Question for the cops

Jim Logajan said:
There might have been debris on the road ahead - or some other temporary problem ahead - and they were slowing traffic to allow a road crew or another cop to clear the road. I believe they are called rolling roadblocks
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A couple of weeks ago on my morning commute I came up behind a cop on a motorcycle zig-zagging across three lanes of freeway with lights ablaze. He slowed everybody down for a mile or so - then turned off the lights and sped away. There was no evidence of any problem further down the road. WTF?

Dave
 
Proof that no matter how fast you go on the highway, you will average 50 MPH for your trip.
One way or the other!
 
Dr. O said:
hmmm. Had a county officer go past, make a U turn, and follow me today as I was comig back from flying.
Now come on. It is 10:30 Sunday morning and I am a 70 something year old man driving a shiny, and very red, diesel pickup, putzing along about 45 in a 55 zone.

Dunno what his issue was but I wasn't playing by his rules. Empty (mostly) country secondary paved roads.
So at each stop sign I stopped and looked both ways for a long ten count, then nailed it. Of course he tried to keep up with me in the black suburban with push bars, and lights, and I spoze about a quarter ton of equipment in the back end, but he didn't have a chance (800 foot pounds of Duramax torque) The computer kept the wheels from spinning and I just squirted away from him. Then at 55 (which came really fast) I would let off the throttle, tap the brakes to give him a brake light flash, touch 'resume' on the cruise control and sedately cruise right at 54 to the next stop sign (every mile in that stretch)
After 6 miles he sat there and watched me fly away and turned around (sigh - just as I was having fun)
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LOL! It's fun being a legal driver. How much did the Duramax smoke? Haha.

Only thing more fun would have been to let him catch up and use the jake to slow for the stop sign. No brake lights but all of a sudden you're growing in his windshield. ;)

(I was following a friend down from a radio site once and I couldn't figure out how he was slowing for the hairpins on the forest service road until I rolled down my window and heard his jake.)
 
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denverpilot said:
LOL! It's fun being a legal driver. How much did the Duramax smoke? Haha.

Only thing more fun would have been to let him catch up and use the jake to slow for the stop sign. No brake lights but all of a sudden you're growing in his windshield. ;)

(I was following a friend down from a radio site once and I couldn't figure out how he was slowing for the hairpins on the forest service road until I rolled down my window and heard his jake.)
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Depends on the state whether this was a legal driver or not. Some states have the violation exhibition of acceleration.
 
Corpsmaide said:
Depends on the state whether this was a legal driver or not. Some states have the violation exhibition of acceleration.
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People just love to poke sharp sticks at the bears. :dunno:
 
Corpsmaide said:
Depends on the state whether this was a legal driver or not. Some states have the violation exhibition of acceleration.
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Having read through the MCL a few times, I have never seen that for Michigan. However, it is illegal to "coast" in Michigan. That's right, if you are going downhill, it is illegal to put your clutch in, or put the vehicle in neutral and let gravity or momentum do it's thing.

I drive a 6 speed, so I break the law every single day.

257.678 Coasting prohibited; violation as civil infraction.
Sec. 678.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the gears of the vehicle in neutral.
(2) The driver of a commercial motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the clutch disengaged.
(3) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

Taking off "too fast" is only covered under the following:

257.626a Drag races; prohibition on public highways; definition; prima facie evidence.
Sec. 626a.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle upon any highway, or any other place open to the general public, including any area designated for the parking of motor vehicles, within this state, in a speed or acceleration http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(4h...ery=on&highlight=acceleration AND vehicle#topcontest or for the purpose of making a speed record, whether from a standing start or otherwise over a measured or unmeasured distance, or in a drag race as herein defined.


“Drag racing” means the operation of 2 or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other over a common selected course or where timing is involved or where timing devices are used in competitive accelerations of speeds by participating vehicles. Persons rendering assistance in any manner to such competitive use of vehicles shall be equally charged as participants. The operation of 2 or more vehicles either at speeds in excess of prima facie lawfully established speeds or rapidly accelerating from a common starting point to a speed in excess of such prima facie lawful speed is prima facie evidence of drag racing and is unlawful.
 
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Even if you're Joe mechanic and can replace your clutch with a doorknob and a length of rope at night in an electrical storm it is still a part that gets wear. That, and operating the clutch for any length of time in stop and go traffic hurts my hand. I'm certain it would even if I were riding a Ducati, though no doubt I'd be swearing about it in Italian.
 
I've seen that done for overweight loads, but it was one bridge at a time and in the stretches where there weren't any bridges for a little ways they'd let people pass. (It was only overweight, not oversize). But they were only letting the heavy cross the bridge, they'd block the rest of the traffic prior to the bridge until the heavy was on the other side.

Wish I'd known that was going on, I coulda told you how to get around 'em... State highways both north and south paralleling 94 that would have gotten you there quicker.
 
Geico266 said:
A few years ago there was a funeral for a cop killed in the line of duty in central NE. Several cop cars coming from Omaha decided to do a rolling road block on I 80 on their way from the funeral. They slowed down to 45 and the speed limit was 75. This went on for 200 miles backing up the interstate for hours. They were fired.
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That wasn't for a funeral....Omaha Police use to do there academy drive training in Grand Island. The slow speed, rolling road block was done because several OPD officer got in trouble for driving to Omaha from Grand Island at high speeds for no reason....
 
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steingar said:
Even if you're Joe mechanic and can replace your clutch with a doorknob and a length of rope at night in an electrical storm it is still a part that gets wear. That, and operating the clutch for any length of time in stop and go traffic hurts my hand. I'm certain it would even if I were riding a Ducati, though no doubt I'd be swearing about it in Italian.
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Or just pulling over to rub your hand.

Everyone on three, let's feel sorry for him.

1, 2, 3.... Awwwww.

Okay cool. Back to your motorcycle ride, cupcakes. Sometimes the road isn't wide open. Bummer.

In fact. Hey. We have a government "shutdown" going on. All Interstate Highways should be Barrycaded.
 
denverpilot said:
Or just pulling over to rub your hand.

Everyone on three, let's feel sorry for him.

1, 2, 3.... Awwwww.

Okay cool. Back to your motorcycle ride, cupcakes. Sometimes the road isn't wide open. Bummer.

In fact. Hey. We have a government "shutdown" going on. All Interstate Highways should be Barrycaded.
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Safety issue. Riding in hot stop and go traffic and overheat a rider and is definitely tiring, not to mention hard on my hands (not yours, since you hail from the planet Kyrypton). Can also overheat air-cooled bikes. So yes, I do try and avoid these situations or filter through them.

Since I've been riding consistently longer than anyone I know I think I'll do as I see best. While I honestly don't accord myself with much riding ability or wisdom I imagine I'm doing something right, or I would be road pizza by now. I don't know anyone who's ridden as long or far as myself without a get-off associated with serious bodily injury, and more than a few rendered unable to ride due to injury or death.

What I do works for the not-so-mighty Steingar. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary. Do wear gear though. Save you it can.
 
Geico266 said:
A few years ago there was a funeral for a cop killed in the line of duty in central NE. Several cop cars coming from Omaha decided to do a rolling road block on I 80 on their way from the funeral. They slowed down to 45 and the speed limit was 75. This went on for 200 miles backing up the interstate for hours. They were fired.
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I remember that.
 
steingar said:
Safety issue. Riding in hot stop and go traffic and overheat a rider and is definitely tiring, not to mention hard on my hands (not yours, since you hail from the planet Kyrypton). Can also overheat air-cooled bikes. So yes, I do try and avoid these situations or filter through them.

Since I've been riding consistently longer than anyone I know I think I'll do as I see best. While I honestly don't accord myself with much riding ability or wisdom I imagine I'm doing something right, or I would be road pizza by now. I don't know anyone who's ridden as long or far as myself without a get-off associated with serious bodily injury, and more than a few rendered unable to ride due to injury or death.

What I do works for the not-so-mighty Steingar. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary. Do wear gear though. Save you it can.
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Heh. I think you missed that I was ribbing you subtly for complaining about your chosen mode of transportation. It really doesn't matter if there's a rolling road block nor is it their problem that you have a stiff clutch. ;)

All the rest I certainly agree with. But I don't ride anymore. Too many stupid people on the road. The vast majority of my riding was dirt bikes off road anyway.

I'll stick with the new-to-me 7500 lb diesel pickup truck. ;) (Yeah, the former owner weighed it at the scales full of fuel and set up with the 5th wheel hitch and only him in it. Dead on... 7500 lbs.)
 
denverpilot said:
All the rest I certainly agree with. But I don't ride anymore. Too many stupid people on the road. The vast majority of my riding was dirt bikes off road anyway.
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I used to have to do emergency avoidance maneuvers once a month or so. Every so often. I had light street bikes that weren't particularly fast, and it was fine.

Now I have to execute emergency escape maneuvers of some sort on virtually every ride. It is actually noteworthy when I don't. Drivers are worse than they've ever been. Around my locale a lot of them don't know where they're going, which makes them distracted and dangerous. The rest are busy looking at their i-Thingies and not at the road. Things were bad enough before, they've become way worse. I use just about all the ability of my liter sport bike on a routine basis, and I sweat bullets when on the Goldwing, it doesn't have the oomph to get away.

I probably should hang it up. Even my radar sense isn't fool proof, and I don't ride as much as I used to.
 
steingar said:
What I do works for the not-so-mighty Steingar. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary. Do wear gear though. Save you it can.
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I'll second the gear. In high school and college I knew 4 people who needed helmets. 3 had them and are alive today. 1 did not and died at the scene. Limited sample, 100% correlation. Oh, and my wife and I are 2 of the 3, so I admit my bias. 40 years ago and we still suffer from some of the aftereffects. Thank goodness the idiot who ran the stop sign was driving a 1968 Ford Mustang and not my 1954 Buick Special. The outcome would have been different.
 
When I commuted via motorcycle in Tampa I averaged 1-2 close calls per day. Likely staying off streetbikes in south Florida for now.
 
Patrol car with lights on going back and forth across all lanes at low speed? Traffic break to give enough time and room for someone a mile or two ahead to move debris off of the freeway. I've done it a number of times and been the one dragging a stepladder or box of roofing nails out from between two lanes.

Do not pass. There is a hazard ahead and they're clearing it away before you get there so it will be safe. Number two, you cold be putting the schmuck who's moving the ladder, couch, nails or whatever in danger.
 
Ghery said:
I'll second the gear. In high school and college I knew 4 people who needed helmets. 3 had them and are alive today. 1 did not and died at the scene. Limited sample, 100% correlation. Oh, and my wife and I are 2 of the 3, so I admit my bias. 40 years ago and we still suffer from some of the aftereffects. Thank goodness the idiot who ran the stop sign was driving a 1968 Ford Mustang and not my 1954 Buick Special. The outcome would have been different.
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I'm alive thanks to a helmet too, crashed my bike head first into a tree as a kid. Split the helmet in two, glad it wasn't my head
 
ateamer said:
Patrol car with lights on going back and forth across all lanes at low speed? Traffic break to give enough time and room for someone a mile or two ahead to move debris off of the freeway. I've done it a number of times and been the one dragging a stepladder or box of roofing nails out from between two lanes.

Do not pass. There is a hazard ahead and they're clearing it away before you get there so it will be safe. Number two, you cold be putting the schmuck who's moving the ladder, couch, nails or whatever in danger.
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Seems like common sense to me.
 
Ghery said:
I'll second the gear. In high school and college I knew 4 people who needed helmets. 3 had them and are alive today. 1 did not and died at the scene. Limited sample, 100% correlation. Oh, and my wife and I are 2 of the 3, so I admit my bias. 40 years ago and we still suffer from some of the aftereffects. Thank goodness the idiot who ran the stop sign was driving a 1968 Ford Mustang and not my 1954 Buick Special. The outcome would have been different.
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I don't understand people who don't wear helmets - it doesn't make sense to me.
 
I've ridden about 10,000 miles, I've had 2 helmets (the first one was a modular helmet and the entire chin part broke loose - was glad that happened when I was tugging on it with my hand instead of in an accident) I bought a regular full-face Arai to replace it. All in all, it's pretty close to a grand I've spent on helmets - or about $.10/mi for something that will save my life, someday.
 
DavidWhite said:
I don't understand people who don't wear helmets - it doesn't make sense to me.
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Saw one that made me giggle the other day, sport bike rider in full gear zipping down the road with his helmet strapped to the seat rather than on his noggin.

Two words came to mind
"Organ donor!"
 
Skylane81E said:
Saw one that made me giggle the other day, sport bike rider in full gear zipping down the road with his helmet strapped to the seat rather than on his noggin.

Two words came to mind
"Organ donor!"
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The orthopedic surgeon who put us back together kept calling motorcycles "murdercycles". He was not a fan.
 
I was driving one night. On the interstate in a construction zone, pouring rain. The cars are doing about 40. This sport bike comes flying by probably doing about 70 or so darting in and out of traffic. I couldn't tell if he had a helmet on or not, but If I had to guess, probably didn't. Like do you have a death wish or something man?
 
Ghery said:
"murdercycles"
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Or "donorcycles".
People killed in cars often have significant parts unusable for donation. Unhelmeted bikers (or ones with beanie-type brain buckets) are brain dead with the rest of the body still usable for donations.
 
DavidWhite said:
I've ridden about 10,000 miles, I've had 2 helmets (the first one was a modular helmet and the entire chin part broke loose - was glad that happened when I was tugging on it with my hand instead of in an accident) I bought a regular full-face Arai to replace it. All in all, it's pretty close to a grand I've spent on helmets - or about $.10/mi for something that will save my life, someday.
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Good man!

I too have a full face Arai helmet. Years ago when my roommate and I bought bikes he laughed at me and my very expensive ($180) Nava full face helmet. He had bought a $35 K-Mart helmet. Months later I had a very bad accident where the helmet saved my life. He then went out and bought the same helmet. I guess he learned he did not have a $35 head.

Now some may say that the each helmet meets the standards so they are equivalent. There is some truth to that. The extra comes from comfort, fit, and other non-government specified features.
 
steingar said:
....SNIP....
I probably should hang it up. Even my radar sense isn't fool proof, and I don't ride as much as I used to.
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I should probably hang it up, too. Driving in general is no longer fun. From the newbie teen driver, maniac "I'm in a rush" driver, makeup applying or shaving driver, octogenarian in a micro using 2 lanes driver, and COPS all doing their thing oblivious of ANYONE else on the road, just driving a couple miles from home is near suicide. blame the lack of enforcement and all the new distractions in the vehicles for the cause.
Better to follow my company's lead and work from home, sign up with Peapod, and get me an Amazon Prime account. I'll go from 30,000 miles a year to less than 1,000 which will only be round trips to the airport.
And... I wouldn't want to be a COP on a traffic stop anywhere! Them be dangerous.
 
DavidWhite said:
I've ridden about 10,000 miles, I've had 2 helmets (the first one was a modular helmet and the entire chin part broke loose - was glad that happened when I was tugging on it with my hand instead of in an accident) I bought a regular full-face Arai to replace it. All in all, it's pretty close to a grand I've spent on helmets - or about $.10/mi for something that will save my life, someday.
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Maybe, maybe not. Around here the people wearing helmets ride like complete assbags, like a helmet will make you invincible, it will not. In certain accidents, a helmet will save you, in others, all the gear in the world won't help.
 
Henning said:
Maybe, maybe not. Around here the people wearing helmets ride like complete assbags, like a helmet will make you invincible, it will not. In certain accidents, a helmet will save you, in others, all the gear in the world won't help.
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So...I guess...give 'em a parachute and see how reckless they get.

:rolleyes2:
 
Henning said:
Maybe, maybe not. Around here the people wearing helmets ride like complete assbags, like a helmet will make you invincible, it will not. In certain accidents, a helmet will save you, in others, all the gear in the world won't help.
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Here in NE we have helmet laws but some skimp - I would prefer to wear an open face helmet with a bandana over my face cafe racer style but I've seen what happens when people crash in an open face.

I also don't ride in shorts anymore - pants and long sleeves are required and today I finally found a leather jacket that is comfortable to wear when I ride.

Squids still gonna squid, though.
 
DavidWhite said:
Here in NE we have helmet laws but some skimp - I would prefer to wear an open face helmet with a bandana over my face cafe racer style but I've seen what happens when people crash in an open face.

I also don't ride in shorts anymore - pants and long sleeves are required and today I finally found a leather jacket that is comfortable to wear when I ride.

Squids still gonna squid, though.
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Get a track bike for track style riding.
 
I don't ride like I'm on a track although I think track riding would be fun
 
Henning is right about lots of things but he is nowhere near right when it comes to his opinions of helmet safety or motorcycle gear in general.
 
Did I tell him not to wear gear? Nope, I said don't let the gear fool you into thinking you're any less vulnerable.
 
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