Dangers of cell phones

**TN2Wheeler** · 07-03-2012

Originally Posted by Patmo

Since STAR is in the Bluegrass next year, I just wish to throw this out there......

In KENTUCKY you can NOT be cited by the police for anything they did not personally witness or which they can view on video. This is why you never get cited for "failure to control" in the case of an accident they do not witness in person or on video, unlike some other closeby states.

SO much better than VA where the driver is ALWAYS cited for "failure to control" in a single vehicle crash.

Jim Randall

**RichGrab** · 07-03-2012

Well Pat, that is good information to know. Me likey.

**NinjaBob** · 07-03-2012

Originally Posted by africord

Since when is it illegal in any jurisdiction to pass on a two lane on the left? The "no passing zone" situation I get. That would make it illegal to pass on 90% of the highways in the US!

Sorry, my error, I believe the deputy actually said passing on the left, I have corrected my post.

**bcd** · 07-03-2012

We learned at STAR at State College, PA that in that state, the cops can write you up for anything a civilian says you did. Some van driver got passed on double yellow by some motorcycles (not our group) and when state troopers spotted our group at a gas station, we were held there until the driver showed up. After carefully inspecting our bikes and helmets she decided we weren't the ones, then proceeded to lecture us on unsafe driving anyway. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky she decided not to claim we were the culprits just to teach us a lesson.

One of our group was a former OH trooper. He spoke to one of the officers, pointing out that he hadn't been allowed to write up a driver for something he hadn't witnessed himself. The PA trooper said that's not how it works there.

**RichGrab** · 07-04-2012

Originally Posted by bcd

We learned at STAR at State College, PA that in that state, the cops can write you up for anything a civilian says you did. Some van driver got passed on double yellow by some motorcycles (not our group) and when state troopers spotted our group at a gas station, we were held there until the driver showed up. After carefully inspecting our bikes and helmets she decided we weren't the ones, then proceeded to lecture us on unsafe driving anyway. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky she decided not to claim we were the culprits just to teach us a lesson.

One of our group was a former OH trooper. He spoke to one of the officers, pointing out that he hadn't been allowed to write up a driver for something he hadn't witnessed himself. The PA trooper said that's not how it works there.

OK, so I guess it is not just in California they can do that. I'll have to keep that in mind should I ever find myself on two wheels in PA. For some reason, I don't have much interaction with LEO's when driving my car. It is after all an 8 year old 4 door sedan. Looks like something an old man would drive.

**stevegrab** · 07-09-2012

Originally Posted by RichGrab

OK, so I guess it is not just in California they can do that. I'll have to keep that in mind should I ever find myself on two wheels in PA. For some reason, I don't have much interaction with LEO's when driving my car. It is after all an 8 year old 4 door sedan. Looks like something an old man would drive.

It is something an old man drives, first our old man and now you bro

Had a couple encounters with LEO during my post STAR trip
- in Yellowstone coming down from Dunraven Pass a park ranger flashed their lights at us, a simple warning I guess (we slowed down)
- just south of Cody WY on 4th of July (I know I should know better) going about 10-15 over the limit (coming downhill), a state trooper pulled us over but let us off with a written warning. He told us every trooper in WY is out that day, and 72 in a 65 would likely get us a ticket. We backed off the rest of the day
- and of course driving through OH on 71 north bound from Columbus there were quite a few

As Jim says, they can cite you for almost anything, whether it be BS trumped up or not. It is then up to you to pay the fine or fight it. Not sure about anybody else but I'm not traveling 1000+ miles to fight a ticket.

**RichGrab** · 07-10-2012

OUCH again!

**TN2Wheeler** · 07-10-2012

Originally Posted by stevegrab

As Jim says, they can cite you for almost anything, whether it be BS trumped up or not. It is then up to you to pay the fine or fight it. Not sure about anybody else but I'm not traveling 1000+ miles to fight a ticket.

It depends. If the ticket is in a state that reciprocates with your home state and you're approaching the limit on points, it might be worth it not to lose your license!

Jim Randall

**stevegrab** · 07-11-2012

Originally Posted by TN2Wheeler

It depends. If the ticket is in a state that reciprocates with your home state and you're approaching the limit on points, it might be worth it not to lose your license!

Jim Randall

Thankfully I've never even come close to approaching that situation. Worse I has was two tickets close together and I freaked a little when I saw something on the ticket about having to appear in court. Then when I called they said "no the fine is just higher". Got to love Ohio, it almost always seems to be about the revenue. Did get a warning once from a state trooper, so maybe they're not all bad.