What would you do?

[Armed Citizen]

Scenerio:

Got stopped by Beech Grove PD for a burnt out headlight which was heading in the opposite direction of my travel. I see him bust a u-turn in my rearview mirror and notice his left rear brake light is not working. He lights me up and I pull over. Typical statements made by officer, driver license and vehicle registration please. He ask "Do you know why I stopped you?" I know the reason but play innocent, "No sir, I do not". He states you have a burnt out headlight. I respond by informing him that his left rear brake light on his cruiser is also burnt out. He acts surprised and shocked that I would mention his vehicle's unsafe condition. Let's say for conversation sake he issues me a ticket for my headlight. I take my ticket and as we leave he pulls around me. I video record his car at the next stoplight documenting his burnt out brake light. Would you just pay the ticket and go on your way? Or would you dispute the ticket and take your video recording to traffic court?

And might I add that my headlight burnt out on Wednesday and it is now Thursday.

 

[jsharmon7]

Brake light or tail light? It's legal to have a burned out brake light. Also, his vehicle has nothing to do with your burned out headlight, it won't get you out of a ticket. It also wouldn't matter when your headlight burned out. If it's out, it's out.

 

[Smokeeater]

I agree that you would be fighting a loosing battle. Issue is your vehicle not his.

 

[jd4320t]

lol

 

[Armed Citizen]

Brake light or tail light? It's legal to have a burned out brake light. Also, his vehicle has nothing to do with your burned out headlight, it won't get you out of a ticket. It also wouldn't matter when your headlight burned out. If it's out, it's out.

I agree, my vehicle was not to proper code. Yes it was his brake light.

 

[jsharmon7]

I agree, my vehicle was not to proper code. Yes it was his brake light.

Having one burned out brake light would not be a violation.

 

[chezuki]

Judge: "Sir, were your headlights in proper working order?"
You: "No."
Judge: "The citation stands, next case."
You: "B-b-b-but the officer's car had...."
Judge: "NEXT CASE!!"


...4hrs Later...

Full page post on INGO about how your rights were violated because you got caught breaking the law with multiple excuses on why you think you shouldn't be held accountable.

I would pay the ticket and fix your headlight.

 

[Spanky46151]

Vehicles only need 1 working brake light, excluding the middle/third brake light. Needs to be repaired, yes. A violation, no. Might be best to be familiar with the law before you begin to try and use it.

 

[public servant]

Scenerio:

Got stopped by Beech Grove PD for a burnt out headlight which was heading in the opposite direction of my travel. I see him bust a u-turn in my rearview mirror and notice his left rear brake light is not working. He lights me up and I pull over. Typical statements made by officer, driver license and vehicle registration please. He ask "Do you know why I stopped you?" I know the reason but play innocent, "No sir, I do not". He states you have a burnt out headlight. I respond by informing him that his left rear brake light on his cruiser is also burnt out. He acts surprised and shocked that I would mention his vehicle's unsafe condition. Let's say for conversation sake he issues me a ticket for my headlight. I take my ticket and as we leave he pulls around me. I video record his car at the next stoplight documenting his burnt out brake light. Would you just pay the ticket and go on your way? Or would you dispute the ticket and take your video recording to traffic court?

And might I add that my headlight burnt out on Wednesday and it is now Thursday.

I just forwarded this post to the judge in traffic court. He'll be looking for you.

So...did he actually write you a ticket?

 

[Denny347]

Vehicles only need 1 working brake light, excluding the middle/third brake light. Needs to be repaired, yes. A violation, no. Might be best to be familiar with the law before you begin to try and use it.

 

[concrete dog]

Scenerio:

Got stopped by Beech Grove PD for a burnt out headlight which was heading in the opposite direction of my travel. I see him bust a u-turn in my rearview mirror and notice his left rear brake light is not working. He lights me up and I pull over. Typical statements made by officer, driver license and vehicle registration please. He ask "Do you know why I stopped you?" I know the reason but play innocent, "No sir, I do not". He states you have a burnt out headlight. I respond by informing him that his left rear brake light on his cruiser is also burnt out. He acts surprised and shocked that I would mention his vehicle's unsafe condition. Let's say for conversation sake he issues me a ticket for my headlight. I take my ticket and as we leave he pulls around me. I video record his car at the next stoplight documenting his burnt out brake light. Would you just pay the ticket and go on your way? Or would you dispute the ticket and take your video recording to traffic court?

And might I add that my headlight burnt out on Wednesday and it is now Thursday.

Brake light or Tail light, does it matter? We all know cops don't break the law!

 

[Dirtebiker]

I just forwarded this post to the judge in traffic court. He'll be looking for you.

So...did he actually write you a ticket?

Doesn't sound like it.

Rarely does anyone get a ticket for a burned out headlight!

 

[Doug]

Well, I was driving 85 down the interstate and the cop had to do durn near 100 to catch me. He sneaked up on me and didn't turn on his lights and siren until he was behind me. So, since he was speeding to catch me speeding I shouldn't get a ticket, right?

Just because his car wasn't perfect doesn't mean you get a pass.

 

[DukeTheDog]

Most cops just use it as an excuse to check you out. Just a warning almost every time.

 

[citizenkane]

I would say you proabaly talked yourself into a ticket but with Beech Grove who knows

 

[mcolford]

I dont care what the situation is... Pointing at the fault of an officer's car or the officer, especially something VERY VERY petty (such as a stupid light burnt out) is a good way to make you a local favorite for road side visits with your finer Local Law Enforcement Agency. Not saying every cop operates that way, but picking an argument with LE never ends well... Tread very lightly.

 

[Suprtek]

I would have shown him the extra bulbs I always carry in my glove box and happily offered to correct it on the spot. And I would have almost certainly not gotten a ticket. I would have still informed him of his failed light because I honestly believe this is something most officers would want to know. I would have done it in a friendly, non-confrontational manner though.

 

[Benny]

About two months ago I saw a local PD cruiser and a sheriff **** chatting in an empty parking lot early one evening and the local PD had a headlight out. Later that night I saw the same cruiser driving around with the bulb still out.

I would think after receiving a citation from that sheriff he would have had it fixed immediately.



Edit: I'm not sure why C H I T is blanked out...Isn't that a common phrase?

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Most cops just use it as an excuse to check you out. Just a warning almost every time.

I use it as an excuse to tell you to get your car in proper working order so you won't get stopped for the same thing again.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

About two months ago I saw a local PD cruiser and a sheriff **** chatting in an empty parking lot early one evening and the local PD had a headlight out. Later that night I saw the same cruiser driving around with the bulb still out.

I would think after receiving a citation from that sheriff he would have had it fixed immediately.



Edit: I'm not sure why C H I T is blanked out...Isn't that a common phrase?

I see what you did there.