Perplexing ticketing

Perplexing ticketing

From Bisnis Indonesia

On May 27, 2001, at about 11:30 a.m., I was driving away from the direction of Ciputra Mall when a police officer, Mr. Jarot SL, pulled my car over and gave me a traffic ticket. I was charged with running a red light in Grogol, "OK, fine," I admitted my fault. But I said to Mr. Jarot that the traffic light was not working and the driver behind me kept honking his horn.

But Mr. Jarot shouted at me that the traffic light was functioning and he cautioned me not to make ridiculous excuses. When I asked Mr. Jarot to have a look at the traffic light, he retorted "If they are not functioning, why did you keep on driving; you didn't know if the light was green or not, did you?"

Obviously I was using reverse logic compared to his. If the traffic lights were not functioning, how would I have known that the light was still red?

I could do nothing but admit my fault. I accepted the ticket and he withheld my driving license. As I was a woman who was alone at that time, I sped off once he handed me the ticket. He reminded me to turn up at court.

Upon arriving at home, I read the ticket, it was really perplexing! Since I have never been ticketed before, there are some points that confuse me and need clarification. First, it is stated on the ticket that the date of the trial is May 12, 2001. How could that be? I was booked on May 27, 2001. I guess that he must have written the wrong date, and meant June 12, 2001, instead of May 12.

Second, the column in which I was supposed to sign was signed by the policeman concerned. Third, in the space provided for the "defendant" it was stated that I was willing to submit a certain amount of money mentioned above no later than five days effective as of the date of ticketing. These facts have put me in a difficult situation as there is no information stating the amount of money and to whom I have to submit it.

My question is "Are traffic regulations made to confuse people?" I would not have run a red light if the traffic light had been working. Since there is not enough clear information with regard to the money I have to submit, I have decided to go to court on the date of the trial -- June 12, 2001 (if that is correct). But what if it is not? What should I do if on that day they put all the blame on me for not having submitted any money?

I am really at sea. But as an Indonesian citizen, I am entitled to justice and feelings of security from the police; not rough treatment and bullying of the weak.

N. HAKIM

Jakarta