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You're not going to guess what I got pulled over for

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

Yesterday, on my way to an appointment, I got pulled over by the police.  I was surprised because I couldn't think of anything I had done wrong.  I wasn't speeding and hadn't gone through a red light.

So, believe it or not, I got pulled over for holding my GPS in my hand and looking down at it.  I had lost the suction cup thing a while back and I was told not to use this anyway because people look for those marks on your dashboard and if they see them they will break into your car and steal your GPS.

I asked the officer what I was supposed to do and he said either get a new suction cup or don't use the GPS.  (Personally, I think not using the GPS is more dangerous as you are trying to find your way, but I wasn't abt to argue as he was deciding whether or not to give me a ticket).

Then, he asks me what's going on with all the samples in my car. I explained that I own my owning flooring store so I bring samples to my customer's homes.  He then said, we you can't have the magnets on the outside of your car unless it's registered as a commercial vehicle.  So, I'm now feeling sick to my stomach and even worse since I can't seem to find the registration to my car, so I'm thinking 3 tickets, how wonderful.

So as he's looking up my info, I remove my magnets from my car and I think he sees I'm trying to do the right thing.

Thankfully, he just gave me a warning.

So, then I shared what happened with one of my friends and how I might get commercial plates.  He then reminded me, that's fine, but then you can't go on the Merritt Parkway or the other parkways (which might include the Saw Mill and who knows what...basically half the highways I drive on). You know some of these rules are so stupid.  I'm just trying to run an honest small business.  That's it.

Comments(42)

Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Hmmm. I figured that you couldn't look down at the GPS because the police would think you were texting. I used magnets on the outside of my vehicle for well over a year and never heard or thought anything about it.

Mar 04, 2011 12:11 PM
Vickie Slade
Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO
Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Debbie, who knew you could get pulled over for using a GPS.  What happens when you take it off of the suction cup to enter an address?

And the magnets.....who knew you had to be registered as a commercial vehicle.  Amazing.

Mar 04, 2011 12:12 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Ellen - Thx.  Well at least now lots of other people know.

Eric - I have a hunch he prob thought it was a cell phone or something.

Vickie - I know, I never knew and it never would have occurred to me.

Mar 04, 2011 12:34 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

YUP!!! They are looking to get their quotas done!  But seriously - it can be a distraction to be holding your phone - even if its for GPS.  Good job you only got a  warning.

Mar 04, 2011 03:42 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Debbie - So sorry you had all that trouble .... that is just crazy.  Rules, rules, rules and some are so ridiculous!!!

Mar 04, 2011 04:09 PM
Lori Cain
Own Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

Damn Debbie - you need to go buy a bottle of Mudslides and stay in for a day!!  GOOD LUCK!

Mar 04, 2011 04:20 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

At first I thought that the GPS was mistaken for a cell phone.  Here, we can't drive and use a cell, which is a pretty good rule.  OMIGOSH, you can't hold a GPS in your hand?  The the magnet advertising your business??  Glad you only got a warning, but what an intrusion.  You're just trying to make a living.  I can't see how having magnets on your car is such an offense.

Mar 04, 2011 05:47 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I think government has gotten WAAAYYY out of hand. Those rules are just plain stupid. Are real estate agents not allowed signs on their cars either?

I agree that those idiots need to be out there catching bad guys - but picking on a woman trying to be an honest citizen is a whole lot safer.

But, you were lucky. In the nearest large city to where I live, the cops have been shooting innocent people - and not even losing their jobs for it. There was another one in the news just yesterday.

I'm glad I live in the woods.

Mar 04, 2011 08:57 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Ruthmarie - Yes, I guess they are.  However, it wasn't a phone.  It was a standard GPS.

Lynda - Yes, it does make you wonder where their priorities are.

DeeDee - yes, it's a bit crazy.  So many rules, it's hard to keep up.

Lori - Now, that's a great idea!

Carla - I know on the magnets.  Crazy.  I'll get the velcro for the GPS.

Marte - Wow, now that's just plain crazy.

Mar 04, 2011 09:53 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

My phone is my GPS and it talks to me.  With my new car it talks to me via Sync, which is way cool.  So I don't have to look anywhere.

As to the "commercial" plates - those are because you are so special "they" want to get an extra fee (read that tax) from you!  You special thing you.  Being in business and contributing to the local (state) economy - what are you thinking?

Mar 04, 2011 10:35 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Jay - Oh, I know they just want more money.  That's why it's so extra annoying.

Mar 04, 2011 10:59 PM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Debbie -- Commercial vehicles used to be allowed on the Merritt within a size restriction. Guess that's been changed.  In CT I see mag signs on non-commercial vehicles frequently.  Never even thought if they're allowed or not.  How about using a license plate frame with your business name or a back window decal with your website address?  It really makes you wonder when you get stopped for such frivolous 'infractions' when there's a heck of a lot more serious stuff that needs to be watched.  Sorry it happened to you.

Mar 05, 2011 09:17 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Ye, it really does make you wonder.  Thx for the tips and I need to look things up.  I have a tiny car, so maybe it would still be allowed.  I need to check both states - NY and CT since I'm in both all the time.

Mar 05, 2011 10:04 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I had never heard about the law that you needed a commercial license to display magnetic car signs.  I wonder if that applies here in California.  I need to look that up.  Especially, since Larry also mentions it is the law in his state too.

Mar 05, 2011 10:51 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Myrl - It prob. differs by state.  I guess better safe than sorry and I'm glad that this post is helping others to avoid what I just went through.

Mar 05, 2011 10:59 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Valerie - Yes, it does talk, so I can listen, but there are plenty of roads where I can't tell easily where it wants me to go without looking at it.  But, I'll try the velcro.

Mar 06, 2011 02:03 AM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Debbie - OY VEY!!!  What a day!  So glad it ended better than you thought it would.  Interesting thing about the car magnets.  Hmmm.....never heard that before and am wondering if it is a NY/CT thing.  For what it's worth, we all go through days like that.  Good thing you have AR to "talk" after a day like that because we can all relate.  Have a good week Debbie.  :)

Mar 06, 2011 10:56 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Donne - It's prob. a state thing, but I will need to research it...in my "spare time."  You're right, I am lucky to have this place to vent.

Mar 06, 2011 11:29 AM
Phyllis Lerner call 914.438.7556
Corcoran Legends Realty - Tarrytown, NY
Corcoran Legends Realty

I am glad he let you off with a warning... however, all these silly rules and regulations about the signs on your car... what's that all about?

Mar 07, 2011 05:28 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Thx Phyllis.  I don't know...research for next weekend.  I need to make sure I'm not going to get any tickets.

Mar 07, 2011 08:39 AM