No left turn. No right answer.
So I was driving to Chipotle last night taking my regular route. However, when I got to the corner of Elliot and Power (where I would normally take a left) there was construction and a new No Left Turn sign. I looked around and saw that there was no oncoming traffic and I was simply too lazy to turn right and do a U-turn later or go straight and do the same, so I turned left.
The car behind me turned right. Then the SUV behind that car turned left also. I felt good knowing I wasn't the only person turning left. Until that SUV began flashing blue and red.
I haven't been pulled over for fourteen years, so I'm a little rusty on the whole thing. But after reviewing the conversation with the police officer, I realized that there is no right answer to the question, "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
If I had chosen to say "Yes," I would have been implying that not only did I know but that I had brazenly acted outside of the law for whatever reason -- and I would have been admitting guilt (which of course I was guilty). Of course if I say "No" then I look like I'm a complete moron. I chose a somewhat halfhearted "No" with a confused look and some blabbering about the construction. I was then verbally berated for my stupidity (which I deserved) but I was let go with a warning.
So. The big huge sign with the line through the big huge left turn symbol clearly means no left turn. You can be sure I won't be doing that again.
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Way to go Blake!! I think this let's you know that people do like your book, and it can't hurt to get it out a little. Great!!
Posted by: Mardean | July 14, 2006 10:27 AM
Oops!
I've been pulled over three times in my life: once by then-husband who thought it would be hilarious to humiliate me with lights/sirens and full speed chase. The other two times I was let off with a warning--speeding. Heh heh. Once you drive in excess of 100 mph on the Autobahn--there's NO turning back... {cackle} I actually was just going 10 over with one and uh, "accelerating too quickly in a construction zone" on I-15 with the other.
Those blue and red lights really get the adrenaline going, don't they?
Posted by: Laura Bybee | July 14, 2006 04:11 PM
LOL! Good job getting out of the ticket... letting the cop feel superior is always a quick way to a warning.
Posted by: Jeremy | July 18, 2006 06:18 AM
Sounds crazy I know, but I've actually found that honesty is the best policy. Once I did the exact same thing in San Francisco because I was too lazy to do the right thing and go around the block. The policeman asked me if I knew what I'd done wrong and I admitted to it without hesitation. He then asked me if I'd been drinking and I said that I'd had two beers earlier in the night. He asked me if I thought I was intoxicated. I said no. My passenger thought was I insane for telling the truth.
The cop checked my license, came back and told me not to be lazy, and not to ruin a good driving record with a stupid ticket...
Posted by: John | August 6, 2006 07:25 PM