One day a policeman stopped a motorist who had just gone through a four way stop sign and was about to give him a ticket when the motorist said.

"Officer you can't give me a ticket for that!"

"Why not" said the officer.

"Because although I did not stop I slowed right down and its almost the same."

"But you did not stop" replied the officer, and the sign says STOP."

"But the way was clear and it was safe" replied the motorist.

The officer then pulls out his baton and starts hitting the motorist's car.

"What are you doing!" yells the motorist in surprise.

"Do you want me to slow down or stop?" says the officer.