Posts Tagged ‘rookie trooper’
eye ninety-four »
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
I was across state lines last week and will be again this week. While it’s the first time doing such things in back-to-back weekends, I’ve spent far too much time on I94 over the last eight years. (I could drive it in my sleep and have, once or twice.)
Saturday, I was handed a speeding citation. The fine was about $180. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to take the situation seriously. This could be for a few reasons…
- I was pulled over by someone younger than me. It’s the first time that’s happened. Just the gravity of it had me internal-laughing for miles. (He even had to check with the other officer to be sure they could run a MasterCard. Adorable!)
- I wasn’t necessarily going that fast. I accelerated to pass and was going just under 80mph (according to the speedometer), which is close to my usual speed in Deadzone, WI. He, apparently, clocked me at 81mph but rounded down to save me some cash.
- As we neared the patrol car before he’d pulled out after us, the elder officer pointed at us emphatically and then to the side of the road. Repeatedly. This, for some reason, was hilarious. As if to say, “we got you, yes you, no really, you, definitely,” through exaggerated gestures (in a squeaky, pre-teen voice; imagined).
- But most importantly, when averaged against the times I’ve sped along I94 since moving for school, the cost is negligible. In fact, (if I were to make up a number that sounds like an estimate) it’s probably cost me about $1.37 each time I jumped above 65mph.
I’m going to write in to maybe reduce the number of points taken but am unable to stress. This begs the question: is there an age where a speeding ticket is on par with finding another mole? Or is it just my history of traffic violations that has me seeing this as a non-issue?
Note: Considering the easy curves, relatively sporadic traffic and distance from cultured civilization, the stretch between Madison and Eau Claire (or even Minneapolis) should be set to at least 70mph during daylight.