long arm of the law
I got pulled over today. I was thinking about the things I was going to be working on for the week and I herd the blip of a siren behind me. I looked up to my rear-view mirror to see the flashing lights of an unmarked police car. jerk. I always get nervous when I pull over. I wrestle with pulling onto a side street, on the side of the road, or in the middle turn lane (when I'm in the left lane). I decided to play it safe. I pulled over to the side of the road. Now there wasn't really a shoulder, so I was partly blocking the street, and the cars just kept coming. The police officer had to wait for cars to pass by before opening his door to get out and talk to me.

I had no idea why I was being pulled over. Going the speed limit? check. renewed lisence plates? check. Not drinking a beer and/or smoking a joint? check. seat belt on? CRAP! I was just starting to consider how money a for ticket would fit into my tight budget when the cop was standing outside my window. I rolled down my window. the cop was upset. he scolded me. but not for not using a seatbelt.

"Did you know that you ran that red light?!"

"That one right there?!"

"no, the one before that. You just blew right through it. That van almost ran right into you!"

"no, sorry but I di...."

"do you have your lisence?!"

"yeah, hold on."

I got my lisence and gave it to him. He took five steps, turned around and gave it back to me.

"This really isn't a very safe place [referring to the street]. Be more careful out there!!!"

He was noticeable annoyed and nervous at the same time. Fortunately for me, I pulled over on a street that stops for nothing. I could tell he was very uncomfortable standing outside of my car with traffic wizzing by. It was enough that he didn't want to deal with me.

So remember, if you make getting pulled over as difficult for the police officer as you can, he might be annoyed enough to let you drive away without slamming you with a ticket.