While it will come down hard on offenders as part of its campaign against drink-driving, the traffic police has decided to reward sober motorists by giving them a rose on December 31. The rose is a reward for not drinking while driving. A report in this newspaper on Monday about the rose-giving may have raised a few laughs but it drives home the point about the high number of drink-and-drive cases on New Year’s Eve. That explains the high number of nakabandis on the day and the strict checking, all justified as New Year revellers make their way home. Traffic cops have warned that they will be coming down very hard on drink-driving.

One should not need warnings and nakabandis to curb and cut out drink-driving altogether. While the cops are doing their duty, ensuring that drunk drivers are off the road, it is not the cops that should do that but your inner voice. Adults at the wheel must realise that when they start driving that car, they have taken responsibility for their life and the lives of those in the car. They are also indirectly responsible for pedestrians who are walking alongside the road, not crossing roads rashly or jaywalking.