mawinder wrote:Kratos wrote:mawinder wrote:Kratos wrote:I fully support the need for change in our road usage rules and etiquette but this new laws are just ridiculous.
Case in point
Careless driving or driving without regard to other road users - Fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings (Kshs.100,000)
So if a corrupt policeman/woman decides that you are driving carelessly what evidence do both of you present to the court? Do you think you will get witnesses to back you up against trumped up charges?
Lets get realistic,
1. Most vehicles on the roads are on loan so where will the the guy get cash to pay? Take another loan to service the trumped up charges? Which is easier part with 5k to "pay" for the charges or go to court and risk 100k fine?
2. Which employer will give you time to be attending traffic court cases
3. Are hefty fines and penalties going to make the police less corrupt? Most of this laws are not new, so what will suddenly jolt the police into proper action?
To me this laws were not well thought out. We need a complete overhaul of the traffic system to cover all processes not just on the road user end.
We do not need to reinvent the wheel. Countries like UAE have extremely successful traffic laws and its not because of hefty fines. No police there will chase you around nor will the courts come looking for you for a traffic offense. You will present yourself whether you like it or not.
It is the prosecution to prove your guilt by calling witnesses and adducing witnesses.in the absence of that,you are acquitted.Do NOT plead guity.The new fines call for you to always have someone to secure you on bond or cash bail,a good advocate and you win the case and sue the state for damages.
In this case the corrupt police officer whom you refused to bribe is his own witness. Wouldn't this mean its his testimony verses yours.
kratos,you get a good advocate and you are sorted.MOST of the cops have never seen the traffic act and they will not leave the road to go to testify in court.The charge sheet will even be defective and you will be released on that basis.you can even knock on the judiciary's doors if you know people.
cops are very sharp guys, don't under estimate them - if they want to get to you they will and when it comes down to your word aganist a cop, the courts lean more towards the cops especially in matters traffic.
I am not saying you bribe the cop, but just be wise in how you deal with such situations.
even the good book says to make peace with your accuser before you get to court, or something to that effect.