THE TALES OF THE LION QUEST

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[Peugeot All]  A Lesson Learned

By M.I. Tremain - Whitianga (finalist)

Since we retired in 1986 my wife and I have spent 10 years in Nigeria, where Peugeot is the most popular car on the road, and this event occurred in that country. We were driving a Peugeot sedan along the expressway, north of Benin City, when we were waved down by a traffic safety officer. This is a frequent occurrence in Nigeria where it is obligatory to produce, on demand, your driver's license, vehicle registration and ownership papers together with third party insurance.

As I came to a halt, I handed over the plastic bag containing all the necessary papers, only to be told, "No sir, I don't require your particulars. You were exceeding the speed limit." This was an amazing statement on an expressway where 80% of the traffic will overtake you if you are traveling at 100 kph and my car registered just below that figure. So I replied, "I don't think that can be correct."

The officer then began his explanation. "Well sir, I have this new machine, which when I point it at an approaching vehicle and squeeze the trigger, it tells me the exact speed that the vehicle is traveling and it recorded your speed as 117 kph."

I was still prepared to discuss the matter and if possible finish with a caution rather than with an offence notice, so I further questioned the officer. "I cannot argue with your machine, but between this very place and the filling station 2 km down the road, 3 cars passed me traveling a great deal faster than I was going. Why aren't they here on the side of the road while you write out tickets for them?"

The answer was perfectly simple to the African mind even if illogical to a New Zealander. "Yes sir, those cars were traveling much faster than you and I waved them all down too, but you are the only one who stopped and therefore I must issue you with a speeding offence notice."

I suppose the lesson to be learned is that when waved down by a traffic safety officer who has no pursuit vehicle or back up: SMILE, WAVE BACK, BUT KEEP DRIVING.

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