Along66, April 2022: Tucumcari Tonight!-- Part 2

**  W.A. Huggins also built several other motels in Tucumcari besides the Blue Swallow.  One was the Travelers Paradise Motor Lodge on the city's west side which has now fallen into disrepair.

**  Longtime Blue Swallow owner Lillian Redman took part in a few poker games with truckers stranded at her place during a big snowstorm.

**  Two lane Route 66 between San Jon and Tucumcari was known as "Slaughter Lane" and "Suicide Road" because of traffic fatalities.

**  Tucumcari's reputation as a speed trap was well-known, but the launched "Operation Coffee" where police would give speeding out-of-town motorists a coupon good for a free cup of coffee at a local restaurant or gas station.  (Sadly, the review didn't mention if the coupon was instead of a ticket.)

--RoadDog

Looking Back to 1941: Speeding in Malta, Illinois

From the November 2, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"At the last meeting of the village of Malta board, it was decided to take such action as is necessary to control the excessive speed of autos in the village streets.

"The speed limit in the business district is twenty miles and on the village streets 25."

Hey, Mister!!  SLOW DOWN.  --RoadDog

Looking Back to 1941: The Problems With Automobiles

From the February 3, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago:  "Wesley Pasamen, speed demon, reckless driver, and a young man with a record, is back in Milwaukee and in jail.

"Arrested in Sycamore a week ago after a chase at the death-defying speed of 80 miles an hour, he was first taken to Geneva to the Kane County jail from here."

**  "A runaway automobile which broke through the door at the Russell Smith garage on North Second Street and shot across the sidewalk and road, nearly caused considerable damage last night about 7:00 o'clock but fortunately no one was injured and the resulting damage was slight."

Even Car Problems Back Then.  --RoadDog

100 Years Ago, Portland, Oregon, Solves Auto Accidents in 1914 with Hard Labor

From the Dec. 9, 2014 Mid Week "Looking Back."

100 Years Ago, December 9, 1914.

"In the last nine months there has not been one person injured or killed in an automobile in Portland, Oregon, because in Portland, the driver of an automobile who exceeds the speed limit is put to work on the rockpile for from two to 30 days.

"No fines accepted.  If the driver is convicted, he must do hard labor and no exceptions are made."

I hate to think what might happen if the driver had been drinking.

Must have Worked Back Then.  --RoadDog

Ten Tips for Avoiding Speeding Tickets-- Part 2

Continued from Nov. 13th.

4. KEEP QUIET. Present your license, registration and insurance card. Be polite but don't answer anything else. Don't swear at the officer or be confrontational.

5. FIGHT EVERY TICKET in court.

6. Check for TECHNICAL CALIBRATION OF THE RADAR.Check the MANUAL on UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. Make sure the speed limit signs are up to code.

8. The JUDGE is not there to find you not guilty. They are a part of the revenue collection machine. Give them a reason to find you not guilty. Ask your arresting officers questions in court.

9. Get a FRIEND in your local police department.

Pressure your STATE REPRESENTATIVE to stop federal and state incentives for speeding tickets.

"Hey Judge, Old Buddy, Old Pal." as Jerry Reed Said. --RoadDog

Ten Tips to Avoid Speeding Tickets-- Part 1: Slow Down

From the November 4, 2013, Yahoo! Autos, Popular Mechanics by Phil Berg. A Bad Thing That Can Happen to You While Driving.

Richard Diampnd of the Washington Times really hates speeding tickets ever since he got his first one at age 16 and he's been fighting them ever since. He says, "The motorist is a source of revenue." Some 54% of all tickets given out are still for speeding.

These are his tips to avoid 'em:

1. If traffic suddenly slows, there is a reason. Usually a cop.

2. Be ready for anything. There are moving and stationary radar and speed carmeras. In Vermont, all officers have to do is guess how fast you're going and it will hold up in court.

3. Keep a low profile. Don't call attention to yourself. A minivan is less likely to be watched than a Ferrari.

I'd like to add a few at this point. Keep an eye in the rearview mirror as they can come up behind you. Plus, if you see the people behind you slowing down, there is probably a cop back there. Never be the fastest car out there. If you are constantly passing cars and no one has passed you in awhile, slow down. If the trucks slow down, you'd best do so as well.

Of course, as I get older, I don't drive as fast as I am usually not in a big hurry to get there plus slower speed saves gas.

Those Things Are Expensive, Plus Don't Help Your License. --RoadDog

Anniversary Trip-- Day 1 Continued Freeport to Stockton

Stopped at a cheese factory west of Freeport which used to have a great little shop to buy their products, but, unfortunately, it no longer is open. I forget the name of the place, but it sure would have helped if they had a sign up saying it was closed.

Somewhere along this two lane stretch (it becomes two lanes after Business 20 and Bypass 20 join together), is where I got a speeding ticket back in 1991. Phil and I had just rebuilt the engine of my 1967 Firebird convertible (well, Phil did most of it) and were taking it out for a road trip. There was a slow-moving truck in front of us, and I was speeding up to pass it. All I had to do was wait for another oncoming truck to get by, and I was gone.

Unfortunately, there was a cop car behind that truck and I didn't see it in time. Very sneaky. I sped up and passed the truck and, sure enough, in my rearview mirror, I saw the cop pull over and do a quick turn-around. I was nailed and knew it. I pulled over and got my ticket for going twenty miles over the speed limit. We now knew the old car could move, but at a cost. The cop had to ask what kind of a car it was.

We went through Stockton with its display of bears working in a woodshop outside a log cabin home builder's place. Looking at a brochure, I see that the Kraft Foods Company started in this town. We'll have to check the museum for the first Kraft cheese plant the next time through.

Still working on Day 1.

Just You and Me Down US-20. --RoadDog