold up the other 50 carse behind the cop that were too afraid of passing him.

Answer 8

cops ARE above the law.
anyhow, just cuz the lights aren't on don't mean he isn't on a mission. someone might be dying or there might be a sale on day old doughnuts going on. Until you can ask the cop why he was 'speeding' don't complain. Cops aren't here to make us happy, they are here to force the law down our throats and do what they want.

On a seperate note; why is ten over speeding? I don't feel like I am going fast until I am atleast 25 miles over whats posted. 50 mph in a 20, 95mph in a 70, you get my drift.
Speeds need to be raised so that hellraisers like me don't get tickets. I would be content doing 50 in a school zone. If your kid walks in front of me, he deserves to be a speedbump. WHOOO!

Answer 9

have you ever seen a cop get pulled over for speeding? i have not and probably never will. i know that they are supposed to follow the laws just like everyone else but who is making them?

Answer 10

B?C along with the govenment politicians, cops are also corrupt they all think they can do what they want. but even the ebst of cops will break some laws here and there even laws like speeding, or accepting gift or free **** while on duty. Cops are people no one likes but people we need.