Doing a long-distance favor, I got nipped by a copper in a little town nearby as I prematurely accelerated to the highway speed while leaving town.

Quite technically, I was exceeding the speed limit where the vehicle actually was when the cop said he noted my speed. Very realistically, I had left town, and was less than headlight distance from the "speed limit 55" sign as I started gently accelerating from the 30MPH I'd been driving through town.

Just as I saw the sign, I also saw the cop, sitting on the other side of the road, facing the opposite direction. I thought nothing of it as I'm a pretty good driver and haven't had a non-parking (sometimes the meters expire faster than we realize, right?) ticket in many, many years.

Just as I passed him, I noticed he pulled away from the curb. I still didn't give it too much thought, but as we all do, I started watching. In my rear-view mirror I noticed he made a U-turn. A moment later I saw the lights on top of his car turn on. By this time I was well past the 55MPH sign, and double-checking my speed, I could see that the speed-o wasn't even at 55MPH yet.

I pulled over and silently wished he'd keep driving by. He didn't, instead pulling up right behind me. I dug out my license and started digging for my proof of insurance.

The law in these parts is that the speed limit is effective after you pass the sign, not as you approach it, so when the copper says he had me on RADAR over the posted speed limit of 30, I respectfully acquiesced that I had accelerated a little prematurely. I didn't lip off or contest that "everyone does it," I just accepted the ticket. He kindly accepted my slightly old proof of insurance, and compromised by knocking my infraction to just 1-10MPH over, instead of the alleged 18MPH he claimed I was flying through the slower area, noting that he was being friendly and saving me a few dollars.

Now, I know I was very technically in the wrong, and am willing to pay my penalty for the infraction; even considering that the fine is $120. The fine for the extra 8MPH is just $140. Thanks for the "savings." I guess I should take what I can, but "noticed your record is spotless, so I'm gonna just warn ya" would have been more friendly. Arguably, it'd even be just; surely the copper would argue "it isn't," while I would argue "it is."

Since I'd have to drive about an hour just to get to the courthouse to contest my ticket (and then an hour back), sit in court for who knows how long until my turn is called, and still potentially make the trip a number of times (if, for example, the first appearance is simply an arraignment to be followed up with an actual hearing or trial or whatnot), it seems that I'd be better off just paying the stupid thing. I make money fast enough that I'd be better off working those few hours than wasting my time and gas, and adding to my frustration and probable disappointment as I'd probably still have to pay the fine.

Sadly, we have no "no contest" plea in this area, so I'm sure this "conviction by guilty plea" (because fighting it is such a waste of time and effort) will be reported to my insurance company, and despite my otherwise spotless record they'll decide to up my rate, too.