What is the deal with the Michigan State Police turning there spotlights backwards? Do they really thinnk this safe? :smilielol: Everytime I come up on someone being pulled over. I get blinded by that stupid spotlight. If any troopers are on here I would like to hear your reasoning behind this. You guys are going to get killed because you are blinding us. Even if we slow down from 70MPH to 45MPH when we try to pass you. It is still going to kill you if we can't see you.

It is backwards so cars see them. It seems by just having a flashing red light on a bright blue car you had idiot drivers hitting officers while they were trying to do their job. Yes it does blind and makes you slow down but this is a case of the few idiots make it tough on the majority of the people. There are a few offiers that visit here, keep the topic near the top and eventually they will put in their answer.

As a Michigan driver we are required to move to the lane farthest away from the police officer while they are on a traffic stop. If there is not a lane we are required to slow down and pass safely. Well that would be a perfect world. And no, there are many jackasses that pass so close to me I chase them down and cite them instead of the person I originally stopped. As far as the reverse spotlight thing, I don't do that. I can see where that would make for a dangerous situation.

I completely understand what you are saying. Thanks for your comments. :div20:

As I fellow Michigan driver you and I both understand the lane rules. I would love to see more of you, pulling people over for this infraction. I fore one slow down and make sure I can get over. But like you said in a perfect world that would happen in all cases.
When I orginally started this topic. My co-workers and I were sitting talking about the whole spotlight deal. We have notice in most cases that State Troopers mainly do this. I have quit a few police officer friends as do my co-workers, at the local levels. Our friends say they don't do this. That it is primarily the State Troopers ways of dealing with this problem of people driving to close to the officers. In our talks here at work we have found it, in our opinions, to be more dangerous for the officer than not. I just wanted to post this topic to make people aware of this situation. You do what you will of course. It's just my opinion. Thanks for your comments. I am glad you don't do this practice.

Has any other michigan drivers notice this practice? If so, what do you think about it?

Have seen the following Departments do this: St.Clair Shores, Eastpointe, Roseville, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Macomb County and the defunct Mt.Clemens. Seen Mainly on roads the have posted 45mph or higher speeds where the vehicle getting pulled over stops in a somewhat dangerous location (like still in a traffic lane,etc).

The easiest way to keep the troopers safe is to simply not pull anyone over, that way everyone is a winner, I can go as fast as I like and the cop can eat his doughnut in peace :lol2:

[B] We also DO NOT reverse the spotlight...... But I would agree with the other officer that posted about almost being run over.... I have personally been scraped in the back by a truck mirror..... There are quite a lot of drivers that still do not move over and yield . If anyone has any doubt about how dangerous it is, Just imagine yourself standing on the center divider line and vehicles flying by at speed ....... Thats the same effect as being on a traffic stop on the side of the road..... This is the first time ive heard of any dept doing this....

LawDog,

You haven't been clipped by any fast moving Polaris' have you? :lol2: I know...that's an oxymoron....fast and Polaris......

Tadd,

I haven't seen this type of spotlight practice. I have seen troopers sweep the spotlights back and forth when red lighting it at night to get peoples attention to move over or out of the way.

It must be something the State police do down here around Detroit. You guys stay safe and go after those bastards. Late :div20:

I haven't seen this practice here in N. MI, but I've unfortunately been pulled over plenty of times. The thing that I hate is when the police are pulling me over, They shine the spotlight right in the car and it always seems to hit on the rearview mirror then blinds me. Then the cop will say, "you swerved when I was pulling you over. Have you been drinking?" Then they make you do the sobriety test for nothin.

TBONE....

lol.... You will never ( Hopefully ) here me pick on a specific brand of sled... Hmmmm by the way didnt you have a breakdown last year when I met you on the trail and were riding the wifes sled ??? lol

Im eager to ride this year. TASA has another NEW groomer coming next week ( Makes 3 ) so the trails should be great all winter long....

OK...you got me! But I would have been riding the wife's sled anyway since she wasn't with me. The REV is more comfortable than my ZX, so I make my buddy ride that when it's running that is...hehehe. :doh: :lol2: :smilielol:

Hey ed, you're right on my way up north...got any 'get out of ticket/jail/trouble free' cards for HCSers?? :beerchug: Goin to the Hooters Flint gitdown?
I dont like that they park kinda crooked, to try and force the rt laners over. Thats inviting a clip, plus it puts them closer to cars. Pull that thing waaay over, and use the mike to tell the driver to do the same. Seems the state cars one bubble isnt adequate...locals look like fireworks displays!
OMG that sux...I hate that. That is so you cannot see them in their car, or even see how many there are. Also helps them see movement inside, and count occupants.

Ya know another thing we were talking about on my bike forum was the really really bright light bars. SOME of them blind you, and i think it a huge distraction. but just my $.02

Not a problem if they're aimed right.

I also agree that its a few dumbasses that ruin it for everyone else, but as we all know such is life. This is what I know of the questions asked here.

I personally don't do this, but the idea behind it is to get you to move over to the far lane. If you can't see in the right lane and you move to the left, the officer is safer. If you cant drive safely past the officer at 45 slow down to 35.

Also the reason for putting the car on a slant isnt to force you out of the lane, it is to use the car as a blocker for the people that arent paying attention. It is taught to us that way it give a small "safer" zone, notice the "safer" because there is nothing we can do to be safe with cars whizzing by at mach speed. If someone hits the car there is less chance of hitting us.

The brighter the lights the further away you can see them, that is the thought behind that.

The problem with all of these scenerios is that people are attracted to light, especially flashing light. Think back to drivers training when they told you not to look directly at oncoming headlights, because you will naturally drive right into them, and thats never going to turn out well. Nothing here will change what is done, but hopefully you can better understand why we do some of the things we do. Later.

it all starts with the monkey getting pulled over, when ya get pulled over slow down and look for the safest place to stop , if ya so stupid tojust stop anywhere and endanger the cops life just cause ya were speeding, ya deserve the ticket. If the cop sees ya care enough about him staying alive , that may be enough to get you out of the ticket!

Law Dog,

Thanks for keeping up on the posts. Your input should be helpful for us EUP sledders. I remember your graphic from the old TCat. Is it still on the trails? Bet that thing came in handy when you needed to reel in some lubed up motor heads. Got a best story? See you soon.

I totally agree with that. Listen to what Westford is telling you guys. I believe it really does help. If not it should. :div20: