I know it's too early for another post ,coz I update usually not less than a week .But I had to share this experience with all of you.It was just another day and I had 2 preoccupied appointments for the day,1st one being my son's July 4th USA independence day parade at the school at 9.am and the other was my interview at 10 .am .So since the parade was just for half an hour ,I and my husband had been there and it was lovely with all the kids marching with colorful hats and flags all around the ground.After the parade,we were driving back towards my husband's office and as we were engrossed in an active conversation as usual we simultaneously heard a loud beep from somewhere .We both looked into each other and suddenly in a speck of time ,I just realised what had happened and looked into my rear mirror to see the cop on the bike flashing lights on me with a speed tracker device on his hand.That was a terrible shock for me and it was the first time!I had to pull over and stop by and as I waited nervously for the cop,he comes and greets me with a smile.He says"hello young lady ,do you know why did I stop you"?I innocently answered "No",for frankly,amidst my active bla bla with my hubby,I would not know what was happening around me!Well ,"do you know the speed limit here"?he questioned.I had not even noticed the speed limit there ,and I just made a wild guess and said 25 which turned out right!He said I was way beyond that and was speeding at 37 I had my first ticket for violating the traffic law.I did say "sorry sir"and tried to convince ,but after all the formalities ,he walked up to me and sweetly said "You would be getting your notice with the due amount to be paid and the information about the 'defensive driving test 'which could clear your ticket and help you save the increased amount you would have to pay for the insurance company the following year".I liked the way the police man decently addressed me with respect and spoke to me in a very low and sober way.Well that was a sweet poison!My hubby sitting next to me said that I deserved it and now I would learn a lesson from the whole incident.Yes ,true,that's what even I felt .The reason I shared this was just to spot the difference between here and India where corruption rules everywhere and does not even forbid the traffic department.Imagining the same scenario back in my home country,I would have tried buttering the cop and escaped or genuinely paid the fine,while some others would have nicely bribed the cop with half the amount of the speeding or even lesser .Certain rules and regulations imposed and followed by both the people and the officials here, makes this country so unique People tend to obedient and donot want to violate them intentionally.If this sincerity and promptness is followed by every other citizen or official back in India ,we could reduce half of the corruption in prevalence there.
20 comments:
you are right, i wish it would have a been like that in India too....buttttt looking at the scenario i don't see this happening even in near future.......:(
Hmmm..... I am dreading this kind of situation in India. I just started taking my car out here in Kerala recently. In Dubai, they never stop you for speeding. There are radars that add fines on the car that needs to be paid during that years registration. Sometimes a single fine can be as high as 800 AED. The RTA there is a thriving dept. :)
India has a long way to go. But I do see a lot of improvements in govt. offices here recently. People are somehow more polite than before. :)
Nice post, Raji. Very true about Indian scenario, but must admit there are a few just and righteous officers here too. But more appalling is the traffic sense among general public here. Nobody wants to wait at the red signal. Everybody is in a rush here..dont know what is the hurry!! They are neither bothered about their own safety leave alone the safety of others around. A sad situation!
Hey don't insult Indian police that way, for sure we needn't even pay half the amount of the fine as bribe, a good 10rs would be more than enough. trust me it has happened, he just bluntly asked 10rs for tea, poor guy!
http://vj-menon.blogspot.com/
First time is scary but it happens....
It is true that the bribe-free society is a boon in US. But, as you rightly pointed out, many of us would have tried to bribe our way out in India. No one would dare do that in US. So, for corruption, somewhere we are responsible equally. I must tell you that I received a speeding ticket in Bangalore and my husband also received one and on both occasions, the cops were firm and polite and promptly gave us a receipt. Of course, we never offer a bribe, but trust me not all traffic cops or cops are corrupt here. Most times we break a signal, get into one way and then argue or name names to wheedle our way out. And, do you know that NRIs as soon as they visit India forget all their etiquette too :).
I totally agree with what Rachna said. I suppose when you are in India, everything is Chalta hai, but when abroad they behave like very good citizens. They have to or else they have to face the consequences.
However, I have seen many good government servants behaving very decently and go out of their way to help others. It shows as more people are now educated, there is a change coming in their behaviour too. Well it is all for the best.
There is a lesson for us in your experience.
Very rightly pointed out the difference. The post reminded me how a friend of mine was given a ticket for overspeeding in a countryside road. Experience for the first time , yep surely would be a bit scary..
hmm, always interesting to learn about the real situation in other places, many thanks for posting this.
Yes MAM.. :) that is the difference indeed..
sorry about the ticket , usually if you pay within 7 or 14 days it can be half price at least here in UK :)
speed is bad.. a person hit by a car travelling 30mph MAY survive above that he will not
I personally think car needs to be thought of as a Weapon.
take care ...
Bikram's
@ irfaan that's true.
@juxtaposition oh!i never knew about the situation in dubai!
@mangala yes as you said there are good officers too.people are also equally resonsible.
@vijay:)))that was funny.
@alka ..that experience should not happen again because if it happens again then i have to lose my driver's license!
@ rachna ,rama oops !no offense to indian cops,I just generally pointed the difference !I know and i have personally expereinced many courteous officials there in india too.I am no NRI,I am just a visitor here and I was surprised by the rules here.:)
@onkar and ashwini true.Hope I learn a lesson from this!:)
@petty thanks,but as rama and rachna pointed out ,people are also equally responsible for this happenings in my country.not all the officials are bad.
@bikram that was a good fact revealed that even a 30mph vehicle can kill a person!Thanks ,will be careful here on:))
oh! oh! I was caught once too but let go with a warining. I was driving 40 miles on a 25 miles street. After that incident I learnt to stay within the limits always, except in Highways, where I guess 65 miles limit is not mandated but suggested. The max I touch is 80 on a good day.
@nri such a nice cop !lucky you and poor me:(((
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