Citation for stopping to "take pictures"

[AFSmithphoto]

Hello to all,
Recently while traveling through Wisconsin on a long, 12-state road trip, my cohort and I stopped along the interstate to take a couple of shots. Our vehicle was contained completely within the shoulder, and this was FAR from a busy section of road. While we were shooting, a state trooper coming down from the opposite direction took my friends license and ordered us both back into the car until he was able to reach a turn around and come up behind he. He proceeded to cite us for "stopping for non-emergency purposes" and threatened to take us to jail if we did not pay on the spot due to our out of state plates. He claimed this is standard procedure in EVERY state, yet I have done this HUNDREDS of times in nearly every state in the US, on interstates and off, and yet I have never received or even heard of anyone receiving a citation. Has this fate ever befallen anyone here? Were you in Wisconsin?
The icing on the cake was that as we were pulling away, someone else pulled off in front of us to open and shut their rear passenger side door and he detained them as well. (Though I obviously can't say that he actually cited them) Needless to say, Wisconsin won't be on any road trips I'll be taking anytime soon.

[evan clarke]

Did the guy collect cash???..Evan Clarke

[dsphotog]

You might contact the troopers office & report that, since he possibly pocketed the "fine/bail".

[rguinter]

What exactly did he cite you for? It should be on the citation.

Ooops! Disregard . . . "stopping for non-emergency purposes"

I have been tempted to a million times to stop on the interstate to take snapshots, but in the end I never do it. I think instincts play an important part.

Some seem to think he was pocketing the money and I say... perhaps. But as a safety specialist I think the comment above is most appropriate. Basically not a good idea even if it isn't strictly against the law in any particular state. I have never done it myself due to the obvious hazard.

Here in NJ incidents are very common with someone stopping on the shoulder and having someone run into them at full speed causing severe injuries and spectacular crashes. I've never understood the phenomenon completely or found anyone who had done a study. But there is something about a vehicle on the shoulder that tempts oncoming drivers to also pull onto the shoulder perhaps thinking it to be a travel lane... and believe it or not, failing to recognize the car ahead is stopped. Happens so often that they probably have a name for it.

Even in an emergency I would be hesitant to stop on the interstate. If I absolutely had to stop I would exit the car and stay well in front of it and off the shoulder out of harm's way.

Now on side roads I have stopped to take pictures of interesting subjects. But again I never stopped on the shoulder. I've pulled off into obvious parking areas ahead or behind and walked up to the spot to take my shot. But also being more focused on the traffic than on the subject I'm shooting.

Again just my opinions but words of advice from a professional safety specialist who has investigated and experienced many dangerous things.

Bob G.

[BetterSense]

Wow. He was obviously looking to pocket the money. Was he in a real car, with an apparently real badge?

[sun of sand]

Wow. He was obviously looking to pocket the money. Was he in a real car, with an apparently real badge?

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noooooo :/

[Kirk Gittings]

In every state, to gain more revenue, the interstate police (State Police in our state) are enforcing laws they never bothered to before to raise additional revenue.

[Allen in Montreal]

In every state, to gain more revenue, the interstate police (State Police in our state) are enforcing laws they never bothered to before to raise additional revenue.

Very true,
in Montreal they are ticketing for tires that touch the curb and have put measuring tapes in squad cars to check the distance to fire hydrants and corners.

Motorists are seen as cash cows, nothing more.

But in Montreal, you only pay once you enter a guilty plea or loose while contesting it in traffic court.
To be told you must pay in cash on the spot is a fishing expedition hoping for increased fees and court costs.

The fact he was ticketed for stopping is not at all shocking, but his cash now or straight to jail is barbaric.

[AFSmithphoto]

Very true,
in Montreal they are ticketing for tires that touch the curb and have put measuring tapes in squad cars to check the distance to fire hydrants and corners.

Motorists are seen as cash cows, nothing more.

Disgusting. Is tourism revenue not considered? I gotta say I'd think twice about visiting a place that's that extreme.

[Allen in Montreal]

Originally Posted by Kirk Gittings
In every state, to gain more revenue, the interstate police (State Police in our state) are enforcing laws they never bothered to before to raise additional revenue.

Originally Posted by Allen in Montreal
Very true,
in Montreal they are ticketing for tires that touch the curb and have put measuring tapes in squad cars to check the distance to fire hydrants and corners.
Motorists are seen as cash cows, nothing more.

Disgusting. Is tourism revenue not considered? I gotta say I'd think twice about visiting a place that's that extreme.

Disgusting?

I understand this is a public forum and you want to maintain a certain level of manners and that is polite of you :-), so I will agree on disgusting (but I would say much worse or that to the 100th power!)
Tourists are welcomed with open arms while paying their hotel room, eating in a nice resto, shopping along the boulevard, riding a Bixi public bicycle, but get in your car are you are easy meat!
The signs are very poor here, you are an easy target for the traffic cops.
Our mayor hates cars! Park it and walk or they will ticket you for something, anything!

As Kirk says, these hard times mean digging up every possible ticket revenue generating thing and hammer away at the people.

That said, stopping on the inter state was asking for it.
You would be ticketed for that here too, but you would never be asked to pay cash on the spot.