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Today I was stopped for "speeding", 45 on a 30 posted area (at least that is what the cop said, I am not really sure how fast I was going but I know I was going faster than 30)

He signaled me to stop, so I did, he asked me for my drivers license, insurance and registration.

I was visible nervous and my hands were shaking and fumbling all my papers, it took me a while to put myself together, I am sure he noticed I was a mess, I did not have my insurance card up to date though the policy is, I just don't have the latest little card with me.

He started questioning me as usuall:

- cop - Do you know why I stopped you?
- me - No, I do not
- cop - Do you know the speed limit in this area?
- me - No, I do not
- cop - You do not have any idea why I am stopping you? (a bit surprised)
- me - No, not at all
- cop - Where do you work?
- me - I work nearby
- cop - Where?
- me - I tell him where exactly
- cop - Yes, it is nearby
- cop - How long have you worked there
- me - For the last few years
- cop - Do you drive this way often?
- me - Yes, sometimes I do rather than the highway if it is too crowded
- cop - You were driving too fast (I did not see him with a speed gun though)

Then he start telling me the "rules" about the speed limits in residential areas being 30 m/h and that I was doing 45 m/h, etc.

(I knew all that but I was not going to incriminate myself, right?)

- cop - How long have you been driving?
- me - For a while, a few years
- cop - (Checking the date on my DL) Have you ever been stopped by the police before?
- me - On ocassion, yes I have
- cop - Why were you stopped?
- me - Right turn where they just posted not to and I did not see the new post
- cop - What did you do with the ticket
- me - I just paid it
- cop - As long as you pay the ticket your license is going to be alright

Then I asked:

- me - Is this a commercial infraction?
- cop - What do you mean? Like a commercial drivers license or something?
- me - Because I am not engaged in any commercial activity, I have nothing for sale and I am not for hire either
- cop - I'll be right back

He goes to his patrol car and after three or four minutes at the most he comes back with all my papers in hand, gives them to me and tells me in a low voice (I don't think he could have queried his computer on my record so fast but who knows):

- cop - Slow down a bit this is a residential area and there are kids and it is risky, etc. (FYI, this is an upscale neighborhood where you rarely see anyone at all)
- me - Sure I will, thanks I am a bit late for work (I shouldn't have said this at the end (adminiting!!!) but I was a bit shocked! to say the least)
- cop - Better late than having an accident or something

So I just went on my way, I think when I left the cop was a little shocked himself too.

I don't want to call this is a "success story" because I realize it may have been curcumstantial, perhaps I took the cop by surprise by suddenly asking these two (apparently "deadly" for them) questions after he saw I was terrified of him and the situation, perhaps he will think on what to do the next time someone asks him questions like these.

Anyway, I just wanted to share how this went down, BTW all this happned in South Florida.