This never happens to me

You know, I’m a pretty good driver most of the time. I stay pretty close to or within the speed limit, don’t generally run red lights or drive dangerously. But I have never, ever, ever been able to talk myself out of a moving violation.

Until today.

I went through a red light from a left-turn lane. There was no question it was red, and I ran it—and there was a cop right behind me, and I didn’t notice her. She pulled me over, I had no explanation. I just dug my license out of my wallet, rolled down my window, and waited. The police officer said, “It wasn’t even close.” I said, “I know. I’m sorry.” I figured she was going to write me a ticket. Then she asked me if I had a good explanation, and I said no, I didn’t. I said I usually don’t do things like this. She asked “You mean you usually don’t get caught, or you usually don’t do them?” “Don’t do them. You can check my record.” I think she already had. So she tried one last time and said, “Can you give me a really good reason why I shouldn’t write you a ticket?” and I said no. I said I wish I could, but I did something stupid and I have no good explanation. I said I was rushing to mail my friend a birthday present, but that wasn’t a good enough reason to run a red light. I told her I was being a jerk. She said, “No, don’t say that word. Say you were using poor judgment.”

She let me off with a warning. I was stunned. This never happens to me. I was expecting the points and the fine. I deserved it. It would only be the third moving violation in my entire driving career (two speeding tickets). I’m still shocked that I didn’t get the ticket. Glad, but shocked.

Must be my lucky day.