Professional courtesy from police at traffic stops

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2007

Has anyone else gotten leniency from the State Patrol or Police during a traffic stop? I have gotten many warnings instead of tickets when I am on my way to work or if I manage to mention my occupation. I got stopped last week, I was in uniform and when the officer found out I was a nurse he said that he'd just write down my info really quickly so I could get to work on time. He didn't even ask for my insurance card!

Yes, I have gotten "professional courtesy" ... but I consider that to be getting a warning instead of a ticket. Just being quick about ticketing me doesn't really count as professional courtesy in my book.

Crux1024 · Aug 14, 2007

I have heard from many coworkers about being let go with just a warning, because they happened to have their Hospital ID visible or scrubs on. I think its kinda funny....but very appreciated!

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2007

Yes, I only got a warning, not a ticket... :)

banditrn · Aug 14, 2007

Been pulled over many times - never given a ticket! I think they didn't want to imagine waking up in the ICU with my face staring down at them! :lol2:

bigsyis · Aug 14, 2007

I was cooking along at about 65 one night in a 45 zone on the way home from work when the blue lights appeared. Not only that, but HUGE spotlights aimed into my rearview mirrors (and thus, into my eyes) like I was a bankrobber or something. Officer came up to door, read me the riot act, then as he got a little closer, could see my badge from work. Asked me what department I worked in-told him ER, and the tune changed to pleasant music. He said that he wouldn't give me a ticket because if he was ever on a backboard looking up he didn't want to look into the face of a nurse he had given a ticket to!:wink2: He then told me to take it a little more slowly, and to be careful going home.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Aug 14, 2007

I've never been stopped while in my uniform (knock on wood) but I have had police officers as patients and they were kind enough to let me in on some secrets the local PD had. Once I had a younger (late 30's) fellow in with kidney stones and I know he was in excruciating pain. So I go in with his Dem/Phen combo (back when Dem was still used like water) and here's the ensuing conversation:

Me: "Officer, if you ever happen to stop me for speeding around town, please remember that I gave you this pain medicine."

Him: "Well, how far over the limit do you go?"

Me: "I'm a 5-over girl."

Him: "Then we'll never stop you. We don't stop you until you're 15 over."

:) :) :)

Recently I took care of a lady post c/section whose hubby is a police officer and I asked him to please let his colleagues know that if they ever stopped me, that I had taken really good care of an officer's wife (who happened to be a MICU nurse). He then told me that none of his colleagues ever ticket nurses for speeding. Sweet.

Cattitude · Aug 14, 2007

I've been stopped quite a few times and gotten off with just warnings. I've got a lead foot!

blueeyedgoose · Aug 14, 2007

OK here is my story. I live in CT but go to nursing school in Mass. I was heading out this particular morning to one of my clinical assignments doing 80 mph on the highway posted 65 mph. I was in uniform and even had my stethoscope around my neck, thank God, when I got pulled over. Officer came up to my passenger side window and tapped on the window. I lowered it and he said to me, "Did you know that you were doing 80mph?" I innocently replied, "Gee, no officer I am simply a nursing student going to work." He asked me where I work, I told him, he took my driver's license and registration and walked back to his unmarked car. he came back and told me that at 15 mph over the speed limit it normally would be a $250.00 fine but seeing that I was a nurse he was just going to give me a warning this time but if he ever saw me speeding again he would give me a ticket. When ever I go by his spot on the highway and see him sitting there I wave to him but I also obey the speed limit. I'd love to hear more stories about this!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2007

I'm originally from Southern California, and have received 5 traffic tickets out of that state (during the years of 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). I first received my driver's license in 1999, when I was 18 years old. I will readily admit that I have a lead foot, because I love to drive 80 to 90 miles per hour on the freeways.

I moved to Texas in late 2005, and have been stopped 3 times by the police. However, I have managed to escape with a warning each and every time. I was wearing my work clothing during 2 of these stops, while wearing my regular street clothes at 1 of these encounters with the authorities. I don't want to speak too soon, but I have never received a traffic ticket out of Texas. I've gotten away with verbal warnings each and every time, up to this point.

woody62, RN · Aug 14, 2007

Good grief, where do you guys live? I got pulled over by an unmarked NYS trooper, out of uniform, just before getting my toll ticket. He took my license, insurance and registration. And kept me waiting until another trooper, in a marked car and in uniform came up and gave me a ticket for going twenty miles over the speed limit. And I was on my way to work and in uniform. I beat the ticket because my uncle, who was an NYPD detective told me, 'the trooper who gave me the ticket didn't witness the violation,' no can do. And I couldn't have been going twenty miles over the limit, my car shook too much when it hit 55 mph.

Sorry but my lead foot shows up only when I am on the Thruway or interstate. And not in uniform.

Woody:balloons:

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Aug 14, 2007

I have been pulled over twice. Once for speeding..I was super tired and didn't even notice the limit had changed..and once for expired tag..warning both times. I don't purposefully speed tho just because I'm in uniform.