CHP foundation better than a radar detector?

[king of trolls]

I was at the Ferrari dealership in Los Gatos, CA this past Saturday admiring the beauties, and started chatting with one of the owners of the dealership who happened to own 3 Ferraris, 2 of them he races at Laguna Seca, and Sears Point.
During our conversation we started talking about speeding tickets, he told me he had never received one. I asked, what kind of radar detector he was using, and he said, he didn't use a radar detectors, he said he paid a one time fee of $1800.00 to the CHP foundation (see link below under membership), where he received a license plate frame which read "CHP 1199 foundation.. " something of this sort, and then a type of ID for his wallet.

He said that everytime he has gotten pulled over, if the cop has seen the license plate frame in the back or the ID when he shows his drivers license, the cop will always just give you a warning. He said he has never received a speeding ticket. He said, don't waste your money on detectors.

He showed me this CLK 55 from a customer which was there purchasing a Bentley, which had the frame he was talking about.

I have heard this story before from a Palo Alto Exotics dealer too. Do they know something we don't ??, aside from a good deed, this makes sense to me. I don't know what do you guys think?
www.chp1199.org/INDEX2.HTM (http://)

[king of trolls]

Just copy and paste it, I don't know why it doesn't work when you click it??

[obLu]

Sounds like the, "Policeman's Ball" urban legend to me. Having several cops in the family (who are mostly car enthusiasts btw) they're best advice is not to get the ticket in the first place. "Don't be stupid about your speeding and that'll eliminate 98%, think like a cop would, if you see an overpass with a hidden on-ramp slow down for sure."

But they're all long removed from driving patrol and none of them are highway patrol. So who knows. :dunno:

My question is, would that still help if you got pulled over by a city cop? Or just CHP?

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by obLu
Sounds like the, "Policeman's Ball" urban legend to me. Having several cops in the family (who are mostly car enthusiasts btw) they're best advice is not to get the ticket in the first place. "Don't be stupid about your speeding and that'll eliminate 98%, think like a cop would, if you see an overpass with a hidden on-ramp slow down for sure."

But they're all long removed from driving patrol and none of them are highway patrol. So who knows. :dunno:

My question is, would that still help if you got pulled over by a city cop? Or just CHP?

If they will work in the city or not, I don't know, but that is one of the questions I have. I guess the way you look at it, is that this is for a good cause, and the chances of not getting a ticket with this contribution increase greatly then I'd say that is an extra added bonus. I am sure if the cop wants to be a real dick, he'll ticket you no matter what.

[bluer1]

When I was a kid, there was something similar in Houston:
"The 100 Club."

http://www.the100club.com/default.html

You'd get a sticker with the amount (100/1000) on it
for the center of your back window. My grandfather was a
member and never got a ticket or a hassle from a cop.

I've no idea what it's like now, but back then everybody
knew that if you had one of those stickers you'd have to
kill someone before the police would hassle you.

[Galun]

Haha, some of our execs at our office has a CHP 11-99 license plate. They also have a "registration holder", which is a flip open wallet type holder with membership card on one side and registration on the other side. And of course they have never gotten a ticket. I would think this only works for CHP though.

However, $1800 for a CHP 11-99 membership vs a $400 dollar detector... humm... I will take the detector and pay attention.

[king of trolls]

Is not much when you consider speeding freely (according to members). If I can avoid a couple tickets over 80mph$$, plus traffic school$$, and insurance premium going up$$, I'd say its worth it.

I don't speed in the city, but the highway yes, I usually hit over 80mph easily.

I may just have to become a member, we'll see.

[Plaz]

What if you have both the license plate frame and a radar detector? Do they cancel each other out in the cop's good graces equation? :D

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by Plaz
What if you have both the license plate frame and a radar detector? Do they cancel each other out in the cop's good graces equation? :D

Yeap, then you are back to square one and are indeed ****ed!

so I'd say is best to leave the detector at home.

[doeboy]

Originally posted by king of trolls
www.chp1199.org

Interesting.... 11-99 is their code for "Officer needs assistance"

:D

[Alexander]

My thoughts on the matter...(not a member yet)

Most cars I've seen with the plate frames (at meets) also had V1s mounted in the usual place. I think that if (1) you own a BMW, (2) are an 11-99 member, and (3) are caught speeding, they pretty much already know you're a habitual speeder, so what surprise is the radar detector?

I've found life on the freeway with the V1 an experience somewhat other that I expected -- CHP NEVER has their radar on full-blast EXCEPT when they've already pulled someone over on the side of the road. The radar alert actually increases both my and the officer's safety, as it causes me to slow down and be more alert in a situation with vehicles on the shoulder.

Other than that, I've actually found life with a detector in CA to be somewhat disappointing. It's caught a couple of local cops, but in general, CA cops do not set up radar traps like you see in other states, probably because "speed traps" are illegal in CA. I also don't frequently speed at ticketable speeds on local roads.

10-99...It's a tricky thing. In one way, you're indirectly bribing the cop. On the other hand, we all know about artificially low speed limits that everyone ignores anyway, only seriously speed when it's safe (I hope), and wouldn't expect leniency for a serious offense.

On the other hand, CHP is generally lenient about speed in the first place, which I respect quite a bit. I have been paced more than once at 80 (in a 65) when that's somewhat above the general speed of traffic, and they eventually just moved on.

As for the cost, I came up with an interesting way of thinking about it -- if I got a ticket, I would easily pay $1,800 to make it disappear hassle-free. I might be a little odd in that respect, but I reeeeally don't like interaction with the police and legal system. I think the likelihood of it being effective at least once in my life is rather high, and after that, it's like it's free. :)

Anyway, any comments from members appreciated. :) I noticed on the form that there's a space for a sponsor's name -- is this required? It also sounded like there was some sort of screening process. I'm not a felon :) , but do people actually get rejected if they have more than a few tickets on record? :angel:

Alex

[bluer1]

Originally posted by Alexander

<snip>

As for the cost, I came up with an interesting way of thinking about it -- if I got a ticket, I would easily pay $1,800 to make it disappear hassle-free. I might be a little odd in that respect, but I reeeeally don't like interaction with the police and legal system. I think the likelihood of it being effective at least once in my life is rather high, and after that, it's like it's free. :)

<snip>


My lawyer only charges me $75 per!:D

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by Alexander
My thoughts on the matter...(not a member yet)

Most cars I've seen with the plate frames (at meets) also had V1s mounted in the usual place. I think that if (1) you own a BMW, (2) are an 11-99 member, and (3) are caught speeding, they pretty much already know you're a habitual speeder, so what surprise is the radar detector?

I've found life on the freeway with the V1 an experience somewhat other that I expected -- CHP NEVER has their radar on full-blast EXCEPT when they've already pulled someone over on the side of the road. The radar alert actually increases both my and the officer's safety, as it causes me to slow down and be more alert in a situation with vehicles on the shoulder.

Other than that, I've actually found life with a detector in CA to be somewhat disappointing. It's caught a couple of local cops, but in general, CA cops do not set up radar traps like you see in other states, probably because "speed traps" are illegal in CA. I also don't frequently speed at ticketable speeds on local roads.

10-99...It's a tricky thing. In one way, you're indirectly bribing the cop. On the other hand, we all know about artificially low speed limits that everyone ignores anyway, only seriously speed when it's safe (I hope), and wouldn't expect leniency for a serious offense.

On the other hand, CHP is generally lenient about speed in the first place, which I respect quite a bit. I have been paced more than once at 80 (in a 65) when that's somewhat above the general speed of traffic, and they eventually just moved on.

As for the cost, I came up with an interesting way of thinking about it -- if I got a ticket, I would easily pay $1,800 to make it disappear hassle-free. I might be a little odd in that respect, but I reeeeally don't like interaction with the police and legal system. I think the likelihood of it being effective at least once in my life is rather high, and after that, it's like it's free. :)

Anyway, any comments from members appreciated. :) I noticed on the form that there's a space for a sponsor's name -- is this required? It also sounded like there was some sort of screening process. I'm not a felon :) , but do people actually get rejected if they have more than a few tickets on record? :angel:

Alex

Radar detectors are useless in freeways.

I'll let you know about the registration process when I join, it won't be for a little while, but I doubt they screen you, I don't think they would care if you have had tickets in the past, as long as you haven't killed someone, after all this is for a good cause, "good cause" yeap for them and for me, but hey....whatever it takes to speed freely.

[Pete Teoh]

I just carry around a photo of Erik Estrada in full CHiPs gear in my wallet. :p

[Galun]

Originally posted by king of trolls


Radar detectors are useless in freeways.

I'll let you know about the registration process when I join, it won't be for a little while, but I doubt they screen you, I don't think they would care if you have had tickets in the past, as long as you haven't killed someone, after all this is for a good cause, "good cause" yeap for them and for me, but hey....whatever it takes to speed freely.

I wouldn't call it a ticket to speed freely. They just know you contributed to the CHP and might give you a break on minor offenses. CHP officers used to cut some slack for public servants (paramadics, fire fighters, officers, etc) - they identify them by the union bumper sticker. However, my cousin (who is a firefighter) told me that it seems like the CHP has been tightening up recently, and many of his collegues had gotten tickets. Maybe it was the bad economy and they need to generate more revenues? I don't know.... BTW, the license plate frame can (and will) be stolen easily. Make sure you have the "registration holder".

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by Galun


I wouldn't call it a ticket to speed freely. They just know you contributed to the CHP and might give you a break on minor offenses. CHP officers used to cut some slack for public servants (paramadics, fire fighters, officers, etc) - they identify them by the union bumper sticker. However, my cousin (who is a firefighter) told me that it seems like the CHP has been tightening up recently, and many of his collegues had gotten tickets. Maybe it was the bad economy and they need to generate more revenues? I don't know.... BTW, the license plate frame can (and will) be stolen easily. Make sure you have the "registration holder".

Neither would I, what I meant to say, is speed in peace. One of the guys with the Ferrari got caught at 160mph on Hwy 280, and the cop gave him a break, I'd say that is a little too extreme, my car does not go that fast, I am more worried about the stupid 75-80mph over the limit tickets, I hate those tickets, specially when the majority of traffic flows at that speed. I hadn't thought of the license plate frame being stolen, I guess I will have to buy extras, they are only $15.00 a piece.

[Galun]

Originally posted by king of trolls


One of the guys with the Ferrari got caught at 160mph on Hwy 280, and the cop gave him a break

:yikes:

[Spiderm0n]

Around here the Fraternal Order of Police is always begging me for money, and there are plenty of people with FOP stickers plastered all over their car. I would rather pay for speeding tickets for the rest of my life than suck up to cops.

[JT - '02 330i]

Originally posted by king of trolls


Radar detectors are useless in freeways.



Would someone else besides the "King of trolls" care to agree or disagree with this statement?

I'm going to disagree and can think of three times in the past 4 months that I've been going 80-95 when the ka alarms have gone off and I've had plenty of time to slow the hell down, then passed a CHP officer on the side of the road.

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by Spiderm0n
Around here the Fraternal Order of Police is always begging me for money, and there are plenty of people with FOP stickers plastered all over their car. I would rather pay for speeding tickets for the rest of my life than suck up to cops.

Damm!! that is some serious pride. I'll suck up to cops any time as long as I don't get ticketed, or sit through a boring traffic school class, although the last traffic school I attended was online, and that only took an hour.

[Cliff]

Originally posted by JT - '02 330i


Would someone else besides the "King of trolls" care to agree or disagree with this statement?

I'm going to disagree and can think of three times in the past 4 months that I've been going 80-95 when the ka alarms have gone off and I've had plenty of time to slow the hell down, then passed a CHP officer on the side of the road.

I'd tend to agree with you, but the radar detector seems to be more useful outside the Bay Area. I think the CHP operate mostly in stealth mode around here. For example I entered the freeway near my home last Sunday morning and passed a CHP car sitting at the side of the on-ramp keeping an eye on traffic. That was all he had on traffic too -- my V1 was absolutely silent.

[JT - '02 330i]

I've seen that before.

Any chance you were during commute and there was a carpool lane there? They seem to camp on the ramp waiting for carpool violators. (With traffic in the Bay Area, you're not going to catch many people speeding during commute.)

[Cliff]

Originally posted by JT - '02 330i
I've seen that before.

Any chance you were during commute and there was a carpool lane there? They seem to camp on the ramp waiting for carpool violators. (With traffic in the Bay Area, you're not going to catch many people speeding during commute.)

No, as I said, it was a Sunday morning. I wanted to be going 80 by the time I had to merge into traffic, but thought better of that idea. The CHP definitely keep a low profile during commute hours, but then it takes very, very little to snarl the freeway for a few miles.

[Galun]

For Bay Area people, what's your average speed when you travel on 280?

Personally, I have a V1, and it saved my butt a few times on 280 at night.

[Cliff]

I haven't been on 280 since I caught Eugie's act a few weeks ago. I was on it from 92 to 84 on a Sunday, and I was moving with alacrity :D

680 over in the San Ramon Valley is my road, and one evening I caught myself cruising along at 110 while returning home from dinner. During commute hours, I am now making a conscious effort to stay pretty close to the flow of traffic. I have not gotten much benefit from the radar detector here in the Bay Area, but I find it very useful in rural areas.

[Stuka]

Originally posted by Galun
For Bay Area people, what's your average speed when you travel on 280?

Personally, I have a V1, and it saved my butt a few times on 280 at night.

Two weekends ago when I was there, I noticed that the CHP's in the Bay Area RARELY use radar. But once you are out in the open, think the 5, the 580, etc, they leave their radar on full blast.

Andy
02 M3 CB/Cloth SMG

[Cliff]

Originally posted by Stuka


Two weekends ago when I was there, I noticed that the CHP's in the Bay Area RARELY use radar. But once you are out in the open, think the 5, the 580, etc, they leave their radar on full blast.

Andy
02 M3 CB/Cloth SMG

Not on 580 at all, from my experience. 5 is outside the Bay Area.

[Alexander]

Originally posted by JT - '02 330i
I've seen that before.

Any chance you were during commute and there was a carpool lane there? They seem to camp on the ramp waiting for carpool violators. (With traffic in the Bay Area, you're not going to catch many people speeding during commute.)

Random tidbit: While the regular carpool lanes are obviously subject to time restrictions as posted, the carpool onramps are carpool-only 24/7. I seriously doubt they would ticket you for that outside commute, much less camp out for it, but I thought it was interesting anyway.

Alex

[Galun]

Originally posted by Alexander


Random tidbit: While the regular carpool lanes are obviously subject to time restrictions as posted, the carpool onramps are carpool-only 24/7. I seriously doubt they would ticket you for that outside commute, much less camp out for it, but I thought it was interesting anyway.

Alex

They definitely camp out on the Bay Bridge carpool only onramp during weekends. One time I saw 2 CHP officers working in teams - one stayed in front and just pointed to the cars in violation, the other one stayed a little behind wrote tickets. When I passed by, there were 6 cars in a line waiting to be written up.

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by Galun
For Bay Area people, what's your average speed when you travel on 280?

Personally, I have a V1, and it saved my butt a few times on 280 at night.

280 has a new road surface, starting from Portola Valley and on which is like a 10 mile strech, when going through there I usually hit 95-110 easily other than that 85-90MPH is my average, so its everyone elses.

[Galun]

Originally posted by king of trolls


280 has a new road surface, starting from Portola Valley and on which is like a 10 mile strech, when going through there I usually hit 95-110 easily other than that 85-90MPH is my average, so its everyone elses.

Yeah, 85 - 90 sounds about right. However, two weeks ago a friend of mine got ticketed on 280, southbound somewhere between 380 and 92, for going 80 mph. :dunno:

[king of trolls]

Originally posted by Galun


Yeah, 85 - 90 sounds about right. However, two weeks ago a friend of mine got ticketed on 280, southbound somewhere between 380 and 92, for going 80 mph. :dunno:

And that is why I need to donate to the CHP foundation. An 80 over 65 ticket is ridiculous, specially on Hwy 280.:thumbdwn:

[Alexander]

Originally posted by king of trolls
280 has a new road surface, starting from Portola Valley and on which is like a 10 mile strech, when going through there I usually hit 95-110 easily other than that 85-90MPH is my average, so its everyone elses.

I noticed that -- at the time, I was like "My God, they're building an Autobahn."

Makes ya wonder if we should push for some kind of high-speed roadway bewteen SF and LA, instead of some horribly expensive and inconvenient train. :D

Alex

[Plaz]

Originally posted by Alexander


Makes ya wonder if we should push for some kind of high-speed roadway bewteen SF and LA, instead of some horribly expensive and inconvenient train. :D

The 5 is what you make of it, grasshopper. :D

[Cliff]

Originally posted by Plaz


The 5 is what you make of it, grasshopper. :D

And the CHP _does_ use radar (Ka band for cars, K band for bikes) on 5, so all praise be to St. Valentine1.

[ketchup]

If only I had spotted this earlier. I will be making a payment for the lifetime membership as soon as I get back to CA. I'd rather pay the CHP ONE time instead of my insurance EVERY 6 months.

I will also be keeping my v1, not getting pulled over in the first place is priority.

[ktc]

Yeah, 85 - 90 sounds about right. However, two weeks ago a friend of mine got ticketed on 280, southbound somewhere between 380 and 92, for going 80 mph. :dunno:

I would definitely have to agree that 280 is the best. The rolling hills around Palo Alto scare me though esp since I don't use a radar detector, but it's nice to be shielded by all the AMGs and Porsches going 80+. 680 is also pretty good; making a run up Sunol Grade is always fun.

Hwy 101, sheesh, I darn near ALWAYS see someone pulled over around Redwood City. The entire stretch from Santa Clara to SF airport is one that I don't dare go over 80. 101 south of SJ is pretty good, but I've also seen a lot of cops patrolling 101 around Gilroy.

[gr8330]

A Legislator is pushing a bill in Arizona to up the highway speed limit to 80 mph :thumbup:

[ketchup]

A Legislator is pushing a bill in Arizona to up the highway speed limit to 80 mph :thumbup:

if only we had an autobahn..

[Matthew330Ci]

hmmm, this is interesting.

btw, i would not want an autobahn with american drivers on it. mass carnage...

[Kaz]

hmmm, this is interesting.

btw, i would not want an autobahn with american drivers on it. mass carnage...

No kidding. Do you really want morons in Expeditions drinking a latte while swatting at their kids in the back and watching SpongeBob doing a buck-twenty-five inches from sideswiping your ass?

[MG67]

No kidding. Do you really want morons in Expeditions drinking a latte while swatting at their kids in the back and watching SpongeBob doing a buck-twenty-five inches from sideswiping your ass?:stupid: :tsk:

[doeboy]

No kidding. Do you really want morons in Expeditions drinking a latte while swatting at their kids in the back and watching SpongeBob doing a buck-twenty-five inches from sideswiping your ass?

:stupid:

[e36M3r]

I wish they would pass some sensible laws regarding those huge monsters. Like not allowing them all the freedoms of a car. Keep them in the right lanes for instance. IE: Exact some price for having a three-ton behemoth. :soapbox:

[SergioK]

Speaking of which, today in a 1 mile span on my commute, I saw the remnants of two solo spinouts into the center K wall... both were esuvees. :p

[doeboy]

Speaking of which, today in a 1 mile span on my commute, I saw the remnants of two solo spinouts into the center K wall... both were esuvees. :p

Friday night I was coming home from a get together and it was raining pretty hard so I was driving like 45-50mph in the right lane.... And I saw all these big SUVs and F150 size pickups blowing by me at like 84-90.... :confused: Hello? Can they not notice that they can't see like over 60 feet in front?

On the opposite side of the freeway I pass a big cluster of fire egines and paramedics with lights on stopped on the other side of the freeway.... few miles later, another cluster of fire engines and paramedics....

and more idiots zooming by at 80-90mph. :tsk:

[Raffi]

Friday night I was coming home from a get together and it was raining pretty hard so I was driving like 45-50mph in the right lane.... And I saw all these big SUVs and F150 size pickups blowing by me at like 84-90.... :confused: Hello? Can they not notice that they can't see like over 60 feet in front?

On the opposite side of the freeway I pass a big cluster of fire egines and paramedics with lights on stopped on the other side of the freeway.... few miles later, another cluster of fire engines and paramedics....

and more idiots zooming by at 80-90mph. :tsk:
But aren't they invincible in those behemoths? :confused: :dunno:

[jvr826]

I wish they would pass some sensible laws regarding those huge monsters. Like not allowing them all the freedoms of a car. Keep them in the right lanes for instance. IE: Exact some price for having a three-ton behemoth. :soapbox:

Acutally, from what I understand, there is "some price for having a three-ton behemoth" - the US Government offers a tax savings for the self-employed (or business owners) who purchase a passenger vehicle that weighs in at over 6k pounds.

I have some friends in Colorado who I visited last fall who have two of those big honkin' Lexus SUVs in their garage. I said, "dayum, these things are huge, and two of them?" They replied - well, we had to pick one that weighed 6000lbs or more to get the tax break.

See link (http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Taxes/P48468.asp)

[doeboy]

Acutally, from what I understand, there is "some price for having a three-ton behemoth" - the US Government offers a tax savings for the self-employed (or business owners) who purchase a passenger vehicle that weighs in at over 6k pounds.

I have some friends in Colorado who I visited last fall who have two of those big honkin' Lexus SUVs in their garage. I said, "dayum, these things are huge, and two of them?" They replied - well, we had to pick one that weighed 6000lbs or more to get the tax break.

See link (http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Taxes/P48468.asp)

That's a tax law that needs to be updated. Too many of those overly heavy vehicles are driving around ripping up the streets. It's only causing more problems later.

[Cliff]

That's a tax law that needs to be updated. Too many of those overly heavy vehicles are driving around ripping up the streets. It's only causing more problems later.
I read recently that the law expired and was not extended.

[doeboy]

I read recently that the law expired and was not extended.

:clap:

[e36M3r]

It's truely shameful. I hope as has been stated, the law expired. :mad: :banghead:

Acutally, from what I understand, there is "some price for having a three-ton behemoth" - the US Government offers a tax savings for the self-employed (or business owners) who purchase a passenger vehicle that weighs in at over 6k pounds.

[doeboy]

If only I had spotted this earlier. I will be making a payment for the lifetime membership as soon as I get back to CA. I'd rather pay the CHP ONE time instead of my insurance EVERY 6 months.

I will also be keeping my v1, not getting pulled over in the first place is priority.

I've heard of several cases where it didn't work, so one shouldn't expect anything

[Dave 330i]

I was at the Ferrari dealership in Los Gatos, CA this past Saturday admiring the beauties, and started chatting with one of the owners of the dealership who happened to own 3 Ferraris, 2 of them he races at Laguna Seca, and Sears Point.
During our conversation we started talking about speeding tickets, he told me he had never received one. I asked, what kind of radar detector he was using, and he said, he didn't use a radar detectors, he said he paid a one time fee of $1800.00 to the CHP foundation (see link below under membership), where he received a license plate frame which read "CHP 1199 foundation.. " something of this sort, and then a type of ID for his wallet.

He said that everytime he has gotten pulled over, if the cop has seen the license plate frame in the back or the ID when he shows his drivers license, the cop will always just give you a warning. He said he has never received a speeding ticket. He said, don't waste your money on detectors.

He showed me this CLK 55 from a customer which was there purchasing a Bentley, which had the frame he was talking about.

I have heard this story before from a Palo Alto Exotics dealer too. Do they know something we don't ??, aside from a good deed, this makes sense to me. I don't know what do you guys think?
www.chp1199.org/INDEX2.HTM (http://)
If this is true, it's unethical for the officers to act that way. It's too bad those who are given the power and privileges (politicians and law enforcement officers) are able to munipulate situations to their advantage.

Something as little as being visibly present at a local 7-11 store to deter crime for free donuts and coffee is unethical, imo.

[andykidney]

A state trooper friend of ours just gave us a card a Policemen Benevolent Association with his badge number and the was signed by his superior, he said if ever i get caught speeding just to give the card to the arresting officer and he will let me go with just a warning.

Sometimes i think its still the oficer discretion.

[Matthew330Ci]

yes, i think the final call is up to the officer.

of course, if you're caught doing something really dumb, he/she'll nail you no matter what kinda "credentials" you have (despite that post earlier saying one guy got doing 160mph) but for the more benign 10-15 over ones, you'll most likely be let go.

[ketchup]

It's truely shameful. I hope as has been stated, the law expired. :mad: :banghead:

Originally Posted by jvr530i
Acutally, from what I understand, there is "some price for having a three-ton behemoth" - the US Government offers a tax savings for the self-employed (or business owners) who purchase a passenger vehicle that weighs in at over 6k pounds.


That was the tax deduction that you would get for purchasing a vehicle with a GROSS weight (fully loaded with passengers and crap) of 6k lbs or of a towing cap. of 6k lbs. The ML350, X5, etc...all qualified. The total cost of the vehicle used to be 100% deductable but then as of Oct 04 is was reduced to something like 60% not sure :dunno: . anyhow, it is no longer in effect as of the end of 04', now the government is promoting hybrid vehicles instead.

It was a great tax break to take advantage of :thumbup:

[ketchup]

I've heard of several cases where it didn't work, so one shouldn't expect anything

yea, of course it's always up to the arresting officer. however, the odds of him giving you a warning instead are greatly in your favor ;) . not like I pulled over all the time or anything, just that I want to up my odds of not getting ticketed for when I do. haha plus the 'donation' to the 1199 foundation is another tax write off ! I'm still deciding on what to do, we'll see how it turns out when I get back to CA (CAlifornia :rofl: ).

[SARAFIL]

yea, of course it's always up to the arresting officer. however, the odds of him giving you a warning instead are greatly in your favor ;) . not like I pulled over all the time or anything, just that I want to up my odds of not getting ticketed for when I do. haha plus the 'donation' to the 1199 foundation is another tax write off ! I'm still deciding on what to do, we'll see how it turns out when I get back to CA (CAlifornia :rofl: ).

Around here, lots of people with connections have 100 Club badges on their plates. It's a pretty small badge, so it isn't too flashy. It's said to be pretty good at getting you out of trouble. I'm pretty good at avoiding police attention, so I wouldn't know it mine works. Or, then again, maybe the fact that I don't attract police attention IS a fact that it is working. :)

(sorry for the Ford truck pic, it's the first one I found when I google'd)
http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/AMan/135424.jpg

[ktc]

That's a tax law that needs to be updated. Too many of those overly heavy vehicles are driving around ripping up the streets. It's only causing more problems later.

Oh. And I was just thinking that BMW should have an "M" X-series to race against Porsche's Cayenne Turbo. :)

[SoCal Scott]

As a cop I can tell you that the 11-99 might get you somewhere with CHP, but it won't matter to other cops. I personally would never let someone go because they think they've bought me off with some donation. To be honest, the only reason to put that on your license plate or have it in your wallet is because you're saying "I EXPECT that if I show this to you, you WILL NOT give me a ticket."

Thanks, but I'll remain the judge of who's getting a ticket or not. That being said, I can't remember the last time I wrote a speeding ticket. I, along with most people I work with, aren't out to screw people over. If they're going fast, but the conditions are safe, then who cares? Hey, I want to drive my 5er fast too! I'm more concerned about the idiots that are blowing through crosswalks with pedestrians in them, or people who can't be bothered to pull over to get out of the way of an ambulance.

But I agree that buying/bribing your way out of tickets is unethical behavior, and I won't take part in it. To each his own.

And FYI, while cops supposedly don't ticket other cops (same thing as above in my opinion) I know cops I work with that have gotten cites from CHP.

I personally just drive intelligently, know when to ease off and what to look for, and I've never gotten pulled over for speeding.

It's not your high speed driving you have to worry about, it's the other guy.

[e46Christian]

Around here the Fraternal Order of Police is always begging me for money, and there are plenty of people with FOP stickers plastered all over their car. I would rather pay for speeding tickets for the rest of my life than suck up to cops. Good for you!! I used to work for a telemarketing company down in NJ and one little known fact is that whoever they run the campaign for only receives ~10-15% of the funds collected. It's a freaking racket.

After I learned that, I stopped sending money and got my name off their lists.

[Plaz]

I can't remember the last time I wrote a speeding ticket. I, along with most people I work with, aren't out to screw people over. If they're going fast, but the conditions are safe, then who cares? Hey, I want to drive my 5er fast too! I'm more concerned about the idiots that are blowing through crosswalks with pedestrians in them, or people who can't be bothered to pull over to get out of the way of an ambulance.

I wish that excellent philosophy was more prevalent among east coast troopers. :eeps:

[swchang]

I forget where I heard this, maybe on Leno when that cutie from SVU was on.

She says she gets pulled over on the highway sometime and the cop comes over and is like, "Ma'am, do you know how fast you were going?" She says no, and tries to get out of the ticket. Finally, after a few lines, she says, "Is there some ball or something you all have that I can buy a ticket to?" and pulls out her checkbook. The cop says, "No, that's for state troopers. Highway patrolmen don't have any balls." She starts laughing, and the guy, realizing what he just said, gets into his patrol car and drives off, embarrassed.

[machmeter]

I just carry around a photo of Erik Estrada in full CHiPs gear in my wallet. :p
:bustingup :bustingup :bustingup :thumbup:

[machmeter]

...while swatting at their kids...
:lmao: :lmao:

[TeamM3]

IShe says she gets pulled over on the highway sometime and the cop comes over and is like, "Ma'am, do you know how fast you were going?" She says no, and tries to get out of the ticket. Finally, after a few lines, she says, "Is there some ball or something you all have that I can buy a ticket to?" and pulls out her checkbook. The cop says, "No, that's for state troopers. Highway patrolmen don't have any balls." She starts laughing, and the guy, realizing what he just said, gets into his patrol car and drives off, embarrassed.


:rofl:

[Misha_S]

i see the 1199 license plate at work all the time. its allmost allways on the faster cars but also on the other more normal cars.

as for the V1. i dont know how it is in the bay but for long drives traveling its very usefull. ive borowed my friends several times for trips like going to vegas and things like that. saved my ass several times.

[jkb]

i see the 1199 license plate at work all the time. its allmost allways on the faster cars but also on the other more normal cars.

as for the V1. i dont know how it is in the bay but for long drives traveling its very usefull. ive borowed my friends several times for trips like going to vegas and things like that. saved my ass several times.

privet misha, hello others.

for a scoop on 11-99 you can PM me. i am a member there. i also have a V1. i use V1 to avoid getting pulled over in the first place. in fact, i found a couple of spots on 101 where cops tend to sit with a radar. one is under the millbrae ave overpass, the next exit after SFO airport exit if going south. the guy sits in his car with a radar and shoots it at you in the back after you drive past him.

[LmtdSlip]

Here in Tampa and St. Pete people who are related to the LEOs display decals of the county sheriff stars.

Funny how all of the judges have them on thier cars.

[doeboy]

I've heard of several cases where it didn't work, so one shouldn't expect anything

I must reiterate this statement... you shouldn't expect it to get you squat. I know of an incidence recently where it didn't help. (No, it wasn't me. :p )