I was chased by the police again…
So I’m driving to work this morning, minding my own business. As usual, I’m stuck behind a bunch of cars going the speed limit. After passing over a poorly angled bridge, there’s a farm stand on the right. A police car is parked there, angled so that it’s out of view from traffic headed in the other direction. It’s plainly visible from the direction I’m headed in. …and since I’m stuck behind a bunch of slowpokes, I have nothing to worry about – so I thought.
He pulls out as I pass. No lights on yet, so I figure he’s just going out to get more doughnuts or something. After I passed through the intersection a quarter-mile up the road, his lights come on and I pull over.
I have absolutely no idea what I did wrong. The light at the intersection was green and I definitely wasn’t speeding. I figure maybe he didn’t like the lights on the front of my car…
I turn off the car, roll down my window, and put my hands on the steering wheel…like a good little law-abiding citizen. He comes up to my window and what did he stop me for? My inspection sticker expired! DOH! It expired in September and I totally forgot about it!
So he checks my license and registration back in his cruiser and I wait. I figure he’ll check to make sure the car’s not stolen, give me a warning, tell me to get it inspected, and send me on my way. …but I keep waiting. I realize it’s taking too long if it’s just a warning.
A few minutes later he comes back with a citation in hand. Ugh. Bastard. He tells me how to pay it, but recommends that I get the car inspected and says that if I ask for a hearing and explain that I forgot and that I had the car inspected the next day and it passed, they “usually” waive the fine.
I know Officer Flynn is just doing his job, it it seems like it would have been less load on our government, less trouble for him, and less of a pain in the ass for me if he just gave me the damn warning. ARRGH!
So I’m going to go get my car inspected now. I’m sure it will pass. Then I’ll send the thing back in and request the stupid hearing…all to save me $50.
Officer Flynn – bite me.