Sunday, Police Action Sunday

Yesterday I drove to the small downtown section of a small town to meet with a group of photographers. It was our scheduled monthly get together.

I pulled into a parking spot and as I put ‘er in park, I noticed a police car parked right behind me.

As I opened my door to exit the vehicle, I noticed a uniformed police officer approaching me.

Me: “Hello, officer.”

PO: (stoic) “Hello.”

Me: “What can I do for you?”

PO: “You can’t make that left turn you just made.”

ME: *puzzled look* Then I consider being a cutup and saying, “Oh, but I can! I just did! Wanna see me do it again?” But I rein in my inner smart alec.

PO: (looking at my puzzled look) “You made a turn across the lane to get into this parking spot. You can’t do that.”

Me: “Really? Oh shit.” (<- yes, I actually said oh shit to a cop. Not the brightest bulb that Albuquerque Public Schools has ever turned out.) PO: "Yes, really. It's painted there on the pavement (he points) and there's a sign on most of the light poles down the street. (he points again)" Me: (now sheepish because I really hadn't noticed) "Oh. Ok. Do you need to see my license?" PO: "No, that's ok. I'm just warning you. Don't do it again." Me: (quavering) "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Have a good evening." PO: (walking back to his car) "You too, ma'am." Me: (inside voice) shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit Once I got done quaking in my rain boots, I realized...that police officer did me a solid favor. See, my last encounter with the black and whites was less than 18 months ago. Why does that matter? In California, every eighteen months you can take an online driver's ed class which masks a point on your license. You only get one every 18 months. So if I got a ticket I was plum outta luck in terms of my insurance. I was a little down and dour that day while headed to my meeting, but the rare kindness of the police officer brought a little decency to my gray and rainy day. Plus, I recalled one of the few bits of advice I carry with me from driver's ed classes. A police officer came to speak to us. He said, "Always be courteous to a police officer. ALWAYS. It might make the difference between getting a ticket and getting off with a warning." Thank YOU, McGinnis School of Driving.





Photo by Nick Cowie and used royalty free from stock.xchng.


About Author

Karen Fayeth

Comments

  • Doug Stephens

    Always good advice. Bad advice would be, “Tell a cop that you don’t believe he has the constitutional right to give you a ticket. And that he has a small penis.”

  • Karen Fayeth

    Doug – You’d think more people would get that, huh?

  • Ephraim F. Moya

    Karen,

    I went thru a period in my life where I asked everyone I met the question “what is the best thing to do if a policeman stops you”

    The most consistent answer I got from women was

    “Cry!”

    I tried crying once. The cop laughed at me and gave me a ticket.

    Life is unfair!

    Regards,
    EFM

  • The Fool

    A minor incident presented nicely in an interesting to read manner and good piece of advice on dealing with cops. And thanks for visiting my blog.

  • Ur Bro

    When Dad was sick I jumped in the car one evening and headed west from Houston across the length of Texas head for Belen. About 2 am somewhere west of Junction, in the middle of no where, I get pulled over by your friendly Texas Highway Patrol, who informed me that as it was night, the speed limit it 65, I was going 80. He then wished me a pleasant evening and sent me on my way without a ticket. About 40 minutes later my speed had creeped back up again, and I met the Sonora County Sheriff. He was not so gracious, I suppose he heard about me on the radio.

    Then there was the County Sheriff in Michigan who looked at my Texas drivers license and asked “Son, are the speed limit signs here in Michigan the same size as back home, or are them signs much bigger in Texas?”

  • Karen Fayeth

    Ephraim – Nope, no tears needed. I’ve never actually tried the crying routine. Hence why I’ve always gotten a ticket….except for this time. It’s a welcome change!

  • Karen Fayeth

    The Fool – Thanks for the comment and for stopping by!

  • Karen Fayeth

    Big Bro – But as far as Mom knows, you drove the speed limit the *whole* way. :)

  • Jane

    I love Ephraim’s comment about crying. I think it could work sometimes though so maybe try it again if you are stopped again :-)

Comments are closed.