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Traffic law changed
Published Saturday, November 7, 2009
NATCHEZ — Drivers who are stopped by a Mississippi Highway Patrol State Trooper are now required to answer more than “Do you know how fast you were going?”
An amendment that went into effect July 1, known as the uniform traffic ticket law, now requires a driver to tell troopers his or her phone number and mailing address.
“(Drivers) have to put an address on their driver’s license, and sometimes it doesn’t match with their mailing address,” Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Rusty Boyd said.
Since asking for personal information is new to Mississippi officers, and most drivers aren’t aware of the changes to the procedure, Boyd said the highway patrol wanted to ensure people they are following state orders.
“We’re not out there just asking for somebody’s phone number. It’s for court purposes. That’s why it’s on there and that’s what it will be used for.”
Boyd said many times drivers who do not have updated information on their licenses wind up paying for it in the end because they don’t receive court notifications.
“It is possible that a person could get their license suspended, and they not know it because (the court) couldn’t contact that person,” Boyd said.
“Now, they’ll be able to get in contact with someone if something changes in regards to their case.”
Boyd said if a driver has been pulled over since July and not been asked for their personal contact information, it’s because their officer didn’t have the new citation forms.
“What we’re doing is we’re phasing out the old citations we’re going to save money.
“Gradually, officers will start getting the new tickets and asking for that information.”
Some officers are already using the new forms.
Boyd said, to his knowledge, officers asking for the new information haven’t gotten negative responses when they asked for contact information because they are trying to inform the public when they stop them.
“So far, we haven’t had any issues. We’re trying to get out and explain on the road as we go along. Everyone will be told about it eventually.”
Comments
Posted by sideline (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats some bull if I ever heard of such.
Posted by sportsgirl81 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 3:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If it's a new law then why wait 4 months to inform the public about it? Not that this is a bad idea to double check a person's address to their license, but why wait?
Posted by goodoleboyslikeme (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's understandable. I missed a court (not traffic) date once because the summons server couldn't find my new house, and stuck the notice in a neighbor's door. Said they knew I lived around somewhere near there, thought the neighbor would give it to me.
I've always had good experiences with our area troopers, well all but one, and they are out there doing a dangerous job. Give them some room - work with them.
I got pulled over late one night because a trooper behind me kept noticing his headlights reflecting in a silver can I was swigging from. It was a Barq's Root Beer. We had a good laugh over it.
Posted by justthefactsman (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 6:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is rediculous. Welcome to the U.S.S.A! The address is on the liscense people. Sorry I ain't about to give you my phone number... Next thing you know some fed is going to be walking door to door wanting to know about your hunting rifle. Sad Sad Sad.
Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If a person gets a ticket, he or she should be held responsible for getting the court's info.. In fact, it has it on the bottom of the ticket who and where to call... I don't think it should be the officer's responsibility to make sure violator get to court. Therefore my phone number should be irrelevant to the officer.... This law should be obliterated from the statue book!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All the easier to find you and see what you're doing on your computer.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"As to address and phone number, both should be off by at least one digit. You won't receive any court summons, but if and when they finally track you down you can claim the officer took it down wrong. Always retain a reasonable deniability of fault, even in the face of irrefutable evidence." - grungebob
Oh, come on, grungebob. Tell me you're just stirring it up this morning. Do YOU really want to live with or around people who make a habit of breaking the law and lying to the police and/or courts? I don't; they usually end up lying to everybody else, too.
Posted by darylwalker (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know why the Democrat thinks this applies only to MHP. This new law applies to ALL law enforcement.
Posted by mseyes47 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with "goodolboyslikeme", their job is very dangerous. I don't see a problem with giving out that information if you broke the law. Too many of you spend too much time complaining about such rediculous things.
Posted by goodoleboyslikeme (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, if you're attorney is worried about you admitting to anything -
The answer to "do you know how fast you were going" is "yes" - the answer to "do you know why I pulled you over" is "no". Polite, simple, and truthful.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GodsChild, I agree with you! This should NOT be something the HWP has to do and keep up with. You get the ticket, it's YOUR responsibility to call the phone number at the bottom of the ticket and find out ANY information you need to know regarding the ticket. This is how it has ALWAYS worked. If you move, who's fault is that? If your phone number changes, who's fault is that? All of this "I moved", etc., is a bunch of hooey as that doesn't change the fact that you KNOW you have a ticket out there that should be paid. Usually if you get a speeding violation, you are given ample time to pay it. By the time it gets to where you have to be summoned or face suspension, it can be contrued as avoidance. I understand the gist of this "law" but it's just another way of legislating people's behavior that I am totally against. People are already irresponsible as it is and accept NO form of accountability these days. Now to add to the tension of being stopped by the HWP rather in the right or wrong, you have to go through a questionnaire. Unbelievable.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are many laws on the books that you may disagree with, but when one is there, you should abide by it to the best of your ability. If you really think about it, most of the "good" guys are in the phone book anyway. A law enforcement officer that is good (and there are a few that are not) is going to work with you unless you become belligerent. For an attorney to offer such poor advice, I would worry about having that person as my attorney. Get a grip people, obey the law and you aren't going to be pulled over unless your have an expired tag (which there are a lot of those around) or you are being reckless. Grow up people!
Posted by LdyBreez (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
grungebob, I hope you pay your attorney a retainer fee insted of a per case charge. With advice like that your going to need him a whole lot more, but then again maybe that is why he gave you the advice he did... the econemy is hitting him too...
Posted by TX2MS90 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't see the issue. If you were in the state of Tx and they asked you for your address and it doesn't match your license...guess what...that's another charge. Your address on your license should always be current. If you move you have 30 days to have it changed on your license. How upset would you be if a loved one was in an accident and because the address on the license is wrong and they couldn't notify next of kin. At that point who would you want to blame then? The police because they couldn't track you down in a timely manner. No this is to the fault of the person that chose not to update their license with a current address. You might not like their reasoning but it's a safety measure in more ways than you think because you're looking for the negative.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totally love grungebob's sarcasm in the mornings...Too funny! No, I wouldn't evade the law, I just like to laugh. Thanks GB
Posted by goodoleboyslikeme (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Citing Miranda, his six year old daughter" - grungebob, that's a good one ! Too funny.
Ya'll enjoy the day, I'm hitting the roads, hopefully not hitting the deer, and hopefully no tickets.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember goodoleboys.....give 'em one number off.
Posted by conservativeusa (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I only wonder, just how much did it cost the state/ our tax dollars to make this change?
I do like the idea of using up the old tickets first, but why are our so called rep's. always wanting to change? Oh, I forgot this is the time of nationwide change.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The policeman pulled me over and asked if I had been drinking. I asked him why he asked. He said because my eyes were red. I asked him if he had been eating doughnuts because his lips were glazed.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The MP pulled my two buds and I over and we exited the car. The car looked like one in those commercials with the beer overflowing. He asked which one of us had been driving. We said dam If we knew, we were in the back seat singing.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ROTFLMAO @ Hardcorps!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
people that bounce checks or other unlawful activities repeatedly often have a different physical residence that what is on their license.....
I don't mind verifying my address, and phone number...
Whenever I have been pulled over in the past for speeding the officer always asked " what's your hurry, sir?" ....
Posted by hitchcock (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There's no way I will give my phone number. If they can't trust the info on the license that's too bad. The police do a lot of things that they know they have no right doing, why.. because they think they are big and bad & have control over you.
Posted by dmackZuluking (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think they are detaining us for different reasons (some unlawful), because they know if your license is valid or not on the spot and if a ticket is not paid, a warrant is issued and renewals will not be given because of flags @ the DMV. Some addresses & phone numbers change anyway. It is always OUR responsiblity to do the right thing or face the consequences of wrong doings. Not the POLICE !
Posted by SIOUXLADY (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WHY NOT JUST DO THE RIGHT THING.
ANSWER the questions and just comply..
NOT VERY HARD AT ALL.........GEEZ
Posted by jugghead52 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is Great, so should it be OK to ask for ID when you vote so as to keep all this info correct, I say if blind people can drive in Mississippi they can show ID to vote!
Posted by mseyes47 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lol. Yall are so funny!
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, right. Just because they ask for your address and phone number doesnt mean they will be getting an accurate answer. "oh judge, I didnt lie. The officer must have misunderstood me..."
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Listening to Supertalk, they have Sgt. Rusty Boyd on now, he just said you DO NOT have to provide this information. He said that the officer will ask for it but you can decline to give it. Way to get the facts Democrat...
Posted by jugghead52 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JT & DAVE on super talk will shoot you a line so watch it!
But i do know the Brandon cops will give you a hard time and cuss you if you do not do what they say! while they spit their dip juice.
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