A traffic policeman explains, “Today when I was driving, I noticed the driver talking on the phone while driving. I told the driver to stop on the side. The driver did not hesitate for a moment. He was honest with me, apologizing and understanding the gravity of his actions. In addition to talking on the phone, he also drove without an inspection on the vehicle for two months, and there was a baby seat in the vehicle. So, what is left to do? ” In these words, the policeman, Chanan Friedman, opened the post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, 17 Tammuz, and the posting gained tremendous popularity with over 14,000 likes and hundreds of responses.

He continues, “I made a gentleman’s agreement with the driver. He did not believe me at first. I told him from here, you head directly for an inspection so we can all travel safely” Friedman wrote. “He didn’t believe me at first. I gave him my cell number so he could notify me when this was done. He sent me a message an hour later. The moral of the story is that sometimes, we must exercise judgment. Punishment is not always the best way to achieve results. At times, there are other ways”.

He also posted a snapshot of the WhatsApp communications between him and the driver, who was stopped in Kfar Saba. The driver wrote him, “Shalom dear sir. You stopped me not long ago and you asked me to send you a message that I had an inspection on the vehicle. I am a person of my word.” He sent a photo of his registration to prove the validity of his statement.

Office Friedman wrote back, “Great. You saved yourself a 1,000 shekel [fine] towards paying for the inspection. From my point, you are forgiven and please drive carefully.

The driver concluded “We must admit there are good people and good policeman and this policeman is such an example”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)