Kathleen's Blog

It is funny  how I spent over ten years driving a Corvette, but now that I am driving the Hot Rod, Toyota Avalon, I have gotten pulled over TWICE in four months…

Honestly, it is because it is a lot easier to speed in the Avalon.  The Corvette is a loud car and it gets louder as you crank up the speed.  It is also a much rougher ride. But the Avalon is such a smooooooth ride that without even paying attention it is easy to creep up past 85.  That is what happened to me this weekend.

It was early on Saturday morning and I was on the freeway.  The traffic was relatively light and I picked up the phone to dial a friend.  I haven’t had the time to set up the speed dial on my car phone/Bluetooth thingy and so I was actually using my cell phone (without a hands-free).  Shame on me!  Besides being incredibly stupid, it is also against the law in the great state of California.

I had no sooner said “hello” to my friend  when I looked in my rearview mirror and saw flashing lights. Naturally, I next looked at my speedometer. Crap. 85mph.

So after crossing 4 lanes of traffic, getting off at the next exit and parking on a nearby side-street, I had a California Highway Patrolman at my window.

Now, no matter how many times you have been pulled over, I imagine your hands still sweat and your voice still shakes a bit. I know I was nervous and, at this point, I feel like I am a veteran speed-offender AND a regular driver in LA – I should be used to men with guns outside my window!

“Ma’am.  Do you know how fast you were going?”

Sigh, I did… “Yes, Sir. I was over 80”

“Ma’am.  You were at 85mph. I was driving behind you for a good mile before I even turned on my lights. Did you not see me?”

No, or I would have slowed down…duh…“No, sir.”

“Ma’am. I am not sure I am much encouraged by the fact that you didn’t see me, either. You should be aware of your surroundings at all times when you are behind the wheel and talking on your cell phone was part of your problem and also against the law.”

Which tactic to take?  Do I pretend to be unaware of the cell phone law or just apologize….“I am sorry, Officer. I do know better. ”

“Ma’am. I need to see your driver’s license, insurance and registration.”

I couldn’t find my registration. Yup.  Not in the glove box.  Crap.

“Ma’am.  California law requires that your proof of registration be in the car at all times.  This is serious offense by itself.”

Gonna just apologize and hope he takes pity on me…“I am sorry, Officer. I am not sure what happened – I am normally very organized and it was an unintentional oversight.”

“Ma’am.  I see here that you have a Texas Driver’s License.”

Crap… this is about to get SO much worse…  “ Yes, sir.”

“Ma’am. You have a Texas Driver’s License but your insurance card lists a California address.  It is a serious offense to live in the state of California and not get a California Driver’s License? Do you live in the state of California?”

Gulp…do I lie?  Do I get in more trouble?  What to do?  “Yes, Sir. I live here in Orange County”

“Ma’am.  How long have you lived here in Orange County?”

Oh no, he is gonna impound my car and haul me off to jail… “15 years, sir.”

“Ma’am.  You are required to change your license within 30 days of moving to the state. By my math, it has been longer than 30 days.”

Lucky me, I get the math whiz… “Yes, sir.”

“Ma’am… so let’s recap all these serious offenses.  You were speeding. You were talking on your cell phone.  You don’t have your registration. AND you are driving without a legal California  driver’s license.  Did I leave anything off?”

Shoot, even if he had left something off, I wasn’t about to add to the list…”No, sir. That about sums it up.”

Shaking his head… “Ma’am. I’m letting you off with a warning, keep it below 80 and get the rest of that crap taken care of.”

Big Smile… “Yes, sir!”

So apparently the way to get out of a speeding ticket is to confuse the issue with a bunch of other violations 🙂

Seriously, not taking this lightly. I’ll be at the DMV next week getting my registration reprinted and my driver’s license changed over.  I also programmed all my speed dial buttons in the car. Now as to the speeding… would you even believe me if I said that I would slow down?  🙂

(Kids: Don’t try this at home)

Love, me