Got a Break This Morning . . .Grateful

[redlevel]

I have to drive about 35 miles to my part time job at the
pawn shop each morning I work. I can usually make it in
50 minutes or so, even in worse than normal traffic. The first
15-18 miles are two lane roads, typical of the Georgia landscape.
This morning, about one-fourth mile before the road widens
into a three-lane affair, with an eastbound passing lane, a pickup
pulled out in front of me, causing me to have to stand on my
brakes pretty heavily. Not a full-fledged panic stop, but enough
to scatter various items on the truck seat all over the floor and
slop coffee out of my cup. I was running probably a tad over
60 mph. The limit is 55, and I try not to get up to 10 mph
over. Needless to say, the pickup settled to about a 50-55 mph
cruise. I stayed about a truck-length behind him, waiting for
the road to widen. When I got to the passing lane, I accelerated
rapidly. Of course, he chose that time to speed up, like they
always do. I was determined to get around him, so I kept
accelerating. As I got along side him, I met a Georgia State Trooper,
whose blues immediately started flashing.

Oh ****.

I watched in the mirror, hoping that maybe he was after someone
headed west, but I knew better. I stayed at about 60 until he
was behind me, and I pulled over.

"I need to see your license."

"Yes Sir."

"Mr. Harris, I clocked you at 80 mph."

"Yes Sir. I was pissed off. That truck pulled out in front of
me about a half mile back and made me stand on my brakes.
Then, I used very poor judgement."

"I'm glad to hear you say that instead of making me have to
tell you. Eighty miles per hour is just going to get you a ticket,
and make him madder at you. I need for you to slow down
and get where you are going safely."

He handed me my license. I said, "Yes Sir. Thank you."

He walked back to his car, and I drove on to work.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I am glad you were not injured and did not damage your vehicle and your cash is still in your wallet. Watch that temper, LOL!!

 

[rwsmith]

Go out on the road.......

Go out on the road and you will get pissed off. it's a fact of life just like the sun is hot. Glad your honesty with the officer paid off.

 

[G.T. Smith]

Right after I bought my new S-10, I was headed for work at 4:30 AM and was running late. There were 3 cars in front of me that were going about 45 mph so when I got to a short straight stretch I dropped a couple gears and passed them. 4.3 V6 5 speed with 3:08 rear end gears. When I let off the gas I was running about 90 or so. I popped over the hill and the road ahead instantly lit up with police lights. I pulled over and the highway patrolman asked me how fast I was going and I said about 80. He said 86. I told him why I was running that fast and that I know better than to go that fast on a deer infested road like that one is. He let me off with a warning and said, "don't let me catch you driving that fast again". So stupid me says, "what, don't let you catch me, don't those cruisers go faster than that?" I thought he was gonna go ahead and cite me but he just shook his head. I thought it was funny but he didn't laugh. Lucky me!
Peace,
gordon

 

[alwslate]

I sometimes get mad while driving just like everyone else does. And
like the OP I find that the idiot who pulls out in front of you will also
usually drive below the speed limit after doing so. Add this to the fact
that they will then always speed up if you try to go around them and you wish that vehicle manufactures offered Browning .50 cal MGs that
fired through the grill as a factory option.

 

[Sayoc01]

Come to Miami....you have it made where you are.In Miami,most have broken turn signals(I know because no-one uses them).Forget turning lanes,seen people get a left green turning light & go right.Oh yeah forgot licenses & insurance(most don't have either)! Also lanes don't mean much....drivers will cut across your lane to get to the far lane with little or no warning!One last thing is the language barrier,get in an accident & don't be surprised if you hear "NO speak english"!!

 

[old bear]

I always had a soft spot, for those who were willing to admit they were guilty of D.W.S. (driving when stupid), enough said.

 

[pharmer]

This morning, about one-fourth mile before the road widens into a three-lane affair, with an eastbound passing lane, a pickup pulled out in front of me, causing me to have to stand on my
brakes pretty heavily. Needless to say, the pickup settled to about a 50-55 mph cruise. I stayed about a truck-length behind him, waiting for
the road to widen. When I got to the passing lane, I accelerated
rapidly. Of course, he chose that time to speed up, like they
always do. I was determined to get around him, so I kept
accelerating.

They must teach this in "Driver's Ed" these days. I work 10 miles from the house and daily get this, the "phone girl/guy" or the "animated knot" yelling with gestures at the passenger, always in the left lane. Cop gave sage advice with the break. Joe

 

[model70hunter]

GT, badge ticket book, you in the drivers seat, let the officer make any funnies. This is a serious time, sir, yes sir works great along with honesty.

When you were radar busted you have strike one.

When you try to BS a badge who has heard it all, strike two.

Smartness or bad attitude, strike 3. Ticket. My sir, yes sir and honesty has served me well.


I know, been on both sides of the drivers window.

 

[the ringo kid]

I sometimes get mad while driving just like everyone else does. And
like the OP I find that the idiot who pulls out in front of you will also
usually drive below the speed limit after doing so. Add this to the fact
that they will then always speed up if you try to go around them and you wish that vehicle manufactures offered Browning .50 cal MGs that
fired through the grill as a factory option.

Bus drivers agree with me on two things. Actually more but I shan't list em.
1) That each bus should be equipped with twin 40 mm cannons.
2) That the city of robstown should be used as a US Army artillery testing range.

I know nr 2 isn't related to nr 1, but just thought I'd throw that in there anyway.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

CAUGHT

Happened years ago to me in Kentucky- rolled in behind some local doing about 35 on a two lane road-- I followed for a bit and finally gunned it around him. Yep, lights began to flash, from nowhere. I pulled over and the State trooper walked up and began to read me the riot act-- still p off, and in a voice no too kind, I ask him if this was some kind of local speed trap to catch out of staters-- yeah, I was really PO-- he looked at the 3 kids in the back seat and told me I should slow down-- I never went over the speed limit, this being in the 55mph days and was about to tell him just that when he said have a good day--- -- my mood brightened a bit.

 

[Lt JL]

Last month, I got a ticket from a cop I actually trained!!!

 

[pittpa]

A 35 mile commute, you should have a dash cam. Can show your speed if you need it to get out of a ticket. I have one. I don't get mad at what people do in front of me, just let it keep recording. If you're carrying, best not race those people that speed up in passing zones.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Them Ga state troopers are alright. Some of them keep a derringer velcroed in the top of that straw hat!

 

[chud333]

Yep, A hot head behind the wheel is not good.

I've told the wife many times, if someone pisses
you off while you're driving just forget it and move on.

People have gotten shot and killed over a simple hang gesture.


Chuck

 

[RJJ 1971]

Last month, I got a ticket from a cop I actually trained!!!

Look at it this way...
You either trained them really well, or not so much...

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Polite and not trying to BS the officer, and the officer responds in a thoughtful manner. Who woulda thunk?

Real estate ... location location location
Law enforcement ... attitude attitude attitude

 

[Mainsail]

My 1986 M1009 came from the days before antiskid brakes and its Detroit diesel has little appreciable acceleration potential, so I usually just back off and relax.

Be that as it may, I've still had to perform maximum braking and let's just say it's as violent as it is frightening. The frightening part applies to both me and anyone within a dozen car lengths as the brakes do not always apply simultaneously, causing the truck to swerve angrily all over the area.

Seriously everyone, DO NOT CUT OFF A 6,000 POUND TRUCK WITH OLD BRAKING TECHNOLOGY!

 

[mtgianni]

I had to smile at the first line. My 30 mile commute generally runs 26 minutes.

 

[SLT223]

You know what's really strange? When I get cut off badly like what happened to the OP, I almost ALWAYS receive the middle finger from the person cutting me off. This happens literally 80%+ of the time. When I don't react, they give it to me about half dozen more times. It's so strange. I've never understood it.