Yesterday I endured an 11-hour drive to Toronto chiefly through (a) my newfound discovery that I can make hands free calls on my iPhone, and (b) The Moth Podcast. It’s like a live, 15-minute, This American Life. I particularly liked Alex Draper on his ascent to Indian stardom, Rocky Zimmerman on her prison release, and Ellie Lee on the wisdom of her father, the Chinese grocery man.
Unfortunately I got a speeding ticket on the I-90 east. My first ever: 80 in a 65 zone, where (excuses, excuses) the whole lane was cruising at 80. Strangely, the ticket doesn’t tell me the cost. Nor would the cop. Is this to save me from on-the spot anger? To reduce the policeman’s discretion? I have two weeks to mail in the ticket, and a judge to chooses the penalty.
One Response
Chris this happened to me on I-90 near Schenectady. The ticket said I was going 95, but not what the fine would be. I attached a letter of apology when I turned in the ticket. I didn’t hear back for a long time. When I moved, I called Princetown town court to give them my new address. Got the clerk on the phone, then the judge. She was really nice. I explained that this was my first speeding ticket and so on. On the basis of my profuse apologies, she lowered the ticket to 79 mph (apparently they can do that!). I ended up paying $100 plus $20 in processing fee and sales tax (!) or something like that.