Mineola, Texas
Public servants
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tickedoff
I was recently on a business trip ( I am a sole owner of a business in east Texas ). I had covered just over three hundred miles on this day while delivering parts and visiting with some of my customers. This trip covered the area's from east Texas( Tyler )to Dallas,Tx , Denton,Tx, McKinney,Tx , Greenville,Tx area's and back to Tyler,Tx.
This entire trip was accomplished with the use of a newly purchased GPS devise. I was looking forward to seeing how this new GPS would perform for me.I was most interested in the time, distance, and gas savings while on this trip. With the price of things these days, especially gas you have to save in every possible way.
My route included state hwy 64, interstate 20, state hwy 80, freeway 635, interstate 35, state hwy 380 and state hwy 69.
My trip was fairly uneventful and I was looking forward to surprising my family by returning that same evening instead of the next day as I had planed.
While Passing through the city of Miniola, Tx on state hwy 69 I noticed a local police cruiser several cars behind me. After leaving the last red light south of the city the posted speed was 55. Just ahead I saw a sign posted that the speed was 70, or 65 for night. Myself and the other cars began to accelerate. To my surprise the officer began to change lanes(three times to be exact)at a very fast pace. Needless to say I was very surprised when he pulled behind me and turned on his lights.
The reason for this traffic stop. The officer informed me that I had accelerated faster than he thought I should and proceeded to issue me a ticket for doing 68 in a 55. He stated that I had reached the speed of 68 before I reached the sign. While this may be true. And it cost me a fine of 190.00 dollars,are times so bad that public servants are forced to use these tactics to create revenue. I was not endangering anyone, I was not intentionally speeding, I was minding my own business like all the other drivers around me that evening.
I must reiterate that I was in no hurry, I was trying to conserve gas, to my knowledge I hadn't broken any other speed limits or laws that day. The officer was in no way interested in discussing the mater. His mind was made up before he ever stoped me that he was going to write a ticket. The officer has the final say on whether he issues that citation or not. Considering the situation he could have issued a warning. He didn't, because of pressure to meet quotas. This seems to be a common practice.
The East Texas area is riddled with small towns and they all have their little speed traps. This is a well known fact. There is hardly a person out there that doesn't have a story similar to this one. We shouldn't have to be on guard and constantly worried who is going to get in our pockets next.
I have always had the most respect for people in the law enforcement line of work but it is dwindling fast.

The main message to others out there.
(IF THERE IS ANY WAY YOU CAN AVOID IT DO NOT TRAVEL THROUGH THESE SMALL TOWNS. SPEND YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE ON SOMETHING WORTHWHILE)
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