Driver turns to a high-tech excuse in defending illegal maneuver

Los Angeles Police Officer Susan Quan heard a 21st century alibi when she pulled a driver over for an illegal maneuver. “My GPS [global positioning system] said I could turn here,” the motorist complained.

This was in West L.A., of course.

Honest, officer: Some other creative excuses uttered by drivers, according to the Thin Blue Line, an LAPD publication:

* “I knew it was dangerous to make a U-turn from the curb, but I didn’t know it was illegal.”

* “Yes, I saw the stop sign, but I’m late for work and besides you shouldn’t be here anyway. You should be where the gangs are.”

* “Was I really going 93 mph” in a 35-mph zone?

The last driver, acknowledging that speeders were a problem in the neighborhood, added: “I’m the one who called and complained about the problem!”

No excuse offered here: Then there was the apprehension made by the cops in the San Fernando Valley. It was a yellow python, caught in the act of jayslithering across the street. Officers Ryan Kennedy and Patrick Higa, with the aid of a blanket, skillfully rounded up the critter, which was transported to an animal shelter.

Ballot box stuff: Here are some vintage “Only in L.A.” contributions that could serve as commentaries of disgruntled voters on this election day (see photos). I read them this way:

* A proposal to string up members of Congress (spotted by Dick Rigali).

* A telephone pole placard that opposes everything, and possibly everyone.

* A partly lighted sign that could be saying, “What’s the use?” (by Ron Keyson).

Flashback to the early 1990s: The Republicans were in power back then, when a racetrack poked fun at their rivals (see photo).

That’s oil, folks! T.K. Brimer, owner of the Frog House, a surf shop in Newport Beach, is suspicious about the timing of the falling gas prices. So he hung out this sign on Pacific Coast Highway: “If the oil companies can have a sale just before the election, so can we.”

miscelLAny: Lawyers know what other people think of them. That would explain why the Assn. of Trial Lawyers of America has changed its name to the American Assn. for Justice. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the change adopted by the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Assn. a few years ago when it adopted the more kindly name, the Consumer Attorneys Assn. of L.A.

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083; by fax at (213) 237-4712; by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012; and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.