expensive shortcut trying to bypass traffic - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Copperhead · 07-23-2006, 07:38 AM

This happened the second week of July.My bikes inspection sticker was past due(expired June).A co-worker stopped by my house on his bike(also uninspected)and mentioned a shop that we could go to for a "not too lengthy"
inspection.It was 4:30 in the afternoon on a friday,so traffic was a bit heavy,and time was a factor.So we started on the approx 12 mile trip.We approached a four way intersection with a set of lights where we would be taking a right turn.There is also a right hand turn before that which brings you into a gas station that sits on the corner of the intersection.We could easily exit the other side of the parking lot and continue our trip,thus avoiding all the traffic waiting at the lights and cut the corner.So,I told my buddy to follow me,and entered the gas station lot and proceeded out the other side.As I was passing through the gas pumps,I noticed a motorcycle cop parked on the other side of the lot.I proceeded to exit the lot and went through the gears,when I noticed that I had lost my buddy somewhere.I slowed a bit and finally saw a single headlight in my mirror off in the distance gaining on me.As it approached,I realized it was the motorcycle cop.He pulled me over,got off his bike quick,and waited for my buddy to approach and motioned him to pull over too.
He took our license&reg,opened his saddle bag and took some blank traffic ticket forms out.I thought he was gonna write us up for uninspected vehicles,but turns out he was gonna write us up for cutting through the parking lot.Its a $72.00 fine here in NH for doing that.He let us go with a warning and off we went on our uninspected bikes.
So just for your info,in case you didnt know(i didnt),its illegal to cut a corner like that.