Got pulled over because I was driving a hybrid

[dbotello]

I was on my way back to Houston after visiting my mother this weekend, when all of a sudden I see flashing lights behind me. Now I know that I had my cruise set at 70mph and I thought that the speed limit was 70mph at that point, but I pulled over and waited to hear what was going on. The DPS trooper asked for me for my license and insurance, and started to ask me questions about the Prius. After about a minute another trooper came out of his truck (behind us) and walked over to my sister and began asking questions about the Prius. The officer came back telling me that he was going to give issue a 'warning' for speeding. 70 in a 70 ????. I wasn't going to argue, since a warning is better than stirring up trouble, but they kept on looking over the car, walking around it, and asking questions. What kind of mileage do you get ? How's maintenance ? etc...

It surely seemed like they were simply interested in the car and pulled me over just for that reason.

In this case, since there wasn't going to be a ticket I didn't argue, but was really surprised. Has anyone else had a similar experience ???

[dragonfly]

Did he mention how fast he thought you were going?

[New Revelation]

DPS Troopers in TX are usually always a hassle, I know because I travel thru TX alot going north when going home from a visit. When I usually travel up US-59 out of Houston going back home to MI, somewhere, somehow I get stopped by DPS somewhere along the stretch, and I know I wasnt violating anything. I know once I got stopped because the trooper thought my rear license plate light wasnt bright enough (???). Couldn't write me a ticket because the light was working.

I got stopped another time too by a local because I didnt have any stickers in the windshield or a front plate (which TX law requires). Cop couldn't do nothing to me either since I was out of state and he simply asked where was I going and how long was I going to be there.

I think in your case dbotello, they were probably curious about the car, and sometimes, those guys don't have nothing else to do either. They try to make up something just to stop you. They probably liked the car no doubt, so as long as you were going the limit then you shouldnt have anything to worry about. Seems like big trucks and SUV's are still standard in TX.

I hope I wont get that hassle when I drive to TX for the Thanksgiving holidays....course I am always mindful of the speed limits (especially in the towns) so if not that, they'll find some excuse to pull you over.

[prius2go]

Over here in uk if you have an 'interesting' car it's commonplace to get pulled over...
'just a routine safety check sir' while they look all around the vehicle - what mpg do you get, how fast does it go (say nothing ) or it's late at night for you to be doing that speed - have you been drinking? would you mind if I sit inside while we run through a breath test The leather works well doesnt it....

[jamarimutt]

Nice story. Do you write fiction?

[HokieHybrid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius2go @ Sep 4 2006, 04:12 AM) [snapback]313885[/snapback]</div>

Over here in uk if you have an 'interesting' car it's commonplace to get pulled over...
'just a routine safety check sir' while they look all around the vehicle - what mpg do you get, how fast does it go (say nothing ) or it's late at night for you to be doing that speed - have you been drinking? would you mind if I sit inside while we run through a breath test The leather works well doesnt it....
[/b]

I don't know how it is in the UK, but here in the US you have to have probable cause to stop someone. And I'm not afraid to stir up trouble about it either. I have had friends who have had their cars illegally searched, and searches took unreasonable amounts of time (>45 mins on a Celica on the side of a busy interstate). It is your right to ask them why they stopped you. It is also your right to tell them no when they ask to search the car, or ask why they want to look. The key is to be respectful about it. Hand over your license and registration, and if they aren't saying...ask "why did you pull me over, sir?"

Then again cops don't scare me...a) I don't do illegal stuff other than speed and b ) I grew up with them around all the time b/c my dad was a fireman.

[jonbeck]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HokieHybrid @ Sep 4 2006, 05:37 AM) [snapback]313914[/snapback]</div>

I don't know how it is in the UK, but here in the US you have to have probable cause to stop someone.
[/b]

I think we wrote a letter of complaint to England about 230 years ago about that sort of thing and how we didn't really like it. Started a bit of a squirmish, as I recall.

[paprius4030]

ionbeck, that was a good one!

[pagoda113]

I've been pulled over several times for "inspections" driving around in a 230SL roadster, which is an almost 40 year old car. This is a bit annoying in the summer as this old Mercedes has no A/C and a friendly chat on the roadside at 0 mph can get sweaty, especially with the top down in the sun. Have never yet been stopped for "inspection" while in the Prius during the first 1000 miles, but looking forward to it now, with the auto climate controls!

[HokieHybrid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jonbeck @ Sep 4 2006, 12:50 PM) [snapback]314021[/snapback]</div>

I think we wrote a letter of complaint to England about 230 years ago about that sort of thing and how we didn't really like it. Started a bit of a squirmish, as I recall.
[/b]

I was thinking perhaps they had modernized I don't keep tabs on their rules...I have enough trouble figuring out ours.