NJ cops are complete a**holes

My wife's brother had a boy last week, so we were driving up to New York to visit. I was falling asleep so my wife took over to let me take a nap. An hour later she wakes me up saying she's been pulled over.
The cop comes over and my wife rolls down the window. Mind you this is 5:00 in the morning so it's pitch black outside on the NJ Turnpike and both my kids are asleep in the back. He doesn't ask for license and registration...He screams for them. I was like, chill out buddy!
Anyways, my wife doesn't have her license since she wasn't planning on driving at all. So she asks why he pulled her over. He says that she's been in the left lane and he's been following her for 8 miles. My wife gets this look on her face and asks the obvious , "and therefore...". apparently it's illegal to ride in the left lane in NJ. It's only for passing and then you immediately have to move right. So he gives her a $140 ticket for it. But...since she doesn't have her license, he pulls her up on his computer database. And the moron copies her drivers license number down wrong.
So moral of the story, stay left and wear ear plugs if a NJ cop pulls you over.

**waiting for odoreater to weigh in **

YDI for being in the left lane. Seriously, the idea is so simple that I don't see why it wouldn't be followed were it not law. In PA the law is that you may be in the left lane for a maximum of two miles. People sitting in the left lane cause congestion, little pisses me off more when driving than people who can't pass. In addition, it can be quite dangerous being forced to pass on the right.

But yes, I must agree that the NJ cops I have dealt with were very rude (not to mention unprofessional, making overt sexual comments about minors).

Originally Posted by Gravitas

Click to expand...

YDI for being in the left lane. Seriously, the idea is so simple that I don't see why it wouldn't be followed were it not law. In PA the law is that you may be in the left lane for a maximum of two miles. People sitting in the left lane cause congestion, little pisses me off more when driving than people who can't pass. In addition, it can be quite dangerous being forced to pass on the right.

my wife was going 85 MPH and the turnpike was completely empty = no congestion.

Isn't the speed limit 65? The congestion is irrelevant in your case, I was just stating that the law makes plenty of sense.

NJ cops are pricks. I concur.

just grin and be totally respectful. i never have gotten a ticket and when I was pulled over in NJ off the turnpike (for doing 80mph) I was pretty sure I was due for my first traffic violation in 16 years of driving.

I just said "gosh I didn't realize I was going that fast.. I'm so sorry officer" I explained that I just got back from Arizona (with the 75mph speed limit which is Aweeesome) and I was used to driving around at that speed. He checked my license and then just let me go. In fairness to the OP the Police was very Loud and had an Assholish vibe, but he was the "one of the good ones" after letting me go...

Driving from phoenix to the grand canyon and back really taught me the virtues of the left lane only for passing rule. Plus it angered me why they just dont raise the speed limit on the major freeways to 75mph. That way everyone does 80mph and moves along nice and quick and orderly-without fear from the pigs.

police seem to like it when you just submit and be respectful and remorseful. no sense in being a wise ass when he has every advantage and reason to give a ticket (validated or not).

I wish they had that law here in VA. I hate passing trucks on thier right because nobody knows what a passing lane is. IMO, the cop wasn't out of line. Sounds like a State Trooper and they are all hardasses like MPs they train them to be dicks because being a dick gives one the upper hand/control. My Grandfather was a cop in Jersey (Patterson)for 20 years back in the 50s so Im biased.

Wow, I wish more people were ticketed in NJ for driving in the left lane. Every day when I'm driving to work there is always someone driving below the speed limit in the left lane causing traffic that goes for half a mile back. I'm not saying your wife was causing any congestion but in some cases laws need to be implemented to correct certain issues IE driving in the left lane.

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

Click to expand...

Wow, I wish more people were ticketed in NJ for driving in the left lane.

+1 I wish they'd enforce it here in Georgia, too. It sounds like the OP got a raw deal, but I wish all cops were as gung-ho as this cop about enforcing this particular law.

Originally Posted by Gravitas

Click to expand...

YDI for being in the left lane.

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

Click to expand...

Wow, I wish more people were ticketed in NJ for driving in the left lane.

I agree completely.

And now I know (after Googling) what YDI means.

All cops are dicks, and the problem is getting worse.

However, I also hate it when people drive in the left lane. Up here it's not illegal at all, but most people follow common courtesy... but I would like to see it banned.

Also it is illegal here to not carry your ID with you.

Never knew about that left lane thing. I cruise in it daily to avoid having to dodge all the slow traffic in the middle lane. But I always get out of the way when I see somebody approaching faster than my +15-20.

As for the cop well, he's probably disgruntled for having to work at 5am. Who can blame him for that, lol. Generally they have in your face attitudes because it puts people they encounter into submit mode and makes dealing with them easier. I encountered a cop like that in a local high school while there for business. The only excuse I give him is that I look young, however I was in a suit so I dunno. He deliberately blocked me from entering two doors and started his "harass a student" routine simply because I didn't acknowledge his presence on my way through the office. Told him to step aside, so and so is expecting me. If he shows up at my office to have his radar calibrated or other work done I need to think of a harmless way to prank him for this inconvenience.

Also I work with cops at my office, they are never punks when they aren't "working" because they don't need to have that front up. Well, most of them aren't. Once in a while they are napping in our break/waiting room and I like to toss mints at them from the candy jar.

I agree that a lot of State Troopers can be dicks (I mean, seriously, how dare he pull her over for going only 20 mph over the speed limit). Having said that, I'm glad there's at least one out there that is ticketing people for driving in the left lane. Were it not for the privileges and immunities clause, I would be in favor of New Jersey passing a law barring all out of staters from driving in the left lane at any time.

Originally Posted by odoreater

Click to expand...

I would be in favor of New Jersey passing a law barring all New Jersians from driving at any time.
ftfy In regards to the original poast. It sucks getting a ticket but I hope cops pull more people over that do the things you mentioned. I can't say I have much sympathy. Driving in the passing lane just congests traffic (and driving there is pointless when there isn't any). It's simply ignorant and I'm glad it's illegal. Also, never drive without your license. It's illegal and there's a fine for that as well.

+1 on the passing lane thing. When I was in NJ it would drive me nuts cause it's clearly stated on signs all along the highways that the left lane is for passing.