I just got a $535 ticket

[ceb0217]

I got a warning in a 76 grandprix for having over half my tire out of the wheel well.and no flaps. the car was jacked up in the back the top of the tire WAS in the well but the quater panals angled down so less than half the tire at the bottom was inside.the bottom of the qtr was about half as tall as the tire. I did have a 10in wheel with a 12in wide tire. I was in Arlington OR

 

[TORX]

Nick what's your Jeeps setup? Got a pic?

I'll hopefully be getting some new shoes next week, and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to need to stay legal.

Are mud flaps really a big deal in WA? How about fender coverage?

 

[CanMan]

They always bitch about no flaps. Ive got let off with a warning 3 seperate times, over the years. I just say I was unaware they were needed, alot of lifted wranglers, full sizes, ect.. never have any. Always used to get the 'well, if I see you without them again' speech. I made some quick disco ones for removal when I get to the trails.

As fas as the liscense plate, thats a must. They even tell you you got to have one when you get the tabs from the DOL or DMV or whatever the hell they are. Ive only got away with the dash trick once. My front plate is mounted around the bumper with baylin wire.


The laws suck, there are dickhead, power hungry cops out there, you just got to be careful.

Was it raining? Were you doing anything else stupid?

 

[seth0941]

RCW 46.37.500

Fenders or splash aprons.


</B>(1) Except as authorized under subsection (2) of this section, no person may operate any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash aprons adequate for minimizing the spray or splash of water or mud from the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. All such devices shall be as wide as the tires behind which they are mounted and extend downward at least to the center of the axle.

(2) A motor vehicle that is not less than forty years old or a street rod vehicle that is owned and operated primarily as a collector's item need not be equipped with fenders when the vehicle is used and driven during fair weather on well-maintained, hard-surfaced roads.


RCW 46.16.240

Attachment of plates to vehicles — Violations enumerated.


</B>The vehicle license number plates shall be attached conspicuously at the front and rear of each vehicle for which the same are issued and in such a manner that they can be plainly seen and read at all times. However, if only one license number plate is legally issued for any vehicle such plate shall be conspicuously attached to the rear of such vehicle. Each vehicle license number plate shall be placed or hung in a horizontal position at a distance of not more than four feet from the ground and shall be kept clean so as to be plainly seen and read at all times. In cases where the body construction of the vehicle is such that compliance with this section is impossible, permission to deviate therefrom may be granted by the state patrol. It shall be unlawful to display upon the front or rear of any vehicle, vehicle license number plate or plates other than those furnished by the director for such vehicle or to display upon any vehicle any vehicle license number plate or plates which have been in any manner changed, altered, disfigured or have become illegible. License plate frames may be used on vehicle license number plates only if the frames do not obscure license tabs or identifying letters or numbers on the plates and the plates can be plainly seen and read at all times. It is unlawful to use any holders, frames, or any materials that in any manner change, alter, or make the vehicle license number plates illegible. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle unless there shall be displayed thereon valid vehicle license number plates attached as herein provided.



hope this helps, good luck!

 

[XJSlater]

Was it raining? Were you doing anything else stupid?

Knowing Nick I would say no, but this cop is notorious for being EXTREMELY anal about everything (I'm from the same area). Yes, he is doing his job, but there is a point when it gets a little excessive and he definitely is on a power trip.

-Adam

 

[bloodtype_jeep]

I got pulled over for the same crap today, no front plate. Fortunitely, I got a "fix it ticket". Mount the plate, take a pic, go to court and the ticket gets dropped. He was a decent guy though, he said he could have nailed me for the lack of mud flaps and fender flares but said I had been cooperative so he let me go easy...lucky me.

$535 three weeks before Christmas, ouch!

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I've driven sports cars for years and years from Subarus to Mazdas to BMWs and never got hassled about front plates or anything else.

Conversly, I cannot tell you the amount of money I've been cited related to my Jeep. Most have been thrown out or been fix-it tickets, but it's still a pain in the ass. And then there's "Deputy Dan" of Evans Creek, who believes that anybody with a lifted truck is trying to kill his children.

In any event, just make you junk is as street legal as possible (really, how hard is it to screw a plate to the front of your Jeep, or slap on some mud flaps) and hopefully avoid any confrontation. YMMV

-----Matt-----

 

[Mudderoy]

Mainly in part to having no mud flaps and not having time to mount my plate on the front. Go Washington uke:

Well good, I'm glad they are keeping that little part of the world safe! :moon:

OMG! Go out and do something really useful in law enforcement. Could you imagine the "Dark Knight" out writing tickets for no plate, or missing mud flaps?!?!?

:laugh2:

 

[in2fords]

If its the law, its the law. Im not saying it doesnt suck but we all know the risk when we drive our rigs. Im on vacation in Hawaii right now and if the vehicle is modified at all it needs a recon sticker. Right now I am running the risk of geting arrested and my vehicle impounded for driving my jeep without one and I know it.

I once had a cop give me recon tickets because my car was BARELY LEGAL, yeah, it conformed to the rules but just barely. He gave me a ticket cause it was ALMOST illegal!! then proceded to follow me for 13 miles on my ass on a freeway with 2 open lanes. He finally pushed me to far and I locked up my brakes, (must have seen a dog run out in front of me ) He slammed into the rear of my Lincoln and crushed the front of his mustang, that had no bumper under teh cover . during the investigation I mentioned that he had a mustang GT but Cobra rims that were larger. so no recon and a contributing factor to hitting me and I got pictures of him tailgating me for most of the miles. Yeah, my tickets got dropped and he was busted for several things but my life became hell. I got pulled over every time I drove, they used every excuse but never called in my plates (helps to have a aunt working 911 dispatch) just to mess with me for jerking around a LOYAL OFFICER!! I learned to video tape all pull overs, or atleast get audio on it. It helped but they allways stated some law for me to turn it off, I never did and got cuffed several times for it. I finally sold the car and registered my new car in my girlfriends name.

You can fight back but it may be a long drawn out fight with no resolution.

Good luck, Jeremy

 

[IXNAYXJ]

during the investigation I mentioned that he had a mustang GT but Cobra rims that were larger.

Could this be the guy driving the Black 2005/2006 Mustang GT w/ 20" chrome wheels who gave me the stink eye a few times? Blue light bolted to the roof...?

-----Matt-----

 

[in2fords]

naw, was several years ago, I beleive it was a 99 stang, Wahiawa side. they mostly drive stangs here, some marauders and used to be a bunch of cowmaros but now its chargers.

 

[fubar XJ]

That sucks, Nick. I got pulled over less than a week after lifting the XJ, no flaps or flares. I installed them that night, ran down to Olympic straight from the traffic stop to get some TJ flares and put on the aftermarket flaps I'd bought previously in anticipation of the need. He let me off with a warning, along with a "You'd better take care of this ASAP, as this is my regular patrol area, and I'll be looking for you."


The thing that sucks the most is that you see I-5 4 wheel drives constantly with no flaps, occasionally with no rear bumper (which is somehow legal, don't ask me how) and I never see them pulled over. A trail Jeep with a few minor illegalities is apparently a bored cop magnet.

 

[dellstopjeep]

Out of curiousity do we have any po po's in this chapter or on Naxja to add a point of view, I would like to hear it.

Anyways I guess we have it alright down here most of the time with wheeling rigs but every now and again flares will get you pulled over, although Every lifted fullsize's bumpers are above legal height and there 14 inch wide tires always stick out. I have been placing the front plate on dashboard forever I definitly will get it mounted properly now.

 

[.40CalPatriot]

Out of curiousity do we have any po po's in this chapter or on Naxja to add a point of view, I would like to hear it.

Anyways I guess we have it alright down here most of the time with wheeling rigs but every now and again flares will get you pulled over, although Every lifted fullsize's bumpers are above legal height and there 14 inch wide tires always stick out. I have been placing the front plate on dashboard forever I definitly will get it mounted properly now.

I am really surprised YELLAHEEP has not joined the conversation yet. ( He is a local cop in the Colorado Chapter, for those who are unaware.)

 

[ECKSJAY]

I am really surprised YELLAHEEP has not joined the conversation yet. ( He is a local cop in the Colorado Chapter, for those who are unaware.)

I'm not. Troy is in Colorado and the topic pertains to Washington State. You're visiting the Northwest Chapter, guy.

 

[treadlightly08]

When I lived in Washougal I got pulled over by almost every cop for no flaps, really I think they just wanted to see my insurance card. One time i was pulled over and pointed out a new dodge ram lifted on 37's with no flaps driving by (just happened to be my boss at the time) The cop said, "Well you can't catch them all." The dodge never got pulled over, ever. I hate cops, they need to focus on the crack heads that prowl cars and molest kids.

 

[RlCHARD CRANlUM]

Well I'm an Oregon “Po po” as you so eloquently put it. I can tell you that the Oregon Vehicle Code is a large book, and I don’t know a very large portion of it. I’m not on patrol anymore, and when I was I didn’t write very many tickets. The problem I see with “Traffic Nazi” Officers is that they are not concerned with public safety anymore. They simply want to write as many tickets as they can in a shift. From what I’ve seen the majority of Police Officers that are not assigned to traffic enforcement are looking for warrants, drug traffickers, etc. They are the ones that will stop you for what seems like a lame reason, see that you are not a serial killer, and send you on your way. The Traffic Nazi will stop you for no license plate light, and pick your rig apart for any possible violations. They will write you up for everything, and even if you were a serial killer, they would not notice the glad bag of body parts in the back seat because that investigation would take away their ticket writing time for the rest of their shift.

Another factor to some of these tickets being written has to do with generating revenue. I don’t agree with that, I think that public safety is the reason we have Police. Unfortunately some public officials see traffic enforcement as just another source of funding. That attitude can also lead to overzealous ticket writing.

One thing you do have to realize is that traffic laws were not written because legislators had nothing better to do. Mud flap and fender requirements exist because too many people or the wrong person got a rock kicked up on their windshield. So the only way to prevent getting written up is to make you rig conform to the vehicle code. If you get a ticket, fix the problem and try to get it dropped, or at least reduced.

I don’t agree with using traffic laws to extort money from the public. I would suggest if you are the victim of this extortion then contact the head of the department that bent you over and respectfully express your view on these tactics.



I hate people who try to create an us against them situation because of their own self entitled view that they are not subject to the laws of the land.

 

[.40CalPatriot]

I'm not. Troy is in Colorado and the topic pertains to Washington State. You're visiting the Northwest Chapter, guy.

Really? This isnt the Colorado Chapter? I am shocked!:doh: Hint the reason I said he was a local cop in the Colorado Chapter! Last time I checked it also wasnt against the law to help out others in the different chapters.

 

[ECKSJAY]

Really? This isnt the Colorado Chapter? I am shocked!:doh: Hint the reason I said he was a local cop in the Colorado Chapter! Last time I checked it also wasnt against the law to help out others in the different chapters.

I didn't realize Troy was up on WA State traffic code. My bad. Carry on.

 

[tjs88xj]

, occasionally with no rear bumper (which is somehow legal, don't ask me how) and I never see them pulled over

The way I understand it, is if you are not a passenger vehicle (pickups) you do not have to have a rear bumper.(hence rollpans). I am not a cop, so I am not 100% sure on this though.
My buddy got pulled over in Issaquah Wednesday in his Yota. He's had the thing for 3 years, and they finally decided to give him sh*t. They pulled him over for too loud of an exhaust (new system with stack, less than 2 weeks old.) Decided to pick his truck apart as long as he had him pulled over. Got him for tires sticking out too much, flaps not covering entire tire, no front bumper and one of his turn signals didnt work. I'll be honest though, my buddy knew his tires stuck out too far and his flaps didnt cover completly. The cop could have been a bigger dick, too. Just told him to get it fixed and to drive his other vehicle until he got it fixed. He had it coming, and my buddy agreed, the cop was just doing his job. I know the cop, and he is a nice guy. It is always nice when you do get pulled over that the officer is decent, instead of a prick. Alot, though has to do with your attitude.