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.
"Howdy, sir. I'm pulling you over to commend you for your courteous driving. Here's a coupon for a buy-one get-one free dinner at the... Oh, I couldn't help but notice that bag you have in the front seat..."
My first thought as well.
What better way to start fishing expeditions???
You read my mind!!
either lay off some troopers or send them to patrol the Mexican border.
Or..."you don't mind if I look in the trunk do you?"
A new excuse for "probably cause".
Fishing expedition.
This is all about PR.
Just layoff the excessive staff. Save the taxpayers some of their money.
Unbelieveably stupid and a waste of people's time and taxpayer $$$. Don't cops have anything better to do??
there's no excuse to pull over a good driver. take down the plate number and mail the reward to their house.
So deputy, the only good drivers you could find to pull over and hand out money had the same last name as you?
What? That information is only culled up when they are mailing you an automated ticket. < /s >
That's what I want to know. Can they nail people who are pulled over for good driving? Is that what this is really about? I like to think that this is genuinely a reward for good drivers. If it really were a fishing expedition, we need to clean house.
You are so right. A big fishing expedition. Why don't they just make everybody line up for a full cavity search everyday?
My thoughts exactly.
You know things have gotten bad when you have to reward people for doing what they are supposed to do.
I'm going to start crapping my pants at work. Maybe after a week of crapping my pants I'll get a bonus if I start using the restroom.
May also be to lull drivers into thinking "this is a good thing" when they are being singled out for a violation ticket.
Often I'll see 1 car stopped out of a pack all travelling the same (excessive) speed.
Trucks are required to travel at a slower speed on the highway in some areas. Yielding to a speeding trucker "may be nice" but maybe the officer should consider ticketing the violating truck driver instead of "thanking" the meek citizen.
Try that in Los Angeles, and you'll start a car chase that ends up as a 5 hour freeway shutdown-standoff...pissing off another 30 or 40 thousand drivers.
Since there is no violation, will they pursue the driver if (s)he does not stop?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.