Rob's baby, the 240SX, is red. And it's a red flag to the police in our community. Rob is followed by police cars every day, and he is pulled over at every opportunity. In my 20+ driving years, I have rarely had a front license plate on my car. If my car came with a holder, or holes for bolts in the front, I'd put the plate on. But, often, my cars would have nowhere to put the plate without drilling through the bumper. I have never been pulled over for a missing front plate. Never. (That's not to say I've never been pulled over speeding or expired tags, lol.)
In order to put a front plate on his car, Rob is going to have to drill through the bumper. He's not happy about it, but after being pulled over the other night, he's decided to go ahead and do it. As I explained to Rob, if there is nothing to pull him over for, he'll just be followed which is not nearly as objectionable as actually being pulled over.
Rob was naturally very angry with the curfew violation ticket. Ostensibly, the reason he was pulled over was for the missing front plate, however he was not ticketed for that. He was ticketed for curfew violation instead. He's angry that he appears to be targeted by the police. So far, he's been a model citizen every time he's pulled over. He's always polite to the officers and does what he is told, but he's seething on the inside. He wanted me to help him fight the ticket in court. I explained that I would not fight the ticket, nor would he. He was out past curfew, he was ticketed - pretty straightforward. I told him if he did not want to be pulled over, he would have to put that front plate on. If the police have no reason to pull him over, they won't. But that won't stop them from following him, looking for a reason to pull him over.
"Why?"
"Rob, you're a young man driving a sporty car, at 4:00 in the morning. The police (and everyone else) know that you are a potential drunk or high driver, who is likely to speed and drive like a goof, and possibly hurt yourself and others."
"But Mom, I'm not drunk, and I'm an excellent driver."
"Doesn't matter Rob. You know how they pull your friend K over all the time, too?"
"Yeah, but they should. He is a reckless driver and he is a troublemaker. He deserves it."
"Well, that's why Rob. Everyone, kids and adults, out driving around at 4:00 a.m. are going to be watched and potentially pulled over. That's when all the drunks are driving home from the bars."
"Well, it's not fair."
"Well, Rob. That's how it is. So stop giving them a reason to pull you over. And be glad you're a white boy."
I didn't give him much trouble about the curfew violation. I'm pretty understanding about Rob's problem with staying up all night. We both know he is not supposed to be out after 11:00, but we also both know that he's not going to sit in the house all night, awake. When Rob gets restless, he self soothes. The only soothing activity that works for him is driving. I completely understand how he would have to drive himself home at 4:00 in the a.m. if he was uncomfortable and edgy where he was at. Rob doesn't drink, he doesn't do illegal drugs, he is not a troublemaker, he doesn't drive like an idiot, and he's a good kid who is usually honest with me. A good kid who is struggling with a life-changing disability. He's doing very well with the major things, we are not going to sweat the small stuff.
Only 5 months to go till he's 18 and the curfew does not apply to him anymore.
Ohio is one of 20 some states that still requires a front plate, even though many cars are not manufactured already equipped to hold the plate. If you're interested in signing, here's a petition to challenge that law.
Rob's baby, the 240SX, is red. And it's a red flag to the police in our community. Rob is followed by police cars every day, and he is pulled over at every opportunity. In my 20+ driving years, I have rarely had a front license plate on my car. If my car came with a holder, or holes for bolts in the front, I'd put the plate on. But, often, my cars would have nowhere to put the plate without drilling through the bumper. I have never been pulled over for a missing front plate. Never. (That's not to say I've never been pulled over speeding or expired tags, lol.)
In order to put a front plate on his car, Rob is going to have to drill through the bumper. He's not happy about it, but after being pulled over the other night, he's decided to go ahead and do it. As I explained to Rob, if there is nothing to pull him over for, he'll just be followed which is not nearly as objectionable as actually being pulled over.
Rob was naturally very angry with the curfew violation ticket. Ostensibly, the reason he was pulled over was for the missing front plate, however he was not ticketed for that. He was ticketed for curfew violation instead. He's angry that he appears to be targeted by the police. So far, he's been a model citizen every time he's pulled over. He's always polite to the officers and does what he is told, but he's seething on the inside. He wanted me to help him fight the ticket in court. I explained that I would not fight the ticket, nor would he. He was out past curfew, he was ticketed - pretty straightforward. I told him if he did not want to be pulled over, he would have to put that front plate on. If the police have no reason to pull him over, they won't. But that won't stop them from following him, looking for a reason to pull him over.
"Why?"
"Rob, you're a young man driving a sporty car, at 4:00 in the morning. The police (and everyone else) know that you are a potential drunk or high driver, who is likely to speed and drive like a goof, and possibly hurt yourself and others."
"But Mom, I'm not drunk, and I'm an excellent driver."
"Doesn't matter Rob. You know how they pull your friend K over all the time, too?"
"Yeah, but they should. He is a reckless driver and he is a troublemaker. He deserves it."
"Well, that's why Rob. Everyone, kids and adults, out driving around at 4:00 a.m. are going to be watched and potentially pulled over. That's when all the drunks are driving home from the bars."
"Well, it's not fair."
"Well, Rob. That's how it is. So stop giving them a reason to pull you over. And be glad you're a white boy."
I didn't give him much trouble about the curfew violation. I'm pretty understanding about Rob's problem with staying up all night. We both know he is not supposed to be out after 11:00, but we also both know that he's not going to sit in the house all night, awake. When Rob gets restless, he self soothes. The only soothing activity that works for him is driving. I completely understand how he would have to drive himself home at 4:00 in the a.m. if he was uncomfortable and edgy where he was at. Rob doesn't drink, he doesn't do illegal drugs, he is not a troublemaker, he doesn't drive like an idiot, and he's a good kid who is usually honest with me. A good kid who is struggling with a life-changing disability. He's doing very well with the major things, we are not going to sweat the small stuff.
Only 5 months to go till he's 18 and the curfew does not apply to him anymore.
Ohio is one of 20 some states that still requires a front plate, even though many cars are not manufactured already equipped to hold the plate. If you're interested in signing, here's a petition to challenge that law.