@MLadin - I've chosen not to reveal my name or badge on an open forum because of the potential for misuse/abuse. There are just too many users that may view that info that haven't been posting, aka the silent members, and I cringe when I think of someone personating me. Rest assured, if you need to know, you can always send me a message and we can meet up.
Cell phones - the OPP have made this one of the "Big Four" enforcement items, which include speeding, impaired operation, cell phones, and seatbelts. With that said, I look for them and lay the charge whenever I see them, and whenever I can meet the burden of proof required by our court. That means, I can't assume it's a cell phone just because I see someone holding a similar item, it could be an IPod or something, and I have to be able to testify that what I saw meets the definition as set out by the regulations. The fact is that these days drivers are getting better at hiding them when they are texting, they will hold them down low where it is difficult to see. Used to be, they would text on top of the steering wheel. For those carrying on conversations, they are easier to spot, and I'm seeing more people talking on speakerphone but while still holding the phone in their hand - which is still prohibited. Every once in a while I see an interesting one like someone holding the bluetooth device while their cellphone is in the cupholder, or even affixing their phone to their head with an rubberband. There's a term for that one that I won't share here...
Left lane bandits - while s. 147 prohibits drivers from hogging the left lane, it reads that they are to keep right when traveling at less than the "normal" rate of speed. The word's in quotes because it's subject to interpretation by the officer. Rush hour traffic = 120km/hr in the left, that would be normal. I don't usually lay this charge unless there is a significant effect on traffic, such as other vehicles passing on the right, or a visible bottleneck created by the lane hog. My normal response is to pull behind, activate the lights until they move right, then shut the lights off and overtake. I do feel a little hypocritical about driving in the left lane when I'm at work, but my reason for being there is typically to act as a pace car, and slow the overall flow of traffic to a reasonable speed. This is seen during the morning rush, when the left lane can routinely see speeds of 140km/hr.
Sovereignist movement/Freeman on the Land - This one is a topic that has come up more recently but has been around in the States for a longer time. It usually involves a very assertive person making legal arguments based on extremely dated legal philosophies, that have not been tolerated by our courts as of late. I think the one good thing that comes out of it, is that it forces our officers to know their legal authorities in case they are ever questioned. It keeps them on their toes.
Who's the boss - sounds like a peeing contest to me. If you're the boss because you pay taxes that pay my salary, am I not also partly self-employed because I pay taxes too?
