Exhibit "A": satellite photo of the crime scene.(click photo to expand)
A couple Sundays ago, I was busted for speeding. Yep, I got me a speeding ticket. It was about 7:00 am on a Sunday morning, I was driving my boy to hockey practice. I was going north on 52nd Street SE, then turned right to go east on 17th Avenue SE, intending to make my way to Chestermere. After two blocks, what I thought was some guy attempting to jaywalk was actually a police officer directing me to the side of the road.
"I'm stopping you because you were going 75 in a 50 Kilometer zone." The policeman said to me.
"Here's my license, hang on a sec, I'll get my the other stuff for you." I reached for the glove box, but before I opened it the officer interrupted.
"Just your license is fine."
About half a minute to a minute later I had my freshly earned speeding ticket in hand. $175 was the damage. That's Canadian dollars, too! "Here's your license back. I'm issuing you a speeding ticket today for exceeding the 50 Km/H speed limit, so here you are. Drive safe." Those were to cop's quickly spoken parting words. As he handed me my ticket, I noticed a sign over the policeman's right shoulder. The sign read "60 Km/H Maximum".
I'll first say that I'm going to "man up" and pay the fine. Technically, he got me. But, I live in a democracy that values free speech dammit! So here's what really browns me about this speeding ticket.
This was a "technical speeding" ticket.
There were no stores open. There were no cars on the road. And this stretch of road had all the appearances of being a freeway. The manner in which I was driving was safe, no question. Look at the above picture: it’s a divided highway.
No posted speed limit
Since getting this ticket, I've driven the boy to hockey practice a few times. After you turn off 52nd street to go east on 17th Ave, the signs go: 60, 80, then 100. Then you reach Chestermere. There is no 50 sign. This does not mean the officer was incorrect, he's technically right. If he nabs you just before the 60 sign, he's got you for exceeding a 50. I was clocked about 50-70 metres before the 60 sign.
In and Out
I was expecting to hear some "advice" from the officer: "This is a high collision area, that's why we're monitoring it". Or "a speeding awareness campaign is in effect." or SOMETHING. The cop processed my speeding ticket the way McDonalds processes a hamburger. Quick. Get 'em in. Get 'em out. Next!
I'm left with a sense that some police officers don't really care about nabbing unsafe drivers. I was issued a ticket because I was easy pickin's. It was easy to get me. I was the only car on the road, going at a menacing 75 in a 60, er, I mean 50. I could not have been easier to get. But is this type of police-work supposed to be easy?
3 comments:
he probably pulled you over because you were hung-over foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog-of-a-hockey dad.
today my word verification is 'bsfly'
That's only during games that I turn into the rabid hockey dad. This was a practice.
Just wanting to make sure I understand your predicament. You were doing 75 in a 50 zone. That 50 zone was about to become a 60 zone....at which point you would have been doing 75...in a 60 zone.
Yes, I can see your issue with it.
I am surprised that you didn't pick up on the fact that it occurred as the month was winding down and there remained quotas to be filled. Keep the date in mind while speeding...use the rhythm method, even though that's not 100% safe either.
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