Viper Alley - Dodge Viper Forum - View Single Post - Ever Had Another motorist Complain About Your Car to Police?

05CopperHD · April 22nd, 2008, 10:59 PM

I'm curious if all the states police have a policy whereby they have a database or derogatory info in their computer based on other motorist calling the police and complaining about you or your car.

Will try to make this short and still get the point out. But I still need to paint a detailed picture of the scenario.

Got stopped by the local FL police for speeding (59 in 45) three weeks back. During the ticket issuing process he proceeds to remind me that I (My license plate) have had 2 separate motorists call the police informing them that my car was "driving wrecklessly" on a major road. I was completely floored! I have NEVER driven unsafely in and around traffic. I have revved my engine. I have reached the speed limit faster than other drivers, but have never driven wrecklessly!

I asked the cop how this could happen. He claimed a lot of people call in complaining about numerous drivers (i.e. wrong turns, no turn signal, wreckless driving, etc..) and most of the time it's nothing. The cop explained they must check it out or try to find the vehicle and annotate the call/incident in their database. Just to be sure, I asked the cop that, "Anyone can call you guys about anything and you keep a record of it?" I also stated it was BS because if I ever get stopped by the cops again for anyrhing, they already have "accusations" on me. . No proof, just an upset or jealous motorist who doesn't like my driving or noisy engine. AND, that they (cops) are more likely to issue a citation if I'm stopped in the future. Even if my violation is minor (Say 50 in a 45 zone).

The cop proceeded to tell me he was not giving me a ticket based on the info in the database. I agreed, but stated he already has a formed opinion of me or the car--guilty. It's only human nature. And I stated it wasn't fair that the complaint remains in the database because anyone can call and accuse another motorist for anything just for spite or a misinterpretation of another motorist's actions.

Fast forward to one week ago. I'm in Jax, FL, stopped at stoplight around 7pm on a major busy road way. A Mustang GT pulls up next to me and starts revving his engine. I look at him, snicker, and rev my 680rwhp w/corsa exhaust to 5K rpm naturally putting his exhaust to shame. He laughs and gives me the thumbs-up. When the light turns, he accelerates rapidly to reach the speed limit. Of course I accelerate slowly to erase any doubt about me wanting to race him.

About 10 minutes later, I see this local cop cruiser pull out from a side street right behind me. He tailgates me for about 2 hundred yards and then my V1 detector goes crazy (rear arrow indicator). I don't hit my brakes because I've been doing the 35 mph speed limit. He continues tailgating for the next 1/4 mile until I turn into a small shopping center parking lot. I circle the lot twice because I can't find a space near the front--he's still following me around the lot. I pull into a space and he pulls just ahead of me, stops, then backs into a space directly behind me. I act like I don't see him and go into the sub-shop and stay for 20 minutes. I did noticed he got out of his car and came up and looked at my interior. He remains in the lot for the next 10 minutes then leaves. I have no idea what he was doing, but I guarantee you it wasn't to give me compliments on the car or interior.

So guys, here's my questions and thoughts:

Did someone possibly call to complain about me revving my engine? Or, thinking I was about to race? (It's obvious that cop probably got a tip from someone behind me at the light and that's why he followed (harrassed) me). And now, I'll probably have another entry in my record that I was racing.
This proves my exact reasoning of why it's BS that anyone can call and leave a permanent scar on your record. In reality, if you don't like someone, you can obtain their plate number and falsely complain about their driving on a weekly/monthly basis. You can wake up in the morning and just call to complain. Nothing that person can do/say to disprove the entry. AND it will be reviewed by the cop the next time you're stopped for anything.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Can I legally remove these entries from my record? Will obtaining new license plates alleviate the problem or will the entries carry forward to the new plate?

Guys, I apologize for the novel, but this just pisses me off that this can actually happen. Your thoughts.

April 22nd, 2008, 10:59 PM	#1
05CopperHD Enthusiast 05CopperHD is offline Join Date: May 2007 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	Ever Had Another motorist Complain About Your Car to Police? I'm curious if all the states police have a policy whereby they have a database or derogatory info in their computer based on other motorist calling the police and complaining about you or your car. Will try to make this short and still get the point out. But I still need to paint a detailed picture of the scenario. Got stopped by the local FL police for speeding (59 in 45) three weeks back. During the ticket issuing process he proceeds to remind me that I (My license plate) have had 2 separate motorists call the police informing them that my car was "driving wrecklessly" on a major road. I was completely floored! I have NEVER driven unsafely in and around traffic. I have revved my engine. I have reached the speed limit faster than other drivers, but have never driven wrecklessly! I asked the cop how this could happen. He claimed a lot of people call in complaining about numerous drivers (i.e. wrong turns, no turn signal, wreckless driving, etc..) and most of the time it's nothing. The cop explained they must check it out or try to find the vehicle and annotate the call/incident in their database. Just to be sure, I asked the cop that, "Anyone can call you guys about anything and you keep a record of it?" I also stated it was BS because if I ever get stopped by the cops again for anyrhing, they already have "accusations" on me. . No proof, just an upset or jealous motorist who doesn't like my driving or noisy engine. AND, that they (cops) are more likely to issue a citation if I'm stopped in the future. Even if my violation is minor (Say 50 in a 45 zone). The cop proceeded to tell me he was not giving me a ticket based on the info in the database. I agreed, but stated he already has a formed opinion of me or the car--guilty. It's only human nature. And I stated it wasn't fair that the complaint remains in the database because anyone can call and accuse another motorist for anything just for spite or a misinterpretation of another motorist's actions. Fast forward to one week ago. I'm in Jax, FL, stopped at stoplight around 7pm on a major busy road way. A Mustang GT pulls up next to me and starts revving his engine. I look at him, snicker, and rev my 680rwhp w/corsa exhaust to 5K rpm naturally putting his exhaust to shame. He laughs and gives me the thumbs-up. When the light turns, he accelerates rapidly to reach the speed limit. Of course I accelerate slowly to erase any doubt about me wanting to race him. About 10 minutes later, I see this local cop cruiser pull out from a side street right behind me. He tailgates me for about 2 hundred yards and then my V1 detector goes crazy (rear arrow indicator). I don't hit my brakes because I've been doing the 35 mph speed limit. He continues tailgating for the next 1/4 mile until I turn into a small shopping center parking lot. I circle the lot twice because I can't find a space near the front--he's still following me around the lot. I pull into a space and he pulls just ahead of me, stops, then backs into a space directly behind me. I act like I don't see him and go into the sub-shop and stay for 20 minutes. I did noticed he got out of his car and came up and looked at my interior. He remains in the lot for the next 10 minutes then leaves. I have no idea what he was doing, but I guarantee you it wasn't to give me compliments on the car or interior. So guys, here's my questions and thoughts: Did someone possibly call to complain about me revving my engine? Or, thinking I was about to race? (It's obvious that cop probably got a tip from someone behind me at the light and that's why he followed (harrassed) me). And now, I'll probably have another entry in my record that I was racing. This proves my exact reasoning of why it's BS that anyone can call and leave a permanent scar on your record. In reality, if you don't like someone, you can obtain their plate number and falsely complain about their driving on a weekly/monthly basis. You can wake up in the morning and just call to complain. Nothing that person can do/say to disprove the entry. AND it will be reviewed by the cop the next time you're stopped for anything. Has anyone ever experienced this? Can I legally remove these entries from my record? Will obtaining new license plates alleviate the problem or will the entries carry forward to the new plate? Guys, I apologize for the novel, but this just pisses me off that this can actually happen. Your thoughts.