[Jeff Higgins]

I actually had a very similar encounter with a Washington State Patrol officer about three or four years ago. It was on northbound I-405, starting in Renton and finally ending in Woodenville.

I was on my Ducati when this guy passed me like his hair was on fire, so I started following him about a quarter mile back. He must have finally noticed me, as he pulled over to the right shoulder, let me pass him, then pulled in behind me and pulled me over. This after almost 20 miles on a very busy interstate.

I took my helmet off and walked calmy back to him as he was getting out of his car. I told him I was glad he had finally stopped, because I wanted to speak to him about his driving. I told him he was tailgating people and intimidating them to get out of his way, passing them on the right, and doing a good 85 mph in a 60 mph zone. That, and he was not using his turn signals to change lanes. I told him it was very clear to me that he was not on any kind of an emergency call, and then asked him why he thought this kind of driving was acceptable. I pointed out that I would have probably earned at least an aggressive driving, if not a reckless driving citation if I were carrying on like that.

He said that the governor authorizes them to speed in the execution of their duties, and that since I was obviously keeping up, I must have been speeding and he was going to write me a ticket. I responded that I'm sure that is true, assuming they are responding to a call. The governor most certainly does not, however, authorize them to drive like reckless ass holes, endangering others on our highways. I told him to get his supervisor out there immediately, as I felt he could not be objective and I was being treated unfairly (my right under Washington State law). I asked him to give me his business card and told him I would be contacting my lawyer. In the meantime, we could wait for his supervisor. I had all day...

Suddenly, he decides maybe he doesn't need to write me a ticket. He protested that he wasn't really tailgating, and tried to say that passing on the right is technically legal. He started getting very appologetic. I finally told him hey, we all see this behavior, and it sure doesn't do much for your image with the public. He appologized again, so I told him to slow down and be safe out there. We shook hands and parted company.