Or, perhaps I should say, ‘the things I get myself out of’. Of course, it’s all about me doing things I shouldn’t.

I was driving home late last night, along the motorway. I’d had a really lovely evening, and was chatting to Matty about it as I drove. (I know… bad me.)

Anyhoo, just as we were finishing up our conversation, I noticed the cars in front of me slowing down as they passed a police car on the side of the road. It had some big red lights flashing on top, which looked like some sort of ‘look out, I’m here so don’t crash into me’ kind of warning device.

I continued past, and said goodbye to Matthew. As I was putting down my phone, I noticed the police car overtake me. He sped up, and took off ahead, so I figured he must have been after someone. Not much further up the road, he turned on his red light, and pulled over to the side again. ‘Odd,’ I thought, ‘he hasn’t actually pulled anyone over.’

I soon realised what was going on. As I drove past him, he took off again and turned on his blue flashing lights. Well, I know what those mean. I indicated, and pulled over.

When he approached my car, I said, “I’m so sorry, I had no idea that was for me.” Well, I didn’t. Australian police don’t have those red lights… only the blue flashing ones.

“I pulled you over, because you were using your mobile phone.”

Ohhhh… crap.

“Where are you from?”

I told him. Probably a little too much. I don’t think he really wanted to know the ins and outs of my being here on a working visa, or that I’d be out of the country over Winter, but back again in March. He then went on to explain the rules to me.

“You realise it’s illegal to hold your phone your hand whilst you’re driving, even if you’re using it on speaker phone?”

I hadn’t.

“I’m assuming that’s what you were doing?”

It dawned on me that I was being offered a ‘get out of jail free’ card. I nodded.

“I’m not going to take your details this time. Just make sure that if you need to use your phone, you pull off the motorway and stop somewhere safe before doing so.”

He gave me instructions on how best to rejoin the motorway traffic. I shook his hand, thanked him, and continued on my way. Feeling relieved, and very lucky.

_{(I’d like to point out here, that I waited until I arrived home before calling to tell Matty this story…)}