nosboy said:
If they CHASE YOU DOWN and they are going,,,lets say,,, 25-30 MPH FASTER than the "posted" speed limit... they themselves force YOU into a LIFE THREATENING situation (that is ILLEGAL for them to do) if you decide to get "in FEAR for your LIFE" and decide to let them chase after you,,, because you are UNSURE that they are ACTUALLY REAL LAW ENFORCEMENT and not some "IMPERSONATOR",,, you could REALLY work up a CASE against THEM and they will have NO CHOICE but to GIVE YOU your bail/bond money back and HOPE TO GOD that you don't file SUIT against them for a DOZEN infractions... !!!
This sounds similar to the defense some freekin' gang bangin' crack dealer would use and unfortunately is where we're headed. Too dangerous to chase crooks so let's just let 'em go... nice!
Now one could argue that since your little hamlet doesn't trust you with handguns, they put you in the position of not being able to defend yourself against impersonators. But it's been my experience growing up in the ghetto of Detroit that when Johnny law asks you to stop, if you're innocent you stop. If you're not and decide to run, you've made the choice of endangering you and others not the cop and it usually ends up with larger fines/jail time and a well deserved whoopa$$.
Perhaps some here don't realize that us Mr. Safety types were once scofflaws. I've had my fair share of run-ins with law enforcement (lost my license for three years due to street racing) but most LEOs I've run across just want to go home to thier families at the end of the day.
Becoming a father also changes your outlook. If selling all my hot rods would ensure the safety of my son, I'd do it without hesitation. Of course it doesn't work that way and would make for a boring life but I'd just spend more time hunting and fishing. I would also be missing an opportunity to teach him responsible use of such things.
My reaction to pedestrians whether on a trail or on the street is to slow down and expect one or more to just jump into my path. If I don't slow down, I'm driving above the safe speed required to maintain control under those conditions. Of course being hit would suck more than hitting someone, but who wants to kill someone? This thinking has kept me alive (especially on my road bike) and out of jail for manslaughter.
I'm not for more laws but I'll bet everyone on this site could account an experience of sledders they saw that had no regard for the safety of others.
If I had a dime for every time I was stopped on the side of a trail and had sleds wizzing by at 60+ mph within 5 feet of me I'd be a rich man. In fact, some will actually go WOT just to show how cool they are. You can safely assume if it was my kid you killed I'd be going to jail and your family would be attending your funeral.
Again, perhaps I'm wrong, but the original poster sure sounded like he didn't give a rat's behind about others. Without knowing the conditions in which he was cited, I won't judge who was right and who was wrong and perhaps his disgust is justified. But on the surface, it sounds more like sour grapes.
One thing is for sure, ignorance of the law is no excuse. I assume he knew enough to find out what's required in the way of trail permits (since he wasn't cited for not having any) but didn't take the time to find out what other laws were on the books.
Finally, where I part company with some of my Mr. Safety buddies is the practice of zero tolerance for alcohol. I'm a big boy and don't agree that if I drink a beer with lunch I'm going to kill someone. One beer in my belly doesn't equate to a belly full of courage. I've never had a problem knowing when to say when and would rather ride than sit in a bar all day and drink but I also enjoy a barley pop with my burger now and again. I also don't hesitate reminding others I'm with to think before ordering "just one more".
IMO - zero tolerance laws are just an excuse to avoid thinking for one's self.
Okay, I'm done. Please be safe.