i was leaving school one day(whittier high about 1991ish) in my *****in '68 camaro (very heathy,red,fat tires out back,black plate car),,,this motorcycle cop fell in behind me and decided to pull me over,,,he said he pulled me over for no front plate(he was behind me the whole time~!),,then he gave us tickets for no seatbelts! 68 camaros didnt require seatbelts! i have way to many ***hole cop storys of being harrased,,but i'd be here all night typing,,,
Sam F you went to Whittier High? I live right off of Beverly and Greenleaf here in Whittier. Nice pics of ya in the latest Garage Mag. I spotted yer '56 at the last couple of pages. KNUX!
Here in Washington they have you by the short hair if you build the car yourself. They re***le it as a 2006 ***embled and you have to have seatbelts and third eye brake light unless you have a ***led older car and no true modifications, ie Suspension, engine, major body etc have been done.
62 and under no seatbelts needed at all .68 and newer requiers front lap belts only.thats what i was told by a cop when i got a ticket
whatever you do, don't try to use Wikipedia as a source in court! the only do***ent that really matters is your states law.
the wonderful state of california department of motor vehicles has made OUR job much easier. they put the california vehicle code online. 9 times outta 10, a car guy with a complaint is usually a direct result of a dmv or state employee/official being too lazy and/or prideful to look up something they are misinformed or wrong about. just go on the DMV website and look the stuff up yourself....hand it to 'em. its much easier, but not as fun as saying 'show me'. my buddy was trying to register an outta state car. it was a 72. the lady INSISTED that it needed a smog before they would issue a ***le. she would not look it up and neither would the supervisor. a couple keystrokes and mouse clicks fixed that real quick. only problem is that judges dont think its very cute when you try to explain the law to them..... dante's problem is not the ticket. its the bench warrant.
I had this guy stop by on Sunday two weeks ago, he saw my 28 Ford A Woodie and wanted to buy it. Then he asks me if "the cops give me any problems driving it."...I ask "why?, I drive less than the limit, so I get no problems, and all of my equipment is operational."....."...he said, well, for one thing, you got no seat belts...." In Michigan you're exempt from the seatbelt law if you're earlier than 1965.... I remember 100 years ago, in 77 when I was on active duty in the Navy in Newport, Rhode Island...I get stopped by this 20 year old cop, "for no tail light. I get out, go to the back and show him that the tail light's in fact on. "No, the one on the right is out"...I've got a stock 31 A coupe, with a left hand light on the rear fender. So he tells me he's going to ticket me and impound the car...."it's unsafe"...I tell him that he'd better go and get his boss, because nobody is impounding anything tonight. He gets all upset and excited, so he makes a call, and this Sergeant shows up on this cherry 73 Harley - Davidson Servicar....I explain my position, and the Sgt. agrees with me", tells the "kid" to rip up the ticket, and says if he has any more complaints aboaut him tonight he's going to find himself another job for the summer! He said that these kid's don't know diddly, but we're short handed during the summer and put them on the payroll. I was also exempt from the inspection laws...because I was an antique.
I have lots of run ins with stupid cops. Ive been tagged for no muffler, no bumpers, no seat belts. All of wich are a non issue in my cars. But it seems some cops get off on wasting peoples time...
Never had a problem with a cop in my life! Wife says I drive like an "Old Man".........**** I am an old man...........OLDBEET
I dunno about you guys but what a waste of time -The cops time, the Courts time, your time etc.... ******** bureaucratic red tape....****in' ******s. Nice to know e're not the only ones. There, now I feel better. Rat
You're covered on the original charge - no seatbelts. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27315.htm Para (f) says: (f) Every owner of a motor vehicle, including every owner or operator of a taxicab, as defined in Section 27908, or a limousine for hire, operated on a highway shall maintain safety belts in good working order for the use of occupants of the vehicle. The safety belts shall conform to motor vehicle safety standards established by the United States Department of Transportation. This subdivision does not, however, require installation or maintenance of safety belts where not required by the laws of the United States applicable to the vehicle at the time of its initial sale.
Im sure you are on the right track but here is another piece of advise. If you know anyone who is a cop ask them to see a copy of the CVC (California Vehicle Code) Book. If not you can stop by any police equipment shop and purchase one. Make sure you get the latest edition (2006 or maybe even 2007).You can look up whatever you want (height of car, seatbelts, headlights, etc). When cops pull you over over for a vehicle violation, it is because something on you car goes against what is in that book. Follow the CVC, you should be good. Best of luck
******** tickets! I know a cop I grew up with. Heres one thing when they get to go to court they get overtime for it. More court appearances thrown out or not they get paid! My one friend works nights and has to stay up for court then comes home and crashes but the overtime. Thats why so many ******** cases end up in court. Knowing that I see why so many stupid tickets are written.
I'm not sure about in your area, but up here the seatbelt ticket is actually a fine for "not wearing the safety harnessing equipment as supplied by the manufacturer". I used to get pulled over all the time in a '71 daily driver I had for not wearing the 'seatbelt'. I always had the lapbelt on and was not required to wear the shoulder belt. Apparently the shoulder belt became permament in May of '73. You then had to wear the lap/shoulder ***embly by law, but previous to that only the lap. It is my understanding that if the factory did not equip it with seat belts, you are not required to wear them.
The Jalopy Journal
