Busted...

Shortly following a brief pursuit, a California Highway Patrol officer points out the new state speed-limit sign to the pint-sized speeder. As it turned out, the slick-haired pedal pilot had a long list of priors, such as driving on the wrong side of the sidewalk, popping wheelies in front of kindergartners, and excessive use of pomade. What were they really doing? Well, they were really posing for a PR shot in 1934 for the CHP and new signs.

In August this year, the CHP celebrates its 85th anniversary. Before the CHP, counties and many municipalities fielded their own traffic officers, enforcing a hodgepodge of local traffic laws, often to the frustration of confused motorists. The state passed the California Vehicle Act of 1923 to institute a set of uniform road rules. This lead to the creation of the CHP in 1929 with an initial strength of 280 patrol officers to enforce these rules.

To clear the way for the new law enforcement organization, the Auto Club of California with its own Highway Patrol Service, a roadside-assistance program which was founded in 1924 with no law-enforcement duties, relinquished its name to avoid confusion.

Credit to be given, "OffRamp," Auto Club of Southern California.

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