Here’s how to drive away from a challan

The amended motor vehicles Act has taken the print and social media by storm. Newspapers and virtual platforms are abuzz with stories of hair-raising penalties, some even exceeding the worth of the vehicles, in cases of traffic violation. Though strict penalties have caught most by surprise, it could act as an effective deterrent for traffic rule violators.

Though I’ve been driving a two-wheeler and a car for three decades, I’ve never been penalised. This doesn’t mean that I haven’t violated a traffic rule ever, but every time I’ve been hauled up by traffic cops, I’ve managed to go scot-free because of the crisis management algorithm I’ve been following

for years.

Whenever the long arm of the law was about to catch up with me, I relied on a time-tested formula to earn a dignified acquittal. The formula is simple: (A) Confess (B) Apologise and (C) Try to strike a rapport with the policeman by introducing yourself humbly. If all three fail, gear up to face the consequences. After all one has broken the law. This simple formula has helped me out of many a face-off with traffic policemen.

Last year, while going to Ambala with my mother, I was signalled to stop by a police official because ofthe temporary sunscreens affixed on the windows of my car. There was a long queue of offenders arguing with the traffic policeman. The well-connected ones were name-dropping and urging him to talk on the phone to avoid the penalty. Almost everyone ended up paying Rs 1,000 as fine because the upright officer didn’t pay heed to their excuses.

When my turn came, the official asked, “Who do you want me to talk to before I issue the challan?” I answered, “No one, sir. I’m at fault. If there’s anyone who can help me out, it’s you.” He smiled gently before letting me go with a warning, much to the surprise of the bystanders.

Every time I watch erring motorists arguing with the cops and urging them to talk to their influential friends on the phone, I feel sorry for them. Denying and arguing after breaking a rule is the biggest blunder they commit. And the second mistake is to pressurise the man on duty by asking him to talk with the high and mighty.

A few months ago, I was caught off guard by a police official. I was not wearing the seat belt. When my confession and apology didn’t cut ice with him, I introduced myself as an absent-minded doctor lost in the thoughts of his patients and their ailments. He relented and let me off.

When it comes to striking a chord with cops on duty, my teenaged son, who holds a learner’s licence for a gearless scooter, is a step ahead. Every time he is pulled up by a cop, the first words he utters while getting off his two-wheeler are, “Sat Sri Akal uncle”. The greetings are quickly followed by a heartfelt sorry with a perfect expression of remorse.

But his luck ran out last time when he was caught speeding. The traffic cop said, “Sat Sri Akal taan theek hai putter par kanoon nu 300 da mattha vi tekda jaa”(the greetings are fine son but don’t forget to pay Rs 300 as a token of respect towards the law, also)”. The official lost no time in handing him the receipt of the fine.

EVERY TIME I’VE BEEN HAULED UP BY TRAFFIC COPS, I’VE MANAGED TO GO SCOT-FREE BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT ALGORITHM I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING FOR YEARS