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Author Topic: Do you "hit" your brakes when you see the police? Topic is locked Back to Topics
lssable97

Rookie Author
Richmond

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Message Posted: May 22, 2004 10:48:14 PM

I do, and I'm not usually even speeding!
REPLIES (newest first)
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radstoy
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 1:19:47 PM

I look at the speedo first.
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kj6qb
Champion Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 1:14:31 PM

Sometimes.
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happydad
Rookie Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 1:05:13 PM

Once I was on NJ Tpk at night, keeping up with traffic at about 75 MPH. A car spead up behind me to a rather close following distance, liker one car length. At the time I thought it was a bit obnoxious.

Instead of acting juvenile, I just signaled and changed lanes at a safe spot. Only when he spead past did I realize he was a cop. I'm kind of glad I didn't hit the brakes that time.
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happydad
Rookie Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 1:00:24 PM

No. I may release the cruise control or click down a couple MPH because it's safe to assume everyone elss will have to slow down for one car. As someone else said, I'll only hit the brakes to avoid hitting the person in front.

I drive about 30K highway miles per year and this has never failed me in normal situations. The exception is below.
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happydad
Rookie Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 12:55:53 PM

Grrrrr!

No, except in Delaware. I got a ticket there for having a bad attitude (his, then mine - officer said it was 'unsafe speed' or some nonsense). I was going my usual 8 over the limit and I passed him as he was getting on the on-ramp, rather than hit the brakes. It wasn't a yield issue since I was in the middle lane, and he did not report my speed. He just said I should be advised not to pass a police car.

In hindsight, and doing some research, this may have something to do with the road being the only one I know of in DE with an adjustable speed limit (electronic signs), and highest in the state, 65. I think there is a special status of the highest speed limit in a state.
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tripodtodd
All-Star Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 11:41:49 AM

Usually I'm not doing more than 5 over in town, or about 7 over on the highway (unless traffic speed calls for more). I'll hold that speed with a cop right behind me. The only time I remember hitting the brakes was when I was keeping with traffic doing 70 or 75 in a 55. Then I remembered I was in Atlanta, where 15-20 over is perfectly acceptable. I swear, those cops down there could have a field day if they ever wanted to.

[Edited by: tripodtodd at 9/11/2005 12:48:06 PM EST]
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Blubird
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 7:58:11 AM

no
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jankerson
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 7:01:13 AM

No I don't.

But then I am not usually going far enough over the speed limit to worry about it.
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daisylou
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 10:14:54 PM

only to avoid running into the person in front of me who inevitably hits his!
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h8_mac
Champion Author Hamilton

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 9:47:35 PM

Lift off throttle for sure, and depending on my speed I'll tap the brake.
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shuribob
Rookie Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 9:39:56 PM

Yes, doesn't evryone?
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sark
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 6:41:47 PM

I let off the gas for a little while then slow down. I figure if the cops see me put on my brake right away they will guess I was speeding.
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Candid
Sophomore Author Nova Scotia

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 6:37:33 PM

I always tap the brakes automatically even before I check to see if I was speeding.
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watchfuleyes
Sophomore Author Birmingham

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 6:04:30 PM

yes, I am naturally afraid and I really don't know why- I perspire heavily, put on the brakes, check the seat belt, stop using my cell, totally panic!
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JMBoykinII
Champion Author Chattanooga

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 5:03:57 PM

Yeah, it seems to be a natural reaction.
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bugc
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 4:49:54 PM

yup
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bareft
Rookie Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 4:47:20 PM

Usually they are looking for the guy or gal runnning 20 over and changing lanes like nascar driver bareft
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bareft
Rookie Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 4:44:34 PM

No for the simple reason it is basic admission of guilt lol if they want to write that ticket not much you going to do about it but pay it one way or another .In the state of Indiana you can defer them and if you bave for a period of 6 to 12 months it will disaper
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jwduke1
Champion Author Iowa

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 10:16:58 AM

no
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rrtruck
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 9:52:53 AM

I do, even if I'm under the speed limit. Well, it's the fool in front of me that hit their brakes and forces me to hit mine.
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owt
Champion Author Tennessee

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 8:22:29 AM

no
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SPIKER66
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2005 11:25:26 PM

NO but I'm not an idiot
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Victor007
Veteran Author West Virginia

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2005 10:51:31 PM

Yes, my body just responds to it.
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cheapgaspleez
Champion Author Long Island

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2005 10:44:21 PM

I usually just take my foot off the gas, but a neat trick my driver ed teacher taught us back in the day, was to pull up on the emergency brake lever (if you have a console type brake lever). This applies the brakes without lighting up the brake lights. I've done this at times when just letting of the gas wouldn't slow me down enough.
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gilgar
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2005 12:32:35 AM

Heck no! That's telling them "I'm guilty and I know it" If I'm way over the limit I'll take my foot off the gas but never the brake
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jkennedy293
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 7:53:32 AM

no
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Beat 12
All-Star Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 7:44:24 AM

Yes. Usually though it's when the police car has it's "cherries" on and is in pursuit of something. It's an unsolicted response by my foot to do so. I guess I want to scan around for other dangers and making sure other traffic is moving to the side like myself.
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smkiel
Champion Author Miami

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 6:54:15 AM

often
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madkow70
Rookie Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 6:14:41 AM

not only have to "hit" the brakes, i have to "slam" and stand on the brakes to be back in legal area.
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DLCAN
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 5:41:47 AM

just foot off the gas ....
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guzzle
Champion Author Memphis

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 5:41:30 AM

I DRIVE WITH CRUISE ON ALL THE TIME, ITS CHEAPER THAN DRIVING TO COURT DOWNTOWN, $10. to park 2 hrs wasted, $60. plus for speeding ticket,and the waste of gas to drive there.................................
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Rneck55
Veteran Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Aug 25, 2005 5:31:33 AM

No
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zippylady
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Aug 24, 2005 11:04:07 PM

No, I unplug my "Fuzz buster" and slow down...then wave and smile.
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DDubyu
Champion Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 3:05:55 PM

Only if he is right on my rear bumper. ;-)
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Back2skewl
Rookie Author Fort Worth

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 9:07:54 AM

Look people I work in Law enforcement, and there is nothing more stupid than to do that. U make ur self look obvious when you do that. just continue on ur merry way and usually we just leave you alone
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Xspecht
Champion Author Idaho

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 9:03:53 AM

I usually just take my foot off the gas and coast.
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ole_bubba
Champion Author Greensboro

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 7:38:53 AM

not in a long time
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HiwayShark
Veteran Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 7:37:37 AM

No I don't, but then again I'm not breaking any laws! It starts sounding like some sort of Orwellian police state when people panic and scramble away at the first sight of an authority figure. Of course, around here the police usually don't go after just anyone cruising with the flow of traffic but rather look for those maniac speed demons who will drive 20 mph faster than everyone else - those are usually the real targets.
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owt
Champion Author Tennessee

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 6:40:23 AM

NO, just keep on puttering along
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rattlerno1
Rookie Author Miami

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 4:45:22 AM

Depends on the speed I'm traveling. If I'm less than 10 over, I usually coast or engine brake. However, for a cop monitoring traffic in two directions, there IS a chance that cop might not have spotted you yet, even if you've spotted him. So it would make sense to slow down if you're at a considerable amount over the limit. And even if they've seen you, many cops that observe you safely slowing down to a speed w/in their "grace" usually will not cite you. For the few who think that because a cop already sees them means that there is no need to slow down may want to consider that a cop may see this as a blatant disregard of their authority. My opinion comes from being around plenty of officers (I wanted to be one!)
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Scubamarsh
Champion Author Tacoma

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 4:18:48 AM

No
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Kevin5150
Sophomore Author Orlando

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Message Posted: Aug 23, 2005 4:16:55 AM

No way!!! radar detector work well most of the time for advance warning. But if there is no warning hitting the brakes just makes you look more obvious and by then it's to late anyway.
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jello26
Sophomore Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Aug 22, 2005 5:33:57 PM

no, that's the stupidest thing you can do! Come on!!
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taxguy
Champion Author Columbus

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 7:53:13 AM

NO. That's a good way to capture their attention.
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sarge57
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 7:14:55 AM

Not usually. As I get older, I also get slower.
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mincemeat26
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 7:11:21 AM

The cop may have already spotted you, but to keep on speeding is kinda "in your face" and likely to be seen as a challenge. Best to drop back to the speed limit as soon as possible. I do it by downshifting.
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yaachan3
Veteran Author Florida

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 6:31:07 AM

no
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DLCAN
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 6:19:14 AM

usually just let go the gas....
like most people said here....
just in case the car ahead do a sudden slow down ...
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HD_Chevy
Champion Author Lansing

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 5:19:00 AM

I used to. I don't speed anymore, so I don't. Besides, like someone else mentioned, by the time I see them, I've already been clocked. My usual reaction is just to let off the gas as a knee jerk response. Unless the vehicle in front of me brakes, then I have to.
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cptinsano1
Rookie Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Aug 17, 2005 2:25:49 AM

try not to, makes you look guilty. just let off the gas
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