Sorry, couldn't help it.
Posted on 03/09/2006 8:23:35 AM PST by rock_lobsta
Dozens of Central Texas drivers got pulled over Thursday for doing absolutely nothing wrong.
Travis County deputies kicked off what has become a controversial reward program.
You know that heart stopping feeling you get when seeing the flashing red lights of law enforcement in the rear view mirror.
Well, you won't see that if you're a good driver, but you may get pulled over.
Getting pulled over for doing nothing wrong may not sound right to a lot of people.
Travis County Deputy Derrick Taylor says his job is to not only look for bad drivers, but reward and encourage friendly drivers.
"The big cargo truck that was in front of you and you allowed to get in front of you, that was a very nice thing you did and because it was a safe thing, we want to reward you with a Round Rock express baseball tickets," Taylor tells a good driver.
Free baseball tickets for good drivers - some like it and don't mind being pulled over like Erin.
"I was really surprised, but it's cool though. I thought I was like in trouble so a little nerve racking," driver Erin Baker said.
That's the problem with other drivers saying it's an inconvenience.
Deputy Taylor says they're not trying to scare anyone. Deputies will simply wave to good drivers and politely ask them to pull over to the side.
"What I'm trying to focus on and the only thing I'm trying to focus on is rewarding someone for good driving. There are going to be some people who are not going to like it cause the only experience they have with law enforcement is negative," Taylor said.
Drivers like Erin say they'll take this ticket over a traffic ticket any day.
"Yeah, I will probably go with my boyfriend or something," Baker said.
This program will last until this weekend, and it stems from one that worked well some 20 years ago except deputies were handing out money -- up to $50.
No one complained then until the money ran out.
I was wondering...what if you ignored the officer...and didn't stop...what would you be charged with?
Well Judge...I was pulling the defendent over to issue "Thank you" for good driving when he failed to yield...
We charged him with resisting praise...
>>>Travis County deputies kicked off what has become a controversial reward program.
Do any of you remember the news stories, about 2? 3? years ago when they were talking about making police officers keep ice cream in their cars and pulling people over to give them cones for good driving?
That was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard.
If I need 'em, I'll call 'em. On second thought - no, I won't even do that.
Sorry, couldn't help it.
No, I never heard that one.
The first few posts here say it all about this idea.
Driving over 50 years, never had a moving violation ticket.
All I know is that I am going to Austin next week and won't be needing any tickets to any games there. I don't live there and have already planned my entertainment.
Must be a lot of jails in Georgia.
Austin is bigger than quite a few of the cities with NFL franchises, but a major league professional team has never considered the area because UT sucks all the oxygen out of the room. UT also has a lot of clout, and would do their best to kneecap any professional teams attempting to move into the area. They don't mind renting the Erwin Center to the Spurs for a few games a season, but that's as far as they'll let it go.
LOL. I didn't catch that ... obey=disobey
LOL ... That is what I meant.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.