Is There A Problem, Officer?

Your friendly neighborhood police officer!

How's your driving? Would you say you are a good driver?

I think I am a good driver. I have not had a driving infraction for over a decade. (Hey, you in the back saying you have never had a ticket, be quiet. No one wants to hear from you.)

"But, Michelle," you say, "didn't you run into your mom's car in the driveway a couple of months ago?"

You crash into one car in a driveway and suddenly you been labeled. Cheese and biscuits!

Let's just agree to leave that minor occurrence off the books, shall we?

As I was saying, I think I am a good driver. I have not gotten pulled over for speeding or anything like that 10 plus years.

Until a week ago.

After leaving the pediatrician's office to discover both boys had ear infections, I was on my way to the pharmacy to get their prescriptions filled. On my way there, I was pulled over.

Me: *Pulls car over. Rolls down window.* Is there a problem, officer?

Officer: Do you know why I pulled you over?

Me: *Blinking rapidly.* Um, was I speeding?

Officer: *Pointing.* You failed to stop at that stop sign back there.

Me: Really?!

Officer: You thought you stopped at the stop sign?

Me: *Sheepish.* Yes, I did.

Officer: No, ma'am. You slowed down but did not stop.

Me: I'm so sorry, officer. *Holds up kids prescriptions.* My kids are sick and I was taking them to get their medicine. I guess my mind was elsewhere. I am so sorry.

Officer: It happens. Can I see your license and registration?

Me: *Hands information over.* Here you go, officer. 

Officer: *Returns to my car after a couple of minutes.* Here is your information back.

Me: Okay. I am so sorry, officer.

Officer: It happens. I am not going to give you a ticket today but I am going to give you a notice. Just pay more attention in the future.

Me: I will thank you, officer.

And before you say it, yes, I did take out the boys prescriptions and wave them around. I'm not ashamed! I didn't have to pretend to be a mom out of sorts. That was FOR REAL!

So, after this humbling experience, I make sure I come to a complete stop at a stop sign every. single. time.  

And you know what I noticed? Nobody else does!

At a four way stop, I watch the other drivers and nine out of ten do a 'California roll'. They slow down and never completely come to a full stop.

And you know what else I noticed? People get mad at me for coming to a complete stop. I glance in my rear view mirror and people are angrily gesturing at me or shaking their head impatiently.

Holy cow, you guys! I am obeying the traffic laws and people are getting hacked at me! What's that deal?!

Sad truth is I used to be one of these people who would get mad at people coming to a complete stop or going the speed limit on a major road.

I've decided I'm not going to be that person anymore. It might seem like something small but it is starting somewhere.

So, thank you, Mr. Police Officer, for pulling me over and making me do a little soul searching. (And also thank you for not giving me a ticket. Otherwise, it would be Merry Christmas kids! You got a speeding ticket!)