Originally Posted by gzent

The fact that you live in GA has a LOT to do with it.

Up here....forget it jack....you're payin!


Case in point..

Last night I'm on my way home from big band rehearsal, I live about 12 miles out from the town I work and 'play' in.

I'm cold, hungry and want to get home. I'm focused on the road, not my speedo. I'm about 4 miles from home and WHAM! Minnesota Sate Patrol flashing lights behind me.

D4mn! Was I speeding, I guess I was!

Pull over, switch lights to parking mode, and turn on hazard flashers, turn off CD player - wait for cop, relax.

COP: "Sir do you know why I pulled you over?"

Me (in my mind): Cause you work for a government agency that likes to make money via speeding tickets? (true)

Me (aloud): "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was going." (also true).

COP: "You don't know how fast you were going?"

Me: "No, I wasn't paying attention"

Me: (in my mind): OK, so you are either dense or deaf, which is it, jerk. I was focused on the road, my cold feet and my growling stomach, in that order, Barney.

COP: "Where have you been tonight?"

Me: "At a rehearsal with my band"
Me: (in my mind): Brewing crack and knockin over kwik Trips, a-hole. What business is it of yours?

COP: "I'll need to see your license."

Me: "Here you go."

COP: "Have you had any tickets in the last 12 months?"

Me: "No, I've never been pulled over before."

COP (barely covering incredulousness): "Oh, well, ,,,,let me go check your record"

Me: (in my mind): That's right Dudley, I've never had a moving violation or been stopped in 27 years of driving.....Maybe he'll just give me a warning.....

Wait...wait...wait....

Me: (in my mind): What the hell, is he using his squad car computer to see if Krispy Kreme is still open.....wait...wait...relax.....

....7 minutes later.

COP: Well, I treat everyone the same so I'm going to have to give you a ticket.

Me: "OK"
Me: (in my mind): Wow, what a gracious action on your part for a driver with a perfect record.

COP: "Since you have a clean record, I'll reduce the speed from 77 down to 75"

Me: "OK"
Me: (in my mind): Hot Damn, its my lucky freakin day. WhooHoo! 77 down to 75 for havin a perfect driving record in 27 years!!! I'm the man!

COP: "Here's what you need to do...blah,blah,blah...."
Me:"OK"

COP: "Please drive safe"
Me: "OK"
Me (in my mind): Gosh, don't you think someone that has never been ticketed, pulled over or had a serious accident already knows how to do that, donut breath?"

End of Story.

So much for respect. He never raised his voice or used rude language, but treating me, someone who accidently sped because I keep my eyes on the road at nightm not on my speedo, like I was an escpaed drug runner.

I've had good friends who were cops, this guy was a Minnestoa State Patrolman - big difference. Moral - don't speed in MN... especially at night on a 4 lane highway with no one in front or behind you for 1/2 mile. If you are going to speed, do it at rush hour where you can't be taxed, er,....I mean ticketed so easily.

Greg