Pulled off without cause, police not looking for bribe

[Tacet]

UsernameLadiesMan217's thread made me wonder, how often does the cops pull off a random car simply to check.

I've been stopped about 4 times in the last 6 years, 3 times at roadblocks and once from the fast lane on the N3 between JHB and PTA. Each time the cops simply checked my driver's license, sometimes they checked in the boot. They've always been courteous and never gave me any reason to suspect them of looking for bribes.

So, how many of you had similar experiences?

 

[bwana]

UsernameLadiesMan217's thread made me wonder, how often does the cops pull off a random car simply to check.

I've been stopped about 4 times in the last 6 years, 3 times at roadblocks and once from the fast lane on the N3 between JHB and PTA. Each time the cops simply checked my driver's license, sometimes they checked in the boot. They've always been courteous and never gave me any reason to suspect them of looking for bribes.

So, how many of you had similar experiences?

We got checked three times between Capetown and PE ahead of Easter weekend. Each time they did a visual inspection of the car, license disk, and my drivers license (which is a foreign one). No hint of impropriety whatsoever.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Been driving for 20 years, been stopped 3 times ever. Just a walk around the car, disk check and license check. Never been asked to pay any bribes...

 

[smg22]

I was stopped a few weeks ago, pulled out my drivers licence from my wallet unfortunately my wallet was a little bit fat that day and the cop saw cash, he checked my car as far as knocking the body to see if anything was wrong.

 

[deweyzeph]

It's usually the metro cops who ask for bribes, not the proper SAPS cops.

 

[R13...]

I have been stopped a few times and all they did was check my car disk and driver's. Even at roadblocks I have never been searched, well I drive a bakkie so there's nowhere to look really.

 

[HibiscusTunes]

4 times in the last 10 years. Each time only a visual inspection around the car.

 

[Hitchcock]

Nothing wrong with being stopped - with or without cause. Traffic officers and police actually always have 'cause' when they pull you over - whether it is to check your vehicle for road-worthiness or you for drinking and driving.

Be as it may, the fact that there are so many people being pulled off the road shows that some traffic officers are still doing their work, which is a good thing.

 

[KingRat1]

Only been stopped in road blocks for vehicle and licence checks, fined for R500 for expired licence just 3 weeks ago at Heidelberg. Back in the day when I was smoking, rolling my own the cops, police roadblock, really searched my car after finding my bag of with Drum and papers. No issues with that either. Suppose I fitted the "profile", young, unshaven, listening to loud rock and driving a crock.

 

[me_]

Only been pulled over once in over 15 years at a roadblock. Cop didn't even check my license or vehicle license. I think he was just looking for drunk drivers. He was very polite and I went on my way almost immediately.

 

[koeksGHT]

It's usually the metro cops who ask for bribes, not the proper SAPS cops.

Well don't go to Sandton police station then.

 

[Colin62]

I've been stopped more times than I can remember over the years. A few speeding fines, the time I rolled a stop street and nearly took out a cop on his bike, road blocks (including one where I too misunderstood and drove through only to see blue flashing lights a few km later), and only once has a cop hinted that I could pay a bribe. I got stopped for speeding in Umzimkulu, and when I got out, he told me "For that we are asking for R300". Can't remember exactly how fast I was going, but by my reckoning the fine should have been double that, so I told him to write the fine. My son-in-law got out the car while he was writing me up and asked what the fine was, and I said "He said it was R300", and so the fine got written up at R300. Paid it on the way back through a couple of days later - what a hassle - the sergeant at the police station couldn't write. I suspect he couldn't read either. It took a while, and a lot of coaching, to get the form filled in.

 

[Wall]

Been stopped 4 times - all done with the utmost professionalism and courtesy.

On 2 occassions, they checked licence disc, driver's licence, indicators, tyre wear etc all good and they let me go.

3rd time, I got pulled over for a fine as I crossed a yellow line ( there was no traffic, I was new to JHB and in the wrong part of the freeway when it split so I had to go over the line to take the correct off ramp) Again, the officer was polite and explained my offence and issued me with a R250 fine, no hint of wanting a bribe ( not that I would have given him any money)

4th time, just last week, officer pulled me over, asked If I had been drinking. I replied I don't drink ( mostly true, I only ever have alcohol around twice a year). He stuck his head in my car to see if he can smell any alcohol. He couldn't and let me go.

 

[xrapidx]

I was pulled over in the northern province, officer kept insisting my tyres were worn and he'd probably need to fine me... tyres were replaced two weeks earlier, so I told him to issue the fine... needless to say - I was eventually let go with a "warning"

 

[rh1]

In Cape Town - I have been pulled over at least 10 times in the past 15 months - a few times by provincial on the N7 before the any big public holidays and few times where I stay. Others in different areas. In general, they just check your drivers licence, car licence disc etc. Always courteous. Not even a couple of minutes most times.

 

[Tacet]

Nothing wrong with being stopped
...
traffic officers are still doing their work, which is a good thing.

Yep. That was the point of this thread - though the SAPS have their bad apples, there are those left who are simply doing their jobs as good as they can. My personal experience with the SAPS has always been good.

 

[Nuro]

About 5 times in the last 10 years. Twice JMPD asked me for a bribe without even blinking. When I ask for names or badges, they get really aggressive. That being said, JMPD was also super helpful the time I was in an accident in a bad area. People wanted to loot the car with my family still in it. They made sure people stayed away, and kept everyone safe until the the tow truck arrived and took us away.

 

[Ancalagon]

Happened once in 2010. But it was regular SAPS, not JMPD.

 

[Kal86]

Been pulled over atleast 5 times this year alone in normal roadblocks and last year about 9 or 10 times.

Always greeted with a smile and the officers have always been friendly, apart from one grumpy officer but in fairness it was Christmas eve, who wouldn't be grumpy. Never had an issue or been asked for a bribe.

When I have been stopped they have always asked for my license and checked the disc. Every now and then they walk around the car looking at various things and once at a massive roadblock they searched my entire vehicle thoroughly to which I had no problem in them doing their job. They asked for my permission which I gladly gave them and witnessed other vehicles going through the same search.

 

[reactor_sa]

I wish they would pull people over more often, especially SAPS since that's when they catch the criminals who often open fire when stopped, followed, or cornered.