There is no heroism in brraking rules

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The traffic cop flags down a biker. "Show me your licence", he orders. The man shuffles through his bag and comes up with the license. What about insurance and pollution under control certificate? He produces that too. The cop scratches his head and asks the man to pay a fine of Rs. 200. The bewildered biker asks why he is being penalized when he has all the documents in order.

"Where you have kept them"

"In a plastic cover".

"Don't you know plastic covers are banned", the cop growls.

That's the joke hot on social media. But the reality is no less shocking. Government's decision to slap heavy penalties under the new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act has set the cat among the pigeons. Many states have put a break on implementation of the law for fear of public outcry. But if we look at the chaotic traffic on roads and the impunity with which traffic rules are being violated, the government seems perfectly right in imposing hefty fines. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

The other day I saw three youngsters riding a bike on the wrong side of the road. The boy who was driving was speaking on a mobile wedged between the ear and shoulder. I stopped the youngsters and asked whether they were not aware of the heavy penalties. "Sir they are not implementing it right away. We will be careful when they do it", was the casual reply.

I was surprised rather shocked at their audacity and lack of respect for the law. In fact many persons, youngsters particularly, seem to drive pleasure in cocking a snook at law. Over speeding, jumping signals and reckless driving give them a certain joy. Tales of how they hoodwinked cops are shared as heroic acts. Worse those who follow the traffic rules are not considered 'man enough'. Aren't our movies responsible for injecting this false sense of bravado by showing the hero riding recklessly in hot pursuit of the villain?

It's not celebrities alone, politicians also show scant regard for law. Recently the Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, rode a bike with the Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration, Arvind Kumar, on the pillion while inspecting some works. Both of them were helmetless. It was only after they attracted lot of flak on the social media, that the senior IAS officer paid penalty for the offence. But the law maker remained unapologetic. Sure laws are like cobwebs which catch small flies but let wasps and hornets break through.

Fear is the key. Thanks to the new law many people are getting their documents in order. Time we return to core values, to self-discipline and respect for law.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated September 21,2019