Parkin PD and "inattentive driving"

[wbswetnam]

Here's an interesting story about how the tiny town of Parkin, Arkansas raises money by handing out random tickets for "inattentive driving", at $250 each violation. A few years ago, it was reported that Parkin had disbanded its police department - I guess not.

Be careful driving through this hamlet with your mobile mounted scanner, the antennas on your car may draw the cops' attention and get you an "inattentive driving" ticket.

MIKE MASTERSON:

 

[spongella]

A few years back I was in municipal court for work. The judge announced that he'd first hear all the cell phone cases. All pleaded guilty and were fined for inattentive driving. The last guy to face the judge was pulled over for talking on a CB radio while in his truck. He stated he was a landscaper who uses CB for comms between his trucks. Nonetheless the judge ruled a case of inattentive driving and he got the same treatment as the cell phone users. I am not a lawyer by any means, but it seemed to me that his case was a little different from the others. But in the end, was he being "distracted" by talking on the radio while driving?

It made me think twice about talking on the CB when driving from that moment on. Same thing with using a 2m radio while driving. Something to think about.

 

[03msc]

A few years back I was in municipal court for work. The judge announced that he'd first hear all the cell phone cases. All pleaded guilty and were fined for inattentive driving. The last guy to face the judge was pulled over for talking on a CB radio while in his truck. He stated he was a landscaper who uses CB for comms between his trucks. Nonetheless the judge ruled a case of inattentive driving and he got the same treatment as the cell phone users. I am not a lawyer by any means, but it seemed to me that his case was a little different from the others. But in the end, was he being "distracted" by talking on the radio while driving?

It made me think twice about talking on the CB when driving from that moment on. Same thing with using a 2m radio while driving. Something to think about.

The distracted driving law in Arkansas specifically mentions an exclusion for two-way radios and, therefore, amateur radio and CB radio operators.

From the text:

manual input.
(B) “Wireless telecommunications device” does
not include a:
(i) Citizens band radio;
(ii) Citizens band radio hybrid;
(iii) Commercial two-way radio communication
device;
(iv) Two-way radio transmitter or receiver used
by a licensee of the Federal Communications Commission
in the Amateur Radio Service; or
(v) Hands-free wireless telephone or device;
and
(3) “Write, send, or read a text-based communication”
means using a wireless telecommunications
device to manually communicate with a person by
using a text-based communication commonly referred
to as a text message, instant message, or
electronic mail.

This is why it's important to know the laws yourself.

 

[wbswetnam]

The distracted driving law in Arkansas specifically mentions an exclusion for two-way radios and, therefore, amateur radio and CB radio operators.

Good to know! I will print this out and keep a copy in the glove compartment of my car.

A few years ago I was travelling to Minnesota, where mobile scanning is illegal. However, an exception is made for amateur radio operators. I printed off a copy of the Minnesota statute and took it with me, also made sure to take a my ham license with me. I was never stopped, but I was ready if I was pulled over and questioned about the scanner in my car.

 

[bubbaearle]

Here's my experience from 2007....

https://forums.radioreference.com/arkansas-radio-discussion-forum/62843-parkin-speedtrap.html

The ***-hat that pulled me over is now the CID for Cross County. Cross Co. has had some interesting law enforcement officers in the past few years......OMG

I grew up and graduated from high school in Parkin. It's always been a speed trap. Several years ago the highway department raised the speed limit from 45 to 50 and severely cut back on their ticket writing.

They had issues with the mayor and police chief several years ago, PD was disbanded and it all went to court. PD was reinstated with new chief. The mayor has since passed away and his widow elected as the new mayor - what a joke.

The patrol cars sit inside the city limit on the east side of town in the evenings catching commuters coming home from Memphis - I drive thru every day, been doing it for years. It's three-lane just across the county line with a westbound passing lane. They sit to catch the westbounders merging back into a single lane - it gets speedy right there with folks in a hurry and traffic coming out of Earle - 2.5 mles back east - all jammed up from their 45 mph speed zone.

It's best to keep it @ 50mph between the Crittenden Co. line (east) and the St. Francis River bridge (west) . If ya ride thru there on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, stop @ the liquor store / BBQ joint at the county line for some good BBQ ribs.....that's my brother's place and he'd appreciate the business.

 

[wbswetnam]

I usually see the Earle PD cop by the abandoned bait shop at this location:
35°16'32.25" N, 90°28'37.31" W (view in Google Earth Street View).

For such a small town, I find it curious why most houses and buildings have heavy bars on the windows. It must be a dodgy place after the sun goes down. But hey, at least the town is safe from speeders!