I happened to be driving my son’s car that day. He’s away at college, so his car usually sits in the garage. I don’t pay it too much attention – which is why I had overlooked its expired inspection sticker.
I was pulled over by a Ridgefield officer named Paul Something (his last name, of course, is a scribble on the ticket he gave me). I was standing at a red light at the time and couldn’t imagine what I had done. Perhaps it was just a random check. Then Officer Paul informed me of my crime, took my license and registration and walked back to his patrol car before I could attempt an explanation.
Minutes later, he returned with what I assumed would be a warning. But no, it was an actual ticket. “How much?” I asked. “I think it’s $100,” he responded. Ouch, I thought.
On closer inspection, the penalty for my “offense” was $130. Outrageous? Yes – and even more so when compared with the penalties for other “commonly charged offenses” listed on the ticket: Failure to wear a seatbelt, $46; improper passing, $85; careless driving, $85. If I had run a stop sign ($85) and had a noisy muffler ($54) it would’ve cost only $9 dollars more than my failure to inspect.
Haven’t these guardians of public safety heard that the punishment should fit the crime? Is failure to inspect more of a menace than the $105 offense of driving 15 to 19 miles over the speed limit?
Naturally, my immediate reaction was to go to court and fight the ticket, but in time my rage subsided. The thought of wasting a morning waiting for a judge and an uncertain outcome prevailed. So I paid my $130 debt to society. The Ridgefield municipal court website also took a $3 convenience fee. (Funny, I think I made it more convenient for them. Shouldn’t they owe me $3?)
By the way, the car passed inspection the next morning. Society can rest easy.