A 61-year-old Nevada grandmother is facing some steep fines after attempting to give out rides to Burning Man Festival attendees.
This week Susie Holland has been hit with thousands of dollars in fines by the Nevada Transportation Authority after lending a helping hand to festival-goers. While the Nevada native had no problem giving a lift to burners to the week-long desert event last year, this year she faced strict repercussions.
After asking a group of burners if they needed a lift to the gates, Holland was met with an unexpected surprise as she discovered that they were in fact undercover agents for the NTA. After the attempt, multiples cars swarmed her vehicle to inform her that she had broken the law. And while it is a very common practice to offer rides to the festival, it is an illegal practice in Nevada if done without the proper permits.
Speaking about her shock, Holland told the Reno Gazette Journal : "When I pulled in … they just swooped up on me in three undercover Ford Explorers," and added: "They were coming at me so fast, so hard and so intensely, I was like, what is happening right now?”
Holland explained that last year she enjoyed offering a ride to attendees as she was able to hear about their thrilling adventures at Burning Man without actually having to go herself. She said: "I've never been, probably will never go. It's not my kind of thing. But we were talking and (they) suggested I do it the following year, like just give rides.”
But this year after authorities flocked her car, they informed Holland she had broken three state laws and could face up to $30,000 in fines. Speaking on their reasoning for the hefty fines, a NTA spokesperson told the news outlet: "As a law enforcement agency, the NTA’s mission is to protect the traveling public, which requires that the agency regulate certificated and permitted providers as well as take proactive measures to identify and deter unlicensed activity.”
Reflecting on the jarring experience, Holland said: "I couldn't figure out what was happening. I couldn’t wrap my head around it," she laughed and added: "I’m 61 years old, you know. I’ve never been in a situation like that.”
After the incident, many users took to Reddit sharing their thoughts on the harsh punishment. After hearing the story, one person joked: "I can rest at night knowing the desert is safe from carpooling enterprises." And another added: "Ahh yes, everyone's taxes are going to 'Stopping old people from using their cars and making money.'" While a third sarcastically replied: "I’m glad this is how we’re using our enforcement resources."
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