Monday, December 8, 2014

TRAFFIC STOP

The officer gave me a warning. I guess I didn't stop long enough before I turned on red...I couldn't believe I was trembling...I was heading home from Rivertowne. As I approached the intersection at Indian Head Highway and Livingston Road, I looked to my left to see if cars were headed north. My way was clear, so I made a right turn. I've made that turn hundreds of times. I was nearing the next light when the I saw the flashing lights and heard the siren behind me. I was startled, pumped the brake, drifted to the left lane and stopped. I kept saying to myself, "What did I do? What did I do?"
I got my purse and took out my wallet as the officer approached. I let down the window and he shined his flashlight into the car. I could hear my Mother's voice, "Know when to turn it on and when to turn it off". In other words, be the poster child for law abiding citizens, don't make any sudden moves, and break out your best English. "Good evening officer". I couldn't believe my voice cracked. He'd actually frightened me. I'm sure my eyes had enlarged. "May I see your license and registration?" I asked him, "What did I do?" I heard a little girl's voice. It wasn't mine. He saw my hands shaking as I searched for my driver's license, and told me to calm down. "It's just a traffic stop. Happens all the time. It's okay. Calm down. It's just that you didn't come to a complete stop before you turned on red back there."  I could not find my license! It's always in the same place, but my hands were shaking so much I couldn't find it. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes but couldn't figure out why I was about to cry. He shined his flashlight into the car again so that I could keep searching. When I found my license, I handed it to him and he told me he'd be just a minute. My heart was racing. I couldn't believe how I was reacting! He came back to the car, handed me my license and told me I was okay. "Just be careful back there next time, Ma'am."  I said thank you, and put the car in gear. I drove home and took my groceries inside. My stomach was in knots. 

He seemed sad that he'd frightened me. The look on his face was almost remorseful. I was sad that he was sad.

The news really does affect us. 

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