My nemesis

On the plane ride over I read an article about Mexico City introducing a program to encourage bicycling for city transportation. The article made a point of stating that one incentive to bicycle is to avoid traffic police, which were described as the “scourge” of the residents there. In Cape Town, it is quite the opposite. In fact, I’m not even really sure we have traffic police here- at least in the sense that I would understand it. In fact, I’ve often noted cars driving past police cars at 120 kilometers per hour in an 80km zone without hesitation. Neither the most aggressive nor corrupt police officer doesn’t rival the real scourge of Cape Town.

They are everywhere and yet you never see it until it’s too late. There are even signs posted announcing one may be around the corner. Yet, those little buggers always seem to be at the right place at the wrong time. It is those damn traffic cameras. They are on every freeway and highway. Some places always have them posted in the same spot, however, most are moved regularly for obvious reasons. Most speed limit signs now have an icon of a camera threatening its presence.

It’s even worse at night. And, unfortunately, that is the best time to avoid the traffic. One can be travelling along at an easy clip of 120, driving perfectly safely down the M3 with a stunning view of Table Mountain on the left and the ocean on the right. One could be enjoying the nice, slightly salty air of a chilly evening heading back home after dinner with friends. Then BAM! A blinding light shoots from overhead like a laser from outer space. Those first milliseconds are bewildering. Am I getting abducted by aliens? Is Cape Town under attack like in Independence Day? Am I having an aneurism?

Okay, maybe it is less like that and it looks more like a snapshot of light, immediately followed by random obscenities, then slam on a the brake and a frustrating sigh because once again I’ve been caught by my nemesis- those damn traffic cameras.