The American Spectator

Print Email

Text Size

The Public Policy

(Page 2 of 2)

The irony of it is that many -- probably most -- of the cop's victims had better judgment and were safer drivers than he. "Speeding" -- that is, driving faster than a number posted on a sign -- may or may not be dangerous, as such. Speed limits are often under-posted. Traffic routinely moves faster. The old 55 mph highway speed limit is an example. Doing 5 or 10 over may be a "technical foul" that puts you in peril of a ticket. But it's not necessarily unsafe.

On the other hand, text-messaging while driving 91 mph in heavy traffic is always reckless. There's no possible scenario under which the cop's actions can be justified. If he had to drive that fast (perhaps because it was an emergency situation) then he should have had both hands on the wheel -- and full time and attention focused on the road. But in fact it was not an "emergency" -- unless getting the Guv to an appointment on time qualifies. And makes it acceptable to risk the life of every other driver on the road.

And that's exactly what the deal was in this case. The cop was hammering it -- bullying other cars out of his way -- in order to get Gov. Jon Corzine to some gig at the appointed hour. The wreck began when another vehicle -- its driver startled by the near-triple-digit convoy, lights a'-flashing -- ran up his tailpipe. He swerved to get out of the way -- amid a pack of cars on a heavily congested freeway. With predictable results.

This cop should be up on multiple traffic charges; the question of criminal misconduct ought to be looked into. He should have his license revoked. It's what would happen to anyone else. And after all, shouldn't a higher standard apply to an ostensibly trained, ostensibly "more responsible" cop? A cop charged with enforcing the very laws he flouted?

But odds are, nothing like that will happen. Only the Little People have to deal with traffic court.

topics:
Law