Muses of Murari

Every time I cross the traffic signal on my motorcycle in any important junctions, I unconsciously become conscious about my riding and also on the presence of traffic cops. Most of the time, these traffic cops ( in cases what I observed in Chennai & Bangalore ) would hide in some obscure places at sides of the road, only to jump on you. It happened many a time to me. I usually pay Rs. 100 irrespective of the offense – jumping traffic signals, traveling against in one-way roads, not carrying insurance & RC book of the vehicle. Each time, traffic cop ask me to pay fine Rs. 500. I smile, then he smiles back and we settle for Rs.100! I hate this bargaining. But, I can’t help myself.

Today, I was trying to go from Outer Ring road to Lalbagh road in Bangalore. I asked my colleague to guide me through. He guided me probably the longest route possible. On the way, in Jayanagar, I took a turn and I was not surprised to find a traffic cop waiting to catch me. He told there was no free-left turn and he asked me to pay Rs. 200 as fine. Usually, my approach would be, to bargain and settle for Rs.100 without any bills or slips. But, today I tried to pick an argument with the cop. I told him there is no sign board saying “No free left turn”. So I argued that my turn is not an offense. After hearing this, his face went pale & surprised. He told something that made my colleague and me to laugh. The “No free left turn” sign board is not necessary and it is assumed no free left turn everywhere. Quickly, he understood his slip. Then, he told “you jumped the signal. So pay fine of Rs.100″. He doesn’t want to leave me without fine. May be he has his own targets to meet for the day.

While I was trying to explain, he took a blackberry like device, updated something with my motorcycle vehicle number, my driving license number and within seconds a receipt got generated in a separate device (the device which generates credit card receipts). Everything done wirelessly. I saw the receipt, on which the registration number of my vehicle, my name, my driving license number, address, nature of offense and the fine amount printed. Technology at work! Immediately I stopped talking, paid the amount and went away.

I think, this mechanism not only discourage bribery but also instill the fear among motorists to be more responsible on roads. When the offense gets counted each time, tracked in a separate computer system, motorists will commit lesser and lesser offenses. This improves the driving/riding discipline on roads too. Usually, the traditionally paper receipts for the payment for traffic offenses, may not be reliable. Any one can fake the receipt and collect money. (Not likely though in real life). I really doubt effectiveness of the mechanism of traditional paper receipts and collecting information about the driver and his/her offenses. The offender might not take it seriously. Imagine, just a single touch of a button on your mobile phone and there comes the complete history of your driving. How would people perceive it? There is a difference, right? This is one of the main points why this mobile phone traffic offense system works great.

I didn’t curse this time, as I usually do everytime I pay traffic cop for the offense. I felt responsible for my action and duly followed the rule.

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