Am I a good driver? I say I am average...several fender benders when I was a new driver, and a couple when I was a new mommy, other than that, no accidents. (see footnote)
How many speeding tickets on my record? Over 19 years of driving, 3 -4 official speeding tickets. My first when I was 16 driving through Connecticut to New Hampshire. 80 in a 55. $10 for every mile an hour over the speed limit. plus additional fines for not having my license on me. $350 total. (OUCH!)
How many times have I been pulled over for speeding? A lot. at least 12 - 15. At least 4 times with my first pregnancy, at one point an officer asked if I was driving fast because I was in labor. My respone? "No sir, I am only 5 months pregnant" I guess he felt bad because once again I was let go with a warning. This time period resulted in one ticket. 65 in a 55 on Christmas Day 1995.
Once I was driving a minivan, the speeding stops were more reasonably spaced, until about 6 years ago. I was pulled over 3 - 4 times. I attributed this time period of stops to loud kids and me not paying attention. Eventually I got a ticket. 55 in a 45.
The past year I have been pulled over 3 - 4 more times, I am attributing this time period of speeding stops to driving a little fast car. (Because I am not a fast driver, right?) A couple of months ago I was pulled over in the Minivan! (I am finally acknowledging my propensity for fast driving!) I had an hour long drive ahead of me, so I pulled behind a line of cars in the SLOW lane to help me keep pace (no cruise control in the van). I was lulled by the radio and the monotany of the drive. All of a sudden I saw the lights blaring behind me. I was clocked 83 in a 55!! (no kids in the car for an excuse)
Today I went to court for my ticket, hoping to get my points reduced, fully aware that my poor driving had caught up with me. When court was over, what did I end up with? A clean driving record. I actually felt guilty. I still have to pay the fine, but a clean driving record? I definately do not deserve that. I drove in the slow lane the whole way home.
I got to thinking after this...how many times does someone commit a crime before they actually get it on their records? If criminal records reflect my driving record, we are all in trouble!
*Footnote; accident is involving two cars. One look at my Minivan and you would see I have issues with 'hitting stuff'. In my other house I ran into the garage a million times. I have hit various posts, poles and free standing things over the years. My minivan has numerous 'patch' jobs from me trying to hide my 'incidents' with factory paint. Two years ago Dale and I were going to the same place but taking two separate cars so he could go somewhere afterwards. as I was pulling out of my driveway, I backed into a tree. I was laughing so hard I was crying! The two kids in my car were chiding me about what a bad driver I was. I definately did not want Dale in on the ridicule session, so I asked them not to tell him. They were way to excited to get daddy in on the action because no matter how many times I asked, they were insistant that they were going to HAVE to tell dad how mom backed into the tree! I bribed them with cookies, that worked. We continued on our way with Dale following behind us. When we got to out friends house 10 minutes later, the first thing out of Dale's mouth was , "What did you Do?!?!" , I turned to the kids and let them know that they were not getting cookies. Dale said, "They didn't tell me anything, I was dodging peices of my own car the whole drive over here!" I could not stop laughing, until I went around the back of the van and saw peices of the bumper missing, and the tail light dangling. So 'average driver' maybe not, maybe I should be classified as 'poor' driver.
11 comments:
Amen.
I got pulled over on the way back from your house. She kept me waiting there for 25 minutes. I flat out asked for a warning. And, that is what she gave me. I've only gotten off two other times with warnings. Once I was crying and the other time my two week old was freaking out. I'm impressed that you get off so much. I need to learn a thing or two from you.
ROFL. Honestly if he was behind you did you think he wouldn't notice? Good thing good driver isn't on the list of marriage questions hun;)?
Thanks for the warning:)
Wow, I never knew you were so driving challenged! LOL. That is so funny.
When we went to the beach Mike pulled in to a parking space that had a pole right behind it. (He actually had to pull around the pole to get in to it.) While he and Jr were looking in the store I pulled out with Dee to go to another store and smacked right in to it. We laughed and she promised she wouldn't tell but after 6 hours of her constant giggling and me giggling back we had to tell him... he was getting a complex. Good times. :)
Another comment. I've driven with Tammy and followed her in my car. The experience has helped me say regular prayers for the safety of my grandchildren. Dale is no better but I don't think he gets caught as often. One of the lifeskills my dad taught me was how to not get caught speeding. The obvious way is to not do it. The other is to be aware of where the likely hangouts for awaiting officers of the law might be. That said, Tom joins those ranks beginning on Tuesday (the officers of the law) so I'll have a great deal more sympathy for their side of the story.
Just don't speed in Virginia. Anything over 80 is considered reckless driving :(. I know this from experience. I went to court, fought the ticket fairly well, but I was up against the trooper with a huge notebook of anything that I could even ask him to document! The judge reduced the charge to speeding, not reckless driving, so it was at least a minor victory...but I needed your luck!
I'll watch out for you on the road. That is crazy that they wiped your whole slate clean, though I am glad for you. I guess you had a forgiving judge, but hopefully he/she makes it a little more difficult for the drunk drivers and truly scary people on the roads.
My comment: don't speed, ever. It really doesn't save any time. If you're going about 80 mph instead of 60 mph for a 10-mile car drive, you only save 2.5 minutes. Is that even worth it? :)
In Arizona we get killed on photo radar. Not literally killed, just financially. Almost every major intersection will photograph you and ticket you if you go over 11mph over the limit or run a red light. I agree with the red light thing, but the speeding cameras seem to be overdoing it.
Tammy, you are awesome and hilarious!
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