I was in a hurry. I was late. I hate coming late. I went by car to Winterthur and it was obvious that only a miracle could save me from coming late.

When it comes to speed, I stick to the rules. As always. Internally I am incredibly nervous. My restlessness rises in the entire body and spreads like a highly contagious virus.

I arrived in the city of Winterthur. The drive through the city is not an easy undertaking, since there is a traffic light every 300m and no chance for a green wave. I have to stop at almost every second traffic light. Now I turn and come to a side street. Again a crossing, almost empty and I am again waiting at the red light. I am waiting but internally I am boiling. It is red, still red and continues to be red. Endlessly long. Do they even have other colours to offer? I think. Agitated and angry but I wait.

Finally the colours start to change. Orange and I accelerate and disappear around the corner. As expected, I arrived late.

Three weeks later I receive a letter from the police. A fine in the amount of CHF 250 for crossing at red light. That can’t be true, I think. A complete error. If there is something I never do, then it is crossing at red light. Impossible. I contacted the police in order to see the photo. That can’t be!!

One week later at the police. There were two photos. I drove when the orange light went on and also the red light was still on. Thanks to the many horsepower of my A5 and my fast reaction, I could not have seen the green light.

One can consider it as refresher course for CHF 250. If the orange light is on, one can drive. However if the light is red and orange is added, it is recommend to continue waiting. Otherwise it costs CHF 250. It is the most expensive fine I have ever received.

Thanks for the lesson. I will remember it until the end of my days.

Please spare me with the moral objections that if I had taken the train, this would not have happened. Yes true, but then I would have had to get a mule first in order to carry the five folders, which were in the boot. Even public transport cannot solve all problems.