I was ready to hand out a speeding ticket after pulling over a woman doing 95 mph until I spotted something odd at her feet.
There I was, on a routine patrol with my partner, cruising down a countryside motorwaya notorious stretch where accidents happen, especially on those long, straight bits that tempt drivers to put their foot down. Everything was quiet. Too quiet, really.
Then, out of nowhere, a grey car shot past us like we werent even there. A glance at the speedometer confirmed it: 95 mph. Middle of the day, empty road. Youd like to think they were in a hurry but thats never an excuse.
I checked the platesnothing suspicious, car looked clean. Flicked on the lights, hit the siren, signalled for them to pull over. The car slowed at first, then suddenly sped up again.
Through the loudspeaker, I put on my firmest voice:
“Driver, pull over immediately! Youre breaking the law, and you will be held accountable.”
A few hundred yards later, the car finally veered onto the hard shoulder. I walked over as protocol demanded. Behind the wheel sat a young womanearly thirties, maybe. Pale-faced, eyes wide with panic.
“You aware of the speed limit on this road?”
“Yes yes, I know,” she whispered, barely breathing.
“License and registration, please,” I said sternly, leaning slightly into the window.
Then I noticed it. A puddle at her feet.
Except it wasnt water. I knew instantlyher waters had broken.
“Are you in labour?”
“Please help Im alone no one else” she gasped.
No question about it. I radioed in that I was escorting a woman in labour to the hospital. We moved her into our car, and I drove fastbut carefully. Contractions came harder on the way; she groaned, nearly screamed.
I held her hand, doing my best to keep her calm, though I was barely keeping my own cool.
We made it just in time. The staff, already alerted, were waiting at the entrance. She was whisked inside.
Hours later, still reeling, I returned. A midwife stepped out, grinning:
“Congratulationsits a girl. Healthy. Mums doing fine too.”
Moments like that? They remind me why I love this job. Rules matter. But humanity matters more.
