Is it ok for cops to speed and not use turn signals?

I see cops all the time driving badly, and they don't appear to be responding to a call. My local town cop never uses his turn signal, even in completely obvious situations, like a 4 way intersection. Yesterday, on 51/Saw Run blvd in Pittsburgh, I saw a cop playing nascar (taking the inside lane in curves with no signal).

I've seen cops speed past, easily 80 in a 55, just to catch up and see them parked in a hiding spot to catch other speeders. Does that make sense?

At 3am after unloading trucks at UPS, I stopped at Sheetz in New Stanton, PA. There's some cops there, I've seen them before, they always leave their car running (waste of gas?). I leave while they are still in line. 3 minutes later on 70, they catch up to me. I watched their headlights, and they were going super fast. Then they slowed down and followed me, as I was the only person on the road. After about 2 minutes of me not screwing up, they passed me and zoomed out of site.

I'm going to start recording them.

loco_tech85

The answer is that while it isn't legally wrong, it is morally wrong.

Most states have a section in whatever their version of the Vehicle and Traffic Law that states that when operating a municipality police vehicle that officers are exempt from obeying the traffic laws. However, it does set a bad example if in fact the officer isn't going to an emergency call.

mud bug

Its one of the perks of being a cop. Like if you work at blockbuster you get cheap movies, you work fast food you get to walk by the fry station and pop a fry in your mouth. you give them a gun and a cop car they haul as s

logicalgal

Being a first responder (cop, firefighter, paramedic) consists of days and days of absolute boredom, interjected with moments of sheer terror.
When they get a call, the adrenaline pumps and they go! .........like a racehorse out of the gate!
You have no idea of what is going on in that vehicle, so you can't assume they are displaying a careless attitude.
Yes, they do have perks as first responders and can go the wrong way on a one way street, speed, zip in and out of traffic to get where they are going. That's why when you see and hear emergency vehicles using lights and sirens, you should pull over and let them through. Heck, someone could have attacked your mother!
Yes, record and report any unsafe activity by these people, but do it in a diplomatic fashion.

Azn Street racer

no, they are the law so there isnt anything you can do but complain about it

Ho0Ch

they shouldnt be allowed to do as they please...i think they should respect da law or also be able to receive citations if they fail to do so.....about a week ago i was driving dwn da street from my house with my baby in da back seat and my mom in da front when this wrekless police car almost hi my car.. he was about a couple of inches away from my vehicle and swirved back into his lane like everything was ok.......im just glad dat my family and I were fine!!!

Steven H

The reason they keep there cars on is because they need to, they need to keep there laptops charged radios etc..
Cops are trained to drive, they know how to drive better than 98% of the people on the road. I have no problem with police officers driving fast when ever they need or want too.
Its nice too because most of the time on the highway when I see a cop doing 85mph in a 60mph zone I just get behind him and stay around 30 yards away from him so he cant give me a ticket and really most of the time the cops dont care about giving tickets when they are driving fast any way.

Guy

I agree there are a lot of cops out there that think they don't have to follow the rules and it's not right. However, when a cop passes me on the highway or whatever I just speed up and stay with them at their speed. I haven't got a ticket yet. Yeah, I don't think the cops that do this should be kicked off of the force or anything but they definately need to be cited or punished for breaking the law.

duce

They're cops, country cops too, so they basically do what they want

castroh93

I know what you mean! Cops for some weird reason think that they can speed and not use turn signals just because they are the authority! They are Influencing young drivers to do that or even younger people who are going to get their driver's license . It's is not right for them to do that!

ticklemesunshine

Absolutely not, they should be our role models for safe driving.

pimpininplad

its not okay at all

ESweetPea

Oh, like on Andy Griffith...

Citizens arrest! Citizen's arrest!

Citizens On Patrol...the best of the Police Academy movies.

You go, boy.

I'm with ya...but I think you might want to concentrate on a fight you can win. This one...probably not.

sunlover2307

Well speed, ya! They're cops, maybe they need to get to a place fast. I don't think they should speed unless they truly need to and they shouldn't just turn on their lights & siren just to speed past you or get through a red light. But yeah, they can speed, nothing says they can't. They should always use turn signals, it should be a safety issue for other drivers. cops can't just turn all of a sudden with no warning, accidents can happen, some1 could be killed. unless they're in high speed persuit or got their lights and siren on. Even then they should use turn signals, unless too preoccupied. But right now it's probably not required, no1 can force them to, and no1 can ensure they actually do it.

samercer76

IT ISNT OK OR LEGAL FOR THEM TO DO THIS, WHAT YOU CAN DO IS CAR THE STATION AND SPEAK W/A SGT. OR HIGHER SUPERVISOR. ASK IF THEY CAN MEET YOU TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION W/THE OFFICER, YOU CAN BY LAW DO A CITIZENS ARREST ON THEM. NOW BE VERY CAREFUL W/THAT CAUSE THERE IS THE FACT OF YOUR WORD AGAINST THIERS. ALSO THERE IS A VERY THIN LINE BETWEEN UNLAWFUL DETESION AND CITIZEN ARREST.

BE CAREFUL W/THE FINE LINE, AND GRAB YOUR CAN DO ADDITUDE AND GO ARREST HIM

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