Utter BS

[Jack Frost]

An Upstate woman was ticketed and convicted of leaving her car running unattended, while she waited inside her home for the car to warm up... IN HER DRIVEWAY, ON HER OWN PROPERTY!!!

That, to me, is bullcrap. Police officers should have better things to do, than this. Personally, I think it's wrong (and stupid) for it to be illegal to leave a car running on private property, hell I DO IT ALL THE TIME!! (And I'm sure many of you do!) Come ticket me for that, you might as well arrest me too, because there is no way in immortal hell that I would pay a ticket for running my own vehicle on my own property, so that my child doesn't have to ride in a freezing car!


(In a ranting mood)

[River Rat]

When I stop at the store on my way to work I leave mine running but its locked. What would that charge be anyway?

[Jack Frost]

Yep, the S.C. law they used to get her makes it illegal... The law should be changed, at least in respect to private property.


SECTION 56-5-2570. Parking of unattended motor vehicle.

No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.

[River Rat]

Seems retarded to me. the law that is.

[drail]

Next time you ride by and see a po po pumping gas tell him you are making a citizens arrest just like you are Barney!!! Think that will get you on 6 o'clock news?

[River Rat]

Good chance of it. Most LE and EMS leave theirs running which has come back to bite them a few times.

[PoPo]

Whatever officer did that, must be an idiot. Yes, it is a law that is on the books, but viewing the Supreme Court's logic, is regarding a vehicle left running in the roadway, or on a steep enbankment to where another person, or their property could be threatened. But, any SANE officer would only envoke such an authoritive action AFTER THE FACT. And, I personally would never write such a ticket, unless the vehicle went in motion on public roadway and struck another vehicle. At that point, it becomes a TR-310 (State DMV, DOT) report situation. And, even then, I would try to find a way around it. It is ALMOST a rediculous law. But there instances justified for it's application. BUT THIS WASN'T ONE OF THEM.

[PoPo]

Well, once again someone took it upon themselves to call Gaffney a "speed trap" in our local newspapers. I searched all over Gaffney and could not find one speed limit sign that springs up out of the ground when a vehicle approaches. In fact I found a city full of very obvious, well posted speed limit signs, and "Reduced Speed Ahead" signs. Some of which have been there for many many years. So, if officers allow 10 or more miles an hour over the posted speed limit (which they DO NOT have to do) before they even stop a vehicle, it sounds like to me that if drivers go over that, they have "trapped themselves". Yes, we as police officers actively enforce traffic laws, and the city's accident rate continues to decline as a result. The solution to this dilemma is VERY simple. Pay attention to the posted speed limit signs that are erected throughout the city. Or, read the signs that are located at each and every city limit sign within Gaffney that plainly states..."City wide speed limit 30 mph, unless otherwise posted". I promise, that if a driver complies with these simple requests, they will remain free of anything that they are calling a "speed trap". Many many residents throughout the city and county have lived and traveled in the city for 80+ years, and have never been issued any type of citation, so using the term "speed trap" is VERY laughable. After reading the articles, I quickly realized that someone didn't do any research before submitting their comments. Myself, and the other fine men and women serving with the Gaffney Police Department care for all citizens very very much, as we demonstrate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, as you can probably imagine, I was hurt by the articles. Even though I don't make people speed. I have seen such speeds as 50 mph or more in a 25 mph zone, and there were people walking in those areas. The human brains takes 1.6 seconds to create a response from the time it perceives a threat. So, if a person is traveling 50 mph, and sees a threat, it will take them up too 625 ft to stop from the time their brain tells them to. This distance will be much greater for vehicles that are not equipped with ABS. So you see, research does wonders. Imagine if your child were to run out in the roadway, within a 25 mph zone, and a vehicle was traveling 50 mph towards them. This is just one of a MILLION examples why we have speed limits, and officers to enforce them. I have dedicated my entire adult life to helping others, so if I do issue a citation, it is only because I care for their safety and the safety of others. I was really shocked that someone would write such senseless and cruel words about us as Police Officers. If they could only know what is in our hearts, then they may possibly understand. I have always, and will always, be willing to give my LIFE for another in need. That is how much I care. As long as the good lord will give me breath, I will ALWAYS be there to SERVE and PROTECT, even if it means that I have to issue a speeding ticket.

[malinda]

Bravo for writing that. I read that and yes sometimes I admit I get in a hurry and go over the limit. When I catch myself I slow back up because I dont want to have a wreck or to hurt someone. I have had many friends to get killed in a car wreck or motorcycle wreck. Just this summer I had a friend to get killed in a motorcycle wreck. I do watch however school zones, construction sites , children playing, people walking and and bike riders. You know I admit it if I can say I very careful in those places and around those people you know I can do it all the time. I look at people getting hurt and themoney you end up putting out. More importantly there is a life at risk and it just isnt yours. I was in a wreck once days after I had back surgery and I was fussing about the other driver because it was his fault. He told the officer I thought I could beat them out. So he pulled out in front of us. I had hurt my back all over again.My mother who was driving her throat hit the steering wheel because it throwed her forward. It messed her voice box up for a while not counting the bruises on her body. My daughter had bruises on her. My son will he was thrown forward. He hit the back of the seat and his two top teeth came through his mouth right below his lower lip. He still has a scare where his teeth came through his chin. He couldnt eat solid foods for weeks. Guess what we had just started pulling off from a stop light and mama was going maybe around 20 miles an hour. So think about it if going that slow causes that much damage and pain. What would happen if a person was going faster? Makes you think. So I have to admit I dont like the sppeding either. I admit going sometimes maybe 10 miles over the speed limit and I need to check myself.

[River Rat]

I read a story online about Gaffney being a speed trap. It said nothing can ruin a vaction like a speeding ticket, my thought was don't speed dipspit and its not a problem.