California Highway Patrol officers hear a lot of excuses when they pull people over, but this might be a new one.

A driver was recently pulled over on Interstate 980 for going 99 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour zone, according to Oakland CHP.

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"I wasn't driving that fast," the man is said to have retorted.

So the officer showed him the speedometer reading of 99 miles per hour. Rather than admit defeat, the man decided to grasp at somewhat creative straws one more time, taking inspiration from the warm, 80-degree day.

"The display must be the current temperature,"CHP says the man weakly attempted.

The officer said nothing for a beat, and let the silence do its work.

"After an awkward silence for a few seconds," Oakland CHP wrote, "he signed his citation."

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On Twitter, where the story was shared, reactions to the man's colorful explanation were mixed. Some people were shocked he had managed to do 99 miles per hour at all, Bay Area congestion being what it is.

"99 during rush hour is impressive," one person wrote. "Usually top speed is 10-15 with all the traffic."

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter