Wife and I were on vacation coming in from Beaufort, SC on Old Sheldon Church Road. I drove under the speed limit on the interstates getting to Beaufort, while 9 out of 10 vehicles passed us. It was a relaxing ride until arriving in Yemassee Sunday morning. After crossing the R/R tracks in Yemassee, I increased my speed up to 47 as I saw a 45 mph sign ahead. I do not recall seeing a speed sign except for the 45 mph going out of town.
“Town” is a generous description as the limits it claims is only a 2 miles radius and there is not even a traffic light; at least not one I saw. Yemassee’s only claim to fame, an Amtrak Station. Estimated median income about $25,000. Population less than 900 and only 2 full-time paid employees…you guessed it, one is THE cop, the other the garbageman. (city-data.com) I also noted that the cop drove a late model car, possibly a Charger, all painted and shiny and all with a big low profile light bar on top. Got to pay for it somehow so just like in Billy-goat Gruff, the troll takes his toll.
THE cop was driving towards me with a car in front of his car. He flipped his lights on and pulled us over in front of the gas station/convenience store just before the I-95 entrance ramp. Cop asked if I knew why he pulled me over and I honestly said I didn’t know. Cop said that I was doing 47 in a 35. I told the cop that the sign said 45 mph but he informed me that he had clocked me before I got to the sign. I could see that I wasn’t going to win so I just resigned myself to take the ticket without further comment. Vacationing in South Carolina is optional. I haven’t had a speeding ticket in years…last time I’ll drive through South Carolina…Beaufort is pretty but not that pretty.