Traffic question

[DanDill06]

I saw a show on COPS, and a driver was pulled over for repeatedly passing the same location in a short period of time. ( Passed the same gas stations 6 times within 30 minutes). What is this violation called and why is it illegal?

[Creeker]

Didn't see the show, but I would be highly suspicious of someone passing by a location that often.

That is all it takes.

[Citicop]

This was likely not a traffic violation.

Contrary to popular belief, the burden of proof necessary for a traffic stop is NOT probable cause. Probable Cause is what is needed to write a summons or make an arrest.

To make a stop or temporary detention, the appropriate standard is "Reasonable Suspicion."

I would say that it's reasonable, given my knowledge, training, and experience, to be suspicious of a vehicle behaving in that manner. A brief stop to ID the driver and passengers and find out why they are doing that is justified. If that stop develops into Probable Cause, then an arrest can be made. If not, everyone is released with only a minor inconvenience.

Does that make sense?

Citicop.

[ChesCopPodz]

Didn't see the episode, but if I see a suspicious vehicle passing the same location over and over, and it's in an area that I know is high crime or a big drug area, it's reasonable to believe that the driver may be up to no good. Reasonable suspicion is all that's needed to stop a car.

[TX-LEO]

I saw a show on COPS, and a driver was pulled over for repeatedly passing the same location in a short period of time. ( Passed the same gas stations 6 times within 30 minutes). What is this violation called and why is it illegal?

Looking to buy dope, or pick up prostitutes is suspicious and illegal.

[Samuel]

In addition to the above, some municipalities may also have ordinances against "cruising".

[retdetsgt]

We have a cruising ordinance that makes it illegal to drive past the same spot more than a specific number of times. It's limited to certain times of the day. We've had a lot of problems over the years with cruisers. They disrupt businesses and often nearby neighborhoods. It's a traffic violation with a pretty good size fine.

Now with gas prices so high, I doubt it's as much of a problem.

[phantasm]

If I see a vehicle circling a drug or prostitution prone location numerous times, I might stop the vehicle too.

[mcsap]

We have a cruising ordinance that makes it illegal to drive past the same spot more than a specific number of times. It's limited to certain times of the day. We've had a lot of problems over the years with cruisers. They disrupt businesses and often nearby neighborhoods. It's a traffic violation with a pretty good size fine.

Now with gas prices so high, I doubt it's as much of a problem.

The city near me has this exact ordinance.