Minivan doing 45 MPH in the left lane, I decide to let the Hemi roar into the car pool lane and pass her. As soon as I can see in front of her and, mind you, way too late in my Hemi’s power band to do anything about it, I see a mobile radar van!

It now makes all too much sense why someone would poke around in the fast lane.

In AZ, they can’t ticket you if they can’t ID you so, dangerously, I quickly turn my head 180 degrees opposite of the van. I wipe my brow and silently congratulate myself on the quick thinking and avoiding the ‘tard ticket.

After the pass, no sooner that I get back in the left lane, what do I see hauling ass (for a Ford) up to me in the rear-view? Yup! An AZ DPS patrol car. I’m going the speed limit and keeping one eye ahead and one in the rear-view mirror. What a sight that must have been for the minivan! I was just sweating for the best. I’m sure you can guess what happened next.

Far right, on the shoulder; car off, windows down, radio off, hands on the wheel, just accepting my fate. He didn’t even ask the requisite, "Do you know why I pulled you over?". I honestly wasn’t sure I would know even if he did ask. Was it for accelerating way quicker than the average car? Was is it plain old speeding?

He asked for my papers and left me sitting there for about 20 minutes. I don’t have any warrants, and I don’t know why but, I was waiting for backup to arrive and haul me to jail. I guess the mind tends to wander when bored.

He finally came back to the car and told me that he was going to give me a break, from a $400 ticket for driving in the car pool lane, and just write the ticket for "Failure to obey a traffic control sign". This charge is significantly cheaper. Clocking in a $130 or traffic school.

Thanks, cool cop!

After more than 3 years of ownership, I’ve finally managed to get a ticket. And it wasn’t for speeding!!!