I've been pulled over 3 times this month. First I will state the obvious reason.

I was guilty and was 15 miles over two of the times. But the third time I was in a pack of cars traveling the same speed. Fortunately due quick remorseful confessions and no excuses, I've gotten by with only warnings so far.

But a friend tells me the reason I was singled out is because I have a red car. He claims studies show police are more likely to pull over red cars. White bonnet stripes on top of that probably don't help either. So is that true? I mean, do I have to go buy some spray paint and change over to Toyota beige or something like that? Say it ain't so?

 

Join the club...

 

Well, red does stick out much more than your silver, grey and beige Hondas, Toyotas and Fords. That's why I got red of my CR/W MC for a DS/DS MCS.

 

Yep, high visibility colors stick out like a sore thumb. Red and yellow are seen as "sporty" colors and cops will probably tend to clock people in those cars more. MINI is already a highly visible car, having red paint is like yelling "Look at me, look at me!" lol Or the trooper is jealous of your car :smile:

 

3 times in 1 month???? "Ticket Me Red"

I drive a stealthy DS/bl MCS. And the last time I was pulled over for speeding was 1/1/1977... yes, it was 8:15 on New Year's Day in -30 wind chill weather in Madison, Wisconsin. In that weather I don't think anything is capable of moving 12 miles over speed limit.

That's 328 months and counting.

 

That's why I chose silver....they don't even notice me when I pass them

 

I have a CR Cooper with nose to tail racing stripes. In 43k miles and 22 states, I've yet to be pulled over for any reason. I usually drive 10 mph over the limit on highways but i keep it down in residential areas.

If I wanted to blend in with all those grey hondas and toyotas I would have just bought one.

 

I had a Mustang GT convertible for ten years and it was red with a black top and lowered. I was not pulled over once in almost 80k of driving. I don't think it's the color but sorry to say this, one's bad luck at the moment.

 

That's why you never buy a red car.

 

I've been told by a cop that if there is pack of cars all speeding more than likely they will pick out the one whose color stands out the most.
Unfortunate but I guess true. I have a CR/W MC as well. Pulled over twice, talked my way out of it both times.

 

So, it must be a combination of bad luck, red, and interest in the car. (Never mind that I was speeding. ).

The last time I got a ticket was 1n 1991 on a nearly empty 4 land in North Carolina. I had the cruise set at 57 so didn't even bother to slow down two ore miles when I saw a pair of troopers stopped and chatting on the overpass. To my shock one did pull up and ticket me. After giving it to me he told me he'd been on vacation and needed to work hard to catch up. The word quota comes to mind. I can't even remember another one since the 1970s besides that. My Mini is worth the loss of luck though.

Interest in the Mini is because all three asked about it and gave it a good look over.

If it happens again maybe I should just say I think they are discriminating against red cars...wait, bad idea.

 

No discrimination at all.......some of us have friends in high places and we know how to make our feelings known out in the boonies.......word is out.......keep at it.....make my day.......also....look up a couple of three posts.....know what I mean??

 

I love the CR, but I got the PS for this reason. "Arrest Me Red" is really true. But red is usually a good resale color.

I have also found that the younger you are, the more police officers tend to hassle you. One of the nice things about getting older is getting "warnings" and not getting pulled over nearly as much as when I was in my teens.

Regards,
Red

 

From what I've read, yellow attracts more attention then red.

BTW, I once lit up my old mustang and coming the opposite way was cop car. Once I saw him, I put the cluth in and coasted by him. He was looking but didn't turn around and light me up.

But I did get pulled over in my wife's old red celica. I was speeding and it was obvious.

Age does have something to do with. I once got pulled over twice by the same cop in a green datsun 1200 when I was in my teens.

 

Hey In Iowa Y:

Lemme tell ya what we're all thinkin ...

Better you than me!



_________________
BLUBELLE - 9/02 production 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley and CAI, Unichip PnP ECU, Moss Skid Plate, Rear Fogs, Chrome Trim Interior. Motoring since 10/18/02.
I V-1 do you?

 

>>Age does have something to do with.

I really agree, especially living in a region where college students are considered prey for the tax base. When they walk up and see I'm older "solid citizen" just having an age crisis they soften. When the last trooper asked about the car, I said he had evidence it's too fast for me (the solid citizen role). He laughed, slapped me on the arm (brutality charges to be filed ) and said that shows we are both just getting old. An older rodder identifying with another one?

MGCMAN, thanks for putting into words what others were too reticent to say. And, yup, pktrkt, the tree poles up rule is a good one to remember. That's much better than having a blow up doll in the back, claiming she is pregnant and being rushed to the hospital. That's never worked for me yet.

 

don't you think it's human nature to pick the most interesting car among an otherwise boring group of vehicles???? I mean, if you had the choice of stopping a Dodge Minivan or an unusual looking Red sports car, what would you decide? You are EXTREMELY lucky to have only gotten warnings: face it, you/we drive cop magnets.

 

face it, you/we drive cop magnets.

Last weekend I visited friends in another town. I do remember several women somewhat in their cups saying my Mini was cute but that's it. Then I got an e-mail from one of the friends saying the car is definitely a "chick magnet".

Yeah, well cop magnet seems to me to be a better description so far, and not even cute female troopers so far.

 

Did you ever wonder why fire trucks are red???? Yep red does stand out. But bottom line is....if you ain't speedin, they can't stop ya.

That being said, I just bought me a new Valentine One radar detector, just in case I forget to maintain the speed limit. On a recent 1300 mile road trip, the V1 paid for itself about 6 different times during the trip. :smile:

Instant on radar is a whole different story. If you are hit with the instant on, its game over in most cases.

 

I got my first ticket in my S... and that was BEFORE I painted it. Just had a huge Italian Job decal on the bonnet.

 

Red does stand out, however if you invest in a radar detector then you can limit your speeding. Also if you are always driving like a bat out of hell, then you will draw more attention to youself. Keep it stealthy... keep it safe. You dont want to wrap your mini around a pole.... Keep your eyes peeled for the PO-lice.

As for radar detector-- I have the passport 7500s, hardwired. Not the best of the best on the market, but it does the job for me. Limited interference. Accuracy is pretty good!!! Haven't been pulled over since I got it. Happy motoring...