VC-27400 is FRICKIN' STOOPID!!

[Kaveh]

I present officer douchbag (aka: H. Ammey)


I got a freakin' ticket for USING a hands free device   

Yes, you read that right, for using a hands free device.  I was in Palo Alto on university Ave heading east towards the freeway when I saw to moto cops on the corner sidewalk.  One pulls out and lights me up.  I pull over and he gives me a bunch of attitude right off the bat.  I don't know who pissed in his cheerios, but it would have been nice if he didn't take it out on me.  He even gave me shit for not knowing the whole V.C., (and I quote) "it is your responsibility as a licensed California driver to know ALL 4200 vehicle codes, every one"    A simple, 'you're getting a ticket and now you know' would have been fine.

I got a ticket for having a hands free phone device in both ears.  It wasn't even on, I wasn't using the phone at the time  .

Does anyone know if this is a moving violation and how much it costs.


Disclaimer:  I don't think all cops are assholes, just 15% of them are.  Just like 15% of the population are assholes.

[Kaveh]

I can't get teh stoopid picture to work and I am waaay too freaking pissed to do anything about it now.



ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!

[Reddymon]

I ain't had no hassles myself (well maybe that last parking ticket) but damn it does seem like the have a hard-on for bikes lately.  I can buy people getting tickets for speeding or other moving violations but it seems like we are getting a whole rash of what I would consider "garbage" violations.  What's up with that?

[Kaveh]

for the record I was in my subaru.

[duckwrench13]

You could use his statement against him in court. Example: "Your Honor, I was told that as a licensed CA driver, I am responsible for knowing all 4200 VC's. I would like to know if, for the record, Officer Ammey can recite, verbatim, the first 200. I don't feel this is an unreasonable request on my part, as knowing all the CAVC's is not part of my job or daily requirements, where as for him it is. If he is able to recite them, verbatim, then I will gladly accept the ticket and fines no contest."

I'm not saying this is exactly what you should do, but I think it would be a reasonable request to demonstrate practice what he preaches.


Oh, BTW, nice quick shot with the phone!

[duqette]

Dude, wait, were you in a car?

edit: I see now you were. My bad.

It's true, you're not allowed to have both ears covered/blocked while driving. Technically, that makes me a wild outlaw every time I put my earplugs in when I ride....

I'm sorry you got a tickey.    Is it a moving violation, or "just" a fine? And, oh yes, Palo Alto. Otherwise known as Letter-of-the-Law Alto.  

[Ducatiloo]

If it's for using it, can't you just pull your phone records to prove, that was not the case?

[duckwrench13]

It's rumored that DPT eats their young. If that's true, then traffic enforcement LEOs must eat the surviving DPT, as well as their own!

[x136]

Technically, that makes me a wild outlaw every time I put my earplugs in when I ride....

There's an exception made for earplugs (likely specific to motorcycles). I can't recite the specific code verbatim or even provide a link, but I've seen it before. Close enough!

[Kaveh]

There's an exception made for earplugs (likely specific to motorcycles). I can't recite the specific code verbatim or even provide a link, but I've seen it before. Close enough!

After looking up the code, actually it's illegal to wear regular earplugs too. 

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27400.htm

27400.   A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.

(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.

(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.

(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.

(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.

Amended Sec. 45, Ch. 594, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004.

[Kaveh]

You could use his statement against him in court. Example: "Your Honor, I was told that as a licensed CA driver, I am responsible for knowing all 4200 VC's. I would like to know if, for the record, Officer Ammey can recite, verbatim, the first 200. I don't feel this is an unreasonable request on my part, as knowing all the CAVC's is not part of my job or daily requirements, where as for him it is. If he is able to recite them, verbatim, then I will gladly accept the ticket and fines no contest."

I'm not saying this is exactly what you should do, but I think it would be a reasonable request to demonstrate practice what he preaches.


Oh, BTW, nice quick shot with the phone!

When he left with my license and registration I knew he was giving me a ticket.  The fact that he was such a prick also gave it away that he was giving me a ticket too.  When he came back I snapped the pic.  I think it kinda irked him a bit, but too-bad for Officer Douchebag. 

[x136]

After looking up the code, actually it's illegal to wear regular earplugs too. 

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27400.htm

That says that custom earplugs are permissible. Another law was passed a few years ago to amend that to specifically allow non-custom earplugs, as seen here.

[Kaveh]

That says that custom earplugs are permissible. Another law was passed a few years ago to amend that to specifically allow non-custom earplugs, as seen here.

   Now all I have to do is get iphone-wearing Subaru enthusiasts to write their congressman and get a amendment...that should only take about a year or 3...

I started a thread on BARF in the leo section...let's see what happens...

[ROBsS4R]

All this recent harassment wants me to never leave the house and become a Hermit 

[TCK!]

I can see he's married I'm sure his rage stems from there.