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