What on earth could I have done wrong??? I've never had a ticket, never an accident, been driving since age 12 (tractors, farm equipment), etc. There are no pedestrians, (it's really hot), no traffic, (I mean EMPTY downtown) and SHE said --- here is the big sin -- I was "SPEEDING, going 26 in a 20 MPH zone". Well, there's a big sin! The officer is a young woman about 14, I swear, and I was shaking, getting my documents out, and trying not to cry. I was not even aware of a 20 zone and I've been taking this route for 15 years. After checking whatever police check, and confirming I wasn't a wanted Felon, or drug smuggler, or .... whatever ... she DID let me off with a warning, and then after calming down I retraced my speeding adventure. This block 25mph, next block 25mph, then the next block is the courthouse, then the post office with a stop sign where I will stop at the Stop Sign. So, in 2 blocks I went from 25 to 20 and she stopped me in that instant! I hope no one saw me!!! I retraced my speeding adventure, and still didn't see any 20 marked zone so went around AGAIN! Sure enough, in the block with the courthouse, where she had clocked me speeding at 26 mph, was the 20 MPH sign. Yes, in one block, she had caught me.
Now I am so motified, the wind is out of my sails, that I had to defer the grocery-shopping job to go home and be mad? pout? be embarrassed? cry? Not sure. That little Police Officer gal needed something to do on this quiet Sunday afternoon. 8-(((
Sounds like she was buys keeping the felons off the streets-NOT! I am glad she just gave you a warning. It sounds like she was on a little power trip and she could have been worse. I would have done the same as you and just needed to go home to regroup. I hope your nerves have recuperated.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you're upset... and it was ridiculous for you to have been stopped. There was NO WAY that stop would have gotten you a ticket... and it would have been dismissed by the DA if she had given you a ticket. You've got to be going at least 10mph over the limit for it to stick in court... you could have argued just about anything (improper equipment, etc) and gotten off.
ReplyDeleteNo, the cop didn't have anything to do and decided you looked like good company.
Don't worry about it... a "warning" isn't a ticket. And next time, you'll know where that 20mph zone is.
(((((Elaine)))))
Warnings don't count, you know.
ReplyDeleteSounds like she was bored and you looked like a nice, peaceable lady to hassle. Had you been a big, mean looking guy she'd have let the whole thing go. Having just one block with reduced speed is ridiculous anyway. Smacks of speed trap to me.
I have a feeling you were practice. Next time there's a hardened criminal vrooming by the courthouse, she'll know exactly what to do.
ReplyDeleteNext time take Dolly, nobody wants to stop a vehicle when that little tiny body is hanging out the back window. LOL
OH Elaine!! I am sorry this happened to you...the most law abiding of drivers! She really should have been after me, who routinely speeds merrily off to the hospital, to work!! Shake it off, sweet lady...she really was bored if she thought she had to stop you, or was trying to do the best of all jobs, being so new!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, she was bored, or had a quota, or they'd been told to get people to stop speeding on that block. Like folks said, warnings don't do anything to you at all - unless you rack up like 6 of them and somebody pulls you over again, then they're less likely to give you another warning instead of a big, fat ticket - ask my silly girlfriend. ;D And isn't it amazing how freaked-out it makes you feel inside to get pulled over? One more thought - isn't it nice that you live in a place with so little crime that the police have time to do such mundane stops? :)
ReplyDeleteCrazy! I've never even seen a 20 mph zone in my city. (So watch me get caught in one now.) Even when you haven't really done anything "wrong" it is very disconcerting to be stopped. I would have had to go home, too.
ReplyDeleteMy first reaction was to laugh....only because it wasn't me. I know that feeling of being stopped for something so crazy and being so nervous.
ReplyDeleteDon't you wish that law enforcement was as picky with more serious matters? And that those who commit much more serious 'crimes' were as mortified as you are and so determined to examine what they did wrong?!! Good for you and big hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, what an embarrassment, over nothing. A new cop, on a mission. Be glad it was a warning though, the ticket is costly. Sorry...hope how soon this turns into "a funny thing happened" tale to tell, cuz' it is truly ridiculous ~
ReplyDelete:-}pokey
Oh gadfry! How awful. It must have been a "brand new cop" to pull you over like that. "She" was flexing her new muscles? Glad you are ok and just got a warning. Still is a shaking experience though... have some wine and go listen to your darling owls; that'll calm ya down some.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I think that is what is called a "speed trap". I would contact the powers that be and complain. If it is a 20 mph zone, it should be posted on both sides of the street. Is it really only 20 mph on one side of the street? I am glad you were not given a ticket, but if you had, I hope you would fight it! That is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteWe have a speed trap here in our tiny city. The speed limit is different depending on your direction!!! I am sure it is a money maker for our small town police force. You poor thing. That would be so embarrassing!
ReplyDeleteI was once pulled over for having a car palte on a truck I had just bought. Silly me. I thought any plate would be better than no plate. He said by all rights he could impound my truck but luckily I had all the paperwork proving what a dumb gal I was. I was so embarrassed. XOXOXOXO Subee
In hindsight...this is FUNNY. We have a stretch that is 15 mph! I'm a retired teacher and went by as my PRINCIPAL had been stopped for going OVER 15. I got called to the office later and SWORN to secrecy on this occurrence. She was MORTIFIED. I thought to myself.."THIS BLOWS". What a crock..15mph.
ReplyDeleteHate to say it, but small towns - I live near one - delight in "catching" people in speed traps like that. It's hateful but it generated revenue.
ReplyDelete