A creative grandma from Polson, Montana, is garnering national attention for her clever attempt at slowing down speeding drivers.
Patti Baumgartner became worried about her grandchildrens’ safety due to cars speeding down her road. So, she developed a plan to slow the cars down.
“We were talking about maybe something would slow the cars down. So, we decided to put me in a chair and I guess use the hair dryer as a speed thing,” Baumgartner told local media.
So, Patti reported to her roadside post, perched in a lawn chair with a drink in one hand and a hair dryer in the other. Her son took a photo of his mom in action and posted it on Twitter. The photo got the attention of Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Noah Pesola.
“I thought it was hilarious, I think that we have a speed issue in Montana and I thought it was a great creative idea for the public to try and combat that a little bit without making people too upset,” said Trooper Pesola.
Trooper Pesola even made her an “Honorary Montana Trooper,” complete with a hat and badge.
“It’s not an official (title) or anything like that for the honorary trooper,” Pesola said. “I didn’t know what else to do for her, when she’s doing something for the community and like she says she’s got grand kids in the area so she’s doing something for her grand kids benefits. The best thing I could think of was give her a trooper hat and a badge to make her look a little more official.”
It’s unclear whether or not the hair dryer slowed down traffic, but Baumgartner plans to keep at it.