driving on the shoulder?

[CALI SHOT DOC]

I want to ask this question here to prevent any cop bashing. I saw something yesterday and it made me curious and I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.

Yesterday i was in stop and go traffic on hw 37 east from navato and I saw 2 cars get pulled over by CHP who were driving slowly on the shoulder. It looked as CHP was looking for hands free violations (speculation I know). I just want to know if this is legal? Is it legal for CHP to drive on the shoulder in stop and go traffic observing for violations? I completely understand driving the shoulder for emergency reasons.

Again not looking for cop bashing. I found this interesting yesterday and just want to be educated.

[GringoBandito6136]

The CHP may have a number of reasons to use the shoulder for transit or maneuver at any given time.

[74c5]

Target Rich Environment with stop and go?

[ASD1]

He / She may have been looking for "someone" or a certain auto. Think Amber alert an the like

[Caddis]

On duty LEO's can violate the law (traffic laws) to enforce the law.

As an example, you may have to speed to catch up to speeding vehicles to get a pace. You may have to blow a stop sign to catch a violator. There is liability though and if you violate the law while not using your emergency equipment (lights and possibly siren) and get in an accident, you would be at fault.

The case with the CHP creeping along the shoulder in heavy traffic is a great way to catch people smoking weed, drinking and using cell phones. Of course driving on the shoulder is illegal for public. It's hard to be sneaky with marked vehicles so you have to get creative sometimes, sort of like hunting and fishing.

[shojivic]

^^^What he said. You know, if the public just did what was required, there'd be no reason to drive on the shoulder! But hey, it's job security. I ain't complaining!

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I want to ask this question here to prevent any cop bashing. I saw something yesterday and it made me curious and I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.

Yesterday i was in stop and go traffic on hw 37 east from navato and I saw 2 cars get pulled over by CHP who were driving slowly on the shoulder. It looked as CHP was looking for hands free violations (speculation I know). I just want to know if this is legal? Is it legal for CHP to drive on the shoulder in stop and go traffic observing for violations? I completely understand driving the shoulder for emergency reasons.

Again not looking for cop bashing. I found this interesting yesterday and just want to be educated.

It would be entirely legal and within the scope of their duties. Considering the additional delays drivers cause by inattentiveness and looking down long at their phones stopped well after traffic starts moving, I'm glad they are doing it.

Usually when people inquire about LE going through or around traffic, I ask : "If you were the one who called, would you want them to hurry to get to you?" Many types of calls do not warrant C3 response but still need a fast response.