Anyone driving a black or white ford explorer is worry some. The tell is the antennas. Cop cars have big antennas on the roof that normal cars don’t have.
They don’t have external antennas around here any more. They don’t even have the push bumpers. Half the time the flashers are mounted inside the windshield and back window. They’re very difficult to spot. I have a radar detector now, which reliably notifies me when one is in the area.
Used to be my go–to in Florida but I’ve been noticing most unmarked cars don’t have government plates anymore. Gotta look for the light hardware through the limo tint in the windows now
Also just having a new explorer is enough, my parents got a new explorer a few years ago and one time I was driving them somewhere and got into the carpool lane, then I noticed everyone in front just kept getting out of the way and I realized they all thought we were cops
Yeah, if they’re behind me I look for the shotgun. It’ll be fairly obvious, vertically mounted between the passenger and driver seat. You can even see the silhouette at night if there’s someone behind them with their headlights on.
Anyone driving a black or white ford explorer is worry some. The tell is the antennas. Cop cars have big antennas on the roof that normal cars don’t have.
They don’t have external antennas around here any more. They don’t even have the push bumpers. Half the time the flashers are mounted inside the windshield and back window. They’re very difficult to spot. I have a radar detector now, which reliably notifies me when one is in the area.
Yea it’s rough. The tax exempt plates are a tell that you can use if they’re ahead of you.
Used to be my go–to in Florida but I’ve been noticing most unmarked cars don’t have government plates anymore. Gotta look for the light hardware through the limo tint in the windows now
Not in Washington state… I depend on the lack of roof rails, or black dodge chargers or Durangos.
And the wheels. I get the homage nod to the past, but that big shiny hubcap is a huge tell that isn’t offered on the non-police models.
Murdered out police insignia and shorty antennas only go so far when you floating on that chrome
Yes, but those are hard to see when the car is directly behind you.
Antennas, that cage on the front bumper, black on black lettering, and no hub caps around my neck of the woods.
Mostly SUVs and Chargers.
Also just having a new explorer is enough, my parents got a new explorer a few years ago and one time I was driving them somewhere and got into the carpool lane, then I noticed everyone in front just kept getting out of the way and I realized they all thought we were cops
Sometimes you can see the grate/cage divider inside too, if you’re sharp eyed
Yeah, if they’re behind me I look for the shotgun. It’ll be fairly obvious, vertically mounted between the passenger and driver seat. You can even see the silhouette at night if there’s someone behind them with their headlights on.
Good tip! I’ll keep an eye out for that detail next time I see one