It had just past 8:00pm as Jarrod Moreton flew around the bend on the Diamantina Hill road, not in a particular hurry, he just liked to go fast.
Unbeknownst to Jarrod, there was a police officer hiding just 2km ahead – waiting to nab an innocent lead foot like himself.
Just as Jarrod was getting into the chorus of INXS’ ‘Burn For You’, another motorist driving the opposite direction flicked their high beam lights 3-5 times in quick succession – which, Jarrod knew, could only mean one thing, copper dogs.
Jarrod slowed his ‘99 Holden Commodore to the legal speed limit just before he came into range of the policeman’s radar gun, successfully, albeit narrowly, escaping the iron fist of the law once again thanks to the universal hatred of police.
Speaking to one of our reporters on the phone shortly after the incident, Jarrod explained the significance of this gesture, which as it turns out, goes much further than this isolated exchange.
“Think of it kind of like a relay, but it’s never ending. Say someone flicks their lights at you, you now have to flick your lights at someone else before you can clear your conscience”
“Because instinctively as Australians we naturally hate any form of authority, none more than highway cops”
“Oh shit, here comes someone now!” We hear background flicking sounds as Jarrod warns an oncoming car.
“My debt is now paid” he said.
The Advocate understands that this particular chain mail like light-flicking has been in continuation since the early 80s, when local piano retailer Bob Bristol drove home intoxicated and was warned by an unknown hero that the police were up ahead. Needless to say, bob wasn’t caught by the police but a sense of owing gratitude followed Bob round for the rest of his life.
More to come.
