Mumbai, Dec 29 (Mid-Day): If a cop hands you a rose this New Year’s Eve, don’t think he’s into you.

The rose, in fact, will be your reward for not being foolish enough to drink and drive and welcome the New Year from behind bars on December 31, a day that sees heavy patrolling and nakabandis — and an equally high number of drunk drivers getting caught — every year. 

Traffic cops say while the number of nakabandis will be very high and they will be coming down hard on drunk drivers this New Year’s Eve as well, they have decided to reinforce and appreciate the good behaviour of motorists who stay sober by handing them roses. 

Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said, “This is a positive initiative and we are sure that motorists will welcome this move and follow traffic rules while driving, especially on the night of December 31.” 

The traffic police has 25 divisions in the city and each of them will be given 300 roses, taking the total to 7,500. 

Upadhyay added, however, that they will be very strict towards offenders and have repaired most of the 84 breathalysers in their possession to ensure no drunk driver gets through their net. “We have repaired most of the damaged machines and the rest will also be repaired soon,” he said. 

There are over 3,500 traffic personnel and, on December 31, even the staff with desk jobs will be out on the roads.

Setting the bar

The traffic police department has also sent out an advisory to bar owners. “They have been asked to monitor customers who are drinking and ensure they do not drive their vehicles. If we find that many of one bar’s patrons are driving after drinking, necessary action will be taken against the bar owners,” said Upadhyay, adding that the owners of such bars may also lose their licence.