But, It's Not My Fault...

Ahh, yes. Yet another example of a driver unwilling to accept responsibility for their own poor decisions.

A fellow came to court this morning to contest his ticket for an illegal turn. After the officer gave his testimony, and the defendant gave his testimony, he was found guilty.

Only after the officer left the courtroom did the guy start off on a rant about how the roadway was in poor condition (which it wasn't), was full of potholes (where there are none), and the roadway markings were worn to the point of being almost non-existent (although they are about three years old and still look almost new).

Then he went on to gripe that the city needs to maintain the roads better, and keep the markings visible, and he "knows the city needs money, but" he should not be held responsible for the negligence of the city in not maintaining the roadway.

The first problem I have with this, is that the defendant was standing there in court, under oath, lying his sorry ass off. The road way in question was paved three years ago, has no potholes and is in nearly PERFECT condition. There is not a pothole to be seen for miles. When the road was paved, it was also PAINTED. The roadway markings are absolutely visible.

Secondly, if a defendant wants to come in to court and blame someone else for their poor driving skills perhaps they should do their homework. Why? Because the roadway in question just so happens to be a State Route.

Know what that means?

That means Smithville is not responsible for the pavement condition, markings, lighting, signage, etc. on that highway. If he had a righteous gripe about the condition of the roadway, which he didn't, he would have to bitch about the California Department of Transportation, not Smithville public works.

If a driver chooses to turn in a place where the roadway markings and signage CLEARLY prohibit that turn, and said driver does it right in front of a cop and gets a ticket, that driver needs to just suck it up, realize they screwed up and got caught, and move on with their life. Pay the fine, take the traffic school if you're eligible, and get on with it.

I have said it before, and I'll say it again. PEOPLE NEED TO REMEMBER HOW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS! Quit trying to blame the municipality, the other driver who "cut you off and made you speed", or the copper who wrote you the ticket. Nobody made you do what you did. You handled that all by yourself.

Now, quit yer bitchin'...