The Sheriff that "Made My Day"

On my way home from work this evening I was pulled over by a Loudoun County Sheriff. Normally this would be something of concern but not in this case. You see he was pulling me over because I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time.

I drive from Fairfax County in through Loudoun County to get home each day. When I get to the border I pull my helmet off and hang it on a hook under my seat. I wasn't more than three blocks into Loudoun when I hear a siren and see lights pulling up behind me. I of course pull over, mainly because I thought I was getting nailed for running a stop sign. Much to my relief the first thing out of his mouth was "did you know it's a state law that you are supposed to be wearing a helmet while riding that thing?" (That thing being my electric scooter) Having researched all of the laws pertaining to this type of vehicle prior to purchase I simply stated the facts. "No sir, there is no state law regulating the use of helmets in Virginia. There are however laws per county which regulate their use but Loudoun does not have any law which states such a requirement." He asked if I had a Virginia drivers license; he did not ask to see it though because I think he was a little befuddled by my previous response. After a little more back and forth he said "we'll let's just look this up and I'll show you the law". "Yes, please do" I said. He pulled over to the curb just past where I had parked and got out his book. I walked over to his passenger window and just started politely telling him about the bike and all the research I did prior to it's purchase.

After a few minutes had passed he asked me how fast the bike went. Of course I knew the new law says if the vehicle can travel at speeds greater than 35 mph it will be classified as a motorcycle; so I of course told him 35 tops. I told him it was all electric and sometimes, by the end of a long ride, it didn't have enough juice to even do more than 15 mph. He was a little surprised to hear that the scooter was all electric. And in fact when he was unable to find any regulation in either of his books regarding the use of helmets he says "good thing it's electric, if it had been gas powered you would have had to wear a helmet." Of course I knew this was just being said to save face so I didn't correct him. I simply said thank you sir and have a nice day! I don't know why this incident made me so happy but I laughed most of the rest of the way home.