our village's finest

[low_delta]

Last Monday night, when I was driving back home from the U2 concert, I hit a deer. I don't know why those animals can't figure out which way is away from the oncoming car. It's like they can't see you if they're running away, so they turn into your path. I was doing about 55. I slammed on the brakes and swerved, and ended up hitting it with my headlight. It didn't do much damage to the front of my car, but it pushed the whole fender in and back. I can barely get my door open far enough to get in and out. I got an estimate. $2500. I hope my car is worth more than that to begin with. I drop it off on Monday to get fixed. I hope to have it back by Friday.

Tonight, I was coming back into town at about midnight, and there was a police car following me. I couldn't think of any reason for him to pull me over, so I wasn't worried. He sat behind me at a stoplight, and followed me for about a mile. I was doing about thirty in a twenty-five zone when his lights came on. When he got to my car he said, "I'm pulling you over because you have a headlight out." Then as I tried to decide what I thought of that, he said, "Are you aware of that?" I said, "Yes." *sigh* He gave me a fifteen day. After he explained how I had to bring it back with the headlight fixed within fifteen days, I said that I had an appointment next week to have it fixed, and I hope they get it done in time. I wonder if it will occur to him to wonder what I meant by that.

Comments

[sherahi.livejournal.com]

I got pulled over once cause I had one of my headlights out. I used to work at night, and hadn't noticed, so I was actually grateful. They didn't give me a ticket or anything. SO the next day I got my headlight fixed, and went to work that night, and I got pulled over again! Would you believe it, the OTHER headlight was out. The same partners were on the job too. :) I had my receipt with me, so we laughed over it (I know I had two on when I left driving that night, since I had checked,) and I got THAT one fixed the next day. :) I know I saw them later that week and waved at them, but they didn't pull me over :)

Ok....maybe this story is only amusing to me....hm.

[joei.livejournal.com]

That's pretty weird to have the other go out just after the first was replaced, but maybe as they were both installed in the car at the same time, they both wore out at the same time (just about).

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

You're lucky they pulled you over. Otherwise you might not have had the light fixed when the second one whent out.

Re:

[sherahi.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I said the same thing to them! (This was factory installed lights on a 3 or 4 year old car.)

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

At the concert last night, I meant to ask you if you were driving with just one headlight. I thought about it again after dropping you off at your car. I wanted to see the damage but didn't think of it until I had driven away.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I wish I'd thought of that. The street I was parked on was the quick way to the freeway. It would have saved you the trip around Brady Street.

Was that where you almost got hit?

Re:

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

No, I drove all the way down to the onramp on Clybourn and Jefferson, but there were two patrol cars there blocking it with their lights flashing. I turned on Michigan looking for the next onramp and almost got hit on the corner of Broadway (or was it Milwaukee?) and Michigan streets.

[joei.livejournal.com]

Didn't the police notice there was very recent damage to the car which would account for the headlight? Of course there are those people who'd drive with the damage forever because the car runs, and they don't have the money to get the damage repaired. I suppose the officers have to think in terms of the worst case (those non-fixers) and ticket just to make certain it will be fixed. Sorry you were stopped.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

That's what I was thinking. He saw the light out when he was a long way off, so he didn't see the damage, but you'd think he would have noticed when he came up to the car.

[joei.livejournal.com]

Maybe he didn't see it because it was dark? Not that I'm making excuses for the officer.

Well, you're going to be getting it fixed and will only have the inconvenience of proving it's replaced to the police. At least it won't cost you extra money. That's one good thing.

[vlinker.livejournal.com]

our saab still has a headlight and turn lights installed by duct tape......it works and it's safe to get around.....it took 2 hours and a bit of hammering and metal bending to make it work....it might look a bit tacky.......but function is the important thing....

no deer to hit in this neck of the wood, just moose........and when you whack one of them at 55 mph, you generally aren't able to drive the vehicle home afterward.....most of the time, air bags deploy and people are hurt.....i'm glad you were uninjured in your deer impact......