It's been over 20 years, and in Montana back during the 55 mph "energy saver" days. Montana had to enforce the law to get federal highway funds, but the fed never said what the penalty had to be. In Montana the penalty was $5, and you could pay it in cash to the officer and he'd give you a receipt (just in case you wanted to check up on him). The daytime ticket did not go on your record.
So we routinely kept $5.00 bills in a pocket behind the sun visor. Once, when I was cruising along an empty highway in a 69 Ford Falcon van, 6 banger, noisy, windy. The pale blue highway patrol car was hiding behind a barn, but his radar was on me. His lights came on and he pulled me over.
I reached for the $5.00 bill and my license.
The officer came up and said, "Ah, keep the money. I'm out of receipt forms anyway. I just wanted to let you know your old beater was going 75 and I'd never seen one of these do any better than 60. Besides, I looked in the back and can tell you're not a drug runner. They don't carry fencing gear and jacks and old oil cans in their vans. Be safe, son."
So I didn't have to say much of anything except "Thanks, officer."
)
Classic!
