I never got a speeding ticket. Ever. I’ve been in the car when the hub
gets got pulled over and listened to the lecture. Then, I’d snicker the whole way home and say, ‘Told you to slow down!’ and he’d be like, “L_Oman, I was so not going over the limit. He radar-ed the wrong car,” and I’d be like, “Um yeah. Could you stop and get me an Icee and do you remember the number of the lawyer we used last time to reduce the points you got on your license like the last time?”
That was when we lived in the good old U.S. of A. When we would be pulled over by a cocky cop who thought he owned that portion of the country road. I don’t miss him. Or his friends.
Fast forward to now and here’s what causes us to hit a screeching halt about every 200 or so meters (Look, I’m guestimating how far apart they are. Meters were the worst part of math for me back in Jr. High. 200 sounded good. So, I said 200.). It’s the ‘po-po in a box,’ (p.p.b) as I like to call them. Basically it’s a high-speed camera/radar that takes a picture of your car if you’re going over the limit. And, since the limit is 100 in most places people like to drive 120-130 in between the ‘p.p.b’s’ and then slam on their brakes when they see the cute little boxes but step on the gas right after and vroom off until another p.p.b is seen. It’s a vicious cycle, I tell you.
We’ve The hub’s been pulled over three times since we’ve moved back to Oman, ironically the p.p.b.'s haven't caught him yet. Each time with a real Poe-Poe it’s been a very cordial meeting. After asking how we all are and then moving on to the extended family, the officer hands over the fine as if he were giving the hub a birthday card and we proceed on to our destination (which is usually Dubai). What’s even more wacked is the fact that we get a giggle out of the whole ordeal every time and make some comment like, ‘man – that would have been at least 2 extra points on your license and we would so be regretting this if we were back in the U.S.!’ And remember –
the hub gets into the zone when I’m in the car with him. I think he’s reminiscing the days back when we were first married and he drove that crazy two-seat sports car which was soon traded after kid #1 came along. I just have to convince him it’s pretty uncool to be driving my ‘mom car’ like it corners on rails.
9 comments:
Word has it they are installing PPB here in Saudi. And my first thought is that it has to be some super fast cameras because all they will see is a blur where a car should be. Speed limits are a joke here.
I got caught by a PPB the day after I arrived back in Oman after a 6 month absence. Go figure!
The point system would never work here, just like the whole fine system hasnt really prevented anyone from driving any better. If anything, the driving has gotten a lot more aggressive. You know what bothers me, when there is an accident people stop their cars, park and just go to "check it out". Doesnt matter what side of the road the accident is on, traffic comes to a complete halt on both sides. RIDICULOUS.
N - the amazing thing is they are so blatant and out there. Like, you totally see them - duh! I was reading somewhere that in Saudi they are really cracking down on speeders and are even suspending their licenses.
Kay - aw man - sorry about getting 'busted'! Yep, the point system wouldn't work here I guess. Yes, the whole stopping and checking out the accident scene is probably one of the dumbest things I've ever witnessed here. I tend to put my hands up to my face to block my peripheral vision because I just can't stomach seeing something I don't want to see. Blech. Driving is a lot more aggressive. I think we need the real 'Poe-Poe' out more.
Driving here scares the crap out of me. I almost feel like I'm some sort of inconvenience to others and my life is not worth anything as they drive so carelessly around me.
I want to shout, "you will be even more late if you kill someone!!"
L- They are what? That is a news flash to me as I see speeders daily. The cops are sleeping and are some of the worst drivers on the road, along w/ the national guard. I don't blame the cops for not chasing down these guys.. why risk it at such miserable pay and the possibilities of crashing and dying is high.
btw no one cares if you take the license. I've seen kids as young as ten driving their mothers around town. One kid was so small he used pillows to prop himself up barely seeing over the wheel. Yea not much for road rules here.
Don't you think, Nzingha, that is is high time that do DO something about the carnage and wreckages on our roads, here, though? Perhaps L_Oman's PPD's aren't such a bad idea.
N - blame it on you and Sabra, I'm addicted to reading gulf / arab news websites now. It was on one of those - maybe a week or so ago. And while I think it would be ok for the farmers kid to help drive the tractor, I somehow have problems with a kid driving a Land Cruiser. What the crap!?!?
Sabra - I'm amazed you guys don't have the PPB's. They are all over the place in the Emirates...
Guess what I got caught by the PPB agaaaain today! thats twice in ten days!
nothing constructive to say, I just wanted to mention that the name of this post reminded me strongly of Justin Timberlake's SNL skit: D*ck in a box
youtube it if you've never seen it. Its flipping hilarious.
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