Replies

It’s easy to demonize the officer, but on a forum that applauds individual responsibility, I’m surprised you didn’t point out that this couple put themselves in this situation. This was her second child, so she understood the progression of labor. And they should have figured out alternate routes ahead of time, particularly as they admit they had already thought about rush hour. Sure, people make mistakes, but it seems this couple are making excuses instead of accepting that their own lack of planning was a big factor in the situation. People’s natural sympathy toward mom and baby does not justify putting blame where it does not belong, in my opinion. They should pay the ticket and be thankful.

Babies come when they want, and the best preparations sometimes fall short. I was in labor with my first child for 2 days (active labor, contractions every few minutes, really!)so when my second one decided that was the day, I figured I had time (even taking into consideration that second babies are usually faster). So I went to school, taught my classes until 10 to 12 when all of the sudden I felt the head pushing down... It was a rush to the ER and then, guess what, he made us wait another 5 or 5 1/2 hours. So I sympathize with this mom, babies don't always "follow the book". Now, if the officer had rush them to the hospital and then given them a ticket, I would have no problems. The fact that he stopped them when they were rushing to the hospital, that's what I don't like!

I am a spirit of the law sort of guy. Letter of the law people observe the letter because it means they don’t have to make risky decisions. They do everything “by the book”. Problem is, the law is mindless and should only be a guideline.

As a “spirit of the law” guy, I ask, Why was the law written?” and then act according to the “why”. In this case, the law is there to save lives. If the couple uses the shoulder and an emergency flasher, the risk is that there could be a fender bender - not life threatening. However, if they can’t use this lane, the risk is that both the baby and mother die in childbirth during rush hour.

This is why the other cops made decisions and didn’t just rely on mindless rules. They thook the higher path.

Could the couple have done better? Yeah. On the other hand, when the time comes, thinking can get a bit foggy.

BTW, as a spirit of the law guy, I pretty much ignore left turn signal red arrows when there is clearly no traffic, no pedestrians, and no cops. It is totally safe. And it is all about safety.