termigator
New member
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I was thinking the same thing too, but I chose not to say it. I'm Chinese and the last thing I need is for somebody to accuse me of reverse discrimination.
Forced to sell or de-modify cars because of police?
- Thread starter PerfectFinish1
- Start date
I was thinking the same thing too, but I chose not to say it. I'm Chinese and the last thing I need is for somebody to accuse me of reverse discrimination.
if it makes you feel any better, I have not been bothered in my Trans Am yet, and its not really stock (knock on wood)
hell I even drove with no exhaust at all, straight open headers and didn't get bothered....passed a lot of cops and nothing, I was kinda shocked
....car was rumbling like a mofo, you couldn't even hear the radio turned up
hell I even drove with no exhaust at all, straight open headers and didn't get bothered....passed a lot of cops and nothing, I was kinda shocked
....car was rumbling like a mofo, you couldn't even hear the radio turned upExplorerXLT95
New member
I think selling your car is a full-blown conclusion and probably not the right correction for the problem you're having.
I'll try to be as objective as possible.
Why did you pay the ticket if you think you weren't in the wrong? You have the right to plead not guilty and prove your case.
Also, about the "it was in the front window" thing. That's not good enough if state law requires that it be attached to the front of your vehicle.
I have been given a ticket for not displaying my front tag, but I will never drill holes in my Cobra's front bumper. I'm willing to take that occassional financial hit, you just have to decide if you are. Usually a LEO is not going to stop you for not having a front plate unless a) it's been a slow day or b) they are looking for an excuse to pull you over.
I'm not sure why your friend that was a cop got out of it. He should be given a ticket just like the rest of you. In fact, in my estimation, he should be be given the worst ticket they can because it's his JOB to know the same traffic code he was violating.
Again, if you modify your car in violation of traffic code (as dumb and asinine as that code may be) you are subject to it. Plain and simple. You just have to decide whether or not you're willing to take the risk.
That's why our legal system allows appeals. And no, you don't need a lawyer to appeal (though I would probably talk to one for advice before appearing before a judge).
If you have clear, verifiable evidence showing that you are/were NOT in violation of the code, then you should have no problem. If there is some pressure on local judges/LEOs to try to erradicate a particular problem (ie loud exhausts) then that's why an appeal may work perfectly for you. Chances are the appeals judges do not feel that same local pressure that the local judges/LEOs are experiencing.
Just make sure you have all your ducks in a row and you think it's worth it before you head into that appeals court room.
If they pulled you over, they can make you turn on the car.
Unfortunately, the age bracket that you fall into and the type of car you drive are under close scrutiny nation-wide at the moment because of numerous dangerous activities committed by many in that same category. Is it profiling? Perhaps. But I say as long as you're a responsible driver and you know your rights, you have nothing to fear.
All of the above being said, just be smart about what you're doing and when you're doing it and I think you have nothing to worry about. For example, the best time to rev your car to redline may not be at a redlight because the unmarked cop car that you can't see 3 cars back may hear it and come after you. In more than one occasion in my Cobra, I have shifted all the way to the top gear possible to avoid being targetted for a possible "loud exhaust" ticket (even though my exhaust is 50 state legal).
Just be responsible on the road, know what code you may or may not be violating when you modify your car and I have a feeling that the LEO's in your area will start treating you with respect.
:xyxthumbs
I'll try to be as objective as possible.
PerfectFinish1 said:
Why did you pay the ticket if you think you weren't in the wrong? You have the right to plead not guilty and prove your case.
Also, about the "it was in the front window" thing. That's not good enough if state law requires that it be attached to the front of your vehicle.
I have been given a ticket for not displaying my front tag, but I will never drill holes in my Cobra's front bumper. I'm willing to take that occassional financial hit, you just have to decide if you are. Usually a LEO is not going to stop you for not having a front plate unless a) it's been a slow day or b) they are looking for an excuse to pull you over.
PerfectFinish1 said:
I'm not sure why your friend that was a cop got out of it. He should be given a ticket just like the rest of you. In fact, in my estimation, he should be be given the worst ticket they can because it's his JOB to know the same traffic code he was violating.
Again, if you modify your car in violation of traffic code (as dumb and asinine as that code may be) you are subject to it. Plain and simple. You just have to decide whether or not you're willing to take the risk.
PerfectFinish1 said:
That's why our legal system allows appeals. And no, you don't need a lawyer to appeal (though I would probably talk to one for advice before appearing before a judge).
If you have clear, verifiable evidence showing that you are/were NOT in violation of the code, then you should have no problem. If there is some pressure on local judges/LEOs to try to erradicate a particular problem (ie loud exhausts) then that's why an appeal may work perfectly for you. Chances are the appeals judges do not feel that same local pressure that the local judges/LEOs are experiencing.
Just make sure you have all your ducks in a row and you think it's worth it before you head into that appeals court room.
PerfectFinish1 said:
If they pulled you over, they can make you turn on the car.
PerfectFinish1 said:
Unfortunately, the age bracket that you fall into and the type of car you drive are under close scrutiny nation-wide at the moment because of numerous dangerous activities committed by many in that same category. Is it profiling? Perhaps. But I say as long as you're a responsible driver and you know your rights, you have nothing to fear.
All of the above being said, just be smart about what you're doing and when you're doing it and I think you have nothing to worry about. For example, the best time to rev your car to redline may not be at a redlight because the unmarked cop car that you can't see 3 cars back may hear it and come after you. In more than one occasion in my Cobra, I have shifted all the way to the top gear possible to avoid being targetted for a possible "loud exhaust" ticket (even though my exhaust is 50 state legal).
Just be responsible on the road, know what code you may or may not be violating when you modify your car and I have a feeling that the LEO's in your area will start treating you with respect.
:xyxthumbs
Here's what I would do:
I'm guessing that since the car is turbocharged, you're probably running a 3inch exhaust. I would install a cutout and also have a SUPER quiet muffler welded in (even if it is super restrictive..that's what you got the cutout for). You got the cutout for the track, and quiet exhaust for the street. I'm guessing that with ******* cops like that, you probably dont see a whole lot of boost commuting around town. If you have a large tip (like most all of the import crowd here in Atlanta) DITCH IT. If you really want the SLK, then I say sell the talon and go for it.
I'm guessing that since the car is turbocharged, you're probably running a 3inch exhaust. I would install a cutout and also have a SUPER quiet muffler welded in (even if it is super restrictive..that's what you got the cutout for). You got the cutout for the track, and quiet exhaust for the street. I'm guessing that with ******* cops like that, you probably dont see a whole lot of boost commuting around town. If you have a large tip (like most all of the import crowd here in Atlanta) DITCH IT. If you really want the SLK, then I say sell the talon and go for it.
dschribs
Active member
Joe
Here you go..straight out of the OH Motor vehicle statutes:
The board of county commissioners of any county, and the board of township trustees of any township subject to section 505.17 of the Revised Code, may regulate passenger car and motorcycle noise on streets and highways under their jurisdiction. Such regulations shall include maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels, subject to the requirements of this section.
(B) Regulations establishing maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels shall prohibit the operation, within the speed limits specified herein, of a passenger car or motorcycle of a type subject to registration at any time or under any condition of load, acceleration, or deceleration in such manner as to exceed the following maximum noise limits, based on a distance of not less than fifty feet from the center of the line of travel:
(1) For passenger cars:
(a) When operated at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, a maximum noise limit of seventy decibels;
(b) When operated at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour, a maximum noise limit of seventy-nine decibels.
Now, how you test that is beyond me...maybe a Radio Shack type place might have a decibel meter. Then again, you already paid the tix so....
If that was CT, you would hve been forced to go through a DMV Inspection Station after the ticket to verify that the exhaust system was replaced..so...it could be worse..
Here you go..straight out of the OH Motor vehicle statutes:
The board of county commissioners of any county, and the board of township trustees of any township subject to section 505.17 of the Revised Code, may regulate passenger car and motorcycle noise on streets and highways under their jurisdiction. Such regulations shall include maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels, subject to the requirements of this section.
(B) Regulations establishing maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels shall prohibit the operation, within the speed limits specified herein, of a passenger car or motorcycle of a type subject to registration at any time or under any condition of load, acceleration, or deceleration in such manner as to exceed the following maximum noise limits, based on a distance of not less than fifty feet from the center of the line of travel:
(1) For passenger cars:
(a) When operated at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, a maximum noise limit of seventy decibels;
(b) When operated at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour, a maximum noise limit of seventy-nine decibels.
Now, how you test that is beyond me...maybe a Radio Shack type place might have a decibel meter. Then again, you already paid the tix so....
If that was CT, you would hve been forced to go through a DMV Inspection Station after the ticket to verify that the exhaust system was replaced..so...it could be worse..
Been reading over this post...
IMHO- FIGHT EVERY TICKET! WHETHER FOR $5 OR $500 FIGHT EVERY SINGLE TICKET. NIT PICK ON EVERY SINGLE DETAIL MENTIONED IN THE TICKET, READ UP ON LOCAL LAWS AND COMPLAIN.
IN NYC WE HAVE TOTAL PSYCHOPATHS DRIVING (FOR EX- SOME YELLOW CABS) AND IF THEY ARE STILL ALLOWED ON THE ROAD, THERE IS NO WAY I AM ACCEPTING ANY TYPE OF PARKING TICKET OR VIOLATION UNLESS IS BLATANTLY TRUE. BY THE WAY I HAVE FOUGHT THE ONES I'VE CONFESS TO BEING GUILTY OF AND STILL HAD THEM DISMISSED.
FIGHT MY BROTHERS FIGHT!!!!!
IMHO- FIGHT EVERY TICKET! WHETHER FOR $5 OR $500 FIGHT EVERY SINGLE TICKET. NIT PICK ON EVERY SINGLE DETAIL MENTIONED IN THE TICKET, READ UP ON LOCAL LAWS AND COMPLAIN.
IN NYC WE HAVE TOTAL PSYCHOPATHS DRIVING (FOR EX- SOME YELLOW CABS) AND IF THEY ARE STILL ALLOWED ON THE ROAD, THERE IS NO WAY I AM ACCEPTING ANY TYPE OF PARKING TICKET OR VIOLATION UNLESS IS BLATANTLY TRUE. BY THE WAY I HAVE FOUGHT THE ONES I'VE CONFESS TO BEING GUILTY OF AND STILL HAD THEM DISMISSED.
FIGHT MY BROTHERS FIGHT!!!!!
roughrider
New member
Here is a website from a guy who operates a traffic school in California. He teaches people how to fight off tickets.
http://www.ticketassassin.com/
Here is his guide of what to do when you get pulled over.
http://www.ticketassassin.com/visorguide.html
http://www.ticketassassin.com/
Here is his guide of what to do when you get pulled over.
http://www.ticketassassin.com/visorguide.html
zzyyzx said:
I'd say 5th ammendment...you don't have to incriminate yourself. Sure, they can wait around until you turn on your car to leave, but if the PD can wait in a parking lot with you for a few hours while other real crimes are happening then there are bigger issues with your community then loud cars
imported_NYV6Coupe
New member
I bought my Accord with aftermarket tint on all windows except the windshield. I knew it was dark but I see 100's of cars with tint that's even darker & no one gets pulled over ..... but me.
About a year ago, middle of winter I get pulled over & the policeman puts a light meter on my sideglass & it's illegal. At least he was decent enough to explain the regs & he tolds me what I needed to do. I plead ignorance to no avail so, in 10* weather, I go home & scrape the DS & PS sideglass.
I go to the PD the next day to have the ticket discharged & a different policeman wants to make the ticket stick 'cause he "thinks" (no meter this time) the windows are still too dark. I show him that it's factory tinted glass & he finally relents.
I wish I had $1 for every car with dark tinted windows that I've seen in that jurisdiction in the last year, I'd have enough to replace everything in my detailing cabinet.
About a year ago, middle of winter I get pulled over & the policeman puts a light meter on my sideglass & it's illegal. At least he was decent enough to explain the regs & he tolds me what I needed to do. I plead ignorance to no avail so, in 10* weather, I go home & scrape the DS & PS sideglass.
I go to the PD the next day to have the ticket discharged & a different policeman wants to make the ticket stick 'cause he "thinks" (no meter this time) the windows are still too dark. I show him that it's factory tinted glass & he finally relents.
I wish I had $1 for every car with dark tinted windows that I've seen in that jurisdiction in the last year, I'd have enough to replace everything in my detailing cabinet.
PerfectFinish1
New member
Wow lots of replys! I know I should have fought it, I really regret it now. The reason I didn't is one of my friends showed documents proving his exhaust was below the legal limit, and the judge for some reason didn't believe him, and he ended up paying the ticket, plus court costs. Despite this, I planned to fight my ticket just since I knew I was in the right. However, when four of my friends got stopped and all except the cop ticketed for the same offense, with their cars off, I knew I didn't have a chance. It just seems like that is what is on the city's adjenda to get out of their current budget crisis... and fighting the ticket wouldn't have done much except add to my fine with the court costs. I am thinking about writing a letter to the local paper, though.
One thing: cops have been harrassing car guys since the beginning. It was a major theme element in American Grafitti, set in the early '60s. I used to get pulled over once a week in my '65 Bonneville Vert in the early '70s, one time twice in the same night by the same cop, with the same reason ("Someone reported a car like this one as stolen... <snork>"). It's part of the ritual of letting you know that life's not fair, and at this moment it's not fair FOR YOU. I think it usually motivates people to get into a differnt hobby, but I don't remember that far back. I got some great stories out of it though.
One time Carl had just finished an intake & header on his tricked out Vette. He was sitting at a red light and decided to just NAIL it, and took off sideways back & forth all over the place squealing & smoking rubber... with a cop right behind him. The office pulled him over and said, "You must not have seen me behind you, did you? Because I couldn't imagine you being that stupid." He let him go, too.
Tom
One time Carl had just finished an intake & header on his tricked out Vette. He was sitting at a red light and decided to just NAIL it, and took off sideways back & forth all over the place squealing & smoking rubber... with a cop right behind him. The office pulled him over and said, "You must not have seen me behind you, did you? Because I couldn't imagine you being that stupid." He let him go, too.
Tom
Mosca said:
I did that once after changing my torque converter in a 77 Cutlass I used to have. I brake torqued it a bit then flashed the converter and just roasted the right rear tire. As I am going through the intersection, I look to my right and a cop is sitting there, watching me with his eyes practically bulging out of his head. He had been 50 feet from me the whole time.
I didn't even wait for him to turn on his lights, I just pulled over and had my license and insurance ready for him. He was actually laughing as he walked up to my car. He let me off with a warning and said I might want to look around next time and see if any cops are around.
Thats gotta be one of the whackest tickets i've ever heard of it. I would definately fight the ticket. As far as you buying a new car, its up to you. If you enjoy your modded car, i'd keep it. The fact that you had alternatives means you gave selling your car some though. Honestly, if you were considering selling it b4, than these tickets would make the decision to put it up for sale. If you truly like your car or are into modding it, I would get a good lawyer and fight all the tickets.
I don't want to be pestimistic, but these cops really seem like a$$es with nothing better to do. To me the problem seems bigger than having a couple loud exhausts, it seems these cops are on a major alter ego pedistool. I think if you were in the same parking lot with completely stock, non-import cars, you'd have the same problems. Only this time they'd hit you with loittering fines instead of car mods.
I don't want to be pestimistic, but these cops really seem like a$$es with nothing better to do. To me the problem seems bigger than having a couple loud exhausts, it seems these cops are on a major alter ego pedistool. I think if you were in the same parking lot with completely stock, non-import cars, you'd have the same problems. Only this time they'd hit you with loittering fines instead of car mods.
PerfectFinish1
New member
Few things happened yesterday that kind of make me want to get out of the whole import car scene even more. On the way to work, there was this mid-50's guy in a brand new m3... beautiful car. We caught a light, and he kind of reved up at me... long story short I ended up spinning out at about 70 into oncomming traffic, then back on my side of the road head-on with the m3. Really kind of gave me a reality check lol.
Then, my friends were racing around yesterday night, and the same cop friend I mentioned above ended up getting pulled over. The cop that pulled him over was just like "holy sh*t what do you guys have done to your cars?!"... but if it were any of the rest of us that got pulled over, our license would have probalby been gone.
Just when I thought we had enough bad luck, another friend spun out on the highway and came inches away from the wall.. he ended up going into a ditch and probably did about $3000 worth of damage.
Then, my friends were racing around yesterday night, and the same cop friend I mentioned above ended up getting pulled over. The cop that pulled him over was just like "holy sh*t what do you guys have done to your cars?!"... but if it were any of the rest of us that got pulled over, our license would have probalby been gone.
Just when I thought we had enough bad luck, another friend spun out on the highway and came inches away from the wall.. he ended up going into a ditch and probably did about $3000 worth of damage.
ExplorerXLT95
New member
PerfectFinish1 said:
I'm starting to see why the LEOs in your area are doing what they're doing. :nono
PerfectFinish1 said:
I'm shocked that your "cop friend" is still employed as an LEO, if he gets pulled over as frequently as you claim.
PerfectFinish1 said:
I'll use a quote from my first response to this thread:
ExplorerXLT95 said:
LouisanaJeeper
New member
bacically, most cops hate imports aka ricers and anything even close to it.
my past lifted trucks have had cut fenders, no exhaust, tires sticking out past fenders, sometimes tint, etc.... the only thing i had ever even bee asked about was he thought i should think about mud flaps sometime :xyxthumbs
my buddy had a highly modded SS. 3" straight pipes with headers, cammed, (LOUD as hell) 15% tinted
he got pulled over a few times but the cops mainly were asking what he had under the hood :woot: :nixweiss :nixweiss
basically what im saying, fair or not, most cops have a personal dislike of "ricers". whereas they often dont harass equally modified trucks/ v8's
then again we did not "street race" (retarted) which plays a large factor
my past lifted trucks have had cut fenders, no exhaust, tires sticking out past fenders, sometimes tint, etc.... the only thing i had ever even bee asked about was he thought i should think about mud flaps sometime :xyxthumbs
my buddy had a highly modded SS. 3" straight pipes with headers, cammed, (LOUD as hell) 15% tinted
he got pulled over a few times but the cops mainly were asking what he had under the hood :woot: :nixweiss :nixweiss
basically what im saying, fair or not, most cops have a personal dislike of "ricers". whereas they often dont harass equally modified trucks/ v8's
then again we did not "street race" (retarted) which plays a large factor
I hear your pain man. I'm a muscle car guy and always have been/will be. We get together on weekends and hang out in parking lots of restaurants we eat in.
Ricers are always near. Cops get called because what they are doing. Rice leaves, cops hassle us.
You should have fought those tickets. The plate you would have lost on, but the exhaust is BS.
In the cops defense, ricers are becoming a real pain. And though you said your car isn't particularly ricey, it's still import.
I would advise selling it and going with the SLK or maybe a muscle car (Mustang, F-Body, GTO, Vette)
Much more respect from car guys (other than punk rice) and less cop hassles.
Just my $.03
Ricers are always near. Cops get called because what they are doing. Rice leaves, cops hassle us.
You should have fought those tickets. The plate you would have lost on, but the exhaust is BS.
In the cops defense, ricers are becoming a real pain. And though you said your car isn't particularly ricey, it's still import.
I would advise selling it and going with the SLK or maybe a muscle car (Mustang, F-Body, GTO, Vette)
Much more respect from car guys (other than punk rice) and less cop hassles.
Just my $.03
Cops around here dont bother with the exhausts on cars that much.....used to be a pain in the a** riding motorcycles though.
My bike did seem to scream "GIVE ME A TICKET " though. I had a 88 Suzuki GSXR 100...custom paint, slammed to the ground , swingarm stretched 7" , all chromed and polished, with a Vance and Hines open pipe. I will admit it was loud.if you got on it.
One night...I got pulled over in front of a bar that alot of bikers (mostly Harley guys) hung out at. Well...as the cop was giving me the ticket and explaining it...a Harley went by with an open exhaust (and he was ON IT) ...couldnt hear a word the cop said....and the cop didnt even give the guy a single look!! I was like "excuse me...could you repeat what you just said, I couldnt hear you because of that loud bike".......funny.....he let me off after that!! Just had something against us "crotch rocket" guys.
I ride a V twin now...not a Harley though.........DUCATI!!!
My bike did seem to scream "GIVE ME A TICKET " though. I had a 88 Suzuki GSXR 100...custom paint, slammed to the ground , swingarm stretched 7" , all chromed and polished, with a Vance and Hines open pipe. I will admit it was loud.if you got on it.
One night...I got pulled over in front of a bar that alot of bikers (mostly Harley guys) hung out at. Well...as the cop was giving me the ticket and explaining it...a Harley went by with an open exhaust (and he was ON IT) ...couldnt hear a word the cop said....and the cop didnt even give the guy a single look!! I was like "excuse me...could you repeat what you just said, I couldnt hear you because of that loud bike".......funny.....he let me off after that!! Just had something against us "crotch rocket" guys.
I ride a V twin now...not a Harley though.........DUCATI!!!