KITSAP COUNTY - Deputies have heard plenty of excuses from speeding motorists since the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office made traffic enforcement and catching speeders a top priority.

In 2007, Kitsap County deputies wrote 13,510 traffic tickets — for speeding, seatbelt violations and the like — to almost double the number issued in 2004. That is second only to the Washington State Patrol's 16,538 tickets issued in Kitsap County.

Here's the craziest excuses Kitsap County cops have actually received (that's worth repeating — these are real) when they ask the motorist: "Why were you speeding?"

- "I didn't know I was, because my lights are off."

- "I'm taking my friend to the hospital. He has alcohol poisoning." (The driver was drunk, too).

- After crashing: "I put supreme gas in the car, which caused me to lose control." (He, too, was found to be drunk.)

- "Don't I get a couple over when I am taking my grandkids to the airport?"

- "I get 10 extra in the fast lane."

- "My speedometer is broken."

- "Gas pedal got stuck."

- "I'm trying to catch that UFO. Can you try to catch it for me?"

- "I had a bee in the car."

- "I am late for church and don't want to go to hell."

- "I have been drinking and want to get off the road quickly."

- "I'm going to a divorce proceeding and if you met her, sir, you would understand why I am hurrying."

- "I am wearing really heavy shoes today and they make the gas pedal go down more."

- "I just got my license back from it being suspended and I am not used to driving."

- "My doctor gave me the wrong meds."

The Kitsap Sun is a media partner of KOMO News. To read the complete speeding story and comments, click here.