The puzzle

I nearly ran into an incoming police patrol car while making an illegal turn. The police had their sirens and flashers on but I didn’t notice coz my music was at full blast and I was thinking. I only managed to brake in the nick of time coz some part of my brain registered the blue flashes of light. I missed the police patrol car by inches.

It’s a good thing I didn’t get into trouble – the police car was speeding and it took the very same illegal turn and I nearly ran into it again when they suddenly braked. There was a fight in front of the mamak near my condo and they were there to break up the physical altercation by arresting people.

I was amazed by their efficiency – it took me no longer than 5 minutes to tapau my food and there wasn’t any sign of an impending dispute when I drove out. The police were already speeding there when I got into my car, resulting in the near miss. I imagine rear ending a police car wouldn’t have bode well for my general welfare, so it’s a good thing I didn’t.

However, I was thinking while taking the video with my cell phone (before I got bored and drove pass them)…if I had run into them, who would be at fault? Let’s pull out the POH-toshop illustrations: 

the-puzzle

Please note that I haven’t actually taken the turn yet so I have plausible deniability. The police patrol car which was there on Official Business (TM) already took the illegal turn.

Who would be the guilty party if I had run into them? Knowing my country well, I know it’s definitely going to be me. Disregarding that, I could claim that I was merely avoiding the incoming patrol car by swerving (which would explain the odd angle of my car if I hit them).

What do you think?

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8 thoughts on “The puzzle”

  1. Regardless of your case for plausible deniability (“no, officer, I was not going to make that turn – of course not – that would have been ILLEGAL”), you are correct – they would have pinned the blame on you somehow. Good job avoiding the accident!!

    Reply
  2. John: Yeah, it’s a good thing I registered the flashing blue lights and instinctively braked. πŸ™‚
    I don’t think it’ll be a good night for me if I ran into that patrol car. πŸ˜‰
    ShaolinTiger: True, true. Kinda figured as much. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  3. As far as I know, if their lights were flashing and their sirens were blazing, they can break the road rules, as they are rushing to an emergency. This applies to other service vehicles in Malaysia, aka ambulances and fire trucks.
    So yes, it would have been your fault, fair and square. It’s written somewhere I believe.

    Reply
  4. Probably the fight was between some of the Sixthseal fans waiting to get glimpse of you. If you crashed into the police car, the paparazzi would have a field day.

    Reply
  5. Naoko: Hmm…I think you’re right. I read that somewhere too.
    luke: Yup, because they’re on the side of justice. They can never be wrong. πŸ˜‰
    Jeff: LOL! I wish I were that fehmes. I’m not Princess Diana. πŸ™‚
    YilingL: Unfortunately not, this is the regular street patrol people.
    Oh, you got it dy? This weekend good for you?
    Thanks Yiling! πŸ™‚

    Reply

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