Rajnish Singh mailed me. He says, “I have been reading your column with great interest for the last so many months, appreciating the fact that there is at least one newspaper which is pin-pointing the concern of the common man and the road shows.

“Further to your article of August 11, I indeed agree with Harpreet Gill and would like to point out a very simple fact which we all see, ignore and move on. I am not talking about the biggest (albeit in relative terms) follies committed by biggies but by the law enforcers themselves. Have you ever noticed the PCR Vans, which are plying on the roads with the drivers and co-drivers on the front seats without bothering to wear their seat belts? I can challenge anybody if he/she can bring me a photograph of one of them following the rule of wearing the seat belt. Leave apart the drivers; even the seniors occupying the front seat do not bother to use their seat belts. Same goes with the vehicles from Defence. Their occupants feel it is their prerogative to decide and that they can easily get away with these violations and in fact they do.

“The reason for pointing out is that the law enforcers need to practice what they preach. If they have joined the forces, they should serve without any fear or personal motives. This is precisely the reason why our country can never progress at the pace, which we should in fact do. You mentioned about one transfer - imagine if all the cops on the road start behaving strictly, how many transfers would be there? This inappropriate means of punishing the right and honest will immediately stop.

“Though I have very little hope that we are likely to see the situation improve in our country (at least in the near future), I once again appreciate your efforts in bringing the issues to the notice of all.”

I agree with your views but I have noticed that most officers from traffic police make it a point to wear belts and obey rules. On the contrary, most of the Traffic Inspectors don’t wear seat belts while travelling. I think they should be the one to lead the way and show the way to the rest of police force by obeying rules. There is one Traffic Inspector who is so particular about following rules that he has even bought a small helmet for his three-year-old son. And whenever he rides his bike, he ensures that his son wears the helmet. He says, “Traffic education should be given right from childhood so that when my son grows up, obeying traffic rules will be in his blood and he would never flout them.” I just wish the rest of the force also thinks the same.