As I a turned at a red light to take what I thought was a free-left, I was pulled over by a cop, who was part of a group of three and told sternly that I had run a red light. I politely pointed out that there was no board saying "No Free Left" -- which is when one is supposed to stop at a red light for a left turn.
No, the cop insisted, if the left turn is regulated by a light, then there is no need for a board. Please hand over your license. I did -- he looked it over and then said -- since this is an out_of_state_license i'll offer you a discount (50%!). I politely declined the discount and said I would pay the entire amount in return for a receipt. And I did.
"Courtesy" to state guests apart, here's my point. A fundamental traffic rule changed overnight -- no free lefts allowed any more at signals with traffic lights. If I reach a traffic light that is already red, I have no way of know whether the traffic light governs the free left or not.
Neither was the rule socialized, nor was a "No Free Left" board placed at the junction. The method of communication was to stop me and fleece me (pay a bribe or pay a fine).
The cops were lying in wait precisely because they knew that drivers were not aware of the change. Once people get to know, there will be no cops at the junction. Which basically means -- the purpose of a traffic cop is to fleece unsuspecting drivers, not punish habitual rule-breakers.
Isn't this totally unethical?
