In Hungary, the police are really doing their jobs. Or so I thought. They do not rely on cameras to do the usual traffic surveillance like how we normally do it here in western Europe. They do it the old-fashioned way. They wait and lurk on street corners, out of sight from the usual flow of traffic to catch violators. I have also seen them patrolling streets and highways, day and night, so yes, the Hungarian police officers here are really out there, busy watching everyone.
One evening, just after having dinner at No. 1 Bisztro Restaurant, I was driving towards Malom Hotel where I stayed for my holiday. On the intersection from the main road I stopped before a traffic light. My hotel is down the left side of the road, however, I see a ‘No left turn’ sign. After days of driving around the city, I am somewhat familiar of the area. I know that I will have to drive a few more blocks on the right before I can make a U-turn.
It was also quite late, it was almost midnight on the watch. I remember the intersection being so dark. The lights must have been broken or purposely turned off? Anyway, I gambled. I was so tired from my day out and I didn’t want to drive the few blocks down the road, so against all odds, I turned left. I thought there was nobody. I mean it was pitch dark and I was the only car on the street. Wrong decision.
After a minute, I heard sirens wailing and orange yellow lights chasing after me. In just seconds, the police car overtook my rental car and signalled me to pull over.
During this time I was like – ‘WTF? What is this?’ ‘Is this really happening?’ ‘Police?!’
The police officer came up to my window and asked for my driver’s license, in Magyar, the Hungarian national language.
I responded by telling him I only speak English.
‘Your driver’s license.’ The policeman asked, this time in English. He wasn’t really smiling. He looked a bit rough with large eyes. I didn’t know if I could or should trust policemen in Hungary?
‘I don’t have my driver’s license with me.’ I said, and before I could further explain, the policeman laughed out loud and crossed his hands together in X form, as if giving me the I-am-going-to-prison gesture.
I just stared at him, whilst at the back of my mind—DO NOT PANIC. JUST STAY CALM.
‘My driver’s license is at the hotel. Malom Hotel.’ I tried explaining. And I told him as well that the hotel is just right down the end of the road.
‘Ah! OK, Malom Hotel.’
So the 2 policemen followed me to the hotel.
The receptionist at the Malom Hotel became our translator. The police officers didn’t really have to explain why I am getting a traffic violation ticket, although they did ask me if I know why. I said I knew the reason. I think I even said sorry. I broke a traffic law by turning left on a ‘no left-turn sign’ road. Additionally, I didn’t have my driver’s license with me, so I am sure he also calculated this into the penalty.
This is not the first time I had encounters with police regarding traffic violations, although not a frequent thing of course. I have had a few back in the Philippines (because traffic signs and markings are not clear there, they are in fact very confusing!). In Cuba as well where Blondine and I got away by pretending we did not understood the police. We do not really speak Spanish, and he does not speak English as well, so we were going back and forth and eventually he let us go, lol.
Anyway, I ended up paying about 40 Euros in total penalties which I paid through the Debrecen postal office the next morning. Quite interesting was the manner of payment, which is through a partly automated invoice. We used to call this accept-giro here in the Netherlands but this is already extinct, like some 10-20 years ago.
Sigh, I really thought this could have been worse! 40 Euros may be a lot of money in Hungary but I could have paid more if this happened in the Netherlands.
I need to be more careful and be more obedient next time!!!
Travel Period: May 2014
Destination: Debrecen (Northern Great Plain), Hungary
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