So i got pulled over and thrown the book. apparently i need wide vehicle lights?

[Zachanadandy]

I get why i got the book. the trail exit was right onto the blueridge parkway. A lot of bikes ride there and debris is an issue for them. But aside from the gravel that came with my tires, nothing else fell off. and I was the only one pulled over out of my group. all 4 of my buddies just kept on going, they were just as muddy. I heckled to death when i met up at the wash.

That's barely even dirty and your tires are pretty close to even with the fenders. Seems like an over zealous officer playing road pirate to me. My truck has been that dirty just from the standing water that accumulates on roads here in the valley during a heavy rain. What's next ticketing us for road debris from all the potholes we drive through on our poorly maintained roads?

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[Redleg37]

Stuff like this makes me glad to live in SD. No one here cares. We literally don't require a wind shield; although we do require windshield wipers which is pretty funny when you think about it.

 

[PuddleJumper]

That's barely even dirty and your tires are pretty close to even with the fenders. Seems like an over zealous officer playing road pirate to me. My truck has been that dirty just from the standing water that accumulates on roads here in the valley during a heavy rain. What's next ticketing us for road debris from all the potholes we drive through on our poorly maintained roads?

well. he wasn't rude but he wasn't happy either. But technically he's King of the road, and if he decides your getting reamed for any little thing he can find. Oh well. I am responsible for my truck, and he wasn't completely wrong. Chalk it up shit luck and caught with my pants down.

 

[Camaroboi13]

It could have been worse, just remember that. Aside from amber lights to denote corner width, most states don’t allow you to have more than 4 forward facing lights up front. So with all your lights on, that’s also a ticket. This is the primary reason that your fog lights turn off when you hit your high beams. I’m not even gonna bring up light bards, “For Off-road Use Only” is usually stamped right on the bar somewhere. Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I get why i got the book. the trail exit was right onto the blueridge parkway. A lot of bikes ride there and debris is an issue for them. But aside from the gravel that came with my tires, nothing else fell off. and I was the only one pulled over out of my group. all 4 of my buddies just kept on going, they were just as muddy. I heckled to death when i met up at the wash.

Something similar happened to me once. I was watching some friends whip donuts on a frozen lake. Looked like fun, so I headed out and joined them. One donut later a DNR officer on a 4 wheeler was behind me with his lights on. He called in my license over a 2 way Nextel. I just got a warning.

 

[obrianmcc]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

someone with actual solutions and not crap throwing over morally ambiguous personal road rules. Apparently only I make mistakes, or no one else fesses up to em cus of how they get handled on this forum.

Ditto... lots of perfect Karen's on here eager to point a finger. Remember, off road doesn't mean your driveway!

 

[PuddleJumper]

It could have been worse, just remember that. Aside from amber lights to denote corner width, most states don’t allow you to have more than 4 forward facing lights up front. So with all your lights on, that’s also a ticket. This is the primary reason that your fog lights turn off when you hit your high beams. I’m not even gonna bring up light bards, “For Off-road Use Only” is usually stamped right on the bar somewhere. Hope you get it sorted out.

They weren't on when he pulled me over, but i got a ticket for them being uncovered and not DOT approved.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Something similar happened to me once. I was watching some friends whip donuts on a frozen lake. Looked like fun, so I headed out and joined them. One donut later a DNR officer on a 4 wheeler was behind me with his lights on. He called in my license over a 2 way Nextel. I just got a warning.

damn!

 

[PuddleJumper]

Ditto... lots of perfect Karen's on here eager to point a finger. Remember, off road doesn't mean your driveway!

funnily enough I keep my truck immaculate outside of trail days. detailer or wash other day. always smells like turtle wax detailer and wax. Most would mistake me for a pavement princess.

 

[Blade1668]

I get why i got the book. the trail exit was right onto the blueridge parkway. A lot of bikes ride there and debris is an issue for them. But aside from the gravel that came with my tires, nothing else fell off. and I was the only one pulled over out of my group. all 4 of my buddies just kept on going, they were just as muddy. I heckled to death when i met up at the wash.

Other have beat this horse to death already. As a former L.E.O some or many are a## holes and do enjoy writing tickets. Some depts. facilitate their officer on writing every possible ticket. Some locations do get over the top on enforcement others not so much. In the past one Jeep wasn't allowed to be sold in NJ as manufactured due to built-in lights above windshield. Lack of mud flaps and having the tires covered by fenders has been known for many years in Virginia. I had to install fender extensions on my Comanche when I had a set of Hercules M/T in early 90s when I lived in KY. Later when I became a cop in GA. I was reading up on state traffic and vehicle laws and ordinances I found my XJ was so far from being "street legal" starting with bumpers, headlights and vehicle lift in general. I was even warned to stay away from Virginia and N.J. (uncover tires "fender flares" and driving lights above windshield) but wasn't ever stopped for it I say away from them states as much as possible.
Obstructed tags or no tag and defective lights is a big attraction for L.E.O.s or at least it was for me. That has led me to many arrest for more than just moving violations.

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

I definitely understand. There are a couple spots in SC and NC that are like that. If you ever go to Gulches after a rain, it is very muddy. And it's red clay. The only way you can really get it off is with a pressure washer. And as much as I don't like pressure washers, have no choice. Well, the only pressure washer locations is about 10 miles away. So, you really have no choice. And when you have mud in your tires, wheels, and rotors, your wheels are unbalanced and your jeep is all over the place. It sucks.

The good thing is that Gulches get so much business and the cops pretty much know how that place gets after a rain that they don't bother you. It sucks that happened to you though.

Gulches has a pressure washer on site now and they encourage you to use it before leaving the park if you are caked up with mud. Best thing it's free to use.

 

[LostWoods]

They weren't on when he pulled me over, but i got a ticket for them being uncovered and not DOT approved.

Put them on a breaker and flick it off on pavement. That was another VA police run in for me and I simply told him that if he could get them to turn on without popping the hood I'd give him $100. When they're not connected to power, they're cosmetic and I was able to just get a warning for... doing the right thing?

 

[BourbonRunner]

I was even warned to stay away from Virginia and N.J. (uncover tires "fender flares" and driving lights above windshield) but wasn't ever stopped for it I say away from them states as much as possible.

When I drove back from Little Rock AR to Maryland several years ago I purposely added 2 hours onto my drive to avoid Virginia. It wasn't just the fercockta ban on radar detectors- but the fact that their armed tax collectors on the highways are empowered and damn near encouraged to ruin your day with as many possible "violations" as they can.

And no, I'm not approving of the OP's situation- you've got mud on the tires, be courteous, etc. But VASP and county mounties are a breed of their own.

Signed,
Member of an LEO Family

 

[NULL POINTER]

Obstructed tags or no tag and defective lights is a big attraction for L.E.O.s or at least it was for me. That has led me to many arrest for more than just moving violations.

OFF TOPIC: You have got to love all the bicycle racks obstructing license plates on I-95, I-75, I-10, and I-4 in Florida. They get away with it all the time, and I-95 all the way to New York. Obstruct your Jeep license plate with mud, instant ticket. Now back to the muddy tire conundrum.

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