Speed Limits

[Mark Feit]

Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers,
a California Highway Patrolman (CHiP) sees a car puttering along at 17
MPH.

He thinks to himself "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!"
So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.

Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies -- two
in the front seat and three in the back -- wide eyed and white as
ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't
understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the
problem?"

"Ma'am," the officer replies, "you weren't speeding, but you should
know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to
other drivers."

"Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit
exactly.  seventeen miles an hour!" the old woman says a bit proudly.

The CHIP, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that "17" was
the highway number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the woman
grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.

"But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask ... is everyone in this
car ok? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven't muttered a
single peep this whole time." the officer asks.

"Oh, they'll be alright in a minute officer. We just got off highway
101."