Bill Idaho
Newly Enlightened
A few days ago I was standing on the side of the road talking with a former fellow patrol deputy. He is a current SWAT team member, and I retired a few years ago as a sniper on the team. I was driving by and saw him there doing paperwork, so I decided to stop.
Anyway......
As we were getting caught up on all the departmental gossip, a well-seasoned STEP cop pulls up to assist in our gab-session. After standing there for a few minutes, the STEP cop glances over my shoulder and asks me if that was my Dodge.( A 2003 2500.) I nodded and we continued with our conversation. Finally after a few more minutes, the STEP cop says " Hey, I just have to ask....what the heck is that single red light on your bumper? (I have three HAM radio antennas sprouting from my rig, and I must admit, it might very well look like an unmarked cop rig.) " Is that an old unmarked rig, or some type of emergency flasher?"
I said "No, it's a rear fog light (a Peterson 850). I figured you, as the valleys ultimate traffic law guru, would recognize one when you see one..." (Hoping he detected a hint of sarcasm.) "They're all over in Europe, in the last few years American cars are coming out with them. Getting rear-ended in the fog is a real problem- for everybody involved."
"Hmmm, I'll be darned. Can I see it? Turn it on." It was right at dusk, so sure. I started my rig, turned on the required lights, and lit it up. He walks back about ten paces, turns and looks, then back to about 75 yards and stares at it for a few seconds. Finally he walks up and says "I have GOT to get one of those".
And we then continued with going over the latest chat at the S.O.
Anyway......
As we were getting caught up on all the departmental gossip, a well-seasoned STEP cop pulls up to assist in our gab-session. After standing there for a few minutes, the STEP cop glances over my shoulder and asks me if that was my Dodge.( A 2003 2500.) I nodded and we continued with our conversation. Finally after a few more minutes, the STEP cop says " Hey, I just have to ask....what the heck is that single red light on your bumper? (I have three HAM radio antennas sprouting from my rig, and I must admit, it might very well look like an unmarked cop rig.) " Is that an old unmarked rig, or some type of emergency flasher?"
I said "No, it's a rear fog light (a Peterson 850). I figured you, as the valleys ultimate traffic law guru, would recognize one when you see one..." (Hoping he detected a hint of sarcasm.) "They're all over in Europe, in the last few years American cars are coming out with them. Getting rear-ended in the fog is a real problem- for everybody involved."
"Hmmm, I'll be darned. Can I see it? Turn it on." It was right at dusk, so sure. I started my rig, turned on the required lights, and lit it up. He walks back about ten paces, turns and looks, then back to about 75 yards and stares at it for a few seconds. Finally he walks up and says "I have GOT to get one of those".
And we then continued with going over the latest chat at the S.O.