Northwest Cycle Report

I got busted.

76 in a 50. $224.

The story…

The nicest day of the year so far. I rode to work this morning, enjoying the sunrise. I left work about 4:30 and it was a beautiful spring afternoon. I decided to take the long way home and enjoy a little ride after a long, miserable winter. I headed South down Highway 9 through Clear Lake. I continued South through Big Lake and picked up WA 534, one of my favorite local roads, to Conway. After a great blast down 534 I swung North onto the frontage road to head back to town.

The road was straight, dry and empty. I was soaking in the scenery and fresh air as I ran the bike up through the gears. I have no idea how fast I was going but, glancing over at the cars on I-5 I realized that I was running at freeway speed. Just then, I sensed that I was begin watched. There was no one on the frontage road ahead or behind me but I had that wierd feeling. I rolled off the throttle and slowed as the frontage road crossed Anderson Road and got into civilization. I had not gone far when the trooper came up behind me and hit the lights.

As I looked for a place to park safely I ran through all of the advice and folklore I had ever heard about how to behave in a traffic stop situation. I turned off the bike, switched off the key, deployed the side stand, flipped open my helmet and sat with my hands held out to my sides in clear view of the trooper.

Trooper Arnold stood in front of the bike and asked, “What is the speed limit on Cedardale Road?”

“I believe it’s 50, sir”, I replied.

“I had you at 76; I paced you from the freeway. Pretty fast for a country road, huh?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. I guess I may have gotten a little over-exuberant enjoying the fine weather. Sir, may I remove my helmet and earplugs so I can hear you better?”

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I removed my gloves, moving slightly slower than normal, and my helmet and earplugs.

“I need to see your license and registration,” Trooper Arnold said.

“Sir, may I dismount?” I asked.

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you, sir.” I got off the bike and stood with it between myself and Trooper Arnold.

“Sir, my license is in the front pocket of my jacket. I am going to reach in and get my wallet now, OK?”

“OK.”

I retreived my wallet and removed my license and handed it to Trooper Arnold.

“Sir, the registration is in one of the bags. I don’t recall which, but I am pretty sure it’s the one closest to you. Shall I come around and get it?”

“No, I won’t need it. Please wait here.”

“Yes sir.”

I stood at the back of the bike, facing Trooper Arnold in his car and keeping my hands at my sides and in his sight at all times. I did not walk around or fidget. Trooper Arnold came back out his car and, looking at the bike, asked me if I could retrieve the registration after all.

“Sir, I need to open this saddlebag and look for it. OK?” I asked.

“OK.”

I opened the bag and retrieved my insurance card. I offered it to Trooper Arnold, “Do you need to see my proof of insurance, sir?”

“No. It’s not required in Washington.”

“Yes sir, I know, but I carry it anyway.” I continued to look in the bag for my registration when Trooper Arnold asked, “What model bike is this? They are saying it’s a VTX180.”

“It’s a VTX 1800, sir.”

“That’s all I need,” Trooper Arnold said and returned to his cruiser.

He returned a few moments later with my citation. He explained that, while he could reduce the speed if I had been less than 20 mph over the limit, I was 26 mph over so he wrote me for the full 76 mph. (I thought to myself that only he and I knew how fast I was going so he could have written me for a reduced speed if he chose to.) He explained my options and advised me to be careful and slow down. “Yes, sir,” was all I could manage.

So, now what? I hear that one can get a 12 month deferral and that if you remain violation free for the 12 months, the ticket will be dropped. Anyone have experience with this? I think my insurance will not be affected by one ticket (I think my record is otherwise clean). I am a little concerned that being 26 mph over will be an issue. I will make some calls tomorrow to get the scoop.

Looking back, I’m a bit miffed that Trooper Arnold did not see fit to issue a warning or at least reduce the speed on the citation. My hope that he would appreciate 1) my cooperation, 2) the fact that I was wearing full gear, 3) that I had a proper license endorsement, and 4) that I was carrying insurance, and would therefore give me the benefit of the doubt, was clearly unfounded.

Was I too cautious about spooking Trooper Arnold? Was there anything that I should have done differently?

I hope not to repeat this experience, but all advice is welcome and may help someone else.