Police impounding of bikes legit?

It's always been my understanding, at least as long as I've been in NV, that, any infraction 25MPH or over the speed limit "could" result in impounding the vehicle. It is, as Randy stated, up to the officer, but it is a possibility. I was once asked by a cop if I knew he could impound my bike right then for my speed. I said "yes" and I explained that I was not creating a nuisance, or harm to anyone or driving recklessly, as it was on a very empty road in the middle of the desert and no cars or other beings were around me at all. I told him I had a long day and I was just trying to get home. I received a performance award, but my bike was not impounded. So, yes, there are laws that allow them to impound vehicles.... it will vary by state.

 

Wading through the Nevada vehicle code is agreeably a PITA. Even moreso is not being able to see a couple of pix or even a short description of la chica's performance out there in the middle of the desert.

For those interested in function over form:

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-484.html

 

It is my guess we are talking aboot ass clownery and the inability to speak to law enforcement with respect that got the bikes sent to bike jail. Just my guess.

 

Yeah, from the CA DMV web site, sorry for posting actual facts.

What Happens if I Speed Race?

The following are some of the penalties you can face if you street race:

Be arrested and have your vehicle impounded for 30 days.
Be imprisoned for up to three months if convicted of street racing, or aiding or abetting a street race.
Be fined for up to $1,000.
Have your driver license revoked.
Have your vehicle's insurance canceled or premiums dramatically increased.
Have equipment violations issued.
NOTE: Spectators are also subject to the same penalties.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/teenweb/crazy_btn3/speed.htm


I don't see anything about crushing vehicles, "no questions asked".

 

If California legislation is anything like ours here, it can be difficult to fully understand it unless you use it on a regular basis. I am not about to go research the California laws, but here, you may have to look at a variety of sections, in different locations in a particular statute or in your case, code, to find a specific authority to do something. So it may be found in a different spot. Maybe look in areas of the code that refers to stunting or reckless driving, dangerous driving or something like that. Or search Authority to Tow or Impound.

Sometimes an authority to do something that appears to be under the Motor Vehicle Act, or a similar Code in the USA, will actually be found in a totally different piece of legislation. Such is the case here in BC as it pertains to modulating high/low beam headlights. These are illegal here except for emergency vehicles. But our Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) or its Regulations, I don't remember which now, give an exemption for motorcycles only. But the MVA, which is a Provincial Act, quotes a piece of Federal Legislation in the form of a standard, that spells out that authority. Now that particular piece of Federal Legislation has been repealed but replaced with another Federal Regulation giving the same exemption. Clear as mud right. Most police here do not even know where or how to look this one up.

So keep on looking, knowing that all through this experience, you are educating yourselves. Once you have found the answer, you will be so smart, we won't be able to talk to you anymore.

Gawd bless of damned the lawyers and bureaucrats who think these things up.

 

Failing the attitude test when stopped by police almost always results in unwanted consequences.

 

Gee officer was I really doing 90 in that school zone?. Hey dude I got my bong here do you want a hit?

 

The California Vehicle Code is published. Much of the Code is online. When in doubt or if a LEO POV is in order, pop into a CHP substation.

I don't think I'll be taking my 1966 Mercedes into Canada real soon since it has a wiring circuit that flashes the high beams and and blows the horn at the same time. Then again , I'd have to take the car into Canada and get busted using same or is just having this feature reason to get popped?

I would suppose having one of those nifty red and blue arrays and siren would be sort of frowned upon up there too..

 

Yup, my favorite one was years ago, riding home to San Jose from San Francisco at about 2am. There was literally no one on the freeway and I was doing 90, and a little over at times. In my rearview, I could see way behind me, the red and blue lights. I knew it was me, since there was no one between us. I pulled over and had my helmet off and docs out before they caught up and stopped behind me. They officer came up screaming at me, "DO YOU KNOW WHY WE PULLED YOU OVER!!!!" I looked at him, smiled, and calmly said, "Heck yeah, I was doing over 90 in a 65!" He stopped dead in his tracks and was speechless for a second. He then calmed way down, thanked me for my honesty, he checked my records while his partner came over and chatted for a bit. When he saw my record was clean, he thanked me again for my honesty, said ride safe, and told me they had drunk drivers and dangerous people to go after, so they didn't want to waste time writing me a ticket. I'm sure if I had played dumb, saying I didn't know why they pulled me over, or if I tried to run, I would have gotten hit with the book....

 

I agree Miss Chicky, they see a lot of bullshit.

 

They hear a lot too.. Probably Ponch and Jon anyway on a dark and stormy night.

 

No or not up to date registration is also a reason at least here in Cali. Chicky..I was merging onto the 405 after workin 14 hours in my SVT Lighting and this nimrod slammed the door on me ..so went around him at 85...got pulled over and I told the cop what happened and when he said...how fast were ya going I replied probabpy around 80...he thank me for being honest and wrote me for no front plate (fix it) ticket

 

But sometimes you know--you really know !!!!!-- he had no legitimate reason for stopping you, delaying you, accusing you, challenging you, intimidating you, threatening you, and frightening you, even pepper-spraying and assulting you (as happened to me) just like they may any at stop, even shooting you dead without blame. Police have police-state powers as severe as KGB ever was. Cops being jerks is written into the training in my experience, and the good ones are rare. Or maybe i'm just too scruffy-lookin and they ALL want to bust ME all the time ! arty2:


Doesn't seem like humor :joker: has ever had any noticably beneficial affect upon any cops i've encountered, and may make them even angrier, with their tiny, narrow minds.

 

Will one of the fashionistas on board give our friend Jerry here some advice on dressing for success? This advice however well intentioned, should not include him offering to show his tits.