What's the PCF?

[bk23103]

Here's one for the motor jockeys out there.

One fine morning, a methamphibean stole a 25' wooden utility pole from a PG&E yard and chained it to the back of his Chevy Malibu to take it home several miles away for... firewood?

Anyway, the pole being dragged behind the car withered around like a snake and struck several parked cars, causing extensive damage.

So the obvious question here... What's the PCF?

[p7m8jg]

Haven't heard PCF in years. Decades even.

Howsabout:

CVC 23103(A) - reckless driving endangering others

[Rustlin’ Jack]

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=24002

24002.
(a) It is unlawful to operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in an unsafe condition, or which is not safely loaded, and which presents an immediate safety hazard

[bk23103]

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...ctionNum=24002

That was my first thought too. I've been off the street for a decade but someone tried to say it was a 594 and to kick it back to patrol.

[Rustlin’ Jack]

That was my first thought too. I've been off the street for a decade but someone tried to say it was a 594 and to kick it back to patrol.

With intent, yes.
Merely driving with head up where the sun don?t shine, no.

[painkiller]

My retired motors buddy said cvc 23103 reckless is pcf, but if found on dui meth then then pcf is 23142(f)

[Rustlin’ Jack]

My retired motors buddy said cvc 23103 reckless is pcf, but if found on dui meth then then pcf is 23142(f)

Agreed. I skipped right to PCF for the act of damaging cars with the swinging pole. If impaired, the impairment becomes primary with the unsecured load as secondary.

[painkiller]

Edit to response above, 23152f

[BigStiCK]

Id go with 23114 Unsecured Load. A bit more specific than 24002.

[bk23103]

Turns out there were some errors in my theoretical question. It was 50' long, and the involved vehicle was a Subaru. Of course, someone got pinched for meth, too.

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/man-accused-of-hitching-pg-e-utility-pole-to-car-and-driving-around-arrested/article_62acd14e-dfd4-11ed-9fb0-db7c78f33027.html

“The Bakersfield Police Department would like to take this opportunity to stress to the public that dragging 50’ poles weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds with chains along city roadways is dangerous and against the law,” the news release said.

[L-2]

I wasn't a traffic guy so VC 22350 (the only safe speed would be zero mph) excessive speed.

[pacrat]

Gentlemen;

Is there any policy that keeps a motor officer from charging pc-487 ? As well as the various options under the VC? According to an Edison employee buddy. Those poles cost several thousand dollars each.

Disclaimer; .... I acknowledge being a simple LE supporting concerned citizen. With no professional LE affiliation. So feel free to ignore my questions.

[bk23103]

Gentlemen;

Is there any policy that keeps a motor officer from charging pc-487 ? As well as the various options under the VC? According to an Edison employee buddy. Those poles cost several thousand dollars each.

Disclaimer; .... I acknowledge being a simple LE supporting concerned citizen. With no professional LE affiliation. So feel free to ignore my questions.

Not at all, so long as there's a victim wishing to pursue it.

The PCF is the "Primary Collision Factor" though - so the driver in this instance was arrested for various charges, but the CVC violation that caused the accident(s) is what is up for debate here.

[pacrat]

[1] ... Not at all, so long as there's a victim wishing to pursue it.

[2] ... The PCF is the "Primary Collision Factor" though - so the driver in this instance was arrested for various charges, but the CVC violation that caused the accident(s) is what is up for debate here.

Thank you;

[1] ... Wouldnt 594 also require a victim to make it stick?

[2] ... I understand the PCF element. You earlier mentioned pc 594, and handing it to patrol. I didnt understand the [kick it back to patrol].

someone tried to say it was a 594 and to kick it back to patrol.

And vandalism can be a wobbler. So my thought was to go ahead and tie his dick in a knot with a felony.

[Enzo rules]

Good question and some great answers. Not being a motorhead and off the streets for over 20 years I have a question. Since the pole was stolen during the act of a grand theft, the trailer, is the hitting of the cars an TC. If it’s a TC I’m thinking unsafe load.