I got my first ever ticket when I was a freshman. A campus police officer got me going 31 mph in a 20 at 2 a.m. when school wasn't even in session. I argued with him and told him that I felt like I was going 27. "No way was I going 31," I kept saying. "I'll give you 27. You can write the ticket for 27. But no way was I going 31. You're wrong."
Of course, that didn't go over too well.
Since then, I've been running hot. I've gotten a streak of warnings for various traffic infractions — everything from speeding to forgetting to turn my headlights on (oops) to having my high beams on (oops again) to making an improper U-turn to speeding again to speeding again.
I've got a few go-to moves, but here's my best: If it's dark outside, put your dome light on and then hold your arms up above your head or out the window. The officer will ask, "Why do you have your hands up?" Then you reply: "Well, just for your safety and mine."
The officer will be so appreciative of your precautionary gesture that he will let you off with a warning.
Beep! Beep!
