I am not proud of the fact that the police have pulled me over three times in the last 18 months for “exceeding the posted speed limit.” I’m not sure why, but instead of getting the ticket I deserved, I was let go with a warning each time. Two weeks ago when I was pulled over a fourth time, I figured that my luck had finally run out.

My friend Susan Osbeck and I were on our way back to her hotel after an evening out. The officer who pulled me over informed me that I had made an illegal right turn on a red light at the last intersection. The man was courteous but definitely let me know that running a red light was a very serious infraction. I told him I was unaware that I had done that and apologized profusely. Feeling very contrite (and busted) I handed over my driver’s license and proof of insurance.

The officer looked very stern when he returned to my car after running my plates and checking my record. He was dead serious when he said, “Do you agree to perform 200 sit ups or pull ups? It’s your choice.” Not believing what I heard, I replied, “Excuse me?” To that he said, “Instead of giving you a ticket for running a red light, which would have cost you $ 200, I am giving you this as your sentence.” He looked over at Susan and asked her if she was my friend and instructed her to make sure I completed my sentence. I gratefully shook his hand and told him I’d be happy to do what he asked and went on my way.

I selected the 200 sit-ups option and am pleased to report that I recently completed the full sentence (not all at once, but in increments of 25).

This week when you are on the road, make an effort to be extra generous to your fellow drivers. You never know when you need to access some of that accumulated Traffic Karma.