In what might probably be one of the most absurd traffic stops in recent memory, a man in Fairfax County, Virginia, told an officer that he was “worried” about the cones after he drove on the shoulder. The cop couldn’t believe what he heard.
The odd interaction was shared online by the Fairfax County Police Department on July 21. No further context other than the 45-second clip itself was provided by the police. Arguably, none was necessary.
Dashcam footage shared by the FCPD showed two lanes on an unspecified Fairfax County Highway. Slow traffic can be seen to the left, while a much clearer sight can be spotted on the right one.
However, the police officer would soon have to intervene. A vehicle can be seen driving on the shoulder right in front of the patrol car’s dashcam.
Shoulder Driving Is a No-No
In an effort to bypass slow traffic, or perhaps in a last-ditch attempt to correct its course, a black sedan can be seen driving on the shoulder. The vehicles next to it, coincidentally, came to a standstill.
The officer immediately began following the driver and engaged the sirens. Not long after, the driver, who remains unnamed, complied with the traffic stop.
The Fairfax County officer approached the car and introduced himself to the driver. When he asked for a reason why the driver would drive on the shoulder, he heard an answer he hadn’t heard before at all.
Checking the Cones
The cop waited for the man to answer. The driver, who had reflective clothing on the wheel, responded, “I was checking these cones, and I got really worried.”
Shocked, the officer just said, “Ah, okay.” Then, he asked for the driver’s license and registration.
However, in need of some further clarification, the officers asked, “I’m sorry, can you repeat that? You’re trying to check the cones? Is that what you’re saying?”
The man again provided his cone explanation. The officer, fully grasping what he had heard, just said, “Well, maybe the judge will buy that. I don’t know… I’ve never heard that one before.”
Think of the Cones!
After telling the driver he couldn’t drive on the shoulder, despite being worried about the cones’ well-being, he returned to his patrol car. There, he printed the man’s ticket.
The FCPD was as confused as its officer and decided to poke fun at this cone enthusiast. “Sir, please don’t bring the cones into this,” the police department wrote. Then, it rated the driver’s excuse a 2 out of 10.
Users also joined in the fun. One wrote, “Now I’m going to spend the rest of my day worried about the cones.” Another one commented, “No cones were harmed in the making of this video.”