As expected, no hard and fast rules govern police interactions with motorcycle riders. Even if you’ve been stopped by police and interacted very well, you might encounter an officer with different approaches or beliefs. You may have to deal with a cop who doesn’t like it when people smile at him or talk back to him. That is why we wonder, Do Cops Chase Motorcycles?
It is common to see a police officer pull a motorcyclist over for no reason. While this may seem scary, it is just one example of how often police misbehave with motorcyclists. They pull them over to break the speed limit at their discretion or sometimes for no reason. They harass them by making them take an extended driving test with a heavy fine attached if they fail. It’s like a constant war against motorcyclists with the police.
Do you wonder why there is such a conflict between law enforcement and motorcyclists? Well, that’s what this article will teach you about. We must know what our laws and regulations prohibit us from doing on a motorcycle and the road rules. Understanding these variables and how they could change based on the Officer’s emotions and the environment can help! This way, you can make your interactions much less hostile and ride without stress on the open road!
So, take a black coffee and enjoy reading on!
Why Should You Not Try to Run Away From The Cops?
No one wants to get caught breaking traffic laws; you know the consequences of getting ticketed. The police are unable to catch up with someone who rides that fast. Also, you might think they can’t chase what they can’t catch, right? In this case, running away is often an excellent idea for many.
Now, if you’re running because you don’t want to pay a ticket, chances are the Officer will not stop and continue to pursue you.
They may offer to let you off with a warning in case of minor traffic violations – but that’s it. However, these officers take their jobs seriously and always ticket the person who runs. The most severe result of running from the police is that you can lose your license or even get a jail term.
We don’t recommend that you flee from the police. Common sense, right? We would never suggest running from a cop if you’re driving your little sports bike and see blue or red lights behind you on the highway above the speed limit.
The law states that you will get ticketed if you stop by the police and are responsible for any crime. For example, Suppose you flee. In that case, your chances of getting charges decreases because you will have to prove that you did not commit any crime.
Many people don’t know that fleeing the police is illegal. Suppose you attempt to escape in any vehicle, including your car or motorcycle. In the meantime, officers have probable cause to believe you are committing a traffic violation.
In that case, the Officer can chase you down. The Officer has the right to pursue, fight or arrest you for attempting to avoid apprehension. Fleeing from the police can result in several charges – from reckless driving to assault on a peace officer, depending on how fast you were going and what other charges were applicable at that time.
Understand How to Behave With Police as Motorcyclists
Driving in congested traffic or in “no-pursuit” areas, where police can’t chase you onto the roadway, is much more dangerous than most riders think. Most riders are unaware of the threat posed by a driver around. Some noob motorists don’t hesitate to endanger others around them if they feel their vehicle.
If you ever face a motorcycle accident or police charge for no reason, try to get to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Also, if your two-wheeler is registered to your home address or somewhere you live, the police radio out your description and plate number. All other law enforcement will be looking for you. Even if they don’t know who you are or put a report on the radio, another officer is already looking for bikes matching their description (they may not know it’s yours).
So, instead of even thinking about running away, here’s what you should always do as a motorcyclist:
Keep Your Documents With You
Firstly, Cops can’t chase motorcycles without any legal reason. When stopped by police or state trooper, keep your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance in a visible place. The Officer may ask to see these documents if stopped for any reason other than a traffic violation or motorcycle safety inspection.
If you have anything unusual with your documents (such as invalidity or missing information), don’t try to hide it! Show them what they’re looking for and let them take care of things from there.
Motorcyclists have all the same rights and protections as other lawful occupants of vehicles—this includes being required by law to drive and ride safely at all times. When a motorcycle operator violates the Motorcycle Operator Statutes or ADOTAS Compliant Motorcycle portion of our driver policy, the police will issue a ticket for that violation.
Behave Nicely
When riding on the roadway, it is essential to remember that you are sharing space with other vehicles and pedestrians. Be courteous and use caution when passing or making turns.
If you encounter a situation where you feel a threat to your safety, do not try to flee or resist arrest; instead, calmly provide your identification and location information.
Remember: if police suspect a person of criminal activities, they may take appropriate measures to ensure your safety.
Above all, remember that being a responsible motorcyclist is just one component of safe driving. Always wear a helmet and follow the basic rules of the road — even when going a couple of miles. There are some states where you can ride motorcycles without a helmet but in most cases, wearing safety gear are necessary.
Motorcycle operators have just as much responsibility when they violate traffic laws as any other road driver. Be sure to get ample training in safely operating your motorcycle, and always use common sense when on the roadway.
Consequences of Running Away From The Police
Fleeing the police on a motorcycle is never the wisest choice; it can have dire consequences. You risk having no cage around you to protect yourself and your family. Yes, cops chase motorcycles – but not always for suspicion! Sometimes, they just might be trying to inform you something.
If you get caught running from the police, there’s a chance of being responsible financially for your actions. If other drivers or pedestrians get any damage by your actions, criminal charges could also apply against you. Up to 10 years in prison could result from these charges.
Penal Law 270.35, Unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree, can apply to you. It is a class D felony, with a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison. In such cases, you can also be responsible for other charges like vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and traffic offenses. Therefore, Lawyers and other motorcyclists never advise fleeing from the police on a motorcycle.
If you have escaped from the police on a vehicle and are facing criminal charges and serious injuries, please call experienced motorcycle attorneys for a free consultation. They may be able to help.
One of The Greatest Cases of Motorcyclists Running From The Police
Scott v. Harris is a strong case anchoring the principle: police officers don’t have the power to chase a fleeing motorist with deadly force unless there is probable cause for the person’s danger. The court held that there was no sufficient reason to pursue a suspect initially. The police could only continue pursuit at their discretion if they suspected the suspect intended to harm people or himself.
The case of Scott involved a police officer attempting to apprehend a suspected burglar. The court stated that the officers were justified in shooting at the fleeing suspect when it was ascertained that his vehicle posed a serious threat to other motorists on the street. He continued driving recklessly and in a manner that endangered the lives of others.
According to the police report, Harris’ car traveled 73 miles per hour in a 50-mile-per-hour zone. It is a highway where they lost track of him. The ofOfficeraw the black car driving down the road and tried to approach it, but it sped off before he could get close enough to stop it.
The ofOfficerater noticed a car at a gas station and began his search for Harris there. He found him in the parking lot, trying to open his door without keys or shoes. Harris jumped in the driver’s seat of another vehicle and stole it immediately. Then, he started driving away again at speeds faster than 85 mph on an interstate highway.
Harris was a dangerous man responsible for three people’s death. Then, The ofOfficer’secision to PIT Harris’ car led to Harris’ developing quadriplegia. The PIT technique caused the fleeing vehicle to veer off the road, crash, and flip. Harris developed quadriplegia.
What Was The Ultimate Consequence?
Justice Scalia stated that Harris endangered the lives of others. The Officer was justified in executing the PIT technique on Harris’s car. He had no fear for his life and showed no fear of death or threats to himself when he came out of his car.
However, 85 miles per hour is still quite a reasonable speed. However, many motorsports bikes are capable of reaching speeds above that threshold. In other words, don’t just think that everything will be fine if you own these bikes. They are racing machines designed to do the maximum possible to make the most outright performance.
If the police conduct a car chase with deadly force and injure you, like spike strips and a PIT technique, it would be an uphill fight in court to recover for such an injury.
Also, note that the police should be very cautious when trying to terminate a chase with lousy weather and dangerous conditions. If they do not follow proper protocol and make good judgment calls, they will face a lot of liability in court for the entire incident.
However, cops chasing motorcycles has become a typical picture in the US. Remember that if you are not a criminal – no one has the right to ticket you. Therefore, don’t do anything wrong while riding; ensure you take all the safety precautions: hand signals, traffic signals, and so on. In this way, no one, including law enforcement, can legally throw you into trouble.