Generally, I drive at the rate of speed I feel most comfortable with. Generally, that means I do 10-15 miles per hour over highway speed limits; in-town it's more like 7-10 over. I prefer the efficiency of driving faster, as well as the pleasant sensations from moving so quickly.

It's been over 10 months since I've been cited for a moving or traffic violation. Given the way statistics work, I know getting pulled over would happen sooner or later. And so it happened tonight on the way home.

I had dropped off a rental from I Love Video's 4631 Airport location after visiting with some friends. I took 51st Street to IH35 and proceeded to cruise northbound with some of Tim's MP3s playing. I'm usually pretty good at looking for cops along my driving routes and remembering common speed traps and radar ambushes, but I completely missed the policeman who busted me just as I left 35 on the Braker exit offramp. I didn't see him until his headlights invaded my car's "personal bubble."

Shit. He's got me.

He flipped his lights on and I pulled over in front of the U-Haul building and waited. Officer Eastlick politely asked for my license and registration, which I volunteered. I also handed him my concealed handgun license and told him I wasn't carrying. He said he clocked me doing 85 and reminded me that section of the highway is speed-limited to 60. A clean bust.

So he walked back to his patrol car and I waited.

I could go into a libertarian-fueled rant (I had spent 2+ hours shortly before at Threadgill's in the first meeting of the Austin Austrian Economics Society) about how state-enforced speed limits are bogus because my actions harmed no one and any harm I might have caused is my responsibility to pay back, but I don't feel like it. I'm just angry at the complications that have been added to my life in the short term, which are also my responsibility, of course.

After filling out the paperwork and asking me for additional information (why do I need to give out my Social Security number?), Officer Eastlick told me he was writing the citation up as doing 70 in a 60 ("allowing you to take defensive driving if you want") and gave me the form to sign. As I scribbled my name, he explained my requirement to appear in court on or before 10/14.

I don't know why Officer Eastlick choose to make his allegation of my speed to be 70 rather than 85, which I clearly was doing. Perhaps it was my CHL, or my manners, or my quick and in-order production of the documents he requested. Maybe he has a thing for TDIs. I'm glad he choose to reduce the burden I'd have to endure. I don't at all like the idea of me being grateful to someone and a system that aribitrarily decides to go easy on me rather than come down full force.

Here's the possible fines and punishments I might face: