Don’t panic, the sky is
not falling.
Though I am no James
Bond, I was handed over the license to kill. Not that I wanted it. I was forced
to accept it. I had no choice. It happened last week.
I am a social drinker. I
have no qualms in admitting that I gulp down a maximum of two pegs (30, 45 or
65 ML is another story) when I have to. But, after traffic police had launched MAPASE
phenomenon with stern vigor, I had avoided clinking the glasses during social
gatherings.
Yet, I succumbed to the
temptation of Vat 69 at the party thrown by Bookworms to commemorate
Ncell Literature Festival's success. Not that I am a whisky lover or it was my
favorite brand. There was another reason. The venue was at Jhamsikhel
and I thought I knew the area like the back of my hands. I was confident about
sub lanes to avoid for falling prey to the cops.
Well, I was clearly
overestimating myself. The realization came little late when three traffic cops
appeared like ghosts, silently; out of nowhere at a dark deserted nook. I had consumed just a peg. They made me blow
on the breathalyzer and booked me. Fair deal; I asked for it- I got it. However,
it was surprising that they let me scoot free after handing me a chit which
said I was to be fined a thousand rupee.
Let me go back to the
reason behind this strict implementation of rules against drink and drive. The
traffic police had emphasized driving after consuming alcohol can be fatal for
the driver and the possible victims. If this is the reason and they are concerned
about the safety of other people, why let the driver wander free after handing
him a chit penalizing him with thousand bucks. Does it mean they care a two
penny if the driver brings a pole down, smash some walls or indulges in hit and
run after that? The license to kill for a paltry sum of a thousand rupees is
very cheap isn’t it?
If a person is not in a
condition to drive after consuming a mere peg, should he be let free with the
license to kill? If the level of alcohol in breath is such that they see no
danger in him driving further, why book and fine him? We know that they are
cops but for a change can't we expect some logic in their saying and
deeds?
It makes one wonder if
they just care about the handsome amount of revenue generated by the fine
against such drivers? A rising tower in the chart of the action and revenue
from MAPASE proudly dominates others in traffic office. A certain percentage of
the fine collected is believed to be distributed to the traffic cops. Nothing
against it for they deserve some incentive for taking up the challenge of their
grueling duty. They have smelled foul breaths in absence of breathalyzers. As
such Dashain is a pricey compulsion disguised as festival. Goats
are expensive. But, should it be the sole guiding factor for their action
against the drinking drivers; social, unsocial, chronic or any other?
published in The Kantipur Post on 2013 January
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