Interstate 35
My wife and I are from Louisiana. We had come into Minnesota on I-35 and thought we would overnight in Northfield before heading on north into Wisconsin. We were in flow of northbound traffic in outside lane. I noted a local patrol car off the travelway but no officer or person outside. I continued on with traffic flow – same speed/same lane. A short distance I heard the siren of approaching local patrol car that came up on outside lane of traffic and pulled in behind me to pull me over. I had No idea what the stop was about. The officer said I had failed to slow or move over as I approached/passed an “emergency vehicle” on side of road. I said that I was not able to do either as I was in traffic – same speed and not able to move to other lane. He said that made no difference. He then went on to add that he had written “several similar citations” that day for same violation. That made me think this was indeed a setup, and I was singled out as I had out of state plates (Louisiana). I did not argue with the local officer – I did say that I had been in the State of Minnesota less than 3 hours, but if I could find a way out, we would be on our way as we did think this was a most unusual way to greet visitors. I did pay the “penalty” when I got home, but I do not believe I will visit either Northfield or State of Minnesota again. I am 68 years old, and have had driver’s license since I was 15 – this was my first ever traffic citation. My advice – if you are out of state and in Northfield, be very wary of locals looking for that easy $125 – $180.
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