Yankee Cops

[notfarnow]

Got back last night from my round trip to Montreal for Christmas. Wifey and I went through the states (Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont) both ways, with our 10 year old car, 2 dogs and 90 liters of filtered vegetable oil.

I got pulled over for speeding 3 times. On the way there, in Maine. On the way back, in new Hampshire, and then again after crossing the border into Canada.

In the US, the local cops were great. Both times it was for doing ~40-45 in a 35. They let me know I was speeding, what the fine would have been and then proceeded to offer directions and warnings about the weather. One even offered to have me follow him back onto the highway.

Really, really nice folks. It's a great surprise when you have your back up expecting to be dealing with pricks, only to be met with really helpful and corteous people. Wish I could say the same was true of the Canadian cop.

[rcecale]

WOW! You were lucky!!!
I've read recently that the SOP for pulling over unarmed offenders is to turn the local SWAT team on you and have them gun you down. Oh, wait, you must have been packing...those filthy cowards!!! [/kidding]

Seriously though, sounds like a great time! Ya just gotta love a successful road-trip. Glad to see you made it home safe and sound.

Ya know...this would be a really good thread if ya had some pics.

Randy

[legion]

They were probably more checking you out to make sure you weren't running drugs from Canada.

[Jim Richards]

Yep, the only time my wallet was lightened was during a couple of encounters in the South. Oh well.

So Jake, how's the vegi oil fuel work out for you?

[VenezianBlau 87]

Stop using oil from donut shops!

[notfarnow]

Legion, funny you mention that; I had zero hassle at the border. I wondered what they would say about the second fuel tank and the 2 jerry cans of vegetable oil. At the Vermont border on the way home, they popped the trunk and had a look. It was all in plain sight and they didn't even ask about it... I was surprised.

As for the cops, for the most part I find they are looking for ANY EXCUSE to treat you with respect and courtesy. I always turn the light on, have my hands in plain view and use my "yessirs" and "nosirs". If they don't have any reason to be ill at ease, they are always very courteous.

rcecale... no pics unfortunately. My digital camera schit out before we left. Too bad too, that is a beautiful drive through the hills & small towns.

The car worked well, with the exception of the speedometer quitting... hence the speeding. In 5th, I can guestimate my speed by the tach, but I was at a loss in 3rd & 4th... I just hoped for the best.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
Yep, the only time my wallet was lightened was during a couple of encounters in the South. Oh well.

So Jake, how's the vegi oil fuel work out for you?

The veggie oil works great, it's been almost 4 years now. I couldn't imagine NOT running vegetable oil now... it saves us far too much money. Only pain is the poor selection of diesel cars. VW & Mercedes, (or old diesel chevettes and peugeots). I have a serious distrust of VWs. I have to get 2 more years out of my Jetta, then I want to pick up a ~98 e300D. Wifey would like to get out of the Jetta next year, but that would put my Porsche fund in jeopardy.

[gaijindabe]

That is the key - when the speed limit is under 55 - follow it!

Otherwise, I think overall there is less speed enforcement in Canada (too big??) and less of the revenue generating kind.