Ok, I was over the limit.  I didn’t see it, nor the flashing lights that appeared soon thereafter.  Given that this happened at the beginning of the month (can you say quota?),  I knew I was doomed.  But it got worse.

I pulled over and the Highway Officer got out and took my papers.  He stared at them, my car registration sticker and went back to his chariot.  About ten minutes later he comes back and tells me that my car registration sticker does not match my plates.  I was immediately horrified and told the defender of our safety that I don’t know how this is possible.

A bit later I realized that I had changed the plates on the car and either I messed up and did not switch the sticker, or the sticker I was given did not match the plates I picked up at the MVB.  Although my registration card referred to both numbers (the plate and the registration sticker)  here is how it played out:

• One speeding ticket (guilty sir)
• One ticket for my plate not matching the registration sticker
• One ticket for my registration sticker not matching my plate (???? isn’t that the previous ticket????)
• One for not having my insurance card (cleared up with a copy of my card and a visit to the good old MVB)

Not that I’m asking for a break, I am… But wouldn’t a speeding ticket have been enough instead of mining me like a stinking gold mine?

So here we are and once again NY’s Finest has found a way to extort some money.  Ya gotta love ‘em. 

I was traveling to the office going across 61st street to Central Park, where I make a left and then an immediate right turn to head further west.  As luck would have it (bad for me and  good for the money-extorting officer),  buses were taking up all of the right lane and so,  I had to make my right at the park in the second lane.  Once the light went green,  I waited for the buses to move and then proceeded carefully to make the right. 

Of course there was a law man there, making sure that we are all safe (oh excuse me,  I mean making sure that our fair (or is it fare)  City of New York, made more money) and I was pulled over.  This most useful officer, our civil servant (yet somehow no better than a meter maid with a glock),  told me that I had violated some obscure traffic law and to wait for him to return after running my plates.  While he had me stewing in my car,  I watched as he stopped at least 10 more cars,  spoke to them and let all but myself and 1 other car go (guess their PBA cards were on display so they were okay).

When our employee returned (yes we pay their salaries, so they do work for us???), he handed me my ticket ($135).  I asked why he was letting all these other vehicles go and further why every lane at the next intersection was allowed to make this same right turn without "breaking" the law.  His reply was that well they have a green arrow there too.

Between the 8 cars I watched this clown let go and the explanation as to why it is okay to perform the identical turn at the next intersection,  I must pose the question:

Do any of these useless osifers wonder why people dislike them?

This NYC Commuter tax idea is a perfect example of governing without understanding.  I have been driving these mean streets for 35 years and surely have more experience driving in this City than our illustrious mayor or any of his experts,  Of this I am willing to bet.  So please do listen closely as I explain the rules and solutions that are not as lazy.

First,  it’s about money,  not congestion.  Don’t let ANYONE tell you it’s about traffic.  Every driver that goes to work in Manhattan will remember our Mayor this next election.  This foolish tithe only adds more to the City’s bank account and nothing positive for it’s citizens,  specifically,  nothing for the congestion.

So what is the cause of the congestion.  Let me give you a clue.  It isn’t the number of cars.  Huh.  What did I just say?  Nothing to do with the number of cars.  That’s crazy, man!  Nope.  It’s the truth

Now to the causes:

• Delivery Trucks double and triple parked
• Buses double and triple parked
• Pretty much any City vehicle that feels like stopping is  double and triple parked
• Cabs stopping to pickup or drop off passengers without regard for traffic

Fix that and congestion is gone.   Oh wait a minute,  then how to extort money from drivers?