BwanaDik
Well-known member
Got stopped but not ticketed today on 290 west outside Brenham (post described in FJR topic). While standing there BSing with the DPS LEO, I asked him about stopping in the "emergency lane" of an interstate to simply get a ticket. The description of the berms of an interstate are "breakdown" or "emergency" lane. I asked him if giving me a ticket constituted an "emergency" and shouldn't I instead proceed to a safer location where we could do our business? I mentioned the officer that had been killed here recently by some dope on his cell phone, chasing a bug in his car and another guy, a good samaritan that was killed on the HOV lane while trying to help another driver. His answer was that, on a road such as I-45 thru Houston, if I had to go another 1-2 miles to get to an offramp to get to a safe location, I'd probably have 10 more cruisers and a helicopter helping me to that safe location :blink: so I'd should probably try to stop in the emergency lane. If I could get off immediately then I probably should and proceed at a composed rate of speed to a safe location (driveway or such). Out in the country like around Brenham, you should probably stop as soon as posible.
I asked him this because I am EXTREMELY hesitant to stop in the emergency lane because of this. I've always been respectful of public safety responders but after standing out there with the LEO's that responded, I have tremendous sympathy and concern for ANY public safety officer putting themselves at risk. Especially for something as minor as a traffic ticket. I don't think it's remotely worth it to be killed for writing a lousy traffic ticket. If I have a flat tire in my cage, I'll drive on the rim to a safe place rather than change it on the road.
So, is there a consensis amongst the LEO's out there as to what to do? Drive to a "safe" location and risk you guys assuming I'm escaping? (Remember, O.J. made his "getaway" at 55 MPH). Or do I stop as soon as possible and possibly put both our lives in danger?
I asked him this because I am EXTREMELY hesitant to stop in the emergency lane because of this. I've always been respectful of public safety responders but after standing out there with the LEO's that responded, I have tremendous sympathy and concern for ANY public safety officer putting themselves at risk. Especially for something as minor as a traffic ticket. I don't think it's remotely worth it to be killed for writing a lousy traffic ticket. If I have a flat tire in my cage, I'll drive on the rim to a safe place rather than change it on the road.
So, is there a consensis amongst the LEO's out there as to what to do? Drive to a "safe" location and risk you guys assuming I'm escaping? (Remember, O.J. made his "getaway" at 55 MPH). Or do I stop as soon as possible and possibly put both our lives in danger?