LB Bnz

...on my way to LAX (airport) on the 405 N bound tonight. Got my son in the rear--passenger side--seat...chill'n and just going the speed limit in the carpool lane...before I get close to the 110 fwy I notice a CHP on motorbike--sitting in the middle of the center partician(spelling?) that separates the south & north bound fwy--I guess theres a little pass-through that allow cops to change directions if needed....anyway, my wife's plane will be landing in about 20 minutes so I'm just cruiz'n....then all of a sudden--Lights flashing behind me!!! I'm like WHAT??? I check the speed and I'm under the limit, all seat belts on, lights on....so what the F*!!

I come to realize that the cop thinks I'm driving in the carpool lane solo!!! I got tinted windows on my black CLK and he didn't see my son in the back...GREAT!! I say to myself--I can't stop because I will be late to the airport--and if I do, the cop will just let me go when he sees my son, so why stop...?

(bright light goes off in my head)....I turn to my son and tell him to lower his window at the same time as I do and on my count we begin to wave to the officer like freakin tourists!!! The cop speeds up next to the car and gives me the 'peace sign' and turns his lights off then speeds away....Ugh!! that was too close...

I bet the other drivers on the road were saying "get that Benz"...then when nothing happened, they were like "what the"....

PaulX608

I doubt you ruined his evening. Actually, your sharp judgement and quick thinking saved him and you the time and trouble of a traffic stop. Good job!

raymond g-

the waving trick has been used by savvy moms who have to cart kids around
since the beginning of HOV lanes. the little ones are frequently too short to be
seen in their carseats, etc. cops aren't necessarily licking their chops, i agree,
but ready to peel off once this action is invoked.

AsianML

smb7420

odd there wasn't a ticket for tints...they're illegal in the front in IL

kickR

I'm confused. Since when might waving get you out of a ticket? Maybe I'm reading it wrong or just dont know something, but he could not have let off of you because of your son in the back .. did he?

Carl Lassiter

"Carpool is for two or more persons"

LB Bnz

I was thinking the same thing...the front windows have a very light tint--looks factory, but the rear is limo and the two back sides are tinted...

I figured he gave me a break and didn't 'really' need to hastle with tinted windows....In Southern Cali many people have tint it's a 50/50 chance of being stopped....'knock on wood'

kickR

OHHHHHH! I guess I misread that part. Thanks, lol.

newton22

When I got to that part of the story, I thought you were gonna run from the cops for a second there.

BabyBenz6spd

I was at Cali visiting a friend at Irvine and I got on the "Car pool" lane for the first time, boy it's empty as hell!

OldNate

haha that's a funny story, didn't even know that a cop would know to pull to the side of you to look in.

In california, tint on the front windows are illegal, but everyone does it anyway. I have 35% tint on the front and 20% on the rear.

BIGjohnny

Ahah great story. Cops are very generous when it comes to front window tinting. Yes, front window tint are illegal in California... but in most cases the cops will eventually let is pass if the front tint is light (unless you manage to **** them off). However, any other windows besides the front and windshield can be heavily tinted.

AsianML

You probably haven't experience the Prius driving in the HOV lane all alone doing only 55-60 mph.

BabyBenz6spd

Actually I did, but I accelerate and passed them at the sections where there isn't double yellow line. I wasn't driving THAT fast (maybe 75~80MPH), because i wasn't very familiar with the roads and I knew cops at Cali is ridiculous about speeding; so I was extra careful while I was there.

P.S. I had full insurance coverage for my rental, it was a pretty new Chrysler Sebring Touring Sedan if you want to know what I was driving, the suspension was SO soft, I think I had motion sickness from driving that car for 2 hours.

kevblah

Nice one, your quick thinking saved you some time.

NZ_Benz

What happens to people from other countries in the States if we get pulled over? I'd be temped to rack up a bunch of fines and just never come back for a few years.

StapleGun

What do you think the Mexican's from south of the fence do??? As I would imagine ANY other non-resident from other states visit with regards to tinted windows - you're not going to get fined.

LB Bnz

...LOL!! That would have been suicide...that cop on a bike would have no problem catching me...besides, I can imagine my wife seeing me on t.v. at the airport involved in a hwy-high speed-chase just to pick her up..LOL!!

...that would be classic..

harpz

In FL the cops were fairly generous when I had an ON plate and On license, very very linient!
I guess it depends on the guy you get!

V DuBb

damn u sure did tell him haha