North Bend driver picks jail over showing license, registration

A frustrated driver who told a State Patrol trooper he'd rather go to jail than show his license and registration during a traffic stop got his wish.

The 45-year-old North Bend man was arrested Wednesday for obstruction of justice and failure to provide information to a police officer.

According to the State Patrol, the man was clocked driving 83 mph in a 70 mph zone on Interstate 90 near Preston.

When pulled over, the North Bend man denied that he was speeding and refused to provide his driver's license, registration or proof of insurance, the State Patrol said.

The trooper explained there were several ways to challenge a speeding ticket, but that refusing to provide his driver's license was not one of them. The driver explained that he had tried those methods to fight previous tickets and found them lacking, according to the State Patrol. The man then told the trooper he was going to try a new option and would rather go to jail.

He was placed into custody and his car was released to his wife, who was a passenger in the car. She had only shaken her head when the trooper appealed to her for help in convincing the husband to cooperate.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com