Lifted and police attention?

[jjdbike]

Okay so this may sound really silly, but as a commuter I can’t help but notice that it seems like there is some bias as to who and what vehicles get pulled over more frequently.

I don’t know if there is any credible research as to what vehicles get more tickets. One significant confounding factor would be some people who by certain type of vehicles, or do certian mods may tend to drive more aggresively.

My question is, has anyone noticed or even considered wheather lifted 4x4’s get more law inforcement attention then stock vehicles? One assumable answer is anything that attracts more attention.... Also, if one dosen’t give them a reason...

This is in no way intendning any disrespect towards any law enforment agents who risk their lives daily to keep us safe.

Just wondering.
JD

 

[Freyer]

I have a broad spectrum of vehicles...Modified Subaru STI, the lifted 4Runner, modified R6, and a Subaru Crosstrek. I don't get any more or less attention in any of the vehicles...Unless I'm speeding in any one of them.

 

[zoombyu86]

I have my 3rd gen, a 2014 mazda6 which looks "sporty" with dark windows and lowered, and 3 bikes ranging from a vintage Honda to gsxr600 to RC-51. I never have a problem in any. I feel like cops dont even notice me, 99% of the time I'm also doing 5mph + or - the speed limits. the other 1% I'm raping my gsxr or RC51 to 120+ until im deathly afriad of being ripped off.

With that said, you're not getting pulled over unless you're doing something illegal or have something illegal (5% tint).

 

[Yukon4Runner]

My question is, has anyone noticed or even considered wheather lifted 4x4’s get more law inforcement attention then stock vehicles? One assumable answer is anything that attracts more attention.... Also, if one dosen’t give them a reason...
JD

It could also be an observational bias...you probably notice lifted vehicles on the road more often in general than the average person. So the times you see them pulled over are overly-weighted in your memory.

Or you just come from a part of the country where there are a lot of lifted 4x4s and the cops in that area do in fact have a thing for them.

On the I-95 stretch in southern RI the state troopers are always out there with speed traps and they particularly target out of state plates. In Taliaferro county, just west of Augusta, GA the county mounties love to keep their patch of I-20 nice and safe.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Ancient Japanese proverb say: The nail that stands out gets hammered. :bounce:

In all honesty if that was the case its probably more "people that modify their vehicles are more likely to have mods that aren't road legal/road worthy"

I used to get pulled over at least once every two weeks, but I was a young guy in a smart import (Soarer twin turbo.. Basically an SC300/400 with a 1JZ.. but we never got the SC over here in that shape) and it just attracted attention.

 

[el_kab0ng]

You're probably more likely to get profiled having subversive bumper stickers than you are having mods on your vehicle.

 

[cbielat]

Never had a problem

 

[Seattle206]

When I got pulled over I noticed the cop walking up to my car checking out my stickers(firearm companies) on my rear window before he approached my window.

 

[05Rrunner]

Police are just normal human beings, if you drive something more noticeable they will notice you more. That's the point of customizing a truck or car is to be noticed more. A police officer once told me when I was hot rodding around got pulled over and I asked why he was picking on me and my friends with the loud mufflers and jacked up trucks he said very simply you guys "just stand out " and "we are trained to notice and look for things out of the ordinary, you guys always drive something not ordinary "

 

[Beer.runner3]

I'll tell you what, I have a black 2013 built Jetta with 315 hp with custom turbo work and a home built exhaust with x-pipe, and since I just got my 3rd gen., I'll use my old Jeep TJ as an example, 2001 jeep TJ with a 345 Hemi swap with about 420 hp, 6 inch lift, 35s and geared and as loud as a straight-pipe Hellcat or maybe a crazy trophy truck, yet I usually did 75-80 in a 65(don't judge me) in the Jeep, but whenever I got a ticket(3 total in 2 years vs. 0 in8 years in Jeep) in the Jetta, it was only for a couple miles over(some damn BS if you ask me). I guess that people usually draw away from thinking a lifted truck/suv would be doing crazy stuff on roads(except driving drunk off course) because its mostly the little cars that can dodge traffic and sports cars for 'obvious" reasons. And notice, Jetta is black and Jeep was black, so not colors that attract attention especially at night.:typing:Thats my research.

 

[jjdbike]

Thanks for that, Beer. Interesting for sure.
I suppose the take home here is, don't give'em a reason.
It's good to hear that you guys don't feel targeted due to lift.
Thanks everyone.
JD

 

[Unner]

Been pulled over once, I was stock then, my window tint was too dark from the previous owner. Not stock now and haven't had an issue. Just don't do anything wrong and you'll really have nothing to worry about.

 

[Thai]

IF you lift, then PLEASE ADJUST YOUR HEADLIGHTS! Thank you.:thumb:

 

[toppyjai]

drive normal and use your signals, you'll never have a problem.

 

[Jernik]

The majority of vehicles I see pulled over are older, beat up, paint faded, each rim is different type of vehicles. It's never the new BMW that just flew by at 70 in a 30...

 

[DaPole]

As has been stated, if you're driving normally, you shouldn't be pulled over any more or less than someone who's not lifted. Now, if your vehicle stands out, and you're driving with reckless abandon, then you're probably more likely to be pulled over than someone in a stock vehicle. It's just the whole aspect of you already standing out, which makes any further abnormal actions stand out further.

I've had a couple of lifted trucks, a stock pickup, and a stock car. I've never noticed any trends which show I was profiled one way or another based upon the vehicle. Now, I've dealt with some absolute dick cops before, but that's been in both my stock pickup and my previous lifted truck, so it's more to do with the luck of the draw than the vehicle.

One thing to remember is that each of our experiences are relatively few to conclusively say a lift does or does not have an effect. I doubt anyone's going to do a study with n=1000 just to find this out. Best practice is to just drive safely and legally, and even if you do get pulled over, you should be fine. I think what will have much more of an effect on your outcome if pulled over is your attitude. Whether you were in the wrong or not, be nice (it's a good policy for life in general hah) and respectable. Even if they're a dick, don't be a dick back. Cops are humans, and humans typically don't like being treated poorly. Kill 'em with kindness has worked well for me, still have yet to receive a ticket.

 

[murderit]

When I got pulled over I noticed the cop walking up to my car checking out my stickers(firearm companies) on my rear window before he approached my window.

Was he friendlier or meaner because of this?

 

[Seattle206]

He actually just gave me a warning and was friendly throughout the whole ordeal. I was pulled over for passing up a slow vehicle on a single lane. Stickers I have on my rear window support local PNW rifle markers(Rainier Arms). I know a couple SPD officers who promote their products. Anyway, I think first impressions pretty much decide whether or not you're gonna get a ticket.

 

[Vulgarian]

I have been the object of police attention. Just two days ago I was sitting in my 4Runner in the parking lot at work when I noticed the Assistant Chief of Police staring me down hard as he walked by. When he finally recognized me, he smiled and walked back over and said: "Sweet 4Runner - I love these things! Is this yours?"

 

[CAN-03runner]

Do you guys have lift laws or modification laws where you live?

In Quebecestan there used to be odd mathematical percentage lift laws mostly based on wheel base and axle length, and visible angle to the road. No one knew what the heck it meant and people circumvented by using spacers or pushing axles further out. Unless you were driving a dump you didn't get hassled.

Then mall crawling show and shine full size pickups with 9" lifts and 37s became the in thing. So much so that dealships starting selling brand new lifted trucks. They drew so much attention that police starting pulling them over because they looked so out of place, and liable to be a road hazard. But the laws so were so complicated that they weren't going to calculate % and visible angle to the road. So at any sign of doubt you got an inspection. And upon inspection some guys would put the stock tires on. It looked weird but passed, until they were stopped again.

so now it's easy. 2.5" mechanical lift max, includes springs and body lift with a 2" maximum body lift. And 3" increase in tire size diameter to a maximum of 35" tire. And no welding to a frame. Now cops have a field day. They can easily compare the door sticker tire size and what's on your truck and if it doesn't match or seems much bigger you get an inspection. If they see a body lift, the little buggers have a tape measure, more than 2" and it's off to an inspection.

The flip side is that I know my 2.5" OME and 33" tires are within legal limits. So I'm not too worried.

Better still, sort of...if you want peace of mind. The new law came into effect after I installed a lift. But the proper way is to present yourself to an inspection centre. Say you want to lift and provide stock measurements. Install your lift , go back and present new measurements. If their inspections deems your modification falls within legal parameters you get a certificate of conformity. If you ever get stopped you have your get out jail free pass.

Its bitter sweet. The truth is that as much as I like lifted trucks handling and saftey is reduced most of the time. Even if not for the drivers but other cars. A mini van rear window hatch stands no chance against a F350 stock let alone lifted on 40s. Also the trail system is better maintained, since their will be less guys in heavy full size trucks or jeeps in 37s-40s digging deep ruts, displacing rocks, eroding the ground.