This latest situation has taken that respect away.
You mean you lose respect for people when they're doing their job?
The situation was that my wife and I were pulled for no reason other than not wearing belts. This, having entered the car no more than 100 meters away from the pull site, and our destination was only 50 meters from that location!!
And? The law is pretty clear - you can't start the car without the seatbelt on. It was rammed into my head when I was learning to drive - do not start the car without the belt fastened. As for the punishment - the driver is responsible in Poland.
The young 'point to prove, I'm wearing a uniform' policeman, immediately stated his intention of fining and taking points.
Well yes, that's what he's supposed to do.
Was this unlucky? Yes we were in the wrong, but common sense should prevail from any reasonable person.
What common sense? It's illegal to start the car without the seatbelt fastened.
For me, it's fair enough - I remember thinking that the police were very reasonable after getting stopped for doing 71 in a 50 - it was Sunday morning, I couldn't be arsed with the speed limit and got caught. Lesson learnt.