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My first ticket was when I was 16 driving a 2002tii with a friend from SF to LA. 55 MPH on I-5. Going 90, crested a hill and saw a CHP at the bottom apparently finishing up with someone else. Hit the brakes and slowed down fast, but he came right out behind me and pulled me over. Wrote me up for 72 / 55 because that was the maximum that would put me in traffic school, avoid a fine, etc. Traffic school was a hoot, taught by a different CHP officer. Learned all kinds of things that got me out of tickets in future stops.
My favorite however was driving from Detroit to LA, final stretch crossing AZ just about to the CA border on I40. Again 55 limit, going over 70 (as were most). Saw him on the other side approaching me, noted the trip recorder and slowed to 55. He turned around in the median and pulled me over less than a mile from where I saw him.
Said he followed me for 5 miles clocking my speed; I told him I saw him turn around and it was less than a mile. Asked if I was “one of those freeway lawyers”.
Officer: “Where are you heading”
Me: “California”
Officer: “Oh, the land of fruits and nuts, huh?”
Me: Yeah, you from there?
He let me go with a warning, which I tore up as soon as I was over the border.
I don’t drive as fast as I used to, and I’m a lot more respectful these days (not quite the hot-headed kid I once was). Haven’t been pulled over in a very long time, and even longer since I got a speeding ticket.
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