Traffic Cops and Citizen Engagement

A single zebrafish, exposed to alcohol, not only doubles its swim-speed among its "sober" peers, but also increases the speed of the whole group, according to a finding of New York University Polytechnicschool of Engineering.

Most two-wheeler drivers on Bangalore roads seem to share the 'zebrafish' influence. Their speed is generally double of the speed of other vehicles on the same road at the same time. They swarm like mosquitoes from all 'sides' and swerve, suddenly cut right in front of you and keep dancing in front of your vehicle.

It seems that the responsibility of their safety has been entrusted with you and you must tolerate all their calisthenics on the road.  

Today morning on a Y shaped cross near ITPL my friend's car happened to have a minor accident with a similar biker who suddenly rode his bike right in front his car. Although it was the fault of the biker, my friend offered no resistance and offered help to the biker. The biker instead became aggressive, snatched away the company identity card that my friend was wearing round his neck, tried snatching away his car keys ad even started to threaten that he will damage the car. Seeing the biker resort to rowdy tactics, my friend sought help from a traffic lady police constable standing nearby. Unfortunately she simply listened and showed no intention to help. 

Left to his own, he found timely help from another biker (who was thankfully not of the 'zebrafish' type) and he helped negotiate. An intervention from another passerby sobered the tempers of the rowdy biker, although he extorted good money from my friend, who had no choice but to pay despite the fact that the bike had undergone no damage.

All this happened while traffic police was in the vicinity. Under such circumstances how do ordinary citizens connect and depend on traffic police personnel on the road. Instead they fear and mistrust them. Few days back when an incident came to light in the city where a innocent car driver was indicted of drunken driving the city was shocked!

 Overloaded trucks, drivers talking on phone while driving, cabs over speeding, unjustified road rage from erring rowdy motorists  - a lot is happening on roads that is somehow visible only to the public.

All this is eroding trust!

Strict traffic rules are not enough to ensure safer roads. Citizens must develop a sense of trust that the traffic police on duty are there to help them when they need and punish the real offender.  Dereliction of duty, indifference and non-uniform enforcement of rules will never engage people to traffic police and roads will continue to be hell for every decent motorist.

A few honest traffic police officers like Constable 'Singham' Bhasker helping the innocent citizen and bringing the offenders to the book are worth applause and should be a role model to rest of his colleagues.

 We salute you Constable Singham Bhasker!