Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
...about open containers in an RV...get this....the dispatcher said they were a little busy, and would have an officer cal me right back...so I'm driving home from work, stuck in brutal Manhattan traffic, when this officer calls me back, and wants to know how he can help me....I said I'm coming from NJ to Bonnaroo in an RV, and wanted to know their policy concerning open containers, except of course, for the driver. He said "On Bonnaroo property, you can do whatever you like, but in the state of TN, if you're pulled over w/an open container. passenger, or otherwise, it IS a violation, and you'll be issued a citation. With that being said, it is probably our busiest week, so, off the record, if it's not the driver, and you're not doing anything to draw attention to yourself, and are obeying all the laws of the road, I don't think you'll have a problem".....very nice guy, not a jagoff at all....just figured it'd put some of your minds to rest...I know it did mine....
Post by strumntheguitar on Jun 9, 2008 10:05:11 GMT -5
With that being said, it is probably our busiest week, so, off the record, if it's not the driver, and you're not doing anything to draw attention to yourself, and are obeying all the laws of the road, I don't think you'll have a problem
I call straight bull on this. I'm sorry, but that's just straight up deceptive... I've seen/heard of people getting pulled over for going 5 mph over the speed limit, as well as drivers weaving back and forth inside their lane (note, not crossing the lines, just moving from left to right side of their lane seemingly in control of the vehicle).
If these are considered disobeying the law and drawing attention to yourself, so be it... but after hearing that I would advise everyone to NOT have an open container until reaching the farm
edit: I forgot to mention in my mini-rant tho... Thanks and karma to you simms for contacting them and spreading the word!
You'd know better than me, no doubt, but I figured I'd put it out there anyway....the skeptic in me is w/you, but then again, I think there's gonna be hundreds, if not thousands, of RV's alone, and of those, I'm sure there's gonna be a fair share of clowns speeding, weaving, etc, etc, who are way more apt to be pulled over....but I also know it's gonna be a big weekend for the cops to just "go fishing", just pulling over various folks, and shaking 'em down, to see if they get anything....thanks for your input, Strum...
Post by kaleidoscope kristen on Jun 9, 2008 10:18:43 GMT -5
some of our friends had to FIGHT their way out of citations on the way to Roo last year because they had half-empty (plastic) bottles of their own liquor stashes from home they were bringing to Roo to finish off.
The officer was a super a-hole, but my friend fought it hard and everyone in the vehicle even took breathalizers to prove they were not drinking and eventually they got out of it.
But yeah, they're super strict about this.. so everyone just use good judgement and know your rights.
Also note that it's the Manchester police who said that. In my experience, you're pretty much safe once you get into the line, as long as you're being discreet. But on the way, the TN Highway Patrol will pull you over for whatever reason they see fit.
The Manchester police let people walk around in the Wal-Mart parking lot drinking beer (at least they did when I was there in '06). It's not legal to drink in public here, so that should give you an idea of how lenient they are. The THP, however, doesn't care a bit about the money Coffee County gets from Bonnaroo, and they'll bust you if you give them the chance.
Post by tentseasurfer on Jun 9, 2008 12:08:40 GMT -5
I might get smited for saying this, but when I lived in Tennessee for 2 years, I found the cops that I had encounters with to be a pretty laid back bunch(for cops of course). I plan on having only sealed plastic bottles of booze in my car and driving carefully. Georgia in my humble opinion has some very aggressive cops, I've had some of my most costly tickets from driving through that state...so be very careful if your coming from the south/
How about follow the law. Its amazing the stories I hear every year about what an asshole cop they ran into. If your not breaking the law you have nothing to worry about.
If drinking in your car is illegal, there is a cop every 100 yards just waiting to cite you. The argument that they have to do much to do is crazy. All they have "to do" is cite you for every and anything. Bonnaroo brings millions of dollars into the city of Manchester and the cops, sheriff and highway patrol get there part!
How about follow the law. Its amazing the stories I hear every year about what an bung hole cop they ran into. If your not breaking the law you have nothing to worry about.
If drinking in your car is illegal, there is a cop every 100 yards just waiting to cite you. The argument that they have to do much to do is crazy. All they have "to do" is cite you for every and anything. Bonnaroo brings millions of dollars into the city of Manchester and the cops, sheriff and highway patrol get there part!
I definitely agree with this. HOWEVER, a lot of people are surprised when they hear that they can be busted for certain things in TN. For example, if you have UNSEALED LIQUOR bottles, you can get a citation-- WHETHER YOU'RE DRINKING FROM THEM OR NOT. THEREFORE, IF YOU BRING OPEN LIQUOR BOTTLES, MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT OF YOUR CAR. Put them in the trunk-- or at least as far from the passengers/driver as possible.
How about follow the law. Its amazing the stories I hear every year about what an bung hole cop they ran into. If your not breaking the law you have nothing to worry about.
If drinking in your car is illegal, there is a cop every 100 yards just waiting to cite you. The argument that they have to do much to do is crazy. All they have "to do" is cite you for every and anything. Bonnaroo brings millions of dollars into the city of Manchester and the cops, sheriff and highway patrol get there part!
I definitely agree with this. HOWEVER, a lot of people are surprised when they hear that they can be busted for certain things in TN. For example, if you have UNSEALED LIQUOR bottles, you can get a citation-- WHETHER YOU'RE DRINKING FROM THEM OR NOT. THEREFORE, IF YOU BRING OPEN LIQUOR BOTTLES, MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT OF YOUR CAR. Put them in the trunk-- or at least as far from the passengers/driver as possible.
This a fairly common law in most of the eastern states (No clue about western). Just put open bottles in your trunk. Eliminate any opportunity for problems and you'll be fine.
And to an earlier poster, YES SPEEDING AND WEAVING IN LANES IS CALLING ATTENTION TO YOURSELF. If its 5 miles over, its still OVER.
Also, remember that TN does have a law that requires you to move into the opposite lane when a police officer has someone pulled over on the side of the road. This is a law, and you will get a ticket! They love to pull people over for this!
2010: 3/12: The Bad Plus/Happy Apple/Buffalo Collision/The Bad Apple 6/10-13: Bonnaroo 6/19: Rock the Garden 7/30-31: Mid West Music Fest 8/21: Los Hombres Calientes 8/31: Marijuana Death Squads 9/11: The Book of Right On w/ City on the Make 9/23: Of Montreal w/ Janelle Monae 10/4: Broken Social Scene 11/23: Grinderman
^^^its really just common sense to wear a seatbelt...you may be the safest driver in the world, but there is always the chance that you will be hit by someone else, so why risk injury
Also note that it's the Manchester police who said that. In my experience, you're pretty much safe once you get into the line, as long as you're being discreet. But on the way, the TN Highway Patrol will pull you over for whatever reason they see fit.
The Manchester police let people walk around in the Wal-Mart parking lot drinking beer (at least they did when I was there in '06). It's not legal to drink in public here, so that should give you an idea of how lenient they are. The THP, however, doesn't care a bit about the money Coffee County gets from Bonnaroo, and they'll bust you if you give them the chance.
This. Most of the horror story are probably HP, which is what it is most of the way there.
Busiest week...I think how lenient they are will vary from officer to officer.
That's exactly it. Some cops (usually the ones with the aviator sunglasses and out-of-work porn-star 'stache ) are going to pull you over for any reason they can find simply because they don't like the Bonnaroo crowd. Then there's the cops who know what's up and realize that a passenger drinking a beer isn't a threat to anyone.
Also, remember that TN does have a law that requires you to move into the opposite lane when a police officer has someone pulled over on the side of the road. This is a law, and you will get a ticket! They love to pull people over for this!
this shouldnt even have to be a law imo. if i see someone pulled over i try not to be in the lane right next to them as i pass if possible. i know it sure sucks when someone flys by right next to me at 65+ MPH when im on the side of the road.
Stash the alcohol, put on the seatbelts, set the cruise control for the speed limit if you have it, and get to the farm safely and with no stress. Once you get there, go nuts! All you need is to run into one cop in a bad mood to ruin your weekend!
Also, remember that TN does have a law that requires you to move into the opposite lane when a police officer has someone pulled over on the side of the road. This is a law, and you will get a ticket! They love to pull people over for this!
this shouldnt even have to be a law imo. if i see someone pulled over i try not to be in the lane right next to them as i pass if possible. i know it sure sucks when someone flys by right next to me at 65+ MPH when im on the side of the road.
I think they had to make it a law because truckers used to get as close as possible to traffic stops with the goal being to blow the hat off the officer (other than the obvious reasons of it just being dangerous).
To the OP, the Manchester police may be genuine in their response to your question, but the highway patrol are always out to get whoever they can for whatever they can. Also, in the instance of getting busted for open container, they may (maybe not, not 100%) automatically gain probable cause to search your vehicle which may wind up ruining your whole trip, depending on whether or not you have anything you shouldn't.
That being said, if you know your rights and keep everything out of the driver area, if not completely out of sight, theres a possibility that you could be safe even if pulled over.
youtube.com/watch ?v=yqMjMPlXzdA ^^This is a good demonstration of how to maintain your rights, while being respectful to the officer. Just remember, no matter what they say, if they pulled you over, they are NOT "there to help you"! For this situation, only the first part is relevant, but it's all good for everyone to know.. (sorry if this has been posted. newbie here ^_^ )
well, since that's really the "danger zone", why don't you write "pull my dumb ass over and take me to jail instead of BONNAROO!" on your car?
Just a friendly suggestion.
I'll cut you a break since you live in the Boro and probably didn't think your response through well, but the point is I won't be riding dirty whatsoever. No drugs, no paraphernalia, no alcohol, nothing. Pull me over and write me a traffic violation, it'll take more than that to ruin my weekend.
Post by strumntheguitar on Jun 10, 2008 18:35:25 GMT -5
^^Perhaps you didn't think his response through either... The point was that it doesn't matter how short your drive is, it's gonna be a potential hassle that could otherwise be avoided...
A traffic violation isn't an arrest, and a BJ ain't sex but both seem to be capable of getting you in trouble, Mr. Clinton ;D
cops will always look for a reason to bust you. i love my beer but even with me being a huge drinker, i dont touch it in the car. once i get there, its on!!
some of our friends had to FIGHT their way out of citations on the way to Roo last year because they had half-empty (plastic) bottles of their own liquor stashes from home they were bringing to Roo to finish off.
I just poured the rest of my Jack Daniels and Grey Goose into water bottles since I could not bring in glass. Maybe I should go ahead and seal them in plastic wrap using my foodsaver so there will be no question as to whether we were drinking. I think that is a good idea if you are bringing stuff like that....if you have a vacuum sealer, that is.
^^Perhaps you didn't think his response through either... The point was that it doesn't matter how short your drive is, it's gonna be a potential hassle that could otherwise be avoided...
A traffic violation isn't an arrest, and a BJ ain't sex but both seem to be capable of getting you in trouble, Mr. Clinton ;D
) are going to pull you over for any reason they can find simply because they don't like the Bonnaroo crowd. Then there's the cops who know what's up and realize that a passenger drinking a beer isn't a threat to anyone.
;D
