LETTER

Mr Abota’s letter, our police,and crossing a median 

I first read this letter with anger about a couple that got a ticket for making a left turn from their home on chemin d’Aylmer  to go towards Hull.  Then, I took a look at their address and found that there is a MEDIAN painted on the pavement in that spot.  Every driver should know that you are not allowed to cross over a MEDIAN – cement or painted – which they did and for which  they got the traffic ticket.

 

That said however, it would have been decent of the police officer to give this couple a warning first and a ticket if they were caught again a second time.  I have to say that my experience with the police officers in Aylmer has been very good.  I myself am embarrassed to say that I have been stopped 3 times in the 8 years.  The first 2 were for not stopping completely at a stop sign (I slowed down to a stop I thought – but my wheels never completely stopped).  The first time I was told I had made an “American Stop”.  

I broke out laughing saying “That’s funny – I’m an American!” . The police officer smiled as he asked for my ID – oops.  Anyway.. both times I was let go with a warning.  Now I make sure I make a complete stop – thank you police officers!.  The 3rd time I got a speeding ticket.  My fault, and the officers were correct in giving it to me.  I learned my lesson and people who are impatient behind me can just honk their horns as much as they want – I’m not going to break the speed limit again!  Lessons learned.

I guess my point is the police officers are there for a purpose – not only to arrest and hand out tickets but to try to prevent us from hurting each other in the first place, when they can.  Again, it would have been kinder to give this couple a warning but now we all know to not cross a painted median on the pavement.  

 

Lori Roche  

Gatineau (Aylmer sector)