Full Speed Ahead!

I don’t know if this really counts, but how about the speed limit?

Years ago, shortly after I got out of the military and was working with our local Sheriff’s Office, the State Patrol brought in a young man.

He’d been doing 120 MPH in a 55 MPH. He was from Germany and visiting America. He kind of forgot our speed limit isn’t going as fast you can.

Going that fast meant more than a mere ticket. You get arrested, brought in to the jail, and have to post bond to get out.

That wasn’t an issue for the young man. What was an issue was his court date would be AFTER he’d returned to Germany. He asked what would happen.

“You bond will be forfeited,” I explained as deputy on duty. “And a warrant might be issued for your arrest.”

“A warrant?” He understood what that meant.

“Yes. It means for the next two years, you might want to stay out of Colorado.”

“Meaning?”

“If you got pulled over somewhere else, and they found the warrant. I doubt very much they’d bother to extradite you. To expensive for a mere speeding ticket.”

“What do I do about it in the meantime in Germany.”

I leaned closer. “Nothing. Do you think the German Government will care about something so minor. Now, if you murdered someone, that would be different. But speeding? Come on.”

He nodded.

“Go home. Blow it off, but there is a benefit to this.”

“Oh?”

“If you really what to dazzle a babe is a disco, just tell her you’re wanted in America. Just don’t tell her for what. That will kind of blow the coolness of it all.”

He saw the humor in the situation, paid his bond, and went his way.

I wonder if he ever used the line?