Modern Vespa

I got pulled over the a State Sheriff and his Partner today (typically the City and County Police would be the one's you expect to pull you over). I tried to recant where I committed the infraction. Both exited the patrol car and walked up to me...kinda thought it was going to be O.K. since they didn't bother toting their ticket book.

Here's how it went:

Sheriff, "You know you didn't come to a complete stop back there..."
Me, "You mean back at the last intersection? I thought I did (four way stop) and gave right of way..."
Sheriff, "No...the side street before the intersection..."
Me, "Oh, I thought I did...maybe I didn't...sorry..."
Sheriff, "Can I see you license, registration, insurance, etc., etcl."
Partner (admiring my scoot), "That's a scooter...huh?"
Me, "Yep!" (as I pulled out all my paperwork...in proper order...pulled off my helmet so he could I.D. me properly)
Partner, "Nice!"
Sheriff, "Well just be careful next time"...as they were leaving...
Partner, "Drive Safe"
Me, "And you Ride Safe!" ...both smiled and waved as they walked back to their patrol car.

My thoughts about this interaction and why it went well:

1. Most important...I didn't project an antogonistic attitude and just said, "Sorry" (if I recalled it was a "rolling stop") and treated them respectfully.
2. Had all paperwork and in proper order.
3. Full protective apparel worn (I believe this projects a sense of being a "safety" oriented rider.

...and maybe they wanted a closer look at my Scoot!

It was a good day!

Sounds like you were respectful and cooperative. That almost always goes over well.

Nice.. What city?

Thanks for sharing your story. I have to admit, when riding in back streets on this island, I do rolling stops all the time due to my laziness to put my feet down.

That's saved me a few times. You don't have to kiss ass to be a good citizen. 8)

Downtown Honolulu...Kakaako...side street to Fisher Hawaii...I guess they have this area patroled by the Sheriff's Dept. now. They mentioned that their focusing in on mopeds/MC's.

Glad you managed to deek a ticket!

Our police (when they are around) are always looking for vehicles which do not come to a complete stop and I must admit to being lazy as well. I don't like having to put my feet down so I came up with an easy way to come to a complete stop without putting my feet down. I roll up to the stop sign slowly (until nearly stopped) apply both brakes quickly, basically jerking (a tiny bit) to a complete stop and then quickly rolling on a "little" throttle.

With practice, it becomes second nature. Try it in a parking lot several times and see how you do. Have a friend watch to make sure that you do actually come to a full stop. Keep your legs out and ready to put down if you need to. There is no time designated as to how long you must stop ... only that your wheels must stop rolling completely. Some people will try to tell you that there is a three second rule ... but it's not true. At least it's not true in Canada or here. Not sure about the U.S. or elsewhere.

It's fun, try it!

I have heard that, in the US, you must put a foot down. Probably to demonstrate that you have come to a controlled stop. In your scenario, though you have technicaly stopped moving for an instant, if you actually had to yield to anyone additional action would be required. Always stop at a stop sign as if someone is watching you. Because they might be.

Well ... several of our stop signs are really unnecessary as you can see what is coming from quite a distance away. I'm not putting my feet down unless I have to. The police like to sit there and watch for persons who make no attempt to stop. They watch me like a hawk and I usually grin at them as I do my little maneuver. It usually gets a grin from the cops! I wave at them and ride off. It's a very small community here!

Yep, it is "Both Feet Down" at a stop sign in the U.S. or they can give you a ticket.

Not true. Like most motor vehicle laws, it varies state-to-state. Around here, if you stop long enough to get a foot down, you'll never get pulled over unless the cop is using it as an excuse to look for something else. As with most driving laws (even speeding), it comes down to "officer discretion".

I mean, sure they can stop you and give you a ticket for anything, but will it hold up in front of a judge?

I've been bad about rolling through stop signs

you take your chances...

Hey, I don't do it all the time, but if there is a cop around or I get that feeling... I puts me feets down.

Will it hold up in court? I don't have the time to find out. Its a little enough thing.

So far no traffic stops or tickets for me. When it happens I am sure I will be Miss. Posty McPosterson!

But as the post refers, I also do the stops, wear the gear, have my info in order and I try to be respectful.

The law here in Texas is stop means stop; front wheel stops rolling completely before reaching the limit line/crosswalk/near side of the intersection. It's what I want from other drivers and it's what they get from me. I don't like the rolling stop, because I'm less certain about what the driver is going to do. But it's what I get most of the time, even from LEOs.

Here in the UK I'd be amazed if anyone stopped us for not stopping at a stop sign. Sure I'll slow right down and wait if appropriate but my feet stay stay up for pretty much my whole commute.

Great interaction, I agree, being polite and not antagonistic is always a great way to deal with the law.

Don't think so, there is no law saying you have to put your feet down. I can come to a complete stop and not put my feet down, so as soon as I stop I have complied with the law. How am I breaking the law?

Edited:
Just asked a Va. State Cop when I was at lunch. He said if you come to a complete stop, you are legal. He never heard you have to put your feet down.

Wayne B

Glad it all worked out.

At first, I thought you were going to shoot him, then go write a song about it.

\\osc

I'd love to take that "both feet down" in front of a judge if I'm on the P200 or the Bajaj... "So you are saying that in order to comply with the law, I should take my foot off the brake at the stop sign, your honor?"

(They don't need to know that the front brake is on the handlebar and that they do most of the stopping anyway)

I do some work for law enforcement and a measured and polite response to a query by a LEO generally gets the conversation off to a good start, as does the proper paperwork. Also not lying or calling them a liar helps too! And it's "officer" not "sir" or "ma'am" when replying to them. The things that you learn at work...

The town where I live is so small we don't have a Sheriff, we have a Patrolman. He is also the Fire Chief and the Mayors Brother-in-law. His wife is the History teacher at the grade school and she works part-time at the Tasty-Freeze down by the rock quarry. Their oldest daughter baby-sits some.

But I didn't shoot the deputy...

Yes, SPD likes to see both feet down at a stop according to heresay.

I'm tryin to remember the last time I saw car come to a stop and put their feet down. Maybe the Flintstones movie...