Look, there’s nothing wrong with your SUV. The problem is, every time I see an Explorer, my brain instantly goes into ‘cop detection mode.’
Until you pass me and I get a good look at you—probably exhausted and ignoring the chaos in the backseat—I have no idea if you’re just another driver or about to light me up.
So yeah, I slow down, drive like an NPC, and anxiously wait for confirmation that you’re not the fuzz.
Is this my issue? Absolutely. But in true American fashion, I’m blaming someone else. To all Ford Explorer drivers, I curse you to always have just one slice of bread left when you’re making a sandwich.
I used to have a silver sedan with a roof rack and a wind fairing on top. Yep, I was that guy making everyone tap their brakes because you couldn’t read the ‘Yakima’ logo at night.
It bugs the hell out of me that police cars in the U.S. don’t have a clear, standardized look. In Europe and the UK, you can instantly recognize a cop car with those bright blue and hi-vis yellow markings. Here? Nope. Could be an Explorer. Could be your neighbor.
@Terry
Yeah, it used to be way more obvious—black, white, blue, or some combo of those, with a huge light bar on top. Now, at least 80% of the cop cars in my state are practically incognito. Hidden lights, barely visible markings… criminals don’t even know it’s a cop car until it’s too late. Kind of defeats the purpose of a visible police presence, doesn’t it?