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Man, I really miss riding my bike. I miss the feeling of speed. I'm starting to hammer my little Golf GTI all over town. I'm going to get a speeding ticket if I keep this up. When I bought this car, I promised myself I wouldn't abuse the power. Whoops. Too late. Waste of gas too. I should know better. I guess I better learn some self-control.

Have I told you about my speeding ticket story? Hmm....

I got caught doing 120km/h in a 50 zone on my CBR600F3. I should have known better. I knew that the street had a radar trap, but it was April30th, my first real ride of the season. It was 9pm, on a Wednesday, after shooting pool with a couple of friends. The street was completely empty and devoid of both traffic and pedestrians. I'm not saying it's justified. But 120 on a bike is nothing, and if anything was to happen, it'd only be happening to me. (i.e. I wouldn't have hit anything or anyone else.)

Anyhow, as soon as I passed the radar trap, I turned to look for the cop, sure enough, there was one. His lights came on, and I slowed to about 55km/h. He pulled behind me and signaled me to stop. I do.

The first thing I do is remove my helmet. You always want the cop to see your face and hands. Always. They're not as nervous. So I remove my helmet, gloves and unzip my jacket. I also shut off my bike. That's another thing the cops like to see. The bike shut off, this way, they know you won't try to take off and run.

Anyhow, the officer asks me about how fast I was going, and that doncha know it's dangerous at those speeds.... if you hit a rock. God forbid.

Quick little side track. 120km/h hitting a rock with my front tire wouldn't do anything. Trust me. I know. Does your car go out of control when you hit a rock? The bike doesn't either. ok??

The cop gives me the "take it easy, save it for the track lecture." I agree. All cops want respect, and they don't like a smart mouth kid. So, I'm the last guy to say boo when the officer is into his lecture.

The Officer asks: "Where do you live?"

I go: "Right around the corner from here."

He interjects: "But your driver's license indicate you don't even live in THIS city."

Oh sick. I forgot that I had used someone else's address on my license plate so I could get cheaper insurance. So I tell him that.

Then he goes, "You're doing over 120 in a 50 zone, but I'll just say you're 10 over."

WOW! What great luck. What a nice guy. Thank you.

I reply, "That's great officer, I really appreciate that. I don't want to deceive you in any way either, but umm.... my sticker on my license plate is also expired."

Hey, there's no point in lying now, they're running a check on my sticker, and might just give me a fine for that as well. I don't need that.

The officer goes back into his cruiser, talking with his partner. They pull out a blue book that contains traffic laws. They talk for a bit amongst themselves, then gesture me over.

"Listen," says Officer 1. "What would you rather have? A non-moving violation that costs $90 in fines, or a $40 ticket, but your insurance might go up?"

Of course I take the steeper fine because I'd rather have a clean driving record.

Officer 2 pipes in. "No wait a minute. You can't get an expired license sticker violation if the bike isn't on the road. That means if we give you an expired sticker, you have to play $90 bucks, and your insurance may go up."

Well, needless to say, I took the 10 over charge.

Before we parted, Officer 1 asks: "Where do you work?". I tell them I work for the Company. He's like, "Oh, yeah, I want one of them things you make. Can I get it cheaper from you?" Cheaper?! Heck, I'd steal one for you if I have to. :)

Finally, Officer 1 says: "Listen, let me tell you a little secret. I've had 4 court appearances in last two weeks that I didn't bother to show up in. I'll tell you what, you fight the ticket, and I won't show up. Okay?" Okay?! OKAY?! Heck yeah, it's OKAY!!!

He even shows me how to book a court day and everything. How nice. True to his word, he never showed up.

Are there nice police officers? I guess there are.

....if only they were all that cool eh?
posted by losir at 4:20 PM