My brush with the law
So, I hate my commute to work. I'm a terrible driver, seriously. I have to go on both 287 and 80, which --if you know Jersey-- you know it sucks. Three to five lanes of traffic, lorries, 65 mile an hour speed limit which means people go even faster. So the trucks aren't allowed in the fast lane which is good because the trucks scare me more than going fast. So I'm in the fast lane, keeping up with everyone else. I can't look around or at my speedometer, I have to pay attention to my lane only. I pull the car over three lanes (indicating as always) to get off at my exit. Suddenly a cop car pulls up behind me and puts on the siren. Apparently I was going 87, which I would have known if I was looking at my speedometer. Everyone was going that fast but as I was pulling over the policeman thought that I was running away from him. So he comes up to the car and I'm shaking:
him: License and registration, ma'am.
Me: Here you go.
H: This is your license and insurance.
m: Sorry, um, oh here it is.
H: Do you know how fast you were going?
m: No.
h: It was 87.
m: Wow, I wasn't looking at my speedometer. I am so sorry. I didn't realize. I am so sorry.
h: where are you going?
m: exit 35A. The one two up.
h: you going to the mall?
m: No, work, I work at ABM, it's in the building across from the home depot.
h: How many points do you have on your license?
m: None.
h: When were you last pulled over?
m: I've never been pulled
h: never?
m: no, not once.
h: okay.
I'm visibly gray and shaking. He goes away to his car to look up everything. It takes him like ten minutes, I think I'm going to vomit. Partially because I had no idea I was going that fast and it's just a reminder of how scary fast this road is. Also 87 in a 65 is double points on your license, a double fee and possible driving school. He comes back and is suddenly a totally different, really kind person.
H: okay, license plate holders are illegal in Jersey. We don't bust people for them. It's a 30 dollar fine because it's an obscured license plate. So I'm giving you a written warning for speeding and a 30 dollar ticket for your license plate holders. You need to learn a lesson: watch your speedometer. Be careful when pulling back onto the road.
M: Thank you so much, Sir.
H: Watch your speedometer.
m: yes, yes, thank you.
He follows me, I think to make sure I'm not going to the mall. Which is totally fair. I pull into my building's lot, he drives past.
Carol the art designer has to walk me through some breathing exercises. I then continue with my day, calmly doing a shit ton of work because my boss is on vacation and I have a lot to get through. I go home, burst into tears, take two Xanax and have a glass of wine.
him: License and registration, ma'am.
Me: Here you go.
H: This is your license and insurance.
m: Sorry, um, oh here it is.
H: Do you know how fast you were going?
m: No.
h: It was 87.
m: Wow, I wasn't looking at my speedometer. I am so sorry. I didn't realize. I am so sorry.
h: where are you going?
m: exit 35A. The one two up.
h: you going to the mall?
m: No, work, I work at ABM, it's in the building across from the home depot.
h: How many points do you have on your license?
m: None.
h: When were you last pulled over?
m: I've never been pulled
h: never?
m: no, not once.
h: okay.
I'm visibly gray and shaking. He goes away to his car to look up everything. It takes him like ten minutes, I think I'm going to vomit. Partially because I had no idea I was going that fast and it's just a reminder of how scary fast this road is. Also 87 in a 65 is double points on your license, a double fee and possible driving school. He comes back and is suddenly a totally different, really kind person.
H: okay, license plate holders are illegal in Jersey. We don't bust people for them. It's a 30 dollar fine because it's an obscured license plate. So I'm giving you a written warning for speeding and a 30 dollar ticket for your license plate holders. You need to learn a lesson: watch your speedometer. Be careful when pulling back onto the road.
M: Thank you so much, Sir.
H: Watch your speedometer.
m: yes, yes, thank you.
He follows me, I think to make sure I'm not going to the mall. Which is totally fair. I pull into my building's lot, he drives past.
Carol the art designer has to walk me through some breathing exercises. I then continue with my day, calmly doing a shit ton of work because my boss is on vacation and I have a lot to get through. I go home, burst into tears, take two Xanax and have a glass of wine.