Absent-minded? God's grace can cover that!
It was Aug. 14. I was driving back to Ames from Decorah after doing the family reunion thing. It was a clear, cool day... life was good.
So much so, that after passing a cop who had just finished busting a guy, I had no fears or concerns. I was driving the speed limit, I had no outstanding bills, I was a law abiding citizen. That's when the cherries lit up!
The highway patrol officer comes up to my passenger side window and in my shock I blurt out, "What's the problem officer?"
"Well", he says, "It seems like your registration tags have expired."
"What? No way.", I said as I search for my registration information... to no avail. Sure enough, I've been driving my van and my Volvo for 7 months with expired tags.
My kids start asking, "Is daddy going to go to prison?" (I'm serious. They really said that.) And so the cop had pity on this absent-minded father of 5 + 1 and let's me off with a warning.
Now get this!
On April 7th, I was pulled over by DPS for, of all reasons, not pulling over fast enough for an Ames Police car that was responding to a call. He criticized my driving for not paying attention and pulling over faster. He accused me of potentially causing an accident. And yet he completely missed the fact that my registration tags were 3 months expired by that time! I'll let you come to your own conclusions on that one, but as for me I think God graciously covered my back. Thanks Big Guy!
Comments
You know, they send you something in the mail for registration. You can renew on the internet. They set it up so that you have to renew in the month you were born. I'd mark the calendar next time. Plus, it's a lot cheaper if you renew on time instead of paying late fees.
Please tell me your insurance is current!
So...you are going to get your registration renewed, right?
Posted by: Dan at August 28, 2006 07:11 PMLast year on our way down to faithwalkers I was driving my car, and we (Myself, Dustin, Christy and Emily) were following Nate's focus. As is natural to do when following someone else I just began to follow nates bumper, so wherever it went, I went. Well...Nate's bumper went flying past a state trooper that was evidently issuing someone a ticket. He pulled nate over for not switching to the far lane. I of course, didn't want to lose Nate on the way down, so I also pulled over, and subsequently, also got a ticket for not switching lanes for the state trooper. THE END.
Posted by: tj at August 28, 2006 07:57 PMDan... hit the link in the blog saying, "with expired tags".
Pat... oh shut up. :-)
my question...how could a cop see the month on your little license plate sticker while you were driving by? that's some skill there!
Posted by: erik at August 28, 2006 10:43 PMBad boys, bad boys, wha'cha goin' do? Wha'cha goin' do when they come for you?
So that's why you didn't return my phone call Saturday night? :)
All joking aside, I have the same question as Erik. Must have been a slow day for this particular cop...
Posted by: Rob at August 28, 2006 10:52 PMIs it grace "covering" your mistake? Or God lavishing grace on you with a warning (an undeserved gift...)?
Sometimes it's good to heed God's graceful warnings... :)
(Matt goes to check his registration....)
Posted by: Matt Heerema at August 28, 2006 11:20 PMDon't they just look for the color of the sticker on the tags? All the same... it is pretty hard to see the difference between orange and red on the highway...
Posted by: Holly at August 28, 2006 11:21 PMRemember Tim -- you only have 3 months until December then you need to do it again! ; )
Since I work for a state agency, I get to chat with state troopers and motor vehicle enforcement officers occasionally about their jobs. TIP: If you see an officer driving slower than the speed limit - they are looking for expired tags when you pass them.
Posted by: wendy sue at August 29, 2006 09:20 AMOkay, okay. I didn't click the link. I really can't say anything...I got pulled over for not having my new ones on too...
Posted by: Dan at August 31, 2006 09:17 PMA man is trying a very unusual way to propose to his girlfriend.
He wants people to forward an email to as many people as possible and he hopes that it will eventually get to his girlfriend.
Details here: http://www.proposal-to-mary.com