Politie - Part 2

I wrote a post a while ago about some of my super minor run-ins with the Poltitie since we've been in Gent. I also mentioned in that post that it didn't seem to me like there was as much of a police presence on the roads as there is in the U.S. Well, I have finally figured out their secret…CAMERAS!!! They are everywhere and, now that I know the secret, I feel very silly for not having realized this sooner. I mean, they really are everywhere! Unfortunately, I have now fallen victim to a traffic camera myself.

I got a letter in the mail several months ago informing me that I had committed a traffic violation and that they had caught it on camera. The first thing I tried to do was blame it on Cole! Of course, the offense happened on a day and time and in an area where Cole would have never been, so there was no way to pawn this off on him. So, I had to take the blame! After some help from friends to translate the paperwork, we were told that I had run a red light and would be fined. I really don't remember running a red light…I know that sounds like I'm playing innocent, but I consider myself to be a pretty good driver and am, in general, a very good follower of the rules of the road.  It was a big surprise to hear that I had run a red light and didn't even know it. Anyway, I had to send in paperwork stating that I either had committed the offense and would pay a fine, or I hadn't and would be fighting the charge. Cole and I decided that, even though I didn't think I had run a red light, that we would not fight the charge because we are in a foreign country, don't really speak the language, don't always understand the culture, and last but not least, I was in the country without a visa or residency card and didn't want to get in trouble for that. So we returned the paperwork to the police station and were told that we would either be sent the fine amount in the mail, or appear in court. Thankfully, we were just sent a letter in the mail…not so great, the fine amount was €175!!! Needless to say, I am very mindful of all the cameras throughout the city and on the highways and am doing my best to never receive one of those letters ever again!!