The recent Green-Rainbow Party candidate for governor of Massachusetts appeared in Palmer District Court court on January 24 to face charges of speeding and driving on a suspended license. Grace Ross, 45, had been driving a 2003 Toyota Prius at 80 MPH on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Ludlow on October 25. State police impounded her vehicle at the scene.

Achieving such velocity, close to the maximum possible speed, in the older model of the Toyota hybrid takes the deliberate act of pressing the accelerator to the floor for more than 30 seconds. Saving the environment was less of a priority for Ross than getting to the destination, according to comments she gave to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette newspaper.

"It wasn't a big deal," Ross said. "I was trying to get from an event to an event. Speeding is not unusual."

Ross kept the violation quiet until after the November election. Judge Patricia T. Poehler imposed a $100 fine and dismissed all other charges after Ross argued that the car had been seized in error because of a paperwork mistake.