Running late to meet a fellow pastor, I decided to finish writing a sermon thought instead of leaving on time. I got into my car and believed I could save time by driving fast, really fast, on the New York State Northway (I-87). Driving on the six lane highway provided for an opportunity to pass a lot other drivers. I looked at my watch and saw that I was running 15 minutes late for my lunch meeting.
As I came close to my exit, I foolishly increased my speed. Sure enough, a New York State trooper was sitting there waiting for someone just like me to stupidly speed faster than the speed limit. As I saw the red and blue lights flash behind me, I thought about how my license was going to be taken away (I was going at least 25 m.p.h. over the speed limit), huge fines, and the loss of self-respect: telling my congregation why my wife drives me to work everyday. I very quickly moved to the right shoulder. The state trooper did the usual license and registration. He returned to a sweaty and nervous (also very tardy) speeder. He asked me why I was driving so fast. I replied, “I made an idiotic choice of going too fast. I am new to the area and I am late for a meeting. I am very sorry that I was speeding.”
The state trooper walked back to his car and began the process of writing a ticket. He came to the window and he said, “I’m not going to give you a ticket for speeding today. Instead, I am giving you a ticket for an unsafe lane change and failure to register your license in NY state in 30 days (I was overdue by two weeks). If I gave you a speeding ticket you would be getting 8 points on your license (a major car insurance cost increase) and you would be paying a $300 fine. You just got to make the wise decision and slow down.” Months later, I went to the town court where the speeding occurred to try to plead down the tickets (on the trooper’s suggestion).
