Sweno: you are correct. Known as a "traffic break", it's a technique police officers are trained in, for the exact purpose you specify (and
others).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_break , I knew what to look for because Mom was a cop
)
That said, unless they could demonstrate good reason, the goofballs in Lovely's example could (and probably would) be ticketed, and most likely would not
be able to fight it successfully in court. Penalties for traffic violations are based on the judge's opinion* more than they are on the exact rules. This
is deliberate because otherwise one could loophole the court system to death all day long. Judges are generally not stupid people, and no matter how earnestly
these individuals claim they were just following the speed limit, they'd be penalized for creating a traffic hazard. The most serious charge would likely
be reckless endangerment, granted -- which is not much in the grand scheme of things -- but still.
(* in the US; not sure about other areas)
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs
others).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_break , I knew what to look for because Mom was a cop
)That said, unless they could demonstrate good reason, the goofballs in Lovely's example could (and probably would) be ticketed, and most likely would not
be able to fight it successfully in court. Penalties for traffic violations are based on the judge's opinion* more than they are on the exact rules. This
is deliberate because otherwise one could loophole the court system to death all day long. Judges are generally not stupid people, and no matter how earnestly
these individuals claim they were just following the speed limit, they'd be penalized for creating a traffic hazard. The most serious charge would likely
be reckless endangerment, granted -- which is not much in the grand scheme of things -- but still.
(* in the US; not sure about other areas)
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs