License Plate Cover - Opp / Police In General
So I was driving a friend on crutches to Buxton, ON this past Thursday from Brampton. We we're cruising while catching up. So about 10 km before our exit an OPP and unmarked car come tearing down the off ramp. I glance down on the speedometer although I know I wasn't speeding so we continued chatting. There was a pick up truck behind me and a transport truck in the right lane. So my friend looks in the side mirror and points out that the OPP is swerving side behind the pickup truck to side as if to see if I'm in sight. So I look and notice it myself and have a chuckle. Obviously I dont know if that is the case however just an observation besides, if you were me driving on a daily basis you'd understand. Not before I go any further I'll let you know I am a car enthusiast and drive a 2000 Honda Accord coupe. The only modification that I've done is that it is lowered a couple inches, other than that its all factory options so its nothing outrageous.
After about 5 Km the office finally gets by the pickup and wedges in between me and the pickup. So at this point I know he's running my plate as I see him glancing down and a couple times it seemed like he was loosing control of his car. Now let me tell you realistically its like I'm on Police radar I get tailed once a week and pulled over on average about once every two or 3 weeks with no ticket issued. I actually pride myself on being a law abiding citizen and not a statistic. Anyhow the lights come on and I pull over. Due to the amount of times I get pulled over (time before was last Saturday with no ticket issued) I have my license, ownership and insurance in my cubby hole under the radio. So he comes over and says my sticker is expired and that he couldn't see my license plate due to the plate cover (clear). I explained that my sticker is expired as of the week before but I have it with my ownership. I explained I need to take my car in because the bolts have rusted and need to be cut. So he takes my info back and literally 30+ minutes later comes back and says he's not going to give me a ticket for my sticker, but he will for obstructing my plate. By this time the unmarked car that was behind him has gone up, turned around and came back behind him. After giving me back the papers he looks through my car and asks why it smells the way it does (as his head is right beside the hanging air conditioner). Nothing was in the car except my backpack with work stuff, and my friends crutches in the back. So he looks at my friend with a strange look and then asks if he searches the car is he going to find anything. So we both look at him with a puzzled look and laugh then reply no as neither of us smoke do drugs or get into any of that kind of stuff. He then tells me the cover is illegal and walks away. That damn stretch of highway between London and Windsor on the 410 is ridiculous. I always get hassled on it.
Now this is my thing, and I'm not even going to talk about playing the race card (story for another day and time and place I suppose), I pride myself on having a clean abstract. I'm not wanted nor have ever been. Call me anal or whatever, but I don't want this on my record at all. I understand that tinted plate covers may obstruct, but clear plate covers at 3pm in the afternoon? I got to my destination and looked at the cover and realized there was a bit of dirt on it, but is clearly visible. My plate is my first initial, middle initiation and 4 letter last name clearly legible (I got nothing to hide). I've searched and want to find the section of law that clearly states that the clear plate covers cannot be used. My plate is not at all obstructed and can clearly be seen. If I didn't have the plate cover on and the dirt got on the plate would I get a ticket also? Is this ticket worth trying to talk to the prosecutor about or try to fight hoping he doesn't show in court? Lately I've been getting annoyed at how I've been treated and talked to by police. But again for another time and place.
I want to know if this is worth fighting or meeting with the prosecutor. Also if anyone has any information on knowing if it is possible to get a report on how many times my plate has been looked up and or how many times I've been pulled over? Any feedback would be appreciated.