OP
Boondox
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,873
- Location
- Craftsbury Common, Vermont
- Tractor
- Deere 4044R cab, Kubota KX-121-3S
It wasn't my intention to paint all police officers with the broad brush of unfairness, but rather to point out my preference for age and wisdom over youth and vigor. Not letting me go into the parts store to buy a replacement bulb until he had written his ticket was a very immature move; even his sergeant realized that. On the rare occasions when we needed a town cop up here on our hill, they have come to our aid rapidly and dealt with our concerns in a fair and most professional manner. We love our local officers, and wish all law enforcement officials showed their level of maturity.
On the topic of ridiculous tickets, however, your post reminded me of the ONLY moving violation I've received in my entire life. I was riding my bicycle in San Diego early one day. (I did a lot of riding back then, typically 500-600 miles per week.) I was riding thru a residential neighborhood on a slight downhill. I heard a car behind me, so I hugged the right side of the road and waved him past me. The car didn't respond, just paced me a couple feet back and to my left. So I figured what the heck, I'll do my Nelson Vails routine and race him to the traffic light up ahead. I really poured it on, and went racing down the road.
Till I heard the chirp of his siren!
The officer pulled me over and asked for ID. I handed him my military ID. He asked if I had a drivers' license and like a fool I offered that as well, though it wasn't required for riding a bike. I was stunned when he wrote me a citation for doing 42mph in a school zone!
The judge was very sympathetic, but it was a moving violation and it was in a school zone. He gave me the option of attending a safe driver course or taking the points. I took the class...and spent the next several evenings listening to this clown of an instructor go on and on about how bicycles should be banned from city streets!
But at least I kept my clean record! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Pete
On the topic of ridiculous tickets, however, your post reminded me of the ONLY moving violation I've received in my entire life. I was riding my bicycle in San Diego early one day. (I did a lot of riding back then, typically 500-600 miles per week.) I was riding thru a residential neighborhood on a slight downhill. I heard a car behind me, so I hugged the right side of the road and waved him past me. The car didn't respond, just paced me a couple feet back and to my left. So I figured what the heck, I'll do my Nelson Vails routine and race him to the traffic light up ahead. I really poured it on, and went racing down the road.
Till I heard the chirp of his siren!
The officer pulled me over and asked for ID. I handed him my military ID. He asked if I had a drivers' license and like a fool I offered that as well, though it wasn't required for riding a bike. I was stunned when he wrote me a citation for doing 42mph in a school zone!
The judge was very sympathetic, but it was a moving violation and it was in a school zone. He gave me the option of attending a safe driver course or taking the points. I took the class...and spent the next several evenings listening to this clown of an instructor go on and on about how bicycles should be banned from city streets!
But at least I kept my clean record! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Pete
