Mom was jejely driving when she got pulled over. Before she finished her story, I was ready to say, “I told you to stop driving like that!” My mom is notorious for giving people an almost-coronary-attack while she’s driving. Let’s just say her way of switching lanes and making turns are neither friendly to her SUV nor the passengers that let themselves be transported in it. But I digress.
Mom has been pulled over before, most times for driving above the speed limit. But this time, she was pulled over for something else. I’ll quote the warning citation before I explain it.
“You have received a warning for the following violation(s):
DRIVING A VEHICLE WHILE A REMOVABLE WINDSHIELD PLACARD IS HANGING FROM THE INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR”
What it means: My mother was busy cruising around town with what you see below:
 |
| The culprits |
And what that means, essentially, is that my mom was driving around town with a Hello Kitty stuffed face and a Winnie The Pooh face. Oh, and a rosary! Apparently, it is illegal to drive around with anything hanging on your rearview mirror. Seriously? Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Maryland cops must have stolen the Jesus that used to be on my rearview mirror!
Since the offense on my mother’s traffic violation warning has an actual code, I guess it is in fact a real offense. Thank God it wasn’t a ticket. That said, I only have two questions:
1. How many people know that this is an offense? I certainly did not. And lots of people – if not most – drive around with some kind of “removable windshield placard” hanging on their rearview mirror.
2. How many people has this cop pulled over for this offense?
Mom’s theory: Since it was a White cop who pulled her over, he clearly did it for the classic reason: DWB (Driving While Black). He had nothing else on her, so he decided to give her a warning for daring to drive with Hello Kitty and Winnie The Pooh hanging on her rearview mirror.
My first theory: Cops have a quota of how many traffic violation tickets and warnings they have to hand out each week/month/season/quarter. The cop that pulled my mom over clearly hadn’t reached his quota and was desperately trying to do so.
My second theory: The cop that pulled mom over was a rookie (new) cop, had milk on his breadth, and he was just happy to exercise his new found power, pulling drivers over for whatever and handing tickets and warnings to them.
Oh, then there’s this third theory: The cop noticed my mom from afar, instantly fell in love with her with her high yellow skin tone, and did what he could to speak to her. He has since been camping outside our house, stalking his new found love, and daydreaming about their wedding in Africa. He just wishes he knew which animal he’d rather ride on for their wedding: an elephant or a hippo?
What say you?
huh? me i drive withh stuff hanging from my rear-view mirror oh…(i live in another state sha)
but still…i didn't know that was illegal …
i agree with ur first theory biko…
Ok ooo, waiting to see how it plays out!
It can't be anything other than your third theory.
say what? it's definitely the last reason! yep!
i never hear this kind thing for my life before…is it a state thingee because i remember when my cousin used to bring the car air freshners that hang from our rear mirrors…that man na idiot
meanwhile, i think he fancies your mum…& you tell me what you were doing smelling milk on his breath?
this girl, you no go kill me…LWKMD
This is just like the time when I saw a cop placing parking tickets on ALL the cars on a certain street on a public holiday. On ALL the cars. And yes, the rules are suspended on holidays. So he was probably just hoping one of the people would be foolish enough to pay it. What cops do to meet their quotas.
The third theory of course, lol. I have been thinking of hanging something on mine. I should probably check…
i would go with the first option jare. btw, the man dey craze
Let's go with your first theory..lol
yea.. i know it's an offense
Yes I missed this! I'm back, Vera.
lol. I always look forward to posts about your mum…love her!!!
And I certainly agree most with your first theory…very funny, yet plausible…lol.
i vote for option 3!
I drive with beads hanging on my rearview mirror in the dmv area and I have never been pulled over for it
My friend was once pulled over in VA for having stuff hangin on her rearview mirror. I think he said something about it being a distraction to other drivers. i guess the size and quantity of what is hung,will determine whether or not you are noticed.
what serious? i didn't even know that was a law. and i live in maryland. doesn't everyone do that? so does that mean u cant even hang up those fresheners? hmmm…
pele
nogo xx
Oh yes, my brother got pulled over for having one of those air freshener things hanging from his rear view mirror. This was in Alexandria.
Na wa for American law oh! PS Of course he is in love with your Mum, def that reason!
My mom too, for the air fresheners she actually asked the cop "don't you have work to do?" when he asked her to repeat herself thinking he'd misheard her, she did, then asked for his badge number…needless to say she and no one driving anyone of her cars has been stopped since