TICKET TRAFFICKING

I can still count on one hand the number of times I've received a moving violation ticket in my entire driving life. Either I'm a relatively obedient driver or my memory has already started failing me, but I'm fairly certain I attended traffic school only three times (although I once had guns drawn on me by two trigger-happy officers, but that's a slightly different -- albeit true -- story to be told another day).

I escaped a speeding ticket once while shooting down a tiny residential street in Venice, CA but the cop gave me a break because (1) I appeared petrified-pale and sincerely contrite (I was); (2) I spoke in heavily Filipino-accented English and showed him my international driver's license; and (3) he was a really, really nice guy.

But not so lucky many years later in Laguna Beach, CA at 6:30 am while coasting at 80 mph in a 30-mph zone on my way to work, although the also-nice cop wrote down that I was doing "only" about 50 mph because (1) I appeared petrified-pale and contrite; (2) there were no other cars or pedestrians at the time; and (3) I was driving a freakin' Saturn so he knew I couldn't possibly be speeding just for the thrill of it. It took me an entire day (plus about half of another) of hard labor to pay off my $300-plus ticket -- which just proves to show it sometimes pays to come to work late if there's no chance in hell you can get there on time reasonably (and legally).

But my bestfriend Rosanna got out of a ticket in Manila by begging -- no, harassing -- the cop to give her one.

She was driving along Greenhills in heavy traffic and made a slow right turn. Almost immediately we were approached by one of many cops standing at the corner, and I quickly noticed we were only one in an entire row of vehicles that were stopped for making the same turn. And although we later saw there was a sign posted, it was ambiguous; you really couldn't tell what you weren't supposed to be doing. So she wasn't exactly guilty, she was just confused (as was I).

In my life I've seen many drivers argue with traffic cops but I'd never seen anyone succeed; if ever, their sense of self-righteousness and argumentative behavior only makes it easier for the guy in the motorcycle to whip out his pad and bear down on it with his pen with too-lustful glee. So as my friend started telling the cop why it was wrong for him to cite her for the violation, I started slinking down my seat fast -- as the exchange went on I was sure we'd both end up in handcuffs.

I wish I had paid more attention then so I could tell you all now how the dialogue went, but I was ducking for safety, you see. There was something about how he couldn't cut her a break since none of the others got one, then something about her saying she would have shut up and taken the ticket if she knew she had done something wrong, then about him not wanting to argue with a lady, and then I realized something pretty amazing was now happening.

Suddenly the cop's voice took a pleading, softer tone, but by then my friend was too exasperated to care. Then he simply walked away from her, to join his other uniformed friends standing (waiting) at the corner of the two streets. I think he even pretended not to see her despite all her calls out to him. For what seemed to me a horrifying eternity she yelled at him to take her license and give her the damn ticket. And when I finally gathered my wits about me and realized our golden opportunity, I moaned (whimpered actually) for her to just get out of there and leave the poor man alone.

She later explained to me (when she had calmed down) that although she first got upset when he tried to cite her unfairly for something she hadn't done, she soon became enraged when she realized he was only waiting for her to slip him a bit of cash so he could let her go. And THAT she wasn't about to do -- now or ever.

So clearly my friend's need to do the right thing did right by her then, as it did again it appears. She recently wrote to me (all italics mine):

(Here's) my latest traffic adventure -- I was trying to convince the cop to give me the frigging ticket because "nagkasala ako (I was wrong)." And he insists on lecturing me and telling me what a hassle I put myself in having to collect my license from (the) MMDA. Of course all he's doing is stalling so I can whip out the cash. Of course I'm raising my voice and saying, "Just give me the ticket. Oo nga, sabi ko na, ako ang nagsala (Yes I know, I already said I was wrong)!" Then he walks away from me bewildered and I'm there "Hoy teka muna, hindi pa ako tapos magsalita, eto na ang lisensya ko kunin mo na (Hey there, I'm not done talking to you yet, here's my license, take it already)." But he was clearly running away from me!

I do worry about my incorrigible friend sometimes -- she lectures perfect strangers about littering on Manila streets and has stood up to even the high and mighty (and extremely well-connected) when they break the rules they're supposed to uphold and respect. But I'd worry more if I thought there weren't others like her who were willing to make a stand against chaos and lawlessness.

See, I habitually call her my bestfriend not only because we're so close we're really more like sisters, but because she truly represents the best of us. Traffic cops beware.

Comments

[MadMuse]

I love her! I wish there were more like her. Our country would definitely be in better shape!

[tina]

Ate,

I remember that day! i was with u seated on the front seat. The police watched her swerve to the right. It seemed like she was driving 5kms/hr due to the heavy Manila traffic. The second she changed lanes, he stopped her!
buns

[Gigi]

Hi MadMuse - I wouldn't be surprised if one day she made enough noise to effect a big change over there. The woman's got guts, spunk, and a lot of passion -- and her heart's in the right place, too. :)

Buns - Oo nga -- I remember thinking that day na buti nalang you were the one in front!