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CHP parked on left shoulder w/ lights off at night

Uh....this may just be me, but I usually don't ride on the shoulder or near it.

I've seen them doing it on 24 before too...but not at night.

I had a CHP pass me when I was in the #1 lane on 580 coming back from Bodega Bay...on the left...in the shoulder. Just so he could catch up to another bike that just passed us going about 85. Bastard kicked up a bunch of rocks that hit me as well.
 
metrorollah said:
CHP officers are required to have their parking lights on at night, and be wearing a CHP hat and badge. Sitting dark in disguise is not legal. If I ever see that I will stop and ask for a badge number and make a formal complaint concerning proper peace officer protocol and my own safety.
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Where do you guys come up with this stuff? :laughing :rofl


No we don't have to have our lights on.
 
:laughing what was I thinking? stopping on the freeway the middle of the night, anyway :rofl
 
Tharkûn said:
Where do you guys come up with this stuff? :laughing :rofl


No we don't have to have our lights on.
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Well it's not completely outlandish since it is a law elsewhere.

In GA anyone but the Highway Patrol have to have lights on when running radar at night as you are required to be seen for 500' while running radar.


TITLE 40. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 14. USE OF SPEED DETECTION AND TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL MONITORING DEVICES
ARTICLE 2. SPEED DETECTION DEVICES

O.C.G.A. § 40-14-7 (2008)

§ 40-14-7. Visibility of vehicle from which device is operated


No stationary speed detection device shall be employed by county, municipal, college, or university law enforcement officers where the vehicle from which the device is operated is obstructed from the view of approaching motorists or is otherwise not visible for a distance of at least 500 feet.

HISTORY: Ga. L. 1968, p. 425, § 7; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1968, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 586, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2785, § 30.
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Pros: better visual of #1 lane violators (aka fast lane), officer is running radar/lidar when you least expect it thus easier catching [more] violators

Cons: panicking drivers/motorist (ie:OP), putting yourself at higher risk for accident, if a collision occurs, chances are its a fast driver in the #1 lane


IMO, the risks outweigh the gain. I've seen one clever CHP officer and he was hiding in his vehicle behind a billboard mounted on the right shoulder of I-80 between Vallejo/Pinole. He was parked at an angle so when you pass his patrol vehicle, you can see the star on the side of his door shine right at you and make you say "oh shit!" when its too late to be slowing down.
 
I just sent an e-mail to CHP public affairs (PublicAffairs@chp.ca.gov) asking:

1. is this legal.
2. is this prudent.

Legal or not, if a motorist had to pull into the left shoulder in an emergency and plowed into that cruiser because it was difficult to see with all the lights off and people get killed, there will be a lot of questions.

They don't hide under camouflage tents on the shoulder during the day, so why would they need to hide under the cloak of darkness at night with the lights off? I have no issue with traffic enforcement, but the concern is being unseen that close to the roadway is a potential traffic hazard.
 
Gary856 said:
I just sent an e-mail to CHP public affairs (PublicAffairs@chp.ca.gov) asking:

1. is this legal.
2. is this prudent.

Legal or not, if a motorist had to pull into the left shoulder in an emergency and plowed into that cruiser because it was difficult to see with all the lights off and people get killed, there will be a lot of questions.

They don't hide under camouflage tents on the shoulder during the day, so why would they need to hide under the cloak of darkness at night with the lights off? I have no issue with traffic enforcement, but the concern is being unseen that close to the roadway is a potential traffic hazard.
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I seen the same thing on 680 right by the Landass exit. a cop was just chilling on the shoulder lane w/ no lights on & the officer was outside w/ the radar gun, it was also night time maybe 10ish or so, so it was pretty dark in that area. Aren't cops suppose to be visible at all times when they're parked w/ their radar guns out?
 
Well, it is just as stupid as someone pulling over to the left shoulder, shutting all their lights off, getting out of the car with dark clothes on, and proceeding to hang out there.

How anyone can fail to see the danger to the public is really beyond me.
 
Gary856 said:
I just sent an e-mail to CHP public affairs (PublicAffairs@chp.ca.gov) asking:

1. is this legal.
2. is this prudent.

Legal or not, if a motorist had to pull into the left shoulder in an emergency and plowed into that cruiser because it was difficult to see with all the lights off and people get killed, there will be a lot of questions.

They don't hide under camouflage tents on the shoulder during the day, so why would they need to hide under the cloak of darkness at night with the lights off? I have no issue with traffic enforcement, but the concern is being unseen that close to the roadway is a potential traffic hazard.
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My man!!!! :thumbup
 
Regardless of whether or not this is legal, I am 100% in agreement with those who have already stated that this subjects the CHP officer and motorists to unnecessary risk. There have got to be better ways to generate speeding ticket revenue.
 
metrorollah said:
CHP officers are required to have their parking lights on at night, and be wearing a CHP hat and badge. Sitting dark in disguise is not legal.
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Rubbish. The only true part of that is that CHP officers must wear a badge. The rest is absolutely false. It is not law, it is not their policy.
 
I don't see a problem with the CHP's actions, and really don't understand how folks are calling it an invisible hazard.
Assuming your headlight(s) work properly, aimed properly, and you are not out running your headlight, how is this an invisible hazard?
 
AOW said:
I don't see a problem with the CHP's actions, and really don't understand how folks are calling it an invisible hazard.
Assuming your headlight(s) work properly, aimed properly, and you are not out running your headlight, how is this an invisible hazard?
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I would work night shifts traveling 880 from Alameda to Hayward and vice versa on the way home. I see at least one vehicle with a blown headbulb every night. Few times, drivers don't even have their headlights on. Drivers think DRL are good enough or they simply just don't know that. Considering the older cars on the road today...most have washed out headlamps or are falling apart. Not everyone has the luxury of HID headlights or a more modern vehicle that is up to par on safety regulations. Negligence is another event but should not be used as an excuse upon a serious collision if that driver had plowed any car parked on the left shoulder.

It's not invisible, its a real hazard.
 
Gary856 said:
1. is this legal.
2. is this prudent.
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I already told you.

Yes it is.
And its up to our discretion. I usually only do it on wide center divides or when theres a break in the wall thats at least partially blocking my patrol car.



Its no different then being parked on the right hand shoulder, you're just in the middle. And its no different than a car being broken down. Don't fly blind into the shoulders at 70 MPH and you won't hit anything.
 
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