Perhaps A Debatable Question?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth
FWIW, One time about 15 years ago I saw a 'staged' traffic stop by the CHP, clearly designed to slow traffic.
It was on a downhill stretch of freeway where people routinely sped. They had a silver Nissan Maxima 'pulled over' with a dummy in the seat, and a CHP car behind the Maxima with the lights on.
It backed up the morning drive some. I realized it was fake when I had to drive the same stretch of road later in the day and the same cars were still there. Upon a closer inspection, the driver and officer were mannequins.
Must have been a failed experiment in California, because I've never seen it done again. I imagine if someone got rear-ended they would sue the state.
It was on a downhill stretch of freeway where people routinely sped. They had a silver Nissan Maxima 'pulled over' with a dummy in the seat, and a CHP car behind the Maxima with the lights on.
It backed up the morning drive some. I realized it was fake when I had to drive the same stretch of road later in the day and the same cars were still there. Upon a closer inspection, the driver and officer were mannequins.
Must have been a failed experiment in California, because I've never seen it done again. I imagine if someone got rear-ended they would sue the state.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 15
From: Houston, TX
If I'm not mistaken it is illegal to run a black-and-white police paint scheme in most states -- I recall hearing this while watching a show on Speed that was highlighting a guy who collected restored vintage police cars.
Most of the cars in his collection could only be legally driven on the streets when going to or from a car show. Of course, his were restored right down to the gnat's behind, with authentic badging and correct police lighting......
Most of the cars in his collection could only be legally driven on the streets when going to or from a car show. Of course, his were restored right down to the gnat's behind, with authentic badging and correct police lighting......
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Rotterdam, NY
Around here theres a few dealers that sell nothing but old cop cars and state government cars.
They can easily be bought at auctions.
I think it would be great to get a dark blue Crown Vic and have the left lane all to myself on the highway.
They can easily be bought at auctions.
I think it would be great to get a dark blue Crown Vic and have the left lane all to myself on the highway.
They are 100% legal as long as they are not police colors. There is a ****** around here with a cop'ed out Crown Vic. LED light bar, Whelen Traffic advisor in the rears, LEDs in the mirrors and front grille. All of them shine amber, however.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 1
From: Des Moines, IA
Yeah they sell those old CVs at auction all the time. You see them around here quite a bit... With 24" wheels 
It's quite a sight to see.
As far as impersonating a cop car, the big one is lights. As long as your not one of those dumb kids running around with strobes "for car shows" then you're fine.
It's quite a sight to see. As far as impersonating a cop car, the big one is lights. As long as your not one of those dumb kids running around with strobes "for car shows" then you're fine.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 16
From: Central Coast, California
One night in the middle of one of my jobs (I work on the highway), I saw what looked like an unmarked cop car (white Crown Vic w/ tinted glass) surrounded by patrol cars w/ their lights on. I later talked to one of to officers who made the stop and he told me the guy was "creepy". He was dressed in black BDU's w/ a CHP hat. The car was equipped w/ radios, cameras and strobe lights. Inside the car was handcuffs, tazer, and a bunch of video tapes w/ women's names on them. The guy was arrested for impersonating an officer.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth
One night in the middle of one of my jobs (I work on the highway), I saw what looked like an unmarked cop car (white Crown Vic w/ tinted glass) surrounded by patrol cars w/ their lights on. I later talked to one of to officers who made the stop and he told me the guy was "creepy". He was dressed in black BDU's w/ a CHP hat. The car was equipped w/ radios, cameras and strobe lights. Inside the car was handcuffs, tazer, and a bunch of video tapes w/ women's names on them. The guy was arrested for impersonating an officer.