What a laugh!!! ‘HELMETLESS’ TEMPO DRIVER FINED!!!
Wearing a helmet was made mandatory for two-wheeler riders keeping in mind their safety. Thus, it became incumbent to wear a helmet which protected their head in an accident, probably saving their lives. However, the recent behaviour of the police has cast a shadow on their sanity which, according to Mulundkars, needs to be probed. The surprise of Surprises!! Recently, a traffic cop actually fined a tempo driver for NOT WEARING A HELMET!! This has become a hot topic of discussion in Mulund.
Extensive use of CCTV cameras in Mumbai and its suburbs is being made to nab traffic violators. Offences like breaking signals, crossing zebra lines after the ‘stop’ signal or helmetless riding, etc., are on the rise. These cameras help the Traffic Police keep a hawk-eye on the commuting public. The camera captures the image of the erring driver as also the alleged offence on the basis if which a fine is levied and the violator is informed via SMS. This has led to an appreciable reduction in driver-police conflicts. So far, so good.
Now, the flip side. A driver has been booked and fined for an offence committed by another driver. The victim received an alert on his mobile of Rs. 700 levied on him as a penalty. The fine was paid promptly. However, to his great surprise, the receipt showed that he was fined for driving his tempo without a helmet. Upon questioning the police about this absurdity, the police had no answer at all !! More disgusting was that the police refused to refund the penalty amount.
This must certainly be the first instance of a major guffaw by the Traffic Police. Strange are the ways of our men in khaki or, should we say, white and khaki??
