These days police our out and about trying to catch their quota of drink drivers. It’s great, they keep the streets safe and accidents at a low rate, but do they go over the limit ?

It’s fine getting caught when you are over the limit, not that I like to get caught, but what is the limit ? 1 beer ? what is one beer ? A pint, a big bottle, a small bottle, what is the exact definition ? 1 shot, is it a 25ml, a 50ml or a 100ml ?

These questions are on many of our minds and as we are unsure of this, so are most of the police.

With them being given this quota system, police have sort of become a treat to innocent drivers. Many times I’ve been stopped, when I haven’t been drinking, and those around me have or when my vehicle was smelling of those who I had just dropped before, or maybe if I had had one small draught beer. It’s fine being stopped as many are, but when they hassle you, that’s the worst. Most times, I’m willing to take the breathalyzer as they say, I know your drunk or have had too many to drink, when I know I clearly haven’t but the amount they keep going on about it makes you just want to do the breathalyzer.

But when you suddenly agree to go with them, then a bit of panic strikes them, as if they are wrong, they waste a Rs.2000 breathalyzer and I guess they are penalised for it ? What happens then is they tell you the trouble you would have to go through, like you might have to spend the night I jail(yes of course), will have to go to court, it will be a long process, the officer I charge may not come tomorrow so you may have to stay an additional day(rubbish) and so on but do you know what they are leading upto ? A bribe ?

I must admit I know many of us who have given and many of them who have asked or just taken. Is this fine ? What’s the point of having police on the road then ?

The reason why this is a good deal for them is, if they catch a person, they are given a commission as I have heard, but to get that there is a lot of paperwork. But if you give the bribe they get the commission in one shot and no paperwork.

This idea of having commissions for police is ridiculous. They are not running a shop ? Of course they do deserve rewards but this scheme causes them to indirectly harass innocent drivers.

Let’s think about this and please comment, there should be away for them to be rewarded but at the same time punish those who break the law. I have a lot of friends who are in the police I too have told them about these but it’s just normal.

If I’m wrong, it’s fine take me to jail, but if there is no definition of limits, right or wrong, what do I do then ?

I look forward to your comments

Jith

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