Busted

My 25 minute drive to work is all on 80 km/hour roads except one small stretch about 200 meters long where it drops down to 60 klicks. The reason for this speed drop is because there are a number of houses fairly close together on the side of the road. It could almost be called a hamlet... if there was actually anything there besides a few houses. There is no store, crossroads, turns, nothing. In a year of driving past this almost-a-village I've seen no children, bikes, horseback riders, nothing. Regardless, the speed drops from 80 to 60 and then right back up to 80.

Most people drive about 100 km/hour when the limit is 80. You can be pretty sure the police are not going to pull you over if you don't go over 100. So people are cruising down the road happily and safely and suddenly, for no apparent reason, have to slow down for about 30 seconds and then speed back up. Its not a big annoyance unless you forget to slow down and your friendly neighbourhood police cruiser had got the radar gun out.

Like this morning.

He busted me going 93 klicks in a 60, but dropped it down to 75 since I had no speeding tickets in the last two years. Fifty-two bucks later, I'm off again. He even had a sense of humour. When I had a little trouble finding my ownership and insurance in the glove compartment he said, "Its -42 degrees out here, the longer you take the higher the fine is." I start to panic and then he adds, "I'm just kidding," and laughs.

I do have an excuse for my speeding. You see, I usually slow down for the slow spot (speed trap?) but this morning I was blinded by some big monster tractor whose headlights shone directly into my eyes. I couldn't see anything and didn't notice the speed limit sign announcing the 60 limit. (It should be noted that I drive to work early in the morning when it is still dark out). I didn't even realize I was in the piddly little 60 zone until I saw the cherries come on. Sigh. I wuz robbed I tell ya!