Musings: I play by the rules, but catch those who don't

Recently, my wife and I decided to drive into Queens to enjoy pizza at one of our favorite places. We both are seniors who grew up in Flushing, so we’ve driven back to Queens once in a while.

This time, I was zapped in Queens by one of the 25 mph cameras. I was traveling 32 mph but did not realize I was going that “fast.” I try to be law-abiding and believe in being held accountable, so I paid the fine and will watch for signs more carefully if I am within the city limits.

On the way home from Queens, we were traveling on the Cross Island Parkway, as we have done hundreds of times, and our car was almost blown off the road by speedsters seemingly going at least 100 mph while weaving in and out of traffic. My wife was horrified.

I was traveling the speed limit, and these hooligans driving behind me were flashing their headlights and then speeding around me and other vehicles, almost causing accidents. This was not the first time we’ve experienced this.

It struck me that I worked for 45 years at a company before retiring and am still a law-abiding New Yorker, but I would be the one paying a $50 fine for traveling 32 mph while others travel at exorbitant speeds on our highways and some roam the city streets with ill intent, robbing people — and nothing seems to happen to many of them. Does this seem right?

I am glad I live in Nassau County, where seniors can feel safer with a deputy militia and a ban on wearing masks to disguise people who have crime on their minds.

My wife and I used to love to go to Manhattan and visit Queens parks where we grew up, but we will not be doing that while New York City seems to give more latitude to lawbreakers than those who abide by the law.

— Robert Damato, Floral Park