Deputies should be more respectful

TO THE EDITOR:

Recently I was riding with my mother who is a resident of Wilkes County. We passed a local sheriff's deputy who had pulled over a motorist. After proceeding past at a reduced rate of speed, I jokingly said my mom "better be good." We were shocked when, a few minutes later, the deputy reappeared in our rearview mirror, lights flashing. My mother had never been pulled over in her life. The deputy approached my mom's window and proceeded to give her a dressing down fitfor a teenager going 100 mph. Her offense? She did not change lanes when passing while he had someone pulled over.

Neither my mom nor I had ever heard of Georgia's Move Over Law. The deputy ranted at my mother about "feeling the wind" as we passed. (I believe that would be the case even if one were a lane away.) After several minutes of loud lecturing, he took my mom's license and called the acting sheriff. After finding out that my mom was the widow of a former employee of Wilkes County 911, he gave her only a verbal warning. He made sure to say the violation carried a $500 fineif he had written a citation. (I read online that the law states the fineis "up to $500.")

This deputy was very disrespectful to an elderly Wilkes Countian, unnecessarily frightening her. When she said she was not familiar with that law, I think he could have educated her in a rational manner. Having a badge does not excuse one from being respectful of one's elders. I hope your law enforcement officersremember that in the future.

FAYE SCOGGINS

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
The Office Cat	1
Family escapes death in semi hit-and-run	1
Feed a family of four for $10 a week	1