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!!

Politie

Recently, I have started wondering more about the police, or politie as they are called here, and what their role is in the city. You see them everywhere...on foot, bikes, motorcycles, cars, and vans. They seem friendly enough! Other than giving parking tickets, I haven't really seen them do much other than be a presence. I'm not trying to say they don't do anything, I just haven't really witnessed it. Obviously they keep people in line because Gent is a very safe place! In the past two weeks, I have had two little encounters with the politie while I was driving. The first time, I was driving in a bus only lane. The officer behind me passed me and pointed that out to me. He also waved for me to come out of that lane and into the proper lane, then drove off. I thought that was nice of him! The second time happened just yesterday. I was driving home from Ikea and got a little turned around. When I realized I was going the wrong way I, as I would back home, just quickly turned onto a side street, did a u-turn, and pulled up to the street to go back the other way. I knew this probably wasn't allowed because there wasn't a turn lane for me, but I decided to do it anyways because I didn't want to go any further in the wrong direction than I had to. I was also heading into a crazy construction zone and didn't know when I would have another chance to turn around. As I turned onto the side street, I pulled right in front of an officer coming the other way!!! I was sure this would be my first tongue lashing since being in Belgium. As I was pulling up to the stop sign to turn back onto the main road, the officer slowly rode by and motioned to me that I was not allowed to do what I just did! I threw my hands up and mouthed "sorry" a bunch of times. Rather than coming to chastise to me, he motioned that it was ok and continued to ride on! Again, I thought that was very nice!

So, while I'm still not sure if they are super strict, or what exactly you will get in trouble for, I am thankful that they have been gracious to me as I continue to learn the ropes!