The American Spectator

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The Public Policy

If you drove 91 mph in a 65 mph zone while text messaging on your Blackberry and got into a bad wreck that resulted in major injuries to several people, you'd be looking at a "reckless driving" beef" -- at the very least -- in addition to the broken bones and a trashed car.

So how come the New Jersey state trooper who did just exactly that -- and got into a very serious wreck that nearly killed the governor of his state -- isn't up on charges?

Do "speed kill" and traffic laws apply only to the Little People?

Evidently.

Most of us know all about this particular double-standard. How often have you been driving along and seen a cop blow through a stop sign, run a red light -- or be running considerably faster than the posted limit -- not chasing a perp, just driving along? Keep pace with him -- or dare to pass -- and you'd get pulled over as sure as the sun rises in the east. No question. And in most states, driving in excess of 20 mph over the posted limit is a major bust. "Reckless driving" charge, mandatory court appearance, the works. Very likely your license will be suspended. You will pay a very large fine. And you insurance will either get canceled or your premiums will double.

Edging close to 100 mph like the trooper who was driving the Guv? In heavy traffic? While fiddling with a hand-held gadget that caused you to become distracted, which in turn led to a violent, sprawling wreck?

Probably you'd be cuffed and stuffed right there. Better have one helluva lawyer.

Instead, the trooper's fate is being "considered" by something called Motor Vehicle Pursuit Review Board -- which will weigh whether the crash was "preventable."

"Preventable"? Is someone on the pipe in the Garden State? What gives here?

And mind you: Nothing about the fact that there is no doubt the cop was doing 26 mph over the posted maximum -- the car's black box said so. And the superintendent of the NJ State Police admitted it, publicly.

That is automatically "reckless driving" in almost every state, New Jersey included. But apparently, not if you're a cop.

Then it's okay. Or at least something that might be okay.

Anyone reading these particulars has every right to be enraged. Here we have an example of gun-and-badge-toting officials cavalierly ignoring laws that would be fully and forcefully applied to anyone else doing the same things.

One standard for them -- another one for us. Is this what's known as the rule of law?

And let's not forget: This same cop has almost certainly issued countless tickets to civilians guilty of far less egregious conduct. These folks had to pay fat fines, maybe go before a judge. The cop probably sermonized about "safety" -- and tsk tsk'd them about their scofflaw ways -- while handing them the paper. Sign here, please.

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