# We (almost) got a ticket this morning! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183 "2007-07-02T02:09:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/21 "2007-07-02T19:07:07Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] First off I wasn’t driving, my husband was. He has also never had an accident, and is, actually, a very safe driver. [/QUOTE] Despite being such a safe and careful driver, he was still speeding. Is it ok for “safe” drivers to speed? I think I’ll try that excuse out the next time I get pulled over. Not only that, he thinks he should be given “professional courtesy” for being a firefighter? Unless FFs/nurses/soldiers are on their way to a fire/emergency/war, I think they should be given a citation, and the same goes for cops and “civilians”. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/22 "2007-07-02T19:09:18Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] Sorry if I offended anyone in particular. I listened to a call in radio program a few days ago and was surprised at the number of people who readily admitted to, routinely, going 10 to 15 miles over the posted limit. They all rationalized it, in one way or another, and all acted as if it was commonplace and to be expected. I’m sure that recollection affected the tenor of my response to the OP. [/QUOTE] I speed all the time (meaning “frequently”, not “any moment I am driving, I am speeding”). So do 99% of all the drivers I know. I’m just honest enough to admit it. However, I don’t get self-righteous when I get a speeding ticket. They caught me, fair and square. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/23 "2007-07-02T19:15:05Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] On a limited-access highway it’s typically commonplace to go 5-15 miles over the posted limit, depending on the location. Trying that on surface streets is just asking for trouble. [/QUOTE] That’s precisely the attitude I’m talking about, when a driver surpasses 5mph over the limit, they should be ticketed. Going more than a very few miles over the limit is usually accompanied by erratic lanes changes, because some of the traffic is going at, or near, the posted limit. I know that someone is going to say that ALL the traffic is speeding, but I believe that’s the result of limited enforcement capabilities and a creeping social acceptance that can only lead to a higher fatality rates. Just because “everybody else is doing it” doesn’t justify it or lessen the danger. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/24 "2007-07-02T19:32:07Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] Just because “everybody else is doing it” doesn’t justify it or lessen the danger. [/QUOTE] True, it doesn’t lessen the danger, but you’re dealing with the “going slower than everybody else will get me rearended!” mentality. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/25 "2007-07-02T19:44:58Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] Going more than a very few miles over the limit is usually accompanied by erratic lanes changes, because some of the traffic is going at, or near, the posted limit. I know that someone is going to say that ALL the traffic is speeding, but I believe that’s the result of limited enforcement capabilities and a creeping social acceptance that can only lead to a higher fatality rates. Just because “everybody else is doing it” doesn’t justify it or lessen the danger. [/QUOTE] Two of your assertions are contrary to each other here. 1. “Going more than a very few miles over the limit is usually accompanied by erratic lane changes, because some of the traffic is going at, or near, the posted limit.” and 1. “Just because ‘everybody else is doing it’ doesn’t justify it or lessen the danger.” It has been my experience that driving the speed limit or 5 miles under results in many MORE erratic lane changes – by the majority of the traffic that is driving at 5-10 miles over, trying to get around your slow self. In other words, if, indeed everyone WAS going 5-10 miles over, it WOULD lessen the danger, because there would be far FEWER erratic lane changes. I drive 55 on state highways to save gas. I briefly tried that this weekend on an interstate and quickly felt too unsafe to continue at that speed. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/26 "2007-07-02T19:54:18Z")
[QUOTE=CynicalGabe] Despite being such a safe and careful driver, he was still speeding. Is it ok for “safe” drivers to speed? I think I’ll try that excuse out the next time I get pulled over. Not only that, he thinks he should be given “professional courtesy” for being a firefighter? Unless FFs/nurses/soldiers are on their way to a fire/emergency/war, I think they should be given a citation, and the same goes for cops and “civilians”. [/QUOTE] Reading for comprehension is your friend, Sparky. Kindly point out to me where in the OP it was even remotely indicated that he thought he should receive professional courtesy? The first two posts to this thread all indicated that they fully expected to be cited. My post was #3, and I couldn’t have beefed the officer had he cited me, either. Try again. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/27 "2007-07-02T19:57:17Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] The first two posts to this thread all indicated that they fully expected to be cited. [/QUOTE] The second one also indicated that **BiblioCat** , when asked for “license and registration,” also gave the cop two EMT cards and a volunteer firefighter card. Please point out whether you consider those a “license” or a “registration.” ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/28 "2007-07-02T19:59:27Z")
These are just more rationalizations. I never said anything about driving under the speed limit. Anyone who wants to ignore the danger and pay the fines, or put their driving priveleges and their life in jeopardy, is free to take that risk. I believe, in almost all circumstances, that traffic engineers are smarter than I am on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/29 "2007-07-02T20:33:45Z")
[QUOTE=Garfield226] The second one also indicated that **BiblioCat** , when asked for “license and registration,” also gave the cop two EMT cards and a volunteer firefighter card. Please point out whether you consider those a “license” or a “registration.” [/QUOTE] They aren’t, nor did I claim that they were. Can’t speak for you, but I believe it’s correct in stating that most of the motoring public, when stopped, doesn’t think, “Hot Damn! I’m gonna get a citation!!” There’s also the subtle, but marked difference between “I hope I just get a warning” and “I _expect_ to skate based upon my professional affiliation.” The latter wasn’t expressed in the post by **BiblioCat**. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/30 "2007-07-02T20:38:33Z")
Apparantly rules went into effect yesterday in Virginia, including a $3K fine for 80 mph or higher. There’s also a $3k fine for “felony failure to signal,” whatever THAT is. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/31 "2007-07-02T20:45:49Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] Reading for comprehension is your friend, Sparky. Kindly point out to me where in the OP it was even remotely indicated that he thought he should receive professional courtesy? The first two posts to this thread all indicated that they fully expected to be cited. My post was #3, and I couldn’t have beefed the officer had he cited me, either. Try again. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] > [@picunurse](#): > > Hubby is a firefighter. Both cars have union stickers on them. He’s never gotten a ticket. That sure indicates to me they expected professional courtesy. Why else mention occupation and bumper stickers? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/32 "2007-07-02T20:54:00Z")
[QUOTE=CynicalGabe] That sure indicates to me they expected professional courtesy. Why else mention occupation and bumper stickers? [/QUOTE] Because it’s germane to the story? ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/33 "2007-07-02T20:59:59Z")
I have a friend who was driving without insurance, the only reason he didn’t go to jail was because he is a firefighter. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/34 "2007-07-02T21:12:30Z")
[QUOTE=CynicalGabe] That sure indicates to me they expected professional courtesy. Why else mention occupation and bumper stickers? [/QUOTE] How friggin obtuse are you? Go back to the top of the page and READ the OP. The _police officer asked_ the OP about occupation and effected their cite/warning decision based upon that and a myriad of other factors, as LEOs do every day. The OP did not _initiate_ any colloquy designed to escape a citation. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/35 "2007-07-02T21:27:49Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] How friggin obtuse are you? Go back to the top of the page and READ the OP. The _police officer asked_ the OP about occupation and effected their cite/warning decision based upon that and a myriad of other factors, as LEOs do every day. The OP did not _initiate_ any colloquy designed to escape a citation. [/QUOTE] Contrary to popular belief, I am able to read. Occasionally I also interpret a bit. The bit about being a firefighter came before the explanation that the officer asked for the driver’s occupation. Also, I did not claim that the driver tried to get out of a ticket by stating that he was a firefighter, just that there seemed to be an expectation that it would matter a damn. My assertion of such an expectation also derives in part from this: > [@picunurse](#): > > Hubby was sure his streak was over…stunned at once more having the union sticker act as a “get out of jail free” card. Yes, I know I deleted the part about the officer asking questions. That’s not relevant to my point. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/36 "2007-07-03T02:17:19Z")
[QUOTE=CynicalGabe] That sure indicates to me they expected professional courtesy. Why else mention occupation and bumper stickers? [/QUOTE] I was **hoping** for the professional courtesy - as I said, I expected to get a ticket. I was out-of-state and I was over the speed limit. I handed over proof of my professional affliation in the _hope_ that the officer would cut me a break. If I’d been in my own county, there would have been a bit more of an _expectation_ of that professional courtesy. Like it or not, it happens all the time. I get discounts at certain food establishments while in uniform, too. You want to complain about that? We even get free snowballs at a certain stand near one hospital, too. I always drop a dollar in the tip jar, though. If I’d gotten a ticket, I would have paid it. Sure, I would have bitched a little, but it would have been my own fault. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/37 "2007-07-03T02:41:36Z")
[QUOTE=CynicalGabe] Despite being such a safe and careful driver, he was still speeding. Is it ok for “safe” drivers to speed? I think I’ll try that excuse out the next time I get pulled over. Not only that, he thinks he should be given “professional courtesy” for being a firefighter? Unless FFs/nurses/soldiers are on their way to a fire/emergency/war, I think they should be given a citation, and the same goes for cops and “civilians”. [/QUOTE] Excuse me? Where did I say he expected anything? He was quite willing to take the ticket humbly. In fact, the only firefighter I’ve ever known who did get a ticket was one who asked for “professional courtesy.” He wasn’t driving recklessly. He didn’t change lanes at all since entering the freeway, he pulled over, only where it was safe to do so, he turned off the engine to ensure safety. He is a professional driver. As **BiblioCat** said, he takes required courses in accident avoidance. The union stickers are on the cars for work. He drives either car to work. If he never drove my car, I wouldn’t have one. The “get out of jail free” comment was tongue-in-cheek. Sorry, if that was unclear. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/38 "2007-07-03T04:29:23Z")
[QUOTE=BiblioCat] I get discounts at certain food establishments while in uniform, too. You want to complain about that? [/QUOTE] If someone in the private sector wants to give you discounts due to your profession, there’s no problem with that. But just because you’re an EMT, firefighter, or service member, doesn’t mean that you should be able to get special treatment in violation of the law. Neither of these professions qualify you as a safe driver. If you’re asked for your drivers license and insurance, that’s all that you need to provide. Handing over that _plus_ your EMT and firefighter ID cards, _without being asked_, is the equivilent of me handing a $50 dollar bill with my ID in the hope of special treatment. “Oh, so you’re a Marine! Warning for you sir, good day.” That shit isn’t right. If regular ole citizens have to pay the random tax, I would expect emergency professionals do to the same when they break the law. Of course officers have discretion, but discretion based on your job? Officers may do this everyday, but it’s crap. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/39 "2007-07-03T04:43:54Z")
And yes I read that you expected a ticket and hoped to not get one. The part that I didn’t like was you handing over your other UNREQUIRED id’s to the officer. It’s one thing to hope to not get a ticket, and quite another to provide your occupation unasked and hoping to not get a ticket based on what your occupation is. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183/40 "2007-07-03T06:38:37Z")
[QUOTE=BiblioCat] Like it or not, it happens all the time. I get discounts at certain food establishments while in uniform, too. You want to complain about that? [/QUOTE] If those food service establishments were agents of a local, state or federal government, you are damn right I would want to complain about it. If private, I don’t give a hoot. > [@picunurse](#): > > He wasn’t driving recklessly. He was speeding, wasn’t he? > [@](#): > > He didn’t change lanes at all since entering the freeway, he pulled over, only where it was safe to do so, he turned off the engine to ensure safety. He is a professional driver. As BiblioCat said, he takes required courses in accident avoidance. So driving a lot means he is good at it and therefore OK for him to speed? Sorry, but look at statistics for occupations that involve a lot of driving. I see a LOT of accidents. Driving every day doesn’t make you immune to screwing up, and exposes you a LOT more to OTHER peoples screwups. > [@](#): > > The union stickers are on the cars for work. He drives either car to work. If he never drove my car, I wouldn’t have one. The “get out of jail free” comment was tongue-in-cheek. Sorry, if that was unclear. I missed that it was tongue-in-cheek. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Having said that… Are union stickers on your private vehicles somehow required for work? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-almost-got-a-ticket-this-morning/410183.md?page=3)