Hi Randy -
I was stopped tonight in Downers Grove. The officer stated he was stopping me because he did not see my seat belt on, keep in mind it was 11:55 PM and kind of dark. I do respect that the officer is doing his job and I am not upset over this. What I am a bit peeved about is that he wrote a warning citation to me and told me it was for "improper use of a seat belt".
I have a smaller car and wear the shoulder belt under my arm as it chokes me otherwise. There are no adjustments to raise or lower the belt.
I went to the state website and looked up 625 ILCS 5, Section 12-603.1. It simply states,"Each driver and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt".
My question is... was the officer right when he issued a warning citation for "failure to wear seat belt " (that is what the ticket states)? I do know that this is only a warning and not a moving violation. I guess I am more curious than anything.
Thanks for your help.
Chris
December 2007 Archives
Officer Ness,
I was reading your article about 2 or more citations being a mandatory appearance. I am in a similar situation, I was issued a citation for speeding, and for not having proof of insurance in my vehicle. I wasn't given the option for an I Bond. I was asked for a certain amount of cash, a bond card, or my drivers license. I didn't have the cash, and didn't know what a Bond card was, so reluctantly I gave my drivers license. Is there anyway that I can show that I have insurance, and pay the speeding ticket before my court date. I travel often for business and can not afford to be with out my drivers license for a month and a half, which is when my court date has been set. If you know of an alternative avenue it would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
Is it illegal to drive with amber lights on your car if you just have them on for the looks and have no real use for them?
Hi,
A buddy of mine recently purchased a used police car mainly to get to
and from college. The car has no police markings what so ever, but
has 2 spot lights still on the sides of the windshield. I was
wondering if it was illegal to have 1 or even 2 spotlights still on
the car.
Thanks,
-Ben
Randy,
I have a special situation I'd like to run by you. I'm CURRENTLY a Los Angeles Police Officer-Part time. However, I have just moved to Illinois but do not plan to quit my LAPD position. As fate would have it, my regular full time work involves extensive travel back to Southern California. During these frequent trips I plan to continue doing my minimum shift requirements (2 per month) with LAPD. So in other words, I am an active (fully sworn & Licensed) LAPD Ofcr residing in Illinois.... Do I have any issues to be concerned with as far as "carrying" off duty (especially in light of HR 218).
Of course I always have my Law Enfircement Credentials with me to authenticate my status...
Regards,
JS
PS. In California certain Part time officers, like myself, have Full Law Enforcement Licensing identicle to the 40 hour officers. There's no difference in my Law Enforcement powers and responsibilities on or off duty.
