Jimscomments10_27

COMMENTS FROM THE CORNER...........

I fought the law, and the law won......

October 27......
My stubborn nature has reared it's head once again. On Aug. 4th, I was driving to work and came up behind a county deputy, who was following a slow-moving cargo van at 53 mph. I don't drive too terribly fast myself, at least compared to the swarm of cars and trucks which regularly pass me, going upwards of 65-70 mph on that 55 mph stretch. I drive (or used to drive) about 5 miles an hour over the limit, meaning, in this case, about 60.
   Well, as I was following this deputy, who was following the cargo van at 53 mph, I decided that I should have the right to travel at the posted limit of 55. With that in mind, I waited until I had plenty of room to get around both of them, and proceeded into the left lane and went around. Being ever-conscious of safety, I kicked my speed up to about 60 to get around and back into the proper lane.
   Before I could get around, and back down to 55, this deputy had his lights on and was after me. I pulled over as soon as it was safe, and waited in the car, getting my licence, registration, and insurance card ready.
   This young deputy, who looked younger than my 23-year-old son, approached my car and asked me if I knew what the speed limit was. I replied "Yes, it's 55." He then informed me that he paced me at 62 mph as I was passing him. I replied "yes, but I'm under the impression that you're allowed a little lee-way when passing, so as to complete your pass safely." His reply was "Why do you think you can drive 60 miles per hour in a 55 zone?" I said "OK, I'm not going to argue with you, but if you're going to write a ticket, please do so, so I can continue on to work." He then raised his hands in disbelief, saying "I can't believe you had the NERVE to PASS ME!" He then went back to his patrol car, did what he had to do, and returned with my ticket for travelling 60 in a 55.
    Well, I decided that I should fight this, that it was not fair to give me a ticket for passing safely! It was not about the money ($30), but the whole idea. It seemed to me at the time that this young, eager, deputy simply couldn't stand the idea of some CIVILIAN having the nuts to pass him.
    I received my notice of the court date a little over a week ago. I noticed the magistrate's name on the summons and recognized it. The magistrate is a fellow graduate of Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, class of 1971 like myself. Now, we were not much more than acquaintances back then, although I did hang out some with his older brother. I hadn't seen either of them in over 30 years, and with the fact that there were somewhere between four and five hundred kids in that Class of 1971, I didn't know if he'd remember me or not, and certainly did not expect any favoritism. But it was interesting.
   Well, I had my day in court, and after the deputy made his statement (which, I maintain, was flawed in two ways: 1) he stated that he was driving 56 mph when I started to pass, and 2) that I told him "I always drive 60"), I got a chance to tell my story, which is exactly what I related above.
   Well, I guess I should have known better. After being told, by this magistrate, that there is no provision in Iowa law for exceeding the posted speed limit when passing, I was told, as the "trial" came to it's conclusion "At your age you should have known better. Pay the $30 down in room 204"
    I don't know if he remembered me from way back then; if he did, he certainly didn't let on. Of course, I realize that in a court of law, there's no time for small-talk.
    That stubborn streak comes to life in me from time to time, usually at the wrong time, but at least I had the satisfaction of wasting their time right along with my own.