prompt reaction # 12
# 52 No telling what he was thinking behind those dark glasses.
I remember the lights, then the siren. He pulled me over, said I was going 42 in a 25 mile per hour zone. He had those mirrored sunglasses on, could'nt see his expression at all, kind of like he used it for intimidation. He was also very matter of fact, "drivers liscense and registration please" is all that came out of his mouth. I figured I had nothing to loose so I went for the totally honest approach. I said "officer, I'm from this area and I know full well what the speed limit is, I also know that there are alot of kids in this area and people have been driving way to fast. I have a lot on my mind today and I was very preoccupied with my thoughts, I have no excuse for speeding and I'll take whatever ticket I'm supposed to get, maybe it will teach me to pay more attention to the road." I could'nt see anything, like I said, he had no expression on his face. He simply said, "I'll be right back." I sat for what seemed like forever, and when you wait that long you just know that you're getting a ticket. When he returned he handed me my stuff and said, "I just saved you 128$, I don't usually do this so slow down in the future, and thanks for being honest with me, have a good day.
I remember the lights, then the siren. He pulled me over, said I was going 42 in a 25 mile per hour zone. He had those mirrored sunglasses on, could'nt see his expression at all, kind of like he used it for intimidation. He was also very matter of fact, "drivers liscense and registration please" is all that came out of his mouth. I figured I had nothing to loose so I went for the totally honest approach. I said "officer, I'm from this area and I know full well what the speed limit is, I also know that there are alot of kids in this area and people have been driving way to fast. I have a lot on my mind today and I was very preoccupied with my thoughts, I have no excuse for speeding and I'll take whatever ticket I'm supposed to get, maybe it will teach me to pay more attention to the road." I could'nt see anything, like I said, he had no expression on his face. He simply said, "I'll be right back." I sat for what seemed like forever, and when you wait that long you just know that you're getting a ticket. When he returned he handed me my stuff and said, "I just saved you 128$, I don't usually do this so slow down in the future, and thanks for being honest with me, have a good day.
posted by psychman1 | 4/22/2006 11:49:00 PM
1 Comments:
Ah, the honesty-best-policy idea.
Whenever I speed--only on the motorcycle--I imagine talking my way out of a ticket somewhat like this. You forgot to add the part about your appreciating him doing his job for all our benefits.
When I was pulled over last summer for skimming down a parking lane on my bike to make a right turn (see my blog for details), the first thing The Man said stuck with me and shamed me more than if he'd simply said the obvious, which was that I was violating the traffic laws: "That's just thoughtless and rude to every other driver out there."
So, I try to keep politeness in mind nowadays as one driving principle.
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