Put a price on it!

Traffic Law

So I got caught in the Diamond lane the other day!

I was coming back from the city and the traffic was bumper to bumper. It was one of those times that I wish that I did not drink that Big Gulp! What was I thinking... Next time I will wear one of those travel diapers for adults or take along a trucker's buddy. All I could do was sing a song and dance.... tap the steering wheel.. say a prayer.. There was no relief in site... All of a sudden I came upon an open lane. Freedom I thought. I knew where there was an exit from the freeway and all I had to do was get there. I was in a HURRY! As I sped up into the open lane, I could see the exit 1 mile ahead. I was within reach. Nothing could stop ..... oops... then I saw it! I was in a diamond lane. In my haste, I did not realize that the reason the lane was open was because it was a carpool lane. The only way that I could justify being in this lane was that I was in a car and it was about to become a pool. What was I thinking?! I needed to get out of this lane before I get busted. The only problem was that the other 5 lanes of cars were bumper to bumper. It was as if they knew I was in a hurry. As much as I tried, no one would let me back in.. Perhaps they knew that I was being watched. Perhaps they had all planned this when they woke up that morning. They were all against me. In my time of need, no one seemed to care. Finally, a saint in the sea of self-fish cars! Someone opened the door. Someone let me back in.. AND! Just in time.. My exit was just ahead. I could almost touch it. I could see the off ramp. If it weren't for those red and blue lights in my rear view mirror, I would have made it. The CHP officer was matter of fact. He was all business. He asked me if I knew what the intended use of the Diamond Lane. He asked me if I knew the fine for being in the lane without passengers. He asked me.. "WHY?" I did my best to explain my dilemma and it seemed as though he understood. OHH! He understood! He looked at me, looked at my license and said that he would return momentarily. I could see him in my rear view mirror talking on his radio, eating a sandwich, calling his wife, cleaning his gun, and polishing his shoes. Did I not explain the URGENCY of my decision? After what felt like 2 hours, he returned my license and registration and lectured me on the importance of following the traffic laws. All the while, he had a smirk on his face. He had done this before. Needless to say that I was grateful for the forgiveness and I made it just in time to relieve myself of my anguish. I had escaped the day with a lesson in preparation. The cost of the ticket would have been....$275

Kaitlyn's Law

As I parked to get a tan I heard a baby crying. It was coming from a Ford Expedition next to me. Upon further investigation, I could see that a baby was left in the car and all the windows were up. It was locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Not even a crack for ventilation. I really did not think anything of it because it appeared that the owner of the SUV was in the parking lot talking with some friends. Or so I thought. I was annoyed that they just stood there and talked with each other. Ignoring the fact that their baby was crying. I just had to ask.... The answer shocked me. They said 'No!' I stood next to the SUV dumbfounded. Where was the owner? As I started to look around the vehicle for an open door, the owner came out of no where and got in her car and drove away. It happened just as fast as it had started. I concluded that the girl must have just dropped something off. There was no way that she left her infant in a locked car.

SO, as I stood in line for a tan, I just had to ask... again.. The folks inside confirmed my fear. The 18 girl had stopped in for an 18 minute Tan! What!!?? If she had an 18 minute tan then that would mean that she left her infant in the locked car for 20 minutes minimum. I called the Sheriff's department to ask if this was acceptable behavior. And the Dispatcher said no. I also researched the law and this is what I found out ---$100 for a citation. Yes!! The fine is $100, plus a variety of court fees that bring it to about $340.. As well as a point on your driving record. Hmmmm.

As conservative as I am, even I am outraged and disappointed that the price of an infants life or medical harm is not as severe as .. littering ($1000 fine) or carpool lane violation ($275+). Something needed to be done. The Sheriff's Departments hands are tied and Child Protective Services said that they could not violate confidentiality with the Tanning Salon. The question they kept asking me was if I had written down the license plate. I said no. I did, however, insist that something needed to be done. And something did.... I received a call from CPS and they said that one of their Social Workers would pay this 18 year mother a visit.

I did learn something from this incident. Act of your gut instincts. I know I teach it and I am glad I did it. If an 18 year old mother puts the price of a Tan higher than that of her own daughter then it is up to all of us to help her realize that her rational is Wrong! Dead wrong! The price of getting involved far outweighed the price of regret and remorse. If you see something wrong... Act on it... If you are to afraid or don't know how to get involved then ask questions.

Can you imagine a world with little to no tolerance for ignorance?