Image of police

Image of police

From Tiras

So much is heard about the bad practices of traffic police. I used to discount most stories as being exaggerated until I myself had to deal with a policeman on the road.

On Sept. 23, 1995 at about 4 p.m., I drove from Pasar Senen and entered Jl. Let. Gen. Suprapto on the way to Cempaka Putih. As I had something important on my mind, I had to go back to Pasar Senen. I made a U-turn at the traffic lights, not thinking that I was violating any traffic regulation. When I had traveled ten meters from the lights, I was surprised to be stopped by a policeman. He took my driver's license, saying that I had violated a traffic regulation.

I modestly apologized and asked him to give my driver's license back so that I could continue my journey. I had not noticed any sign prohibiting a U-turn, but there is one placed very closed to the traffic lights. The sign is not very noticeable as it is dirty and faded.

The policeman would not listen to my argument, and instead offered me a peaceful solution. He would return my driver's license if I paid him Rp 20,000. I rejected the offer because I felt I was not guilty and, besides, I did not have the money. Then he handed me a ticket which I reluctantly took.

I never had the intention of violating any traffic regulation, nor underestimating the letters of Traffic Law No 14/1992. I have come to the conclusion that the traffic sign is placed in such a way that motorists fail to notice it and get trapped into a traffic violation.

I would therefore like to call on the judges of the state court to give fair chances for ticketed motorists to defend their case.

ERWIN

Jakarta