Katie Holland learned the hard way how important it is to follow the road rules.
Katie Holland learned the hard way how important it is to follow the road rules.
When the friendly-looking policeman signalled to me to pull over, I wasn't the slightest bit concerned.
My car's registration and warrant were up to date and I certainly hadn't broken any laws.
Except, it turned out, I had.
It's not something I am proud of, and I thought twice beforepublicly admitting it.
I like to think I am a safe, responsible driver and, for what it's worth, I've made it through 20-something years behind the wheel without a crash. But let's face it, it's easy to slip into bad driving habits. In my case, I was ducking home from New World on Saturday afternoon, turning left from Miro St on to Malfroy Rd.
I slowed almost to a stop, looked to my right, saw nothing coming so pulled out.
Which is when I saw that policeman standing outside Malfroy School beckoning me to stop. He'd been watching me, he said, and I hadn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign. Was there any reason?
While he didn't show me any video footage, I took his word for it, along with a fine for $150 and demerit points on my previously clean licence.
As reported today, Rotorua police are in the middle of a blitz on drivers breaking rules at intersections, roundabouts and traffic lights.
They have caught a significant number of offenders ... it's not just me.
Some may argue it's revenue gathering and that police time and resources could be better used elsewhere.
I disagree. I broke the rules, I deserve the punishment.
And I take it as a wake-up call to pay more attention to my surroundings when driving, instead of thinking ahead to what I am going to make for lunch.
Sergeant Dave Hamilton says the campaign is about both enforcement and education. He'll be pleased to know I for one have learned my lesson and will not be "rolling through" any more stop signs.
