Cops and Nurses

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So a lot of the nurses I have spoken with believe they have a greater chance of being given a warning, instead of a ticket, for speeding if they have their RN badge visible when they are pulled over. Who here has been pulled over on their way to or from work and been given a pass? Who has bee ticketed? Is there any truth to it?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I have been pulled over for speeding twice, both times right outside the hospital and both times I was in scrubs with my badge on. Both times I've been let off with a warning.

I've talked to cops who have said they tend to let off nurses out of professional courtesy. So yes, I definitely think there is truth to it.

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Specializes in Home health.

It actually happened to me, I was pulled over for using my phone and the police officer saw me in scrubs and my badge on and let me go with a warning. He actually asked me what I do and said he was glad he didn't give me a ticket. However, next time it happened the officer was not that nice and gave me the ticket. So I guess it also depends on the person.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

TRUE. When it was a subjective pullover, I've been lucky several times. Nothing I did was ever terrible; cops saw my ID/stethoscope, talked to me and then said to be careful. I've never argued with them, nor had I asked for consideration. But they were good guys .And I believe I've tried NOT to repeat the same problems again.

However, if they enter you in the computer and there is a problem, they can't help it and they have to write the ticket. When cops are behind you randomly waiting at a red light, they'll just enter your plates into the computer just for a what-if. Well, one time, I totally forgot my registration - my Dad was having major cardiac surgery and when the registration came in the mail, I just put it aside & forgot about it. So when a cop behind me put my plates into the computer, car was unregistered. The cop was cool and wrote the ticket for the least offense possible, otherwise, I would have had to been towed & miss work that nite.

I was stupefied. I was so upset that I wasn't registered. It wasn't the cop's fault. I just didn't renew - MY FAULT. So I did deserve it. I was so annoyed at myself - duh! $54 worth of duh!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I was pulled over one night on the way to work and once on the way home. I got a ticket both times. He wrote it for a lower offense each time, but I was still ticketed.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

Both my parents were cops, neither gave tickets to nurses unless it was something really outrageous.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I got pulled over for speeding...after the officer wrote me a ticket, he asked where I was coming from and I told him I worked at the hospital down the street. He then told me "well if you said something earlier maybe we could have worked something out. Too late now." But you never asked! :crying2:

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I've been let go once by a state trooper for speeding and then I did receive a ticket by another state trooper for speeding, but he gave me the least amount he could and I was going way over the speed limit so I probably deserved that one. But the time I got the ticket, my badge wasn't visible but I was wearing scrubs. The time I didn't get a ticket my badge was visible.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I've usually been given a warning to slow down if I am wearing scrubs. I've always gotten the ticket / citation if I am pulled over while wearing my street clothes.

Some nurses keep a cheap stethoscope wrapped around their interior rear view mirror so the police will know that the driver works in healthcare.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
I've usually been given a warning to slow down if I am wearing scrubs. I've always gotten the ticket / citation if I am pulled over while wearing my street clothes.

Some nurses keep a cheap stethoscope wrapped around their interior rear view mirror so the police will know that the driver works in healthcare.

Uh ...be careful about hanging anything in your windows. You can be ticketed for obstructed view - nothing is supposed to be hanging. So a cop really did tell me so.

I've known folk with Handicap Cards being cited because they didn't remove the card (like in the instructions) and left them hanging while driving.

So I've taken to the habit of leaving one of those nerdy pocket holders with scissors & hemostat with an old ID badge sitting on my dashboard - not obstructing any view. But if anyone out there is doing something REALLY STUPID or DANGEROUS, they deserve a ticket. PLEASE! Don't jeopardize me or mine or anyone else innocent!

And to any cops on this site (I'm sure there are some out there) or to any members who are relatives or sig. others of cops/law enforcement, THANK YOU/THANK THEM for what you/they do. And thank you for the 'professional courtesies' too.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

There's no reason to get a pass from a police officer, since you (global "you") should be following the rules of the road. We aren't special; drive safely!

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I was called in to the OR for an emergency testicular torsion and was pulled over for speeding. I told the cop where I was going and why. He let me go with a verbal warning. I think it's true that nurses and cops have a special comradery but regardless try and behave! Lol..

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