June 26, 2008
The Price of Caution
Driving to the store day became very expensive.
When the light at the end of the off ramp turned green I turned left and noted that the next stoplight, about 50 yards away was green for me as well.
The third stop light was about another 50 yards beyond that and red. I focuses my attention there for a moment as the road divided into several different turning lanes and I wanted to decide ahead of time which lane I was going to be in.
A glance back to the first intersection as I approached the light - just in time to see it turn red. At that point, however, it was too late for me to stop without ending up in the middle of the intersection. I had that one second window where both lights were red, so I kept going through.
An easy mistake to make. Trying to be cautious I looked too far ahead. Luckily there was no issue with any of the cars at the intersection and we made it through safely. Except for the car with the flashing lights on top.
That brief moment of misplaced concentration is going to cost me $124. It says on the back of the ticket that I can enter a plea of not guilty and get a court date. The chances of the cop actually showing up to press a red light ticket are probably small and I could probably get it dismissed.
But I am guilty. I ran the red light. With my eight-year-old son in the back seat. $124 is getting off easy.
When the light at the end of the off ramp turned green I turned left and noted that the next stoplight, about 50 yards away was green for me as well.
The third stop light was about another 50 yards beyond that and red. I focuses my attention there for a moment as the road divided into several different turning lanes and I wanted to decide ahead of time which lane I was going to be in.
A glance back to the first intersection as I approached the light - just in time to see it turn red. At that point, however, it was too late for me to stop without ending up in the middle of the intersection. I had that one second window where both lights were red, so I kept going through.
An easy mistake to make. Trying to be cautious I looked too far ahead. Luckily there was no issue with any of the cars at the intersection and we made it through safely. Except for the car with the flashing lights on top.
That brief moment of misplaced concentration is going to cost me $124. It says on the back of the ticket that I can enter a plea of not guilty and get a court date. The chances of the cop actually showing up to press a red light ticket are probably small and I could probably get it dismissed.
But I am guilty. I ran the red light. With my eight-year-old son in the back seat. $124 is getting off easy.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 10:00 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
1
But, but... If you plead not guilty you can go to traffic court in a couple of months and get there at 9am and wait in line for a few hours with hundreds of other people and then argue with an obnoxious prosecutor until they give you a second court date in another couple of months where you can wait for a few hours until they call your name and then tediously explain why you don't deserve the ticket until the judge finally informs you that the cop isn't present so the case is dismissed. Just pay the $124, you say? Where's the sport in that?!
Posted by: Tuning Spork at June 26, 2008 11:49 PM (MG1vO)
2
Some sports are better left for professionals - or those with more time to play!
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at June 27, 2008 11:20 AM (UquFN)
3
Wow, I did almost the exact same thing at a double intersection merging onto a divided boulevard. I felt very foolish as I sailed through two red lights, but like you, I was already committed. Fortunately my transgression was not witnessed by a LEO.
You're absolutely correct in paying the fine as a demonstration to your son that there are consequences to breaking laws and a sop to the gods for not producing a light jumper at that moment.
BTW-If your state offers traffic school for moving violations, do take it to avoid an insurance rate increase/penalty. Traffic school should provide much blogging fun for we readers too. ;^)
You're absolutely correct in paying the fine as a demonstration to your son that there are consequences to breaking laws and a sop to the gods for not producing a light jumper at that moment.
BTW-If your state offers traffic school for moving violations, do take it to avoid an insurance rate increase/penalty. Traffic school should provide much blogging fun for we readers too. ;^)
Posted by: BJ Monte at June 28, 2008 12:29 PM (aTHis)
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