CHP ????

[Ron-Solo]

I love the fact that someone has defined the difference between bull **** (BS) and chicken **** (CS).

My son was pulled over for expired registration. It is my car and it turns out the officer was right, by 3 days, in the middle of the month. The only way he could known that is to run the license prior to pulling my son over. Why would he even bother? does he do that for every car he pulls up behind? Maybe it was the 18 year old driving a 02 bone stock red Honda Accord? It is pretty weird, that is all I have to say.

I've recovered a lot of stolen cars that way, along with a lot of other criminals. I never cited for 3 days overdue, even though I legally could have. That's CS.

FWIW You don't need any probable cause to run license plates. They actually have some cars with cameras mounted that continuously run plates vis a dedicated computer system looking for stolen cars, wanted vehicles and people. Interesting technology.

[pat038536]

I've recovered a lot of stolen cars that way, along with a lot of other criminals. I never cited for 3 days overdue, even though I legally could have. That's CS.

FWIW You don't need any probable cause to run license plates. They actually have some cars with cameras mounted that continuously run plates vis a dedicated computer system looking for stolen cars, wanted vehicles and people. Interesting technology.

I've seen that on 'Parking Wars', if the registration is expired or too many unpaid parking tickets, the boot goes on or vehicle gets towed.

[Fire in the Hole]

It's been a long time, but there is a formula DMV has for determining what day of a given month that vehicle's registration expires, based upon the last numerical digit on the license plate. My FTO taught me how to do it. I use to use it a lot, but memory is fuzzy now. Of course it it not applicable to vanity plates.

[Rally Dave]

Keep your car stock and in good condition and you won't have to worry about stops like that.

Always thought it was strange that people pay good money for a car that was designed by people with training and experience and then trust someone who barely finished high school to modify it so they defeat many of the safety features.

So by this logic when you buy a gun you should not modify it?? I think not.

People modify their cars as a hobby just like people modify their guns for the same reason.

[Fire in the Hole]

So by this logic when you buy a gun you should not modify it?? I think not.

People modify their cars as a hobby just like people modify their guns for the same reason.

True, along as both are modified within the law.

[BillCA]

I love the fact that someone has defined the difference between bull **** (BS) and chicken **** (CS).

My son was pulled over for expired registration. It is my car and it turns out the officer was right, by 3 days, in the middle of the month. The only way he could known that is to run the license prior to pulling my son over. Why would he even bother? does he do that for every car he pulls up behind? Maybe it was the 18 year old driving a 02 bone stock red Honda Accord? It is pretty weird, that is all I have to say.

Yes, there is a difference between BS and CS stops.

CS stops include things like having a burned out bulb in a license plate light, side marker light, driving a short way with the interior light on, etc. The violation is valid but most of the time not worth it to stop someone for a citation. But if something else has aroused your suspicions about the vehicle, it provides legitimate PC for initiating a car stop. Was your sun driving the car at night? Late at night? Or early in the morning? Combine one of those "CS" reasons with...
- A youthful (minor) driver late at night or very early AM.
- A missing/punched out truck lock
- A broken rear 'vent' window or right-rear side window.
- The driver has trouble shifting/finding the gears
- Driving slower than normal and watching the mirrors.
- Multiple minors in the car late at night.

All of these would indicate a stolen car (10851 CVC) or perhaps kids out looking for trouble. If they drive perfect knowing a cop is behind them, you still have PC to stop.

The BS stops are where the cop intimidates the driver by claiming he "weaved" in his lane or crossed a limit line when no such thing occurred. Or perhaps that his pipes are too loud when they're not. One I hated was cops who said their brake lights were "stuck" on (they seem to magically be okay after the stop).

The reality is that what some folks call "profiling" is nothing more than the officer saying Gee, that's unusual for the time and place. A 16-18 year old driving something like the Aston Martin DB9 below would certainly attract a cop's attention. The primary question being does he have legitimate use of the vehicleAston Martin DB9 - Elegance with speedNot many parents would trust a teen driver with a $186,000 high performance sports car.