I was pulled over by a Texas State Trooper while driving from Laredo to Austin yesterday afternoon. Dad and I were having a pleasant conversation, when I looked in the rearview mirror, and sure enough, a trooper had his lights on. I was on cruise control at 75 in a 70 zone, making me think they must be starved for tickets, stopping someone who was a mere 5 over. To my surprise, the trooper informs me that he clocked me at 84 mph. Impossible. Unless…

the laws of physics were suspended for a few minutes, the coefficient of friction between the tires and the asphalt was greatly reduced enabling my truck to achieve more traction (while magically suspending the operation of my cruise control) and reach 84 mph for just enough time for the officer to nab me, then the coefficient of friction (or mu as we lovingly referred to it in physics class) returned to normal, the cruise control system was reactivated causing my truck to return to 75 mph.

Needless to say, Officer Callahan was in no mood to listen to me argue, not to mention I only had an expired proof of insurance. He disinterestedly looked away when I said “Eighty four!?” and basically told me to call the judge if I had a problem with it. Thankfully, he only gave me a warning on the proof of insurance, saving me the trouble of faxing it in the next day.

My dad wisely counseled me to offer up the injustice and pray for the man. We prayed a rosary when we got back on the road. We both concluded that somehow the whole affair evaded an accident. I usually drive at 5 mph over the limit, but after that I didn’t drive more than 2 mph over.

I called the judge’s office today and was told I should call back on the court date to contest it. Oh well, we’ll see what happens. I guess it’s my word against the officer’s. I’ve decided I’m fighting this. Ain’t no way I’m taking another defensive driving class - last one I took after getting caught in a speed trap in Old Dime Box…