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What would you have done???
- May 16, 2009 at 2:02 PM
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- Comments (11) Total Views (171) Everyone can see this journal post.
Okay, let me set the scene................
You're driving Northbound on the 5 freeway, just past the 210 split, heading into Santa Clarita, lots of traffic, but it's moving along at the speed limit of 65mph (with, of course, most drivers driving 75-80, as always). You are in the "fast" lane. (Okay, I know there is no such thing as a "fast" lane, but you would expect that anyone driving in the far left lane would be going at least the speed limit, right?)
Suddenly the traffic in that lane slows down to 45mph!!! Scary, and quite unsafe, if you ask me.
There are about 5 cars between me and the slow vehicle. The other cars want to pass him - you can just tell - (and if they don't, they are as stupid as he is), but there are other vehicles flying by in the next lane.
When it was down to just one other person between me and the slow guy, the lady in front of me threw up her hands in the air, as if to say "WTF".
Eventually, one by one (and it takes forever), each one manages to pass the "accident-waiting-to-happen" (the slow driver).
Now, it's just him and me. I'm directly behind him. I turn on my signal to pass, but after I look and it's safe, suddenly HE turns on his signal to get over, so I wait. I think "Thank God! Finally, he gets the message!"
He starts to move over and then suddenly changes his mind. He stays in the "fast" lane and turns his signal off.
We're going uphill, so I need to keep up. This idiot is going so slow, so yeah, I guess I was too close to him - yep, I was tailgaiting.
But, it was so unsafe! I keep checking my rear-view mirror and am frightened by the other cars speeding up behind us, as they continue to get closer.
When I finally saw another break in the next lane, I turned on my signal to pass. When I turned around to make sure it was safe to pass, I notice another car (a very large car), two lanes over, with his signal on, getting ready to move into the lane I was going to move into. So, I decide to wait. I could have made it, but I didn't want to take any chances because I figured I must have been going slower than he was (you'd think, huh?).
He doesn't stay next to me, but instead he squeezes in right behind me and is tailgaiting me! I'm thinking "What a nut!" Why didn't he just get in front of the slow driver?"
My next glance in my rear-view mirror, I notice a small red light embedded in this guys windshield. It's not flashing. It's quite small. It this light "on"? Or is the sun hitting it? I couldn't really tell. Could it be a cop? Maybe he wants to get that slow guy. After all, he is dangerous. Or, is it some nut-case? My thoughts are confusing. I guess if it's a cop, he will let me know to move over? I can't remember if I changed lanes at that point, or not.
But, the next thing I know is - the steady small red light is still on and the guy is still on my tail. Suddenly I hear a faint blip sound of a siren. It definitely did NOT sound real. At this point, I'm scared and still wondering WTH!
I move out of this guy's way, so he can get that slow driver. (yeah, right!)
Every time I move over, he moves in right behind ME! Isn't he going to get that slow car????
I move over, 5 lanes, one lane at a time, to the right. I pull way off on the right shoulder, safely and way away from traffic. I stop, turn off my car, and wait - and wait - and wait.
Next I hear "PULL OFF THE FREEWAY" (from a loudspeaker or bullhorn). I was confused. Why would a real police officer want me to pull off the freeway? They always stop people on the side of the freeway, just as I was. I see it every day! I was scared and this only reinforced my thought that this canNOT possibly be a real officer.
But, after he yelled at me again "PULL OFF THE FREEWAY", I decide to do so; not wanting to take any chances, just in case he is for real.
BUT, I am NOT going to exit at Calgrove!!!! (NOT under any circumstances!) I've never exited there before - it looks very desolate and woodsy - I don't know of anything that is at the Calgrove offramp. I do NOT know who this idiot is, or why he wants me off the freeway.
So, I pass the Calgrove offramp. I turn my signal on to let him know I'm exiting at Lyons (the next exit). He is frantic behind me - swerving back and forth and even sounds that fake siren blip again.
Yeah! There's a Burger King right off the offramp! I feel safe. I pull in the parking lot. (Later, a coworker told me that a girl was assaulted and raped in that Burger King parking lot in broad daylight not too long ago! I'm so glad I didn't know that before this incident!)
By this time, I really need a cigarette - badly! I don't smoke in my car. I park, turn my car off and get out - and THANK GOD there's a Santa Clarita Sheriff behind me, alongside the unmarked idiot car! Now I felt okay, but still shaken up quite a bit.
They both come at me (you know, like they do to criminals), as I'm lighting my cigarette. "DON'T LIGHT THAT CIGARETTE!" That's what the a-hole says to me, in a very nasty tone. I look around and asked if this was a non-smoking area. He tell me it's not, but HE doesn't want me to smoke!!!! hahahahah I said "You just scared the hell out of me and you're telling me not to smoke!". I lit my cig, as he proceeded to be a jerk - degrading, arrogant, rude, etc!!! I said "Please be nice." I tried my magic kindness, but this man was a total complete jerk!!!! I don't believe any amount of kindness could get this man to smile or be nice.
The other officer was nice. We talked while the idiot wrote the ticket. I was there for 40 freakin' minutes!!!!
When he came back with the ticket, and gave his little speech, asking me to sign the ticket.............. I said "Please do me one small favor?" In his rude manner, he said "Not until you sign the ticket". I said "No, before I sign it. It's really easy. Please smile." He looked at me with a nasty smirk and said "I am smiling". (Trust me, when I say, he was NOT smiling.)
I signed the ticket, thanked the other officer for being so kind. Then I looked at the jerk and said "And, thank you too. I wish you a beautiful day and a great life". He laughed at me - not with a happy smiling laugh, but with an evil smirky laugh.
My boss said I need to go to court and fight this ticket. If for no other reason, at least this a-hole will have to appear! (Yeah, buddy, look at my face again! And, I'm smiling!)
I am not one to retaliate, and after all, I was tailgaiting, so I guess I deserved the ticket for that. BUT, I did NOT deserve to be scared the way I was!!!! And, in addition to that - he had the nerve to write me up for speeding, too!!!!!! WTF!!!! Okay, assuming I was speeding (which was impossible behind that slow car) - IF I was, then that means the guy in front of me was too, as well as all the other cars flying past us. I did ask why he singled me out, and he said I was the only car he saw! Oh, puhleeeeeeeeeeze! Are you blind? ( I didn't say that, but was thinking it.)
If nothing else, I want it brought to someone's attention of how frightening this experience was. Oh, and the unmarked car - NO front license plate!!!! See for yourself..............
And, here's the additonal one for court...............
Oh, I forgot to mention - after I finished my cig, I got bored and started taking pictures. Me and my camera (goes everywhere with me). When he saw me taking pics, he said "You don't need to do that, my name will be on the ticket." I said "I know; I'm just a picture-freak and like to take pictures."
So, what would you have done?
P.S. Mercury is in retrograde - can't you tell????
Comments:
Yes, in CA you do need front plates. Maybe there's an exception for idiots. (sorry, but that guy just really irritated me - he was soooo nasty!)
I'd be annoyed too. . i am in CA too so I just thought that was odd
I would call the precinct where he works with his badge number and all and DEMAND to talk to his superior! Explain the situation (refrain from calling him a jerk or idiot though. lol). Let him know that not only did he treat you badly and rudely when you were only doing what we have ALL been taught to do (stay in a well lit, well populated area and be cautious about unmarked, un 'front license plated' cars with tiny lights....if you had gotten off that exit and he wouldn't have been a cop would they have treated you nicer after you were raped or worse?? That cop needs a class in manners apparently.
And yes, I would fight it in court! Not the tailgating but definately the speeding...if you were tailgating someone doesn't that prove THEY were speeding as well???? They had to be going as fast as you were in order for you to not hit them right?
Unbelievable! Think of all the cars that did speed to get around this guy! And then the dumbass cop pegs YOU???
I would've been frightened too...that car was unmarked & today you have to be so careful (especially we women!) I applaud you for finding a public spot to pull off the road!
As for dealing with the aftermath...maybe you could call his precinct & talk to someone regarding his approach & explain what you were dealing with on the highway first. Maybe, just maybe you can get some justice.
Sorry, GG. He sounds like a miserable person. I'm guessing karma will find him.
Court for sure! ANsd keep us updated
Useless. If Th Santa Clartita Chedrrifs Dept. is what you're taling about, then just move on. Thier reputation preceeds them, and they SUCK.
Suck.
I can talk to you about the traffic court as well.....
I've heard lots of stories about unmarked cars... I'm so grateful that everything went well with you...They say that when that happens to you call 911 and ask if there is a cop in your area... cause a girl did that and come to find out she stop herself from getting hurt and the man in the un-marked was a rapist and the call to 911 safe her and the man was apprehended... Now a days you can never be sure and they know that.... Bring that up in court that you weren't fleeing you were playing it safe... Your reactions was justified, and in my book you did everything right... Love you ! Hugs Motherdove
How to tell it's unmarked COP CAR!....
See those light spotters?
See those BLACK tires without white wall?
And they drive a frickin FORD car!
Gin, I would call my attorney and show them the picture. You can get one free consult with any attorney.
Love U... shame on 'EM!
I'm so sorry this happened, I think you did everything right! I'm so glad you are okay! As far as the "bad" officer...I'm sorry. He obviously needs a L♥ve Jar...maybe one with little "citations" in it? :-) LOL!! Seriously, I think you should go to court and tell your side of the story...maybe you'll not have to pay and maybe it will inspire him to not be as rude?? Maybe not :( I would have done exactly what you did on all counts!
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i though in CA you need front plates? thats insane
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