driving behind a cop?

Question

This happened to a buddy of mine while I was in the passenger seat and he was driving. We were driving behind this cop cruising at 90. Most cops do this. They just fly on the highway when they don't have their lights on. He pulled into the next lane then got behind us then pulled us over. He ended up giving my buddy a ticket. My question is, why do cops think they get special treatment to fly on the highway? If they get a call then that's one thing, they should put on their lights, then fly. But if they're just cruising around, why do they think that just because they're a policeman, they don't have to obey the speed limit like everyone else?

Answer 1

It's illegal to follow an emergency vehicle. You have no idea where he was going. If he was on a non emergency call, and saw you following him, he just had the call re assigned, and ticketed you.

Answer 2

Maybe the officer was responding to a call and it was canceled or his assistance was no longer needed. It happens more often then you know. The bottom line is, just cause a cop is doing it, does not give you the right to. I don't see anyone ever bitching and moaning because police officers get to go to domestic disturbances and break them up and potentially get the crap beat out of them, and civilians don't get to have that fun.

Answer 3

How do you know he wasn't responding to a call? We dont always use lights and siren!!! When will people begin to understand this? You are an idiot for driving behind him thinking he doesn't realize you are speeding. I would have done the same thing.

Answer 4

When you own the baseball you can make the rules. So let me see if I have this straight. Your friend saw someone else break the law so it is okay for you to break the law.

P.S. in California a certified, on duty officer is not required to obey traffic laws. The lights and sirens are just to get you out of the way.

Answer 5

I speed everyday when I go to calls I don't always find it necessary to use my lights and my department lets it be up to me if I use it unless it is called out over the radio for a CODE 3 assistance call then I use them.

Answer 6

Except for CHARLSYEH everybody missed the mark. The officer was clocking his speed. Who says the cop has to follow you to determine how fast you are going.
You are keeping up with him at 90? Idiot. This is not entrapment either. He did not ask you to follow him at 90.

Answer 7

You are an idiot. Like the guy above said, it is illegal to follow an emergency vehicle. You guys deserve to get a ticket. Just because the sirens are not on does not mean he is not heading somewhere important.

Answer 8

Just like that one guy in New York who was going around video taping all the meter maids who were parkign illegally trying to expose them.

Well, turns out theres a special ordninance that allows meter maids that ability.
You could check with the city where you got the ticket -- your buddy.

Find out if they have a local ordinance like that, and if not,when your buiddy goes to court bring it up, contest the ticket, and say I was proving a point...the officer was going 90 and i wanted to know why he could when I cant.

Chances are, they will put the officer on the stand, and he shouldnt lie about it.
At which time your buddy might get it dismissed.

Answer 9

you admitted speeding and that is why you got a ticket. by you speeding like someone else does not give you an excuse to speed.many times a officer speeding will be running radar. those dumb enough to speed get a ticket.
----retired texas deputy sheriff----

Answer 10

Well my friend its because ur friend was driving to close to cop car. Any person that drives should know allowed ur not allowed to follow an emergency vehicle to close.