My first speeding ticket! Thanks to GNR...he he he
My driving record is perfect...in Canada.
However, in the US, I got pulled over on the way to Atlanta from Orlando.
I got tix to House of Blues, in Orlando. While I was there, GNR announced a show in Atlanta. I google-mapped it and saw it was a 7-hour drive. I figured I could do it in 5.5 no probs. The driving conditions were pristine (compared to Toronto area: double the trucks, snow, sleet, hail, pounding rain, u name it). Orlando to Atlanta was dry, sunny, no rain, no hurricanes, few trucks, and/or other messes on the I-75. I figured - I got this! I could probably do it in 5, but being conservative 5.5.
I set out in a rental and was making good time. I was approaching Atlanta where the speed limit was 70 mph. I was going with the flow of traffic and had just past construction where we had to slow down. I picked up speed and was breaking out of the pack. Once broke, I saw this immaculate Mustang perfectly placed on a hillside leading down to the highway. It was nearly new, 5.0, silver and shining. I was impressed, and thinking it was for sale. I was actually looking for a 'for sale' sign. Once I passed it doing 83 mph and didn't see a 'for sale' sign, I realized it wasn't for sale. It was a highway cop looking for speeders. My heart sank. I knew I was caught.
Mr. Cop Mustang had his cherries on gunning for me, and I gave him no chase. I pulled over in my rental and awaited my fate. He came to my window and appreciated the knowingness of my mistake. He didn't even bother with the usual, "Do you know why I pulled you over"? Because he and I both knew.
After pressing down my window, I immediately said, "I thought your 'stang' was for sale". "Had I known, you were checking for speeders, I would've slowed down". "Honestly, I was going with the flow of traffick. The driving conditions are excellent, wouldn't you agree?" Insert big Canadian smiles here.
He shook his head at me, and said, "I see you're in a rental, where are you from?". I told him my story of being from Canada, never having a ticket before, and being on my way to GNR. He didn't believe that GNR was still together. I had to show him my ticket. But, once I did, he said, he'd give me a break. Instead of bringing me into the nearest cop-shop to pay my $300 fine, he'd let me go to the concert and make it on-time as long as I paid his online reduced ticket fee of $150.
I was over-the-moon and so grateful that Mustang-driving-US-highway-cop would let me make the concert on-time. And yes, I did pay my American speeding ticket online.
The things that happen on the way to GNR concerts!
That should be another HTGTH topic, right?!
Thanks, Jarmo for your continued interest in GNR fans experiences, and thanks to all the fans out there listening and continuing to watch and love this band we adore.
My love,
Killer K