Mr. Y
Regular Member
imported post
My wife, dog and I were visiting Michigan last week. We were on the Upper Peninsula - I think we were coming into Seney - on one of the MI routes and I was passing the much slower movingtraffic on one of the LOOOOONG straightaways. During one of these passes I noticed a "50 mph reduced speed ahead" sign, so I got back right and let off the gas after I cleared the truck. Way off in the distance I could see a car, but could not make out that it was MSP - easily over a mile... As I came into town at the limit, I was only mildly concerned about being stopped, but he hit the lights coming the other way, so I hastily made for the shoulder.
As he approached, our golden retriever, Jessie loudly announces that this is her car, and he couldn't have it. I quieted her...
He asked"Can I see your lic., registration, and insurance proof?" I suppressed the "I'm sure you CAN commentary" and said "sure, I'll get that for you".
MSP: "You can roll those windows down if you want soyour dog doesn't get hot".
I coughed over the stuff, plus my permit - I had to dig for the insurance beforeMrs Y. says - "Oh, I've got the insurance card in my purse".
So while we're waiting for the very well organized Mrs. Y to fish this out, I said
I've given you my Virginia CHP, and want you to know I have ahandgun on my person.
MSP: "Ok, where at?"
Me: "My 9 o'clock"...
MSP:"Ok, do you know why I stopped you"
Me:"Not specifically, I was going to ask"
MSP: "Were you paying much attention to your speed?
Me: "Not enough..."
MSP:"I clocked you going 71 in the 55 zone back there"
(At this point I'm thinking whoa... God *really likes me* )
Me: "Would you give me a warning - I'm pretty sure you won't find any wants or warrants on me"
MSP: "Sure, I can do that, no problem" ( things never go this smoothly for Mr. Y )
A very brief check and within 3 minutes tops, here he comes back to the window
"Man, how old is this (D/L) picture?"
Me: "About 5 years I think.. But I'm me! " I realized I was wearing sunglasses so I took them off briefly.
MSP: "So I noticed your Veteran plates, are you still in?"
Me:"No, I 'm long out"
MSP: "Hey,how do you guys permits workin VA, 'cause when I ran it, nothing came back"
Me:"Really, that's very interesting because VSP insists on a 24x7 permit check DB. Want to check one of my other permits?"
MSP: "No, there's no problem. Here's your lic., reg. & permit (he only briefly checked the insurance card). You know that Michigan recognizes everyone's permits and we require that you notify law enforcement. Did you study up on the laws?"
Me: "Actually yes, but I couldn't remember for certain if there was a mandatory disclosure - mostly I familiarized with off limits places. Not that I have occaision to often but I disclosed the permitmore as courtesy and just to be on the safe side.
MSP: "Well, I appreciate that you let me know up front."
Me: "Thanks, I appreciate the warning" (as opposed to the citation)
MSP: "Yeah, if you keep it to 9 over and less, we won't bother you Mr. Y." (no kidding, he really said that)
Now this went really well as far as traffic stops go. Putting aside the whole traffic enforcement arguments for a minute, it went quickly, amicably and easily. Something kept me from a fairly lofty insurance premium adjustment...
Maybe he was ending his shift and had already decided to issue a warning.
Maybe it was the permit; a reason why I made the "no wants or warrants" comment... and that he knew up front he was dealing with a good guy, not going to give him any trouble.
Maybe he likes dogs.
Maybe he likes to give Vets a break.
Or a combination of things. At any rate, it went very well.
My wife, dog and I were visiting Michigan last week. We were on the Upper Peninsula - I think we were coming into Seney - on one of the MI routes and I was passing the much slower movingtraffic on one of the LOOOOONG straightaways. During one of these passes I noticed a "50 mph reduced speed ahead" sign, so I got back right and let off the gas after I cleared the truck. Way off in the distance I could see a car, but could not make out that it was MSP - easily over a mile... As I came into town at the limit, I was only mildly concerned about being stopped, but he hit the lights coming the other way, so I hastily made for the shoulder.
As he approached, our golden retriever, Jessie loudly announces that this is her car, and he couldn't have it. I quieted her...
He asked"Can I see your lic., registration, and insurance proof?" I suppressed the "I'm sure you CAN commentary" and said "sure, I'll get that for you".
MSP: "You can roll those windows down if you want soyour dog doesn't get hot".
I coughed over the stuff, plus my permit - I had to dig for the insurance beforeMrs Y. says - "Oh, I've got the insurance card in my purse".
So while we're waiting for the very well organized Mrs. Y to fish this out, I said
I've given you my Virginia CHP, and want you to know I have ahandgun on my person.
MSP: "Ok, where at?"
Me: "My 9 o'clock"...
MSP:"Ok, do you know why I stopped you"
Me:"Not specifically, I was going to ask"
MSP: "Were you paying much attention to your speed?
Me: "Not enough..."
MSP:"I clocked you going 71 in the 55 zone back there"
(At this point I'm thinking whoa... God *really likes me* )
Me: "Would you give me a warning - I'm pretty sure you won't find any wants or warrants on me"
MSP: "Sure, I can do that, no problem" ( things never go this smoothly for Mr. Y )
A very brief check and within 3 minutes tops, here he comes back to the window
"Man, how old is this (D/L) picture?"
Me: "About 5 years I think.. But I'm me! " I realized I was wearing sunglasses so I took them off briefly.
MSP: "So I noticed your Veteran plates, are you still in?"
Me:"No, I 'm long out"
MSP: "Hey,how do you guys permits workin VA, 'cause when I ran it, nothing came back"
Me:"Really, that's very interesting because VSP insists on a 24x7 permit check DB. Want to check one of my other permits?"
MSP: "No, there's no problem. Here's your lic., reg. & permit (he only briefly checked the insurance card). You know that Michigan recognizes everyone's permits and we require that you notify law enforcement. Did you study up on the laws?"
Me: "Actually yes, but I couldn't remember for certain if there was a mandatory disclosure - mostly I familiarized with off limits places. Not that I have occaision to often but I disclosed the permitmore as courtesy and just to be on the safe side.
MSP: "Well, I appreciate that you let me know up front."
Me: "Thanks, I appreciate the warning" (as opposed to the citation)
MSP: "Yeah, if you keep it to 9 over and less, we won't bother you Mr. Y." (no kidding, he really said that)
Now this went really well as far as traffic stops go. Putting aside the whole traffic enforcement arguments for a minute, it went quickly, amicably and easily. Something kept me from a fairly lofty insurance premium adjustment...
Maybe he was ending his shift and had already decided to issue a warning.
Maybe it was the permit; a reason why I made the "no wants or warrants" comment... and that he knew up front he was dealing with a good guy, not going to give him any trouble.
Maybe he likes dogs.
Maybe he likes to give Vets a break.
Or a combination of things. At any rate, it went very well.