We took to the road this Memorial Weekend heading west over interstate highways in the Inter-mountain West. Where there are as you would expect some mountains to climb and also descend. There was an overabundance of highway patrol on the job that I saw either slightly hiding with their radar on, in active pursuit, or had pulled some unfortunate traveler over for a financial hit.

I get it. It’s a safety issue and some folks take things too far. But for the most part the highway patrol just ends up taking advantage of someone for financially dropping the soap while driving. If it was only about safety then we would hear more stories from people saying they got a warning instead of a ticket.

I always set my cruise control for the speed limit or no more than four miles over. But that is no guaranty of not getting the patrol’s attention. What always gets a verbal “cuss-word” comment from me is when they radar on a steep decline just out of sight. Unseen until too late just off of a slight curve somewhere. Even having cruise control set we still have to monitor our speed as it can drift-up on descents.

I can imagine just for a moment at the wrong time and place not realizing this and get chased down for a financial hit. I didn’t get a ticket but I saw plenty who did. It mostly looked like families getting the pinch. Yet the people who passed me 100 mph never seem to get pulled over. That’s because they fly with radar detectors and had probably planned their highway unlawfulness. Nope, it is easier pickings to lurk in the shadows of the shower room and just wait for the poor schlep who drops the soap. Oh yes, financial gratification.

All right, maybe I am taking this a little too far. But there are some little infractions that we need to be aware of that gets the attention of traffic enforcement. They happily hand out some citation with triple digit fines and possibly some points for your insurance agent to use against you to ask for more for your car insurance premium.

Financially dropping the soap while driving is about small mistakes

These little slips can easily cost big bucks and take up some of your priceless time.

Rolling Stop.

We get in a hurry and we think we are coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or even a red light to make a right turn. But the wheels are still slightly rolling (aka a California Stop). It is an easy habit to get into and a tough one to break. In my town this is one of the most common tickets written.

Stopping Long at a Red Light or Stop Sign.

We have all intentions to stop but the front of the car crosses the painted (stop here) white line.The one that goes with the stop sign or signal light. If your car is across that line in a red light or at a stop sign it is considered running the stop sign or red light. Red Light Enforcement Cameras auto-ticket and bill millions for this. Also if entering an intersection and the traffic stops leaving you hanging. Hanging and part of your car out in the intersection. Even ever so slightly when the light turns red. Guess what? It is also considered running the light. My buddy learned this on the Las Vegas Strip and it cost him $250.

Left Turn Into the Wrong Lane.

We see it all the time and have been guilty of it too. We make a left turn and don’t turn tight enough or we go too fast to stay in the far left lane while making the turn. This is another huge citation count in my town.

Burned Out Tail Light, Break Light, and / or License Plate Light.

Unless someone alerts us to this we probably never know about it until we are pulled over. Or the car goes into some kind of service where they take the time to do a quick inspection for us. Take the time to have someone occasionally stand behind your car while you run through your lights and signals. This is another lovely police attention getter in my town.

Short Signal Time.

We need to quickly change lanes or maybe we just don’t think about it but we only signal a second or two before making the move. I was once pulled over on the Interstate after coming up on a slow-moving motorcycle in the right lane. I signaled, went to the left lane and then signaled to return to the right lane. It was a Highway Patrolman and he said I didn’t signal long enough. He did a full signal and break light inspection. He then said that I should signal at least 5 seconds next time. He then just gave me a warning. It was 106 degrees, neither of us in air conditioning, and even though I know I signaled longer than his claim I was lucky he wasn’t in a bad mood.

To Conclude:

We all have brain-fart moments when we slip up on something while behind the wheel. Any of which could be considered financially dropping the soap while driving. I am sure that there are many more examples than the few common ones I have listed above.

If you are someone who is purposely speeding and running stop signs or red lights. Knowingly driving with burned out lights. Choosing to make improper lane changes and/or not signaling or short signaling. Then you deserve a citation and financial hit. Not to mention those distracted by their cell phone and texting. Please don’t get me started.

For the rest of us it is important to constantly pay attention to what we are doing behind the wheel and avoid being surprised from behind. Red/Blue lights and siren that is.

Do you have a story about slipping up and being chased down to be told about it?