August 2006 Archives

"Please satisfy my curiosity if you will. Why would the officers take my license as bond for a seatbelt ( I hate seatbelts) violation but not for speeding ( 3 years ago)? It just seems a little extreme to me for such a minor incident not to mention the inconvenience. I have no argument as he caught me fair and square but I don't understand the need to take the license so maybe you can help me out with this."
Thank you, Andrea

"Sgt. Ness I’m an outside sales rep. and on the roads 3 to 4 days a week. Most of my travels are on the interstates. In the last 18 months or so I’ve noticed a change in the truck driving profession. These drivers will indicate a lane change and just swing that truck over. Many times cars needing to swerve into the other lane or shoulder. These cars are maybe doing 70 or so but not accessive. I’ve been behind trucks while they’re passing another truck for 4 to 5 miles before the pass is completed and he moves back to the right lane. I’ve seen cars pass on the shoulder due to this fact. Just last week on I-80 a line of cars were behind a truck at Larkin in Joliet, we followed this truck all the way to the Minooka exit where 4 cars passed on the onramp to get by. He finally moved back to the right lane at the rest stop. Thats more than 10 miles. He passed a total of 2 trucks. Safety to me becomes an issue when cars start doing stupid things to get pass these guys. What it boils down to is the attitudes both of the truck drivers and other drivers."
Thanks, Dave

"First, thanks for this service, it is nice to be able to ask questions anonymously………. Regarding a construction zone, if the construction is on the south side of a four lane highway, not divided, are you still required to follow the construction zone speed if you are traveling north where there is no construction? What if it is late at night with no work being done? Also, what does the sign refer to as you come on to the entrance ramp to, say I88, and it reads No motor driven vehicles allowed?"
Thanks, Marge

"Hello Sergeant Ness, My car was hit about 4 months ago in a store parking lot located in Elgin. I called the local police but they told me they couldn't file a police report because the accident happen on private property. I was in the store when this took place. I got all of the information from the person who hit my car but know I'm calling her insurance company to see the status on the claim and they tell me that it's on stand by because the person who hit my car has not responded to any of the correspondence her insurance company has send her. She has not has not admit or decline the claim. I don't want to place the claim under my insurance until I'm certain that's the only way. Can you give me any advised on what my next steps should be?"
Thank you in advance, Arturo

"Below I have attached an email from Feb 2005. There seems to be a lack of enforcement regarding the use of these lights. I consider them a safety hazard when being approached by them since usually the operator of the vehicle has no clue that he is blinding oncoming traffic. Many of these lights are way out of adjustment and aimed every which way! Where's the enforcement? I'm sure that they are driving by police squads, blinding them, just like the rest of us."
GRF

"So i just got pulled over for the lisence plate cover violation..What should the fine be? money wise?"

"Sgt. Ness, My F.O.I.D. card expires in Oct. 2006, do I have to go to my local police station for a renewal form or will it be mailed to me, and if so when can I expect the renewal application. Thanks for your info."
Ralph

"Dear Officer Ness, My name is Michael Cooke and I was reading your article about license plate covers on the internet You stated in the article that “as of January 1, 2006, all license plate covers, clear or tinted, became illegal� Are you sure about this? I’m a little confused. Does this only apply to your state? I live in California. Your story is the only one that I can find like this. Here in Los Angeles I see the clear covers all the time. Are you saying that I can get pulled over just for having a clear cover on my car? I have never heard of anyone getting pulled over for this. Can you please cite the regulation in regards to this? The last thing I want is to be pulled over and fined for having a clear license plate cover on my car. The fines here are the highest in the USA. Thank you for your input. Best Regards,"