I recently got a job requiring an hour commute. In my quest to shave off a few minutes of drive time I was progressively getting more aggressive with my driving. I was constantly passing cars on the interstate, and on a county highway that I use.
The county highway is a 22 mile long road that connects to a two land highway on either end. It is a well maintained road with little traffic. I can see generally miles in both directions, save for the occasional farm house. I was getting to the point where if I came upon a car doing 70 I would pass them, I often would do this even if I saw a car coming in another direction, I would just speed up to 90 or more to get by.
I got a speeding ticket Friday night. I still don’t know where the officer was parked when he clocked me. I had my license and insurance card out when he got to my car. I found out the speed limit was 55 on this road (I was going 78) The nice officer dropped it down to 72 so I could receive court supervision if I wished, keep my license and not have my insurance rate go up.
I guess what I want to say is THANK YOU. The officer probably saved my life, as I realized I only save myself a few minutes by speeding up. Saving ten or fifteen minutes off my commute is not worth dieing for. The ticket was a wake up call, and for the first time in my life I happily took the ticket, no excuses I know I was wrong. It was kind of embarrassing knowing that the few cars I sped up to pass were now laughing at me as I sat on the side of the road. I deserved it so what can I say. Instant Karma got me, but it could’ve been a lot worse. I just wish I had thought to thank the officer for pulling me over when I had the chance. I can’t image they ever get thanked for issuing a ticket.
Isn’t his name on the ticket somewhere? You could probably send a thank you note to him at the station, if you’re serious.
Hi name is signed, but I can’t read it. I have his ID number (or something) on the ticket, but because the road passes through three counties, I’m not exactly sure who stopped me.(State police,County Sheriff??)If he is there when I go to court I plan on thanking him. I did thank him at the time, but not for actually pulling me over.
Was this out by Naperville?
No, thank goodness, if I had to drive on 59 everyday I’d shoot myself
I hear you. My new job is a straight 9 minute shot out Willow Road. Love it.
I got a break+wake-up call just like that once.
Now, I leave 10 minutes earlier and either catch up on the news or listen to a favorite disc.
i’m 60 seconds from my workplace. 
there are no other words to add.
what color was the uniform? that would give you a place to start for that thank you note. usually (with reservations, of course) brown is county, a moderate blue is state, and dark blue or black is city.
this is of course providing you got a good look at it. traffic cops’re trained to stay behind the driver for the most part - just in case you’re not one of the good guys and start waving around a handgun or something.
that doesn’t go over well with them.
You have to go to court to pay a speeding ticket?
Slowing down a little bit also saves gas, therefore money, and the environment. Good on you!
Ah, I’m so impressed with your mature and graceful response. It’s quite refreshing. I’ll weep a little less for humanity today… because of you.
I got pulled over for going through a just-changed red light. I ended up with a warning and I really appreciated it; it worked just the way it should have, with me not taking a chance like that again.
He was wearing brown, after thinking it through a bit I’m pretty sure it was a county cop.
I appreciate the sentiment, I just wish I hadn’t been flying like at bat out of hell, endangering others besides myself