Really?

If you're driving down I-95, minding your own business at about 70 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, do you expect to get pulled over?  I certainly didn't.  But, that's what happened this evening.

I was just south of the North East (MD) exit.  I was actually paying attention to my speed because I'd gotten a speed camera ticket just south of there a couple weeks ago for going 69 MPH in a 55 MPH work zone.  Those speed zone cameras are my Achilles' heel.  I'm good for about two speed zone camera violations per year.  Since I was already halfway to my quota and it's only February 14th, I was paying extra special attention to how fast I was going.

Nonetheless, all of a sudden, I had flashing lights in my rearview mirror.  It took only a split second to tell that the trooper was trying to get my attention.  I worked my way across several lanes of traffic and pulled over on the shoulder.  I said a quick "Thank you" to God for helping me get over to the shoulder without causing an accident.

As I sat there, visions of rapidly rising auto insurance rates started racing through my head.  So did a bunch of other questions.  Just before I saw the flashing lights, a car had passed me on my left.  So, why was I the one getting pulled over?  Did he think I was on my cell phone?  I knew that wasn't the case.  What could it be?

When the trooper finally got out of his car and walked over to my driver's side window, he introduced himself and asked if I knew why he'd pulled me over.  "No, I really don't," I answered.  "Your front right headlight is out," he told me.  Thankfully, I didn't respond with what immediately came to mind, which was "You pulled me over for that?"  Instead, I politely thanked him for letting me know, waited for him to write up the warning, thanked him again, and then drove away.  I'm getting so good with authority figures as I get older.

Now, if only I could remember to be so well-behaved at work.