The last three times (or possibly four) that I've interacted with the police, I've wound up NOT receiving citations. I don't know if it's a super power I have developed, or I've got a guardian angel looking over me (the patron saint of tickets??) or if it's just all a big coincidence, but I'm not looking this gift horse in the mouth (and I'm certainly not going to push it, in an attempt to find out how often I can get pulled over and not get cited).
But, the first time was back in 2007 when we were on our trip to one of the unschooling conferences, and we got pulled over for speeding while in Tonopah. The officer simply let us go with a warning.
Then, about 3 years ago, in the middle of winter right after we had moved into this house, I had gone out to the grocery store early in the morning pre-work, and I ran a stop sign. It was freezing outside, I KNEW that the intersection was clear [well, except for the cop car sitting off to the side that I didn't see], and I just wanted to get home because our heater also wasn't working, so coming to a complete stop seemed a waste of my time.
I was completely in the wrong on this, and I probably WOULD have gotten a ticket - the officer had already taken my license and registration back to his car and was therefore going to cite me...but as he was talking to me, a car SPED by, probably doing 60 - when the speed limit on that road is 35. Another police car (his partner??) quickly followed with it's sirens blaring, and the officer that had pulled me over hastily said, "Be more careful in the future.", then ran to his own vehicle, turned on the siren, and joined the pursuit of the other speeder.
The 3rd time sorta doesn't count, since we weren't exactly pulled over. It was when we had the accident back on 2/29... but still. Interacted with the cops, and WE didn't get cited.
And, today. I was out and about, and turned right at an intersection that (apparently) has a sign above it that says "NO RIGHT ON RED". The officer told me about it, I expressed (genuine) shock and apologized, and then he simply drove off. So. Again...not sure if it's a superpower I have or what, but I am extremely thankful that I did not end up with the extra burden of having to go to court and/or pay a fine. We most certainly do NOT need that in our lives right now.
