The Benefits of Posing as Dumb Tourist

I highly recommend that you try and obtain an out of state driver's license during this recession.

While on the way back to Denver yesterday I was stopped by an invisible (apparently) Colorado State Highway patrolman and accused of allegedly going 70 in a 60 mph zone and then exiting the highway on an 'exit only' ramp with out using my turn signal (not sure about the law on this part). I know in fact that I had been going 70 mph but that was after passing a car (single lane highway) going about 55 mp and then resuming my cruise control back down to 60-65 mph (they usually give you 10% leeway at least in the Northeast).

I figure that with state deficits there is extra pressure to increase revenue by cracking down on all traffic violators. After all the more felonious crimes just consume cash not only with the state police but the courts and prisons. At minimum they would hope for bank robberies and other federal felony offenses so it just sucks up the FBI's bank accounts and federal judicial and prison systems.

However, there might be one exception to this new edict by the state: "Don't screw with the tourists!" that are a contributing to the economy, particularly in a state that gains a big chunk of tax revenue from tourism. That's right, after checking my plates (it is a rental but they don't visibly identify them anymore on the exterior), the trooper handed me my New York State
License (you don't officially become a resident of Colorado until you have been here 90 consecutive days) and said, "I am just giving you a warning. Please mind the speed limit and use your turn signal. Have a good day." and I was off and off the hook to boot.

Marissa was a little traumatized and for the last 60 miles of the trip and the rest of the day she kept reminding me to use my turn signal at every opportunity.