Woman in Labor Received Ticket, Forced to "Prove" She's Pregnant

This is more than slightly ridiculous.

As the Boston Globe reports today, a pregnant woman in labor and her husband, en route to the hospital in a traffic jam, pulled over in the "breakdown lane" to ask a state trooper for permission to remain in that lane until the next exit.

Instead, Jennifer and John Davis got a $100 ticket, and the mommy-to-be had to expose her pregnant belly as proof.

"'He said, 'What's under your jacket?' I said, 'My belly,' Davis said. 'He waited and gestured with his head like, 'OK, let's see it.' He waited for me to unzip my jacket. I mean, it was so clear that I was pregnant.'"

Now, I understand you've got a duty to uphold the law. But the couple actually pulled over in the breakdown lane to ask permission to use said lane, which, unless I'm missing something, is reserved for emergencies. And furthermore, he expects her to prove that she's pregnant? How humiliating!

The Davises are appealing their ticket. As for the trooper:

David Procopio, State Police spokesman, said the trooper was not expected to be disciplined because he was making a judgment call in enforcing the law that prohibits driving in the breakdown lanes on Route 2; breakdown lanes are open to traffic only on some highways during rush hour.

Just a suggestion to the pregnant women of Massachusetts... if Route 2 is between you and your hospital of choice, find an alternate route.

Comments

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

This does sound ridiculous. As counter example, however, some loser at a Barack Obama event conned his and his bethrothed's way through the handicapped entrance by stuffing his shirt under his wife's shirt and pretending that she was pregnant. The poor staffers were too stressed by the onslaught to notice until, safely inside, he was spotted wearing another shirt with a startlingly svelter female companion.

Just saying.

Giving the ticket once proof was supplied is ultra-tacky though.

[booker52]

Next I undestand there were two other officers who told them to drive slow in the break down lane, my question is this, why didn't they one, either put her their car and take her to the hospital, or two put on their lights and proceed in front on their car and lead the way??? Just asking!!!

[lynninny]

Ever seen a pregnant body in labor? I think I may have been inspired to yank up my clothes and show the officer a LOT of proof.

[LeftRight]

Okay, so let me get this straight..­... They pulled over in the breakdown lane (which I will sometimes do when roadrage gets to be too much to handle....­.) to ASK the officer if they could drive in it, rather than simply drive on it without permission­..... And this is a BAD thing?? I've seen officers here in Chicagoland go in the breakdown lane themselves ESCORTING a POV, apparently to the hospital!

[matholomew24]

Ok, maybe a little harsh on my part. Just trying to throw an alternative view out there. I do believe the couple was a bit irresponsible, but that doesn't excuse the way the cop behaved even if it might explain it.

[matholomew24]

I dunno, though. Her belly wouldn't really be proof of anything. Just cause she's nearing term doesn't mean that she's pregnant, so why even ask? Also, before asking what she had beneath her jacket, he wrote out a ticket for someone he stopped already and then wrote out the couple's ticket.
However, I live around Boston, and I honestly gotta say that I hope she learned her lesson. She lives 30 miles away from Mt. Auburn Hospital which is the hospital she wanted over all others and after dropping their other child off at school they decided to drive in themselves. They passed two other Stateys on their way in who they could've asked for help. She should've either picked a closer hospital or worked out a contingency plan for how she would get to Cambridge quickly and safely that was more sophisticated than crossing her fingers and hoping that her water wouldn't break during rush hour.

[jrockbg]

When an officer is faced with dealing with a traffic offense versus a medical emergency, most departments would have procedures consistent with having an officer give the medical emergency priority.

I support our law enforcement personnel, but there are certainly some that jujst use bad judgement. This case certainly qualifies.

[Badbone]

Are you suggesting she *not* have to prove it?
"Oh I'm insured officer. Just don't ask me to prove it. Doing so would be more than slightly ridiculous.

[LeftRight]

Except in the case of insurance it's REALLY easy to claim that. In the case of PREGNANCY, not so much!