Posted on 03/09/2006 8:23:35 AM PST by rock_lobsta
Dozens of Central Texas drivers got pulled over Thursday for doing absolutely nothing wrong.
Travis County deputies kicked off what has become a controversial reward program.
You know that heart stopping feeling you get when seeing the flashing red lights of law enforcement in the rear view mirror.
Well, you won't see that if you're a good driver, but you may get pulled over.
Getting pulled over for doing nothing wrong may not sound right to a lot of people.
Travis County Deputy Derrick Taylor says his job is to not only look for bad drivers, but reward and encourage friendly drivers.
"The big cargo truck that was in front of you and you allowed to get in front of you, that was a very nice thing you did and because it was a safe thing, we want to reward you with a Round Rock express baseball tickets," Taylor tells a good driver.
Free baseball tickets for good drivers - some like it and don't mind being pulled over like Erin.
"I was really surprised, but it's cool though. I thought I was like in trouble so a little nerve racking," driver Erin Baker said.
That's the problem with other drivers saying it's an inconvenience.
Deputy Taylor says they're not trying to scare anyone. Deputies will simply wave to good drivers and politely ask them to pull over to the side.
"What I'm trying to focus on and the only thing I'm trying to focus on is rewarding someone for good driving. There are going to be some people who are not going to like it cause the only experience they have with law enforcement is negative," Taylor said.
Drivers like Erin say they'll take this ticket over a traffic ticket any day.
"Yeah, I will probably go with my boyfriend or something," Baker said.
This program will last until this weekend, and it stems from one that worked well some 20 years ago except deputies were handing out money -- up to $50.
No one complained then until the money ran out.
I have to think the answer is yes.
You nailed it with that first post!
-Eric
whoa...id hate to have my office next to yours during this experiment
I do commend you though for your willingness to do anything to prove a point :)
In Georgia, it's against the law to obey a lawful order from a cop. If he flags you down and you keep going, that is "failure to comply" at a minimum, possible misdemeanor obstruction and, if he's really ticked at you, fleeing or attempting to elude.
They can paint this how they like - not intimidating because they don't use lights or whatever - but once that cop flags you down and you keep going, if he wants to, he's taking your a$$ to jail.
As with everyone else here, I say this stinks, and if a cop pulls me over for good driving I'll tell him it stinks. Then, likely, he'll find some reason to tote my a$$ to jail.
Fortunately, I have a sheriff who believes in the Constitution and wouldn't do some bone-headed thing like this.
Because that's what the touchy-feely communists running this country tell us you're supposed to do. Don't punish the bad, reward the good.
Thanks!
I crap my pants now so I'll have to think of something else...
Don't know about Texas law, but in Georgia they certainly could pursue because then there would be a violation. Whether or not they would pursue would be entirely up to the cop himself.
:) its time to get that underwear biscuit problem taken care of maybe
This is ridiculous. It's a waste of cop time, a waste of driver's time (imagine you're running late for an important appt., and you get pulled over), plus it causes unwarranted anxiety in law abiding citizens.
I thought people obeyed the traffic laws so the cops would leave them the hell alone.
Give them more money for coffee bacon and donuts, then they won't have a chip on their shoulder..
Telling you to pull over for no reason is considered a lawful order? How??
I think if I were driving along minding my own business, and were stopped -- delayed about my business -- to be told I was a good driver, I would be ripsh*t angry. Especially, if I missed an appointment or a plane as a result of the delay. Police who stop motorists for 'good driving' simply haven't enough to do. Either they aren't out their dealing with crime, or they are redundant.
"...It's a waste of cop time, a waste of driver's time (imagine you're running late for an important appointment, and you get pulled over), plus it causes unwarranted anxiety in law-abiding citizens..."
You are absolutely correct and you mirror my feelings on the subject. The only way it could ever be worth my time is if the officer sprints to my car, peels-off a crisp, new $100.00 bill, hands it to me with a big smile, and thanks me for my time. We all know that's not the way it works and they're going to run your license plates and all that nonsense.
Meanwhile, my clients are at their office fuming and wondering where the heck I am. Thanks, but keep your rewards! I don't need a gift certificate to Burger King right now.
~ Blue Jays ~
Maybe we should ask Patrick Fitzgerald if he would pursue someone if there was no crime committed.
.
Seems the pickles were horrible and that was the only way to get rid of them. I wonder just how much demand there is for the tickets they are giving away.
LOL...I assume you mean that it is against the law to DISobey a lawful order from a cop?
I know a couple of members of the Ryan family, and have a lot of respect for Nolan, but this pissed me off. Hey, anything to get the subjects used to being pulled over and subtly checked out.
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