Make Hay while the Sun Shines

A few days ago, I started a bit early for work. There was not much traffic. At a particularly important traffic junction, I happened to be the first to stop for a red signal, and other vehicles piled up behind me.

There was a lone traffic cop manning the junction. He was standing towards the other end of the signal. He casually looked around and suddenly spotted my car, and his eyes went straight to my number plate. Now, my car being an outstation registered one, I was an easy target.

He walked over and asked me to pull aside. I asked him why? Have I jumped the signal or crossed the zebra crossing? He just waved me aside and said that my pollution certificate had expired. I asked him how he assumed that? By this time the red light had changed to orange and people behind me were honking. I pulled to the side and told him I’d show him my pollution certificate which I had acquired very recently (I’m a law abiding citizen and make sure all my vehicle documents are up to date).

He gave a sickening laugh and insisted that I did not have it. He even went to the extent of asking me if I wanted to go to the court and pay a fine of Rs.450? - or…? (grease his palm to get off is what he implied I am sure). I told him to hold on and shuffled through my car documents. I pulled out the certificate and waved it in front of his face. I pointed out that it was valid till September. He just shut his gaping mouth and let me go.

Traffic cops are meant to monitor and control traffic and not govern it. I don’t even think this cop was designated to stop commuters to check on documents. And these kinds of cops think women drivers, especially ones driving outstation registered vehicles are easy targets.

A classic case of trying to “make hay while the sun shines”.

Only in this case, he tried very hard but couldn’t.