A Traffic Ticket

It’s happened to most of us, and there are a few things in life that can ruin your day quite like it. And what might that be? The sight of red and blue flashing lights in your rearview mirror. It’s enough to bum you right out. I’m actually not sure if that particular turn of phrase is still in use, but you catch my drift. You can try to talk your way out of that ticket, offering up a myriad of excuses and swearing up one wall and down the next that you’ll never do it again, and you might even succeed. Most likely, however, you’ll find yourself driving off with a summons that is going to cost you some money.

It happened to me one morning a few years back. I was cruising along oblivious to the fact that I was over the speed limit when I suddenly noticed a police car behind me flashing its lights. I was getting pulled over. My heart sank, and my mind immediately began racing in an effort to come up with something that would stop that police officer from writing me a ticket. I was about to launch into my spiel when I looked up into the deadly serious face of the woman standing at my window. It was a “don’t even try it“ look if I’ve ever seen one. I had barely gotten two words out when she cut me off and said in a loud commanding voice, “License and registration, please!” I was not getting out of this one. I handed them over and slumped back into my seat. After an interminable wait, she handed me one of those boxy metal clipboard things with a summons attached and ordered me to sign it. I did as I was told. She tore it off and after a few more instructions, turned and left. I then continued on my way to work in one very black mood.

I don’t care to have that happen again, and over time I have come to understand that when it comes to speed limits the general rule of thumb for most people is this. You can get away with 5 miles an hour over the posted limit when driving on city streets, and 10 miles an hour over the limit on highways. Perhaps this is true. I couldn’t say for sure. As for me personally, I have been making an all out effort to observe the exact speed limit on both, but it has not been without a steep price. If you don’t know what I mean, try it sometime. The other drivers will fly by you honking their horns, giving you dirty looks, and flicking you off. I respond in kind by honking my horn right back at them and returning those dirty looks. I have yet to give anyone the middle finger. That seems a little tacky, so no, I haven’t gone that far, but I’ve been tempted. It’s a jungle out there. Apparently obeying the speed limit can cause road rage. Who knew?It’s happened to most of us, and there are a few things in life that can ruin your day quite like it. And what might that be? The sight of red and blue flashing lights in your rearview mirror. It’s enough to bum you right out. I’m actually not sure if that particular turn of phrase is still in use, but you catch my drift. You can try to talk your way out of that ticket, offering up a myriad of excuses and swearing up one wall and down the next that you’ll never do it again, and you might even succeed. Most likely, however, you’ll find yourself driving off with a summons that is going to cost you some money.

It happened to me one morning a few years back. I was cruising along oblivious to the fact that I was over the speed limit when I suddenly noticed a police car behind me flashing its lights. I was getting pulled over. My heart sank, and my mind immediately began racing in an effort to come up with something that would stop that police officer from writing me a ticket. I was about to launch into my spiel when I looked up into the deadly serious face of the woman standing at my window. It was a “don’t even try it“ look if I’ve ever seen one. I had barely gotten two words out when she cut me off and said in a loud commanding voice, “License and registration, please!” I was not getting out of this one. I handed them over and slumped back into my seat. After an interminable wait, she handed me one of those boxy metal clipboard things with a summons attached and ordered me to sign it. I did as I was told. She tore it off and after a few more instructions, turned and left. I then continued on my way to work in one very black mood.

I don’t care to have that happen again, and over time I have come to understand that when it comes to speed limits the general rule of thumb for most people is this. You can get away with 5 miles an hour over the posted limit when driving on city streets, and 10 miles an hour over the limit on highways. Perhaps this is true. I couldn’t say for sure. As for me personally, I have been making an all out effort to observe the exact speed limit on both, but it has not been without a steep price. If you don’t know what I mean, try it sometime. The other drivers will fly by you honking their horns, giving you dirty looks, and flicking you off. I respond in kind by honking my horn right back at them and returning those dirty looks. I have yet to give anyone the middle finger. That seems a little tacky, so no, I haven’t gone that far, but I’ve been tempted. It’s a jungle out there. Apparently obeying the speed limit can cause road rage. Who knew?It’s happened to most of us, and there are a few things in life that can ruin your day quite like it. And what might that be? The sight of red and blue flashing lights in your rearview mirror. It’s enough to bum you right out. I’m actually not sure if that particular turn of phrase is still in use, but you catch my drift. You can try to talk your way out of that ticket, offering up a myriad of excuses and swearing up one wall and down the next that you’ll never do it again, and you might even succeed. Most likely, however, you’ll find yourself driving off with a summons that is going to cost you some money.

It happened to me one morning a few years back. I was cruising along oblivious to the fact that I was over the speed limit when I suddenly noticed a police car behind me flashing its lights. I was getting pulled over. My heart sank, and my mind immediately began racing in an effort to come up with something that would stop that police officer from writing me a ticket. I was about to launch into my spiel when I looked up into the deadly serious face of the woman standing at my window. It was a “don’t even try it“ look if I’ve ever seen one. I had barely gotten two words out when she cut me off and said in a loud commanding voice, “License and registration, please!” I was not getting out of this one. I handed them over and slumped back into my seat. After an interminable wait, she handed me one of those boxy metal clipboard things with a summons attached and ordered me to sign it. I did as I was told. She tore it off and after a few more instructions, turned and left. I then continued on my way to work in one very black mood.

I don’t care to have that happen again, and over time I have come to understand that when it comes to speed limits the general rule of thumb for most people is this. You can get away with 5 miles an hour over the posted limit when driving on city streets, and 10 miles an hour over the limit on highways. Perhaps this is true. I couldn’t say for sure. As for me personally, I have been making an all out effort to observe the exact speed limit on both, but it has not been without a steep price. If you don’t know what I mean, try it sometime. The other drivers will fly by you honking their horns, giving you dirty looks, and flicking you off. I respond in kind by honking my horn right back at them and returning those dirty looks. I have yet to give anyone the middle finger. That seems a little tacky, so no, I haven’t gone that far, but I’ve been tempted. It’s a jungle out there. Apparently obeying the speed limit can cause road rage. Who knew?