<WOB> Re: answers to John Fagerlund's questions

[Michiel van Wessem <jmvw@xxxxxxxxx>]

John, 

If you have so many other tasks that you can't drive correctly anymore,
isn't that a dangerous situation? 

If you pulled someone over (for whatever) and they would tell you they
couldn't drive well because were working on their notebook and talking on
the phone, would you accept that? 

I'm not saying the officer in the car is to blame for the situation of
having too much to do at once - but I do think police should follow the law
and drive safely, just as anyone else should. As an authority figure, you
have a extra responsibility. It would be bad if people thought police abuse
their authority.

Kind of aside from this, a couple times I saw police cars drive real fast
on the NJ Turnpike. Aren't police supposed to keep to the speed limits as
well, unless blue lights etc are used? I may be wrong - I'm new to the US.

And maybe I should mention I don't mean to talk down on cops. Police are
neccessary and cops should be respected, just like everyone else.

Michiel

At 08:57 AM 1/5/99 -0800, you wrote:
>John Fagerlund asked:
>
>>I too wonder why some of the police where I live don't use turn indicators
>>run lights >as they turn red, don't turn on head lights at dusk or when it
>>starts to rain.
>
>Because we are working a computer, talking on the radio, listening to other
>channels and writing stuff down-all while we drive. You'd be amazed how
>many times I have had a ride-along that says, "how do you do all that stuff
>and still drive?" Of course I tell them I'm just happy I don't hit anything.
>
>>I generally support my local police and they do a great job, but when it
>>comes to >some of their driving practices, they need some training.  I
>>believe they should teach >by example.
>
>Go on a ride-along.  Although I try to maintain that higher standard,
>because not doing so gives people something to point to and say "look what
>he is doing wrong", it's not always practical or convienient because my
>hands are already occupied.  And because I know this comment is coming, I
>occasionally do pull over if I have to write some officer saftey or missing
>child at risk or some other high priority broadcast that will take more
>than a couple of lines.  Look at how many people crash because they were
>talking on their cell phone.  Thats just ONE other thing, I'm doing three
>other things.
>
>>And, why don't people who impead traffic on the freeways by driving way too
>>slow in the left lanes get pulled over????
>
>Sometimes I do, but guess what?  You think people get pissed because they
>get stopped for going too fast?  Oh man!  Stop them for going too slow and
>it seems like all bets are off.  Especially if they are driving the posted
>limit.  Even though I personally agree that if an individual wishes to
>speed no one should stand in their way, the reality is I simply CAN'T stop
>someone for driving the limit in the fast lane because other people want to
>speed.  Of course if you ARE driving less than the limit in the fast lane,
>your butt gets stopped!  ;o)
>
>Then again, I don't spend that much time on the freeway anyhow....
>
>John
>
>

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