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platt, how many cops have been shot or run over during a traffic stop for nothing more than an unregistered vehicle? Also, the drug argument is apples and oranges... unless they've started requiring titles of ownership and registration for drugs. The major difference is that with a vehicle, the state knows who owns it. With a bag of marijuana, the state assumes that owner is the person with possession.
Not sure what your getting at with the "how many cops have been shot" question. If you are talking about that it is not worth it, I would argue that that is the very reason it is absolutely worth stopping a variety of violations, from minor to major things. I am not saying I hope to be shot, nor am I speaking for anyone who has been shot in that situation.
But the fact that someone would shoot an officer (or anyone) over that, regardless of whether that is the only thing illegal (no warrants, other crimes in progress, etc) further shows why stopping a minor thing leads to much bigger things. I go out each and every day knowing full well that the smallest of violations that I stop could make the biggest case I have had yet. On the same token I know that the smallest of violations that I stop may be the last stop I ever make. Anyone who makes regular traffic stops will tell you that you will ALWAYS be reacting, and vehicle occupants will ALWAYS have an upper hand if they want to harm you.
The fact is if someone is willing to take a shot at me, an armed officer, for such a minor infraction, then they will inevitably end up harming/killing someone at some later time, regardless of me making that traffic stop. Once again I am not saying I want to get shot, but if thats what it takes to keep a kid from a lifetime of abuse at the hands of his father, then let him act out on me, someone who is capable of dealing with his aggression, rather than go about his way and continue beating his son. Or his spouse, etc.... I don't do this job because it is the safest things to do (nor do I think its the most dangerous job), I do it because I feel like at this point I can play a part in helping keep others safe.
As far as the drug argument I never said its identical but you continue to place the blame on the owner of the vehicle, when the actual violation, and the blame for it, is solely on the operator of the vehicle. If the arrest title was "Failed to Register Motor Vehicle Before Allowing it to be Driven on a Public Roadway" then you would have an argument. But the responsibility lies in the OPERATION of an unregistered vehicle.
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The operator of the vehicle, AKA driver, is responsible for making sure the vehicle is road worthy.
an unregistered vehicle can be 100% road worthy. You're confusing tax with maintenance.
I am not confusing, as my definition of road worthy means being able to operate it safely and LEGALLY.
I get the fact you don't like that you could be written a ticket for borrowing your buddy's truck who let his tags expire 2 months ago. It however is your responsibility to check those things, although granted most people don't (hell a lot don't even do so on their own vehicles), but thats why its officer discretion. I very much take things like that into account on whether someone receives a ticket or a warning for such things. Unfortunately some people are not very good with discretion, and honestly probably should not be given that power.
