Why do police leave their flashing lights on?

mikebai1990 · 12-09-06, 03:55

I've often observed that after police catch people (speeding, car accident, driving violation, etc...) and pull them over, they always leave their lights and engine on. Why do they have to leave their engine and lights on? I can imagine that they leave their engine on in case the driver tries to run away, but I don't really understand the point of leaving the lights flashing. I believe that it is one of the major causes of rubbernecking on the highways. If you don't have the purple/blue/red lights blinding you as you drive past an accident, you probably wouldn't be so curious as to see what just happened. I think it would be better if they simply have their hazard lights on or something like that. What do you guys think?

DieselMDX · 12-09-06, 04:15

for safety reasons the lights are there to let people know a person is on the BDL. You have no idea f how many people drive drunk or not paying attention almost hit trooopers all the time on the side of the road.

We always leave the motor running that way if we have to leave in a hurry we dont have to worry about the car not starting. Also have alot of things running on the car so if we shut the car off we could kill the battery

There is a also a switch u have to hit to beable to put the cruiser in drive

JohnZ3MC · 12-09-06, 05:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselMDX

for safety reasons the lights are there to let people know a person is on the BDL. You have no idea f how many people drive drunk or not paying attention almost hit trooopers all the time on the side of the road.

We always leave the motor running that way if we have to leave in a hurry we dont have to worry about the car not starting. Also have alot of things running on the car so if we shut the car off we could kill the battery

There is a also a switch u have to hit to beable to put the cruiser in drive

It all seems so logical. Good clarification.
Tell us about the location of the switch to put it in drive. Maybe include a pic of the switch, show us the on and off position, and mention if the switch's location is common in all cruisers.
I ask for future joy riding possibilities and future long accommodations in a small room with a roomie named 'Bubba'.
-John C.

DieselMDX · 12-09-06, 06:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnZ3MC

It all seems so logical. Good clarification.
Tell us about the location of the switch to put it in drive. Maybe include a pic of the switch, show us the on and off position, and mention if the switch's location is common in all cruisers.
I ask for future joy riding possibilities and future long accommodations in a small room with a roomie named 'Bubba'.
-John C.

lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!! I worked in a jail also they are not ALL named Bubba!!

Ctowner · 12-14-06, 11:49

yo in dc cops constantly leave 2 lights flashing on their roof sirens. So f-ing annoying when I first moved to the city, I always thought that I was being pulled over whenever a chopper (cop) was behind me. I guess it just makes people more aware of their presence so people are more inclined to follow the rule of law. However it's kinda annoying

jimmie jam · 12-14-06, 12:16

It all seems so logical. Good clarification.
Tell us about the location of the switch to put it in drive. Maybe include a pic of the switch, show us the on and off position, and mention if the switch's location is common in all cruisers.
I ask for future joy riding possibilities

Joshua312 · 12-14-06, 12:21

What others said...For safety reasons. On even the sunniest day you can see cops a mile ahead who have someone pulled over. At night, even further. It also gives you a good reminder to slow down because there may be more close by

Trust me I have been pulled over plenty of times and the lights are embarrassing. But what makes me mad is when people dont get in the lane over when a cop has someone pulled over. That is just unsafe for the driver, the person pulled over, and the cop.

paul34 · 12-14-06, 01:07

Yea. I'm not sure if its still the case, but I believe it actually is (was?) the law that you had to surrender the lane near the pulled over officer, or if that wasn't possible, then you had to slow to 20 or 30 mph below the speed limit.

Regardless, I still move over whenever possible because its just common courtesy (which is lost to many people). Along that line, if I'm on the highway, or even local multi-lane roads, I always surrender the left lane (if possible) to an officer coming up from behind. Technically that is their lane anyway.

Surfer · 12-14-06, 03:57

What I'm curious of is why when I see people pulled over there area a couple squad cars, not one. And I live in an upscale area, last time I got pulled over, 3 other police cars showed up besides the one that pulled me over and they did othing but stand on the sidewalk? LOL

BlackElantraGT · 12-14-06, 04:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

What I'm curious of is why when I see people pulled over there area a couple squad cars, not one. And I live in an upscale area, last time I got pulled over, 3 other police cars showed up besides the one that pulled me over and they did othing but stand on the sidewalk? LOL

That happens in my town also. It's considered upscale compared to the surrounding areas, so there isn't much crime here. It's almost like they have nothing better to do. I hate driving in the middle of the night around my town because the cops will follow you around for no good reason and won't hesitate to pull you over the moment you make one tiny mistake.

Yal · 12-15-06, 08:35

The highway troopers here in NYC have even more lights, apart from the standard light roof light bar and such, they also have two hydraulic operated light sticks that they can make pop up on either side of their roof and stretch 6-8 feet into the air. Its pretty cool and you can see them miles away.
Some states now have rules that say you must merge into the next lane if a police officer has pulled someone over, if you don't you will be ticketed and fined.

Oh and yeah if you live in a good neighborhood the cops have nothing better to do. We had 5 squad cars, 2 ambulances and a fire truck show up for a neighbor who was having respiratory issues at her home, 2am

It was impressive and I was actually happy to see the response.

landcruiser · 12-15-06, 08:55

Hmmm, very interesting as in CA, the CHP gets as far out of the way as possible with some one they've pulled over and they turn OFF their overhead lights etc in order to be LESS disruptive to traffic flow--i.e. to discourage rubber necking. Also, drunk drivers seem to be fascinated by and are drawn to the flashing lights. Now in the cities it's a different story, seems the more lights flashing the better! And this seems to be peculiar to only the CHP as County Sheriffs seem to keep everything flashing on the fwy