K -- Just wanted to prewarn everyone..

Tuesday night my good friend was in I-5 South by the University of Portland at about 10PM and was pulled over for what seems to be the new sting operation in Portland.. Motorcycle cop on the side of the road, NO lights on whatsoever just chillin on the shoulder before an exit. My girl passed the cop at speed in the right lane of the two lanes to take the exit. He immediately pulled her over for "Failure to leave a safe distance between an emergency vehicle" saying she LEGALLY has to change lanes into the left lane if an emergency vehicle is on the shoulder (regadless if it's close to her exit she's taking, or if the lights are on on the vehicle). She got a $244 ticket and is obviously furious. I thought this was a one time fluke, but just today on Highway 26 coming back to Hillsboro from downtown late morning today and TWO different motorcycle cops were doing the same thing. I almost got HIT as some dumbass merged into my lane as he passed the cop. SO BEWARE that there must have been some sort of law change that now makes it ILLEGAL not to change lanes (if available) when passing a cop that's on the shoulder. Just another LAME way this stupid state can rape us on ticket fines.... F*** the police.

 

Good call. Note to self.

 

Thats sucks. I hope we don't get that here in Cali but I have family on Old Farmhouse road. I will let them know. Thanks man!! I love the boards quick info about bull$hit laws!!!

 

better yet, SOME

and that really sucks man

 

That's damned unsafe.

 

Here is Dallas, we also have this law passed. You either have to change to a different lane or you will have to slow down to 40 MPH when you pass the emergency vehicles.

 

Hmmm, best that I could tell, she shouldn't have gotten a ticket if his warning lights were not on:

HB 2176 – This bill requires drivers to maintain a safe distance from an emergency vehicle or
ambulance when that emergency vehicle or ambulance is stopped and is displaying the required
warning lights. The driver must make a lane change to a lane not adjacent to the vehicle if the
highway has two or more lanes for traffic in a single direction. If making a lane change is unsafe,
the driver must reduce the speed of their vehicle. If on a two lane road, the driver must reduce
speed. Failure to maintain a safe distance from an emergency vehicle or ambulance is a Class B
traffic violation.

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/docs/...er/Jan2004.pdf

 

Hmm didnt know the MPH part, thats interesting, wonder if this law in general is a new one to help protect emergecny vehicle drivers.. Don't get me wrong, I hate reading articles on cops that were killed by a passing car during a routine pull-over.. But some roads a merge into one lane suddenly at 60-70 MPH is plain unsafe!!