Ticketed: UNSAFE TOWING DEVICE

[NedF]

I remember when cars had real bumpers, you could strap an old tire to the front of the push vehicle and push the broken-down car to where every it needed to go!

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[MakinDoForNow]

I wonder how many of you bothered to watch the OP's video in post #68, where he re-created the tow. At the 6 second mark, he is off the freeway, and on an exit ramp. At the 8-9 second mark, there are clearly opportunities to move off the road. He continued thru a traffic signal and a couple more turns.
I wonder if he had pulled over earlier, instead of continuing on, if the ticket would have been written? Or, like he mentioned, actually talked to the LEO, rather than waving and continuing?

HRG

This reminds me of the time in late 70's. I went to Houston to visit my uncle in his office. He was late, me and two of his workers were having coffee with TV on. My uncle had bumped someone on loop 610. Put his car into R instead of P and rapidly exited to ask the lady driving the car he had hit if she was OK. On TV the news helicopter was showing my uncle trying to catch his car doing donuts in reverse with the driver's door wide open. Somehow traffic cleared all lanes for about 300 feet. Wish I had that video!!!!

 

[mspmms]

LOL I always love the I got busted for violating X equals freedom is gone.

In all seriousness -> Good on the OP for helping this stranded motorist!

 

[Walter56]

Citations like these just show how the deployment of common sense by law enforcement isn't for all of them. This is a citation I would never write, especially if someone is helping another off the busy hwy to a safer location.

Thank you. We need more peace officers and less macho men with badges

 

[Rich_Meh]

Sounds like Barney Fife pulled you over.

 

[JMJB]

...Laws ....

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

...Laws ....

LAWS
The reason lawmakers have a job.
If they didn't sit around making laws...

...there would be no justification for their job.
Think about it.

 

[daddio211]

She obviously owns a Santa Cruz.

 

[m5040]

You could go to court, though yourself on the mercy of the Judge. Tell him you thought is was an emergency and needed to remove the vehicle from the road ASAP. The officer appears to be new to her job and didn't recognize the severity of the situation just like she didn't realize your vehicle is a 4-door with no rear hatch and that you were not towing a trailer as her ticket indicates, but actually a motor vehicle. If your are polite and apologetic he should void the ticket. Don't put the cop down, just point out the discrepancies.

 

[BillHanna]

A few years ago, my buddy ran off the road and down an embankment on his Harley. When the Virginia State Police arrived, we asked if I could pull it back up the hill with my truck (using a 30 foot nylon strap), and he could have cared less. We actually had the strap across the (not very busy) road to get him out.
I was surprised; this would not have been allowed in Pennsylvania.

 

[am_fm_radio]

Show the judge that Ford has towing ratings on the Maverick... So it can tow and you did your best...
Middle lane?!?!? Serious hazard. Ask the cop how many people lives you saved by your quick action..

 

[Maverick County XL]

Plead not guilty and speak with the prosecuting attorney before the hearing — 9/10 it gets tossed. Maybe the cop didn’t realize you were a Good Samaritan. If it doesn’t get tossed make sure the local newspaper writes about it.

 

[Steve Wolf]

Skip the lawyer. Here is transportation code.
https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-545-409/
If the tow strap was longer than 15 feet, inadequate size, or missing a white flag, it is in violation of the transportation code.

That's what I hoped would be posted! If you are on the wrong side of those requirements, you're wasting your time.

UNLESS ...

The person you helped raises holy hell at the Texas City council meetings, publicly with the chief of police on social media, on the news, and in any other way. The only way to move a cop off a ticket that looks a lot like he needed to fulfill his department's monthly quota requirements is via intense social pressure.

Raising holy hell on the Texas City Reddit, Facebook, and other social media accounts is a very effective way of non-violent protest.

 

[TomD]

The officer ticked my Maverick as an “UNSAFE TOWING DEVICE”…

All cause I pulled up in front of a little old lady broke down in the middle lane of I-45 and towed her Cherokee off the highway into the Bucees parking lot.

AND SHE CALLED IT BABY BLUE!
AND SHE CALLED IT A HATCHBACK!

It’s hard enough holding onto my man card driving a mini truck without an officer belittling it.

Well this is turning into a theater and hollering fire.
I vote for following with lights until everyone is safe. If so needed educate the tower, That would do a lot more for community relations than a ticket that will most likely cost well above $100. I bet that the officer was new and doesn’t know the power of discretion.

 

[Stickies]

Well, all y'all, it's Texas! Stop'em, ticket'em, and court'em.

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