Pulled over for hypermilling

[Diesel_Dave]

So this actually happened a couple weeks ago, but I haven't gotten around to posting about it until today.

So I'm on my way home from work and I'm on this section of 4 lane divided non-interstate highway. The speed limit is 60 mph. Traffic is fairly light, just a couple cars coming up a ways behind me. I'm approaching this section where there are 2 red lights about 1 mile apart. The first light is red as I approach so I coast down from about 50 mph to 30 mph and by then it changes to green and the cars that were stopped are moving along and I don't have to brake at all (excellent!).

At this point I notice there is this tan SUV coming up behind me, but nobody else and the left lane is clear so I think nothing of it. Going through the red light I pulse up to about 50 mph and begin gliding. I can now see the 2nd red light and it's on red so I'm completely content to just glide along in neutral. I get down to 40 mph or so and I notice the SUV is right behind me. I wonder why. Speed limit is 60 mph so most people would just pass me no problem. I'm thinking, "Dude, what's the deal? The left lane is clear. Just pass me already." By this point, I've coasted down to about 35 mph.

That's when I see the Christmas tree light up behind me. That tan SUV was an unmarked cop car (Sherriff actually). Great. So I pull over. The cop walks up to my window.

Cop: "Sir, are you feeling all right?"

Me: (Puzzled look on my face) "Yes, why?"

Cop: "I noticed your driving seemed a little erratic. Your speed was fluctuating a lot. Up to 55, down to 35."

Me: "Oh, the light was red. I guess I just didn't see any point in going faster just to stop at the light. I'm not really in a hurry."

Cop: "Okay, so you're feeling okay. You're not having any medical problem or anything?"

Me: "No, sir."

Cop: "All right, have a nice day."


Anybody else ever had something like this happen?

[slowmover]

Yeah, 60% of all Florida drivers.

Just tell him your wallet is causing you great pain.

.

[66sprint6]

Thats funny, but I love the outcome. I enjoy seein our finest doin what they are supposed to do, and genuine concern for public and individual safety and wellbeing has never bothered me! Ive never had it happen, most cops would just blow my doors off LOL but that is funny!
Matt

[Diesel_Dave]

Originally Posted by 66sprint6

Thats funny, but I love the outcome. I enjoy seein our finest doin what they are supposed to do, and genuine concern for public and individual safety and wellbeing has never bothered me! Ive never had it happen, most cops would just blow my doors off LOL but that is funny!
Matt

I don't really blame the guy. I mean, after I thought about it I guess P&G would kind of mimick someone having a problem like a mild siezure, or stroke, or vision problems. You might slow down until you regain you senses so to speak, then resume a "normal" speed, etc.

And really, who drives 30 mph is a 60 mph speed zone (except us)? Even granny goes at least 45 mph.

[Daox]

I agree its good to see cops doing what they're supposed to do. I'm glad you didn't get hassled. Many police threads here are about ecomodders being hassled unfortunately. Its also unfortunate that your (our) driving is so far different from the norm that it sticks out enough for there to be concern...

[Kodak]

Haha, figures something like this would happen eventually.

Reminds me of a story about a guy who got pulled over on a major highway. Cop asks him how fast he was going. Unsure, the driver responds "eh...maybe about 60 or 70."

His real speed: 7 miles per hour. He had been taking LSD.

[Diesel_Dave]

And before anybody mentions it, yes, I was coasting in neutral. That is illegal in some states but in Indiana it's only illegal on a down grade.

Here's the exact law:

IC 9-21-8-44
Coasting in neutral when traveling upon a down grade; prohibition
Sec. 44. (a) A person who drives a motor vehicle may not coast with the gears of the vehicle in neutral when traveling upon a down grade

So, since I wasn't on a down grade I wasn't doing anything illegal at the time. Not that this law prevents me from coasting in neutral when there is a down grade. Stupid law anyway.

[brucey]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Yeah, 60% of all Florida drivers.

Just tell him your wallet is causing you great pain.

.

You're telling me! Last time I was down there, I was so happy being able to see a light upto a mile ahead, so I'd start DFCO since it was red and I felt like I was going too fast to clear it. This caused people to be furious with me, even on 6(!) lane roads. Honks and people swerving around me for me to pass them at the stop light that they hurried and stopped at and then the process would start over. After the 2nd time it happened, I decided to only do it when traffic was 'light'

Dave: Good job! A cop story that doesn't get me fuming.

[ConnClark]

The cops are looking for drunk drivers this time of year. Drunks tend to drive slower than the speed limit or way above it.

[Steaming]

Good story made me chuckle.