What was this CHP officer doing?

[RedFord150]

They use this technique in So Cal to stop traffic. The CHP car or motorcycle will swerve back and forth until he stops traffic. He than points his car across the freeway (almost perpendicuar to traffic) while blocking a couple of lanes and parks with all his lights on.
They use this often to get a disabled car or wreck towed off the center divider or in lanes to the right shoulder.
I am not LEO, but friendly with several. I turn on my own flashers when I see this happening or when I see emergency vehicle with lights on. I am hoping the cars behind me will see my own flashers and wake up and pay attention.

[34marine]

Acting as the pace car to get the racers to line up for the restart!

No joke. When someone runs a break, if I can get ahead of it and wait, lot of great speeds coming out of it.

[34marine]

I remember being part of a traffic break a few years ago. As soon as I saw the cop zig zag across the freeway, I took the nearest exit and then got back on the next on ramp.

I didn't see any accidents or other cop cars on the freeway. Maybe whatever that was going on happened between those 2 exits.

Are you sure you guys never do this for fun?

Be careful with ramping around. Incident or debris blocking lanes may be ahead of CHP and you might find yourself in a worse situation that waiting with everyone else. On another note, I sometimes would like to bust a traffic break for fun. One other thing, in heavy rain or fog on the freeway, if you see a CHP with all rear lights activated at, or below the speed limit, this is called a pace, don't pass. Drive safely.

[bombadillo]

Naw, probably just drunk.

[bob7122]

wow learned something today

[Just-in]

It should be in the DMV handbook, or tought in drivers ed since so few people know what it is... or so few people have enough sense to figure out a swerving police car with all his lights on steadily decreasing in speed then coming to a complete stop on a highway probably wants the traffic to stop. Sometimes when I'm parked or handling calls on the roadside and I see CHP create breaks occasionally for us tow drivers as well I get irritated when cars try to slip through. Especially when the officer is still in the road moving debris or something because if one car moves they all seem to follow.

I for one greatly appreciate it when CHP shows up motorists give us no love on the roadside or center divide.

[IrishJoe3]

or so few people have enough sense to figure out a swerving police car with all his lights on steadily decreasing in speed then coming to a complete stop on a highway probably wants the traffic to stop.

You would think it would be painfully obvious what the officer wants drivers to do.

Sometimes when I'm parked or handling calls on the roadside and I see CHP create breaks occasionally for us tow drivers as well I get irritated when cars try to slip through. Especially when the officer is still in the road moving debris or something because if one car moves they all seem to follow.

Amen, brother. I will tell you this, anyone I catch trying to sneak past a traffic break gets the book thrown at them, I cut them zero slack. I am not about to be put in danger or let anyone else be put in danger because some idiot is in a rush.

Press hard, four copies, see you in court.

[TASK, LLC]

I don't understand why someone would put themselves and others at risk to try to get around a traffic break.

Traffic breaks are only done in extreme situations where there is a public safety hazard. Ladders, bricks, overturned cars, law enforcement operations, and other reasons are why the traffic break is done.

People who try to avoid the break put themselves (running in debris or other hazards) or others (law enforcement or other motor services trying to remove the hazard) at risk.

But this is the same issue we have when we set up crime scene tape or flares. People look for the little open spot and try to go over, around, or under the barricade.

[Low Light]

Amen, brother. I will tell you this, anyone I catch trying to sneak past a traffic break gets the book thrown at them, I cut them zero slack. I am not about to be put in danger or let anyone else be put in danger because some idiot is in a rush.

Press hard, four copies, see you in court.

Do you wait for the guy to come out of the emergency room after he takes his pregnant (or dying) wife in, to get him to sign?

(Since it doesn't go w/o saying and FWIW - just always wondered.)

[tbhracing]

Do you wait for the guy to come out of the emergency room after he takes his pregnant (or dying) wife in, to get him to sign?

(Since it doesn't go w/o saying and FWIW - just always wondered.)

An emergency on your part does not constitute a person to break or ignore the law. If your wife was in labor, call 911 and let the professionals get her to the best place to get the best care in the shortest amount of time.

As for the dying mother, you should have been there already or driven within the normal limits in time. A dying relative is no excuse for putting other innocent people at risk.

And I can say I did this two years ago when my father passed away. After a long day, I just left the hospital just to turn around and come back to see him pass. I had no authority or right to break any laws to return to him. I knew this and drove within the limits to return to the hospital.

[IrishJoe3]

Do you wait for the guy to come out of the emergency room after he takes his pregnant (or dying) wife in, to get him to sign?

(Since it doesn't go w/o saying and FWIW - just always wondered.)

If my lights come on and you don't stop. You go to jail. And your car may be damaged when I pit you because you didn't stop.

We have a system for emergencys. Its called 9-1-1. An emotionationally compromised driver driving at high speeds is a recipie for disaster.

[IrishJoe3]

Do you wait for the guy to come out of the emergency room after he takes his pregnant (or dying) wife in, to get him to sign?

(Since it doesn't go w/o saying and FWIW - just always wondered.)

Oh, and during my academy training we were taught how to deliver a baby, and I've known a couple officers to do just that. Your pregnant wife is in good hands

[Just-in]

Do you wait for the guy to come out of the emergency room after he takes his pregnant (or dying) wife in, to get him to sign?

(Since it doesn't go w/o saying and FWIW - just always wondered.)

You'd rather drive your dying wife than call 9-1-1?
If she is in labor water broke begining to dialate, sure you have time, but the baby is crowning call 911... Even as an EMT-B I learned to deliver babies... You call 911 unless your way out in the sticks you get a Paramedic a lot faster than mosst people can drive to a hospital obeying traffic laws, so not only can they deliver the baby, provide ALS care if needed, and roll code 3 if the mother or newborn need to be transported. I don't think driving yourself is anywhere near the quality of care. Damn near seems negligent.

[Ron-Solo]

Do you wait for the guy to come out of the emergency room after he takes his pregnant (or dying) wife in, to get him to sign?

(Since it doesn't go w/o saying and FWIW - just always wondered.)

Do stupid things, win prizes.

Oh, please go back and read the rules of this forum before making confrontational posts.

[Low Light]

Your pregnant wife is in good hands

No, not my pregnant wife, but nonetheless, one step ahead of you, sir.