Since we're all jumping on cops here I have to share what happened this weekend. A friend (who is a cop) and I were leaving a restaurant, turning left across traffic. There were "No left turn" signs at the exit of the *restuarant* property but my friend didn't see them as he pulled out. Sure enough we're pulled over and I'm laughing as I tell him why. We're not in the city where my friend works so he didn't know the officer who is now waddling up to the car.

The officer says he pulled us over for violating the No left turn sign. My friend ask where it was placed. The officer says they were at the exit of the restaurant property. My friend says he's an officer too, shows his badge, and tells the unsuspecting dope that traffic signs on private property are not enforceable. They're not "regulatory" or some such thing. (They're like the yellow speed limit sign on Interstate exit ramps, those are suggested speeds--the actual speed limit is the same as the motorway from which you are exiting. Stop signs on private property also fall into this classification. However it is usually also law that a vehicle must come to a complete stop before leaving private property so the point is moot anyway.) The officer gave his license back, said "Have a nice day" and walked defeatedly back to his car. It was awesome!

So cops do make mistakes and not all of them fully know the law. It's up to us as citizens, IMHO, to educate ourselves and know our rights. If you receive a ticket you should read the relevant code in your state to make sure the offense is properly charged.

-- 1999 SVT #220 -- In retrospect, it was all downhill from here. RIP, CEG.