Speeding motorists sing their way out of trouble

Speeding motorists in Tennessee have been allowed to sing their way out of trouble.

Clifford Jones was among about 55 traffic violators in the town of Columbia who were given the opportunity to avoid a ticket by carolling.

“I’m a little shy, but not about saving a dollar. It was a pretty good Christmas present,” said Jones, who sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Town Judge Tom DuBois followed a three-year tradition on the last court date before Christmas.

Violators who sang a carol and donated five canned goods to the Harvest Food Share had their tickets dismissed with no points put on their driving record.

“This is a good day to come to court,” police officer Kenneth Lovet told the group. “I hope you like to sing.”

Fines and court costs were waived in cases of speeding and running stop signs.

Donald Hatler, who sang Jingle Bells, didn’t expect the early Christmas gift.

“It was a little embarrassing,” Hatler said. “I don’t have the best singing voice in the world, but it was worth it.”