PO'd at police

[Hooked_on_HP]

Two bit I'm not attacking you but making a point. The insurance laws were not meant to be discretionary. An officer writing a warning ticket for no insurance would be in trouble.
I did not get a ticket for not having insurance. I got the ticket for not having proof of ins. I have had the same insurance company for over 20 yrs.I had all the previous insurance cards. This shows a pattern of normaly complying with the law. Its not like I didn't have any insurance paper work. This is also the first ticket I have had in over 20 years. And I have never had an accident that was my fault. I think these thing should be concidered when deciding whether to issue a warning or a citation.
Bill

 

[tallyho8]

If something is a law, it is usually because some special interest group persuaded one of their legislators to introduce the legislation to enact the law which got voted on by your representatives and approved.

Laws can be repealed in the exact same way. If you feel that the majority of the people are against a certain law, and you wish to have it changed, you can get on the ball meeting with your representative and getting petitions filled out by all those agreeing with you. If you are in the minority and most people disagree with your views you will have a tough time making changes.

If it is a local law in a small town it is much easier to do than a state law but where there is a will there is a way.

With the help of my civic group that I helped found, I have been able to change ordinances and prevent others from being changed.

If I don't like a law enough I fight to get it changed but I never disagree with a law enforcement officer doing his sworn duty.

 

[Hawghauler]

About 20+ years ago Vermont did not require its citizens to purchase manditory automobile insurance. It was optional. Those that did buy it usually added uninsured motorist insurance to the package for a few bucks. One of the state senators (Tom Crowley) pushed very very hard to get insurance made manditory because it was for our own good. (did I mention he was a shrivelled up old drunk with a DWI record?) You will not be surprised when I tell you he owned an insurance agency. America has become a hive of sheeple that are very good at doing what they are told without question. Right now half of the working people's income goes to feed the other half that don't work or work for the government and the government must find more ways to nurture the public teat or it will run dry. The government fed clan vote for one party so this is life or death for those in power. This is a fun thread. A young government educated and indoctrinated punk cop bent on harassing a citizen accomplished nothing but a shakedown. Fire 50% of all government employees, end welfare and entitlements, and stop taxing our people to death and our country will get better. You should be PO'd at the cop. You had insurance and you forgot to re-buckle. So what! If what you did was really a crime then doing it repeatedly should bring a lengthy prison sentence. :confused2:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Tailgating is another whole topic. I would think a LEO in an unmarked compact car could cite 10 tailgaters before lunch any day of the week.
Dave.

How about when the LEO is the one doing the tailgating? Happens here frequently. And the LEO littering.

 

[two_bit_score]

In Maine, if your auto insurance lapses, for whatever reason, the insurance co. is required to notify the state. Then the state sends a letter notifying you. There is some rigamorole involved in getting off the state's lapsed insurance list, but it is possible

I discovered this when I changed carriers. We are required to carry proof of insurance in the auto, but I wonder if a LEO can reference the state's list on-line. ? It would be easy to get an annual proof of ins. card then stop paying or cancel the policy.
Dave.

That the People's Republic of Maine for you.

 

[two_bit_score]

Two bit I'm not attacking you but making a point. The insurance laws were not meant to be discretionary. An officer writing a warning ticket for no insurance would be in trouble.
I did not get a ticket for not having insurance. I got the ticket for not having proof of ins. I have had the same insurance company for over 20 yrs.I had all the previous insurance cards. This shows a pattern of normaly complying with the law. Its not like I didn't have any insurance paper work. This is also the first ticket I have had in over 20 years. And I have never had an accident that was my fault. I think these thing should be concidered when deciding whether to issue a warning or a citation.
Bill

No attack just a good discussion.

Officers ALWAYS have discretion about filing a charge. That is a fact. The prosecutor also has discretion about prosecuting the case. Had one county attorney tell me frequently that he "was exercising the prosecutor's perogative". Scared me to dath when I first heard it. Thought he had found some new trick, until he explained to me that he was going to dismiss the case 'in the interest of justice'.

 

[dave1949]

About 20+ years ago Vermont did not require its citizens to purchase manditory automobile insurance. It was optional. Those that did buy it usually added uninsured motorist insurance to the package for a few bucks. One of the state senators (Tom Crowley) pushed very very hard to get insurance made manditory because it was for our own good. (did I mention he was a shrivelled up old drunk with a DWI record?) You will not be surprised when I tell you he owned an insurance agency. America has become a hive of sheeple that are very good at doing what they are told without question. Right now half of the working people's income goes to feed the other half that don't work or work for the government and the government must find more ways to nurture the public teat or it will run dry. The government fed clan vote for one party so this is life or death for those in power. This is a fun thread. A young government educated and indoctrinated punk cop bent on harassing a citizen accomplished nothing but a shakedown. Fire 50% of all government employees, end welfare and entitlements, and stop taxing our people to death and our country will get better. You should be PO'd at the cop. You had insurance and you forgot to re-buckle. So what! If what you did was really a crime then doing it repeatedly should bring a lengthy prison sentence. :confused2:

Your post is all about politics.

Mandatory insurance is not an evil thing. Granted, compliance will never be 100% and enforcement will always be an issue. That's life.

If you and your family were involved in a serious accident, you could be unable to work for a long period of time or perhaps permanently disabled. You could have family members also needing long term medical care or worse. Same could be true of the other auto's occupants. Regardless of who was at fault, your life as you knew it is over. Without insurance or public welfare in one form or another, you and/or your family will be history.

There is another aspect to carrying insurance. If I make a mistake driving that results in harm to another person, I at least can take comfort from the fact that by having insurance I am able to take responsibility for my actions. There is no way I could replace an auto and provide the cost of medical care and lost income to that person and their family without insurance.

There may be those who do not feel that sense of responsibility. Mandatory insurance is society's way of saying 'too bad'.
Dave.

 

[mbrule]

I think it's OK to eliminate seat belt laws, but if you are injured while not wearing a seat belt, then no insurance should cover you injuries. Why should society pay for the extra risk that you are taking? The more insurance we have the more laws will be passed to control you.. Or you could get the higher cost insurance that would cover you if you are not wearing a seat belt. The free market system can work, but most people do not want to pay the cost. They want others to pay the cost.

This is one of the most intelligent points I have ever heard made regarding seat belts and seat belt laws!!

I think seat belts are a good idea, but do not and have not ever worn them (paid the fine 3 times to date in various states). But, I totally disagree with seat belt laws (and helmet laws). I would happily pay for the higher insurance as mentioned above, for the privilege of not wearing a seat belt.

Good point! People want freedoms, but don't want to pay and / or don't want to be responsible for their actions.

 

[Mousefield]

I realize he states he had insurance as do many who do actually not. Just like everyone in jail is not guilty. I am not negating that this poster had insurance but putting it in perspective. Some jurisdictions do indeed tow cars and put non insured drivers on foot but that is not the point. If the officer did not do what he was supposed to do he is in the wrong. As many seem to point out here, because he is doing what he is supposed to do he is wrong. It is a damned if you do and damned if you don't job that few wish to have but many think they can do better or criticize.

Hooked_on_HP You broke the law, plain and simple. Not really sure why you are mad because you forgot to: 1, buckle up and 2, have your insurance card with you. The police officer is doing his job. If we all broke the law on the little ones we didn't like then there sure would be lots problems. Who decides which is a little law or big law, bad or good law? What if someone doesn't like to stop at stop signs because that to them is a stupid or little law? In British Columbia if you can't prove you have insurance they tow your car then and there. I know you state you have insurance but what if all the people who drive with out insurance said that and got away with it. "I'll just go home and get it" and they are never seen again

 

[niemeyjt]

This is one of the most intelligent points I have ever heard made regarding seat belts and seat belt laws!!

I think seat belts are a good idea, but do not and have not ever worn them (paid the fine 3 times to date in various states). But, I totally disagree with seat belt laws (and helmet laws). I would happily pay for the higher insurance as mentioned above, for the privilege of not wearing a seat belt.

Good point! People want freedoms, but don't want to pay and / or don't want to be responsible for their actions.

One of the arguments we are given as to how good our NHS is (it isn't, but that is another story) is that you are treated irrespective of ability to pay and you do not get ambulance drivers checking out your insurance after an accident before taking you to hospital.

Somehow, I guess the latter is an exageration, but I guess that would be the logical result of the above - "yes, this guy has no-seat belt insurance, take him to hospital" - or "this guy wasn't wearing a belt and he only has seat belt wearing insurance - leave him". Not a nice choice for the paramedics.

J

 

[dmccarty]

Officers ALWAYS have discretion about filing a charge. That is a fact.

No, it is not fact. There are laws on the book that REQUIRE an officer to make an arrest. The chain of command can also tell officers what they can and cannot do. Finally the officer can decide, which is discretion, to always write a citation. Why would an officer do this? If the officer ALWAYS writes a citation for every stop it minimizes accusations of favoritism or worse "profiling".

Later,
Dan

 

[/pine]

It's typical that when it comes to any authorities (at any level) left hands usually don't have a clue what the right hands are doing...

In FL...if you do not have insurance on a licensed vehicle they automatically suspend your driver's lic. without any notification what so ever...this is so even if the vehicle is not being driven on the road i.e., being restored etc...if it has a valid tag and it's not insured your lic. is suspended...

The funny thing is...the cops know from your Lic data (or can find out) that it was suspended for lack of insurance on a particular vehicle...yet they say they can't tell if you have insurance on the vehicle they pull over in...

 

[Mousefield]

And while the Darwin awards are amusing, they don't have any cash value that could be used to compensate the caregivers.

Chuck

Excellent. :2cents:

 

[om21braz]

The funny thing is...the cops know from your Lic data (or can find out) that it was suspended for lack of insurance on a particular vehicle...yet they say they can't tell if you have insurance on the vehicle they pull over in...

+1 Quite a few folks would like to hear the Dept. of Motor Vehicles explanation of that LOL.

 

[mmurphy]

It's typical that when it comes to any authorities (at any level) left hands usually don't have a clue what the right hands are doing...

In FL...if you do not have insurance on a licensed vehicle they automatically suspend your driver's lic. without any notification what so ever...this is so even if the vehicle is not being driven on the road i.e., being restored etc...if it has a valid tag and it's not insured your lic. is suspended...

The funny thing is...the cops know from your Lic data (or can find out) that it was suspended for lack of insurance on a particular vehicle...yet they say they can't tell if you have insurance on the vehicle they pull over in...

L.O.L.. I agree! You have to have an I.D. to prove who you are. Do something wrong and they will prove who you are...

I see 100% HP is not saying he had no part of it. The cop needed brownie points!
Thanks HP, I put my insurance card in my vehicles!!!