Just want to share and vent my frustration. I was driving to work on 22E in Westminister (Orange County) area in my NSX. Pulled over by a motorcycle cop that sat on the side of the freeway. By the time I saw him holding the radar gun, I knew it was too late. I was going with the flow of traffic, but I was the lead car in the pack, and ofcourse the car looks fast.., so I must be going fast theory applied.
When he caught up to me and flashed the lights, I was coming up to the merge with 405N, and I didn't think it was save to pull aside at that point. In addition, the side curb looked to be only 1/2 car width, and I did not want to pull over with 1/2 of my car sitting in a freeway lane. So I drove through the merge, and pulled along side about 1/2 mile down from the merge, which is probably about ~1 mile from when he first flashed me. I guess somewhere around the merge, he sounded the siren, so by the time he stopped behind me, I heard the blaring siren.
Upon walking up to my car, he asked why I didn't stop when he first flashed me, and I explained that I did not feel safe to pull over and park in the middle of the freeway, and also, I did not feel safe to pull over close to 2 freeway merging point, thus, I looked for the next safe spot to pull over. Cop asked how do I know if the spot is safe or not, and why I did not stop when he flashed me.
I explained AGAIN why I did not feel safe..., to which he asked me if I was trained in determining what is considered 'safe' spot to pull over on the freeway, to which I replied no. His response was that the cops are trained to look for safe spots, and that I needed to pull over at the point when he flashed me.
Keeping to the rules of not making big scene when pulled over, I don't think any good would come out of arguing with this guy over a moot point, so I politely stated that I do not want to argue over this point, and I was simply answering his question on why I did not stop at the point when he flashed me. His response to me was "Then, zip it!".
I was cited for a speeding ticket, however, thinking back on the incident. I took great offense to his attitude and disrespect. A police officer is a profession, and like any other professionals, I would never tell someon to 'zip it' in that setting. I extended my courtesy to answer his questions, and his response was completely uncalled for. I don't believe his badge gives him the right to be rude or snooty.
Talking to other friends, they reminded that cops around Westminister don't like Asians. All my life, I've hated anyone using race as a reason for any agenda. I took even bigger offense at this officer(at this point, I don't think he deserves the title of "officer") for being rude based on steretypes, or even previous experiences. So, like any other minority, "Driving While Asian" is cause for rudeness?
I am angry, but not sure at who. Myself for not being more careful while driving the NSX? I feel bad the cop has wrong impression of a particular race, maybe due to his previous experiences? I am angry that the disrespect was uncalled for, and that I did not voice my discontent out of fear of getting into more trouble with 'authority'. What is this authority that supposed to serve and protect? I am done rambling..., I'll write about ticket #2 another time.
When he caught up to me and flashed the lights, I was coming up to the merge with 405N, and I didn't think it was save to pull aside at that point. In addition, the side curb looked to be only 1/2 car width, and I did not want to pull over with 1/2 of my car sitting in a freeway lane. So I drove through the merge, and pulled along side about 1/2 mile down from the merge, which is probably about ~1 mile from when he first flashed me. I guess somewhere around the merge, he sounded the siren, so by the time he stopped behind me, I heard the blaring siren.
Upon walking up to my car, he asked why I didn't stop when he first flashed me, and I explained that I did not feel safe to pull over and park in the middle of the freeway, and also, I did not feel safe to pull over close to 2 freeway merging point, thus, I looked for the next safe spot to pull over. Cop asked how do I know if the spot is safe or not, and why I did not stop when he flashed me.
I explained AGAIN why I did not feel safe..., to which he asked me if I was trained in determining what is considered 'safe' spot to pull over on the freeway, to which I replied no. His response was that the cops are trained to look for safe spots, and that I needed to pull over at the point when he flashed me.
Keeping to the rules of not making big scene when pulled over, I don't think any good would come out of arguing with this guy over a moot point, so I politely stated that I do not want to argue over this point, and I was simply answering his question on why I did not stop at the point when he flashed me. His response to me was "Then, zip it!".
I was cited for a speeding ticket, however, thinking back on the incident. I took great offense to his attitude and disrespect. A police officer is a profession, and like any other professionals, I would never tell someon to 'zip it' in that setting. I extended my courtesy to answer his questions, and his response was completely uncalled for. I don't believe his badge gives him the right to be rude or snooty.
Talking to other friends, they reminded that cops around Westminister don't like Asians. All my life, I've hated anyone using race as a reason for any agenda. I took even bigger offense at this officer(at this point, I don't think he deserves the title of "officer") for being rude based on steretypes, or even previous experiences. So, like any other minority, "Driving While Asian" is cause for rudeness?
I am angry, but not sure at who. Myself for not being more careful while driving the NSX? I feel bad the cop has wrong impression of a particular race, maybe due to his previous experiences? I am angry that the disrespect was uncalled for, and that I did not voice my discontent out of fear of getting into more trouble with 'authority'. What is this authority that supposed to serve and protect? I am done rambling..., I'll write about ticket #2 another time.
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