Getting Pulled Over Stories...

Alright...this post is inspired by my most recent bout with the MN police

I was driving us home after we saw Harry Potter at the dollar movie. It was 10pm and the kids were so excited about the movie...it was past their bedtimes, they'd had too much sugar...and were bouncing off the walls...We pulled up to a 4-way stop, and I turned around to talk to them instead of continuing through the stop. A car pulled up on the other side wanting to turn in front of me and so I just flashed the lights real quick because I was busy with the kids and didn't want the other driver to have to sit and wait for me to get everyone calmed down. I thought I was doing something respectful and friendly.

The driver did not go and about 2 minutes later, I continued through the stop to drive home. The driver did a U-Turn and in the light I could see it was a police officer. I went through the drill in my head....had I been speeding? NO. Had I come to a complete stop? YES. I hadn't done anything, right?

WRONG. He wanted to TICKET me for flashing my lights because he said "It is hard on the eyes"!!! I politely ") explained that I was trying to break up an argument between my children and was politely trying to indicate to him that he could go on ahead of me even though I'd arrived first. He was unfriendly, interrupted me, insisted that I'd been rude and only said that he didn't ticket me because of the easter weekend

WOW..it's the weirdest pull over I've ever had!

Any other stories out there? And...do you think it was rude to flash the driver to go...would you have done the same? I can't imagine that there is a law against flashing...

Kris
Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

Alright...this post is inspired by my most recent bout with the MN police

I was driving us home after we saw Harry Potter at the dollar movie. It was 10pm and the kids were so excited about the movie...it was past their bedtimes, they'd had too much sugar...and were bouncing off the walls...We pulled up to a 4-way stop, and I turned around to talk to them instead of continuing through the stop. A car pulled up on the other side wanting to turn in front of me and so I just flashed the lights real quick because I was busy with the kids and didn't want the other driver to have to sit and wait for me to get everyone calmed down. I thought I was doing something respectful and friendly.

The driver did not go and about 2 minutes later, I continued through the stop to drive home. The driver did a U-Turn and in the light I could see it was a police officer. I went through the drill in my head....had I been speeding? NO. Had I come to a complete stop? YES. I hadn't done anything, right?

WRONG. He wanted to TICKET me for flashing my lights because he said "It is hard on the eyes"!!! I politely ") explained that I was trying to break up an argument between my children and was politely trying to indicate to him that he could go on ahead of me even though I'd arrived first. He was unfriendly, interrupted me, insisted that I'd been rude and only said that he didn't ticket me because of the easter weekend

WOW..it's the weirdest pull over I've ever had!

Any other stories out there? And...do you think it was rude to flash the driver to go...would you have done the same? I can't imagine that there is a law against flashing...

Kris
Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

Alright...this post is inspired by my most recent bout with the MN police

I was driving us home after we saw Harry Potter at the dollar movie. It was 10pm and the kids were so excited about the movie...it was past their bedtimes, they'd had too much sugar...and were bouncing off the walls...We pulled up to a 4-way stop, and I turned around to talk to them instead of continuing through the stop. A car pulled up on the other side wanting to turn in front of me and so I just flashed the lights real quick because I was busy with the kids and didn't want the other driver to have to sit and wait for me to get everyone calmed down. I thought I was doing something respectful and friendly.

The driver did not go and about 2 minutes later, I continued through the stop to drive home. The driver did a U-Turn and in the light I could see it was a police officer. I went through the drill in my head....had I been speeding? NO. Had I come to a complete stop? YES. I hadn't done anything, right?

WRONG. He wanted to TICKET me for flashing my lights because he said "It is hard on the eyes"!!! I politely ") explained that I was trying to break up an argument between my children and was politely trying to indicate to him that he could go on ahead of me even though I'd arrived first. He was unfriendly, interrupted me, insisted that I'd been rude and only said that he didn't ticket me because of the easter weekend

WOW..it's the weirdest pull over I've ever had!

Any other stories out there? And...do you think it was rude to flash the driver to go...would you have done the same? I can't imagine that there is a law against flashing...

Kris
Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

That's one ticket I would've contested if he had given it to you! Sounds like a cop who was just being a rear end for whatever reason.

Jennifer

That's one ticket I would've contested if he had given it to you! Sounds like a cop who was just being a rear end for whatever reason.

Jennifer

That's one ticket I would've contested if he had given it to you! Sounds like a cop who was just being a rear end for whatever reason.

Jennifer

Well, that's what I thought too...I think I would've contested it too! I've just never been pulled over for something that weird before...I guess I should be grateful that I didn't get a ticket or something....it would have just been another hassle!


Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

Well, that's what I thought too...I think I would've contested it too! I've just never been pulled over for something that weird before...I guess I should be grateful that I didn't get a ticket or something....it would have just been another hassle!


Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

Well, that's what I thought too...I think I would've contested it too! I've just never been pulled over for something that weird before...I guess I should be grateful that I didn't get a ticket or something....it would have just been another hassle!


Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

[houseelf]

I have thought about contesting some of my citations and tickets but it just seems like such a hassle to drive downtown, wait in line, and then defend myself in front of some overworked judge. I received a citation our first fall in Minnesota for parking on the street in a snow emergency zone overnight. Apparently, it is kosher to park on the street during the day and overnight in the summer. The street was not clearly marked and it was early October. (Realize that my ignorance stemmed from the fact that I hadn't endured a Minnesota snow storm at this point.)

I was so mad at first. After awhile, I figured that I should probably pay the stupid fine for all the times that I drove way over the speed limit and never got caught.

Besides, Kris, at least you have luck in getting out of your tickets. I NEVER get out of one! Of course, I'm generally caught driving WAY over the speed limit.

Kelly

[houseelf]

I have thought about contesting some of my citations and tickets but it just seems like such a hassle to drive downtown, wait in line, and then defend myself in front of some overworked judge. I received a citation our first fall in Minnesota for parking on the street in a snow emergency zone overnight. Apparently, it is kosher to park on the street during the day and overnight in the summer. The street was not clearly marked and it was early October. (Realize that my ignorance stemmed from the fact that I hadn't endured a Minnesota snow storm at this point.)

I was so mad at first. After awhile, I figured that I should probably pay the stupid fine for all the times that I drove way over the speed limit and never got caught.

Besides, Kris, at least you have luck in getting out of your tickets. I NEVER get out of one! Of course, I'm generally caught driving WAY over the speed limit.

Kelly

[houseelf]

I have thought about contesting some of my citations and tickets but it just seems like such a hassle to drive downtown, wait in line, and then defend myself in front of some overworked judge. I received a citation our first fall in Minnesota for parking on the street in a snow emergency zone overnight. Apparently, it is kosher to park on the street during the day and overnight in the summer. The street was not clearly marked and it was early October. (Realize that my ignorance stemmed from the fact that I hadn't endured a Minnesota snow storm at this point.)

I was so mad at first. After awhile, I figured that I should probably pay the stupid fine for all the times that I drove way over the speed limit and never got caught.

Besides, Kris, at least you have luck in getting out of your tickets. I NEVER get out of one! Of course, I'm generally caught driving WAY over the speed limit.

Kelly

I've contested everyone of my non-speeding tickets (luckily that's just been three) in court. It's kind of fun to "represent yourself" - especially when you are darned right! It IS a HUGE hassle, though! Every time I brought my son and daughters with me - it was really great because it made the judge get all uncomforable every time and I had an audience almost cheering me on behind me (ie all the other people there to see the judge). I know, I get my kicks from perverse things like that. The best part was at one of my court dates, I was in the hall outside the courtroom feeding my baby daughters (seven mos old at the time) and my toddler son apparently was a bit too loud because a court officer walked by and threatened to slap me in jail for contempt of court! This was out in the hall and the old, crotchedy guy was deadly serious. It was hilarious!!! I told him that if he could get my two year old to not talk quite so loudly I'd be impressed. After I pointed out in kind of a round-about way how absurd he was being, he dropped it and left us alone.

But, Kelly is SO right - contesting a ticket is a big hassle and not an easy thing with small children in tow!
Jennifer

I've contested everyone of my non-speeding tickets (luckily that's just been three) in court. It's kind of fun to "represent yourself" - especially when you are darned right! It IS a HUGE hassle, though! Every time I brought my son and daughters with me - it was really great because it made the judge get all uncomforable every time and I had an audience almost cheering me on behind me (ie all the other people there to see the judge). I know, I get my kicks from perverse things like that. The best part was at one of my court dates, I was in the hall outside the courtroom feeding my baby daughters (seven mos old at the time) and my toddler son apparently was a bit too loud because a court officer walked by and threatened to slap me in jail for contempt of court! This was out in the hall and the old, crotchedy guy was deadly serious. It was hilarious!!! I told him that if he could get my two year old to not talk quite so loudly I'd be impressed. After I pointed out in kind of a round-about way how absurd he was being, he dropped it and left us alone.

But, Kelly is SO right - contesting a ticket is a big hassle and not an easy thing with small children in tow!
Jennifer

I've contested everyone of my non-speeding tickets (luckily that's just been three) in court. It's kind of fun to "represent yourself" - especially when you are darned right! It IS a HUGE hassle, though! Every time I brought my son and daughters with me - it was really great because it made the judge get all uncomforable every time and I had an audience almost cheering me on behind me (ie all the other people there to see the judge). I know, I get my kicks from perverse things like that. The best part was at one of my court dates, I was in the hall outside the courtroom feeding my baby daughters (seven mos old at the time) and my toddler son apparently was a bit too loud because a court officer walked by and threatened to slap me in jail for contempt of court! This was out in the hall and the old, crotchedy guy was deadly serious. It was hilarious!!! I told him that if he could get my two year old to not talk quite so loudly I'd be impressed. After I pointed out in kind of a round-about way how absurd he was being, he dropped it and left us alone.

But, Kelly is SO right - contesting a ticket is a big hassle and not an easy thing with small children in tow!
Jennifer