I'm driving in my car and I see a speed limit sign that shows 80 km, so I do 90 km. Police and photo radar don't typically give out tickets if you are ten km over the posted speed limit. They know every vehicle is different and some speedometers are out a little, so they give us some leeway. If I come to an uncontrolled stop sign and there is no one around I almost never stop, I look to see if anyone is around and if there isn't I usually coast through.
It's odd when I think about it, I get a sort of thrill from it, doing something I know is wrong but doing it anyway, but in a way that doesn't hurt anyone. If there is a ton of traffic and the weather isn't so good I slow down and do my due diligence, I'm not about to hurt anyone or myself. But if no one is around and I'm by myself I indulge in some rule bending on occasion.
If I see a sign that says "Warning do not pass this point" I am immediately curious as to why, and what lays beyond, if no one is around to see me, I will probably do some exploring. I know full well that if I were to get caught that I could be charged with a fine or get a stern reprimand or maybe even end up in jail.
I calculate the risk involved, how much trouble could I possibly get into? Is it too dangerous (I'm not about to enter a building that is about to collapse) and if I get caught what are the chances of being arrested, going to court, and spending some time in jail? If that is even a remote possibility then there is a 99 percent chance I won't risk it. Unless I can see an alien spaceship past the restricted area sign, I'm not taking that chance.
If I drink too much at a friends house, I take a cab home, that risk is too high in my opinion. The things that could happen that don't even involve the police are too risky, I could fall asleep at the wheel, drive into the ditch, hit a barrier or an animal and possibly kill someone. Not worth it.
What do you do that pushes the boundaries but doesn't hurt anyone, what do you do that bends the rules?
Scott Goerz
