Kamikaze BHPian

Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 37 Thanked: 112 Times

Shocked! Another car with my number!



I am cruising along ORR near the Bangalore University when I come up behind this white ford fiesta driving sedately. The first thing I notice about this car is the number: KA02 MF681.



My thoughts: Oh look! Another number similar to mine. Wait... Duh! it is the SAME as mine!



This is when horror set in. I was shocked to say the least. Myriad thoughts run through my mind: How can another car have the same number as mine? Did the RTO make a mistake? Is this a stolen car with a fake number plate? Is this a mafia don pulling the number plate switcheroo like in the movies? What if he is a drug dealer or a gangster?



Amidst all these thoughts, I realize that I need to record this scene as evidence - I pull out my mobile phone and take a pic (disclaimer: using the mobile phone to take pictures while driving is hazardous and illegal). Here is the pic.





A close-up of the number plate on the Fiesta





A close-up of my number plate





Now, my next thoughts - what should my immediate actions be? Should I stop him and question him? What if he pulls out a gun - after all he could be a gangster right?



I then remember that there is usually an interceptor a kilometer from where we are. I speed ahead hoping for once that the interceptor is there and I can make them stop this vehicle and deal with any resulting guns or goons. While overtaking, I peek into the car - I see a single person driving the car while speaking on the phone - that explains the sedate driving - but he still could be the gangster talking to his mob.



I speed ahead. Unfortunately, no interceptor! Where is the police when you need them?



With no recourse to law enforcement, I steel myself to stop the white Fiesta. I coast gently in front of him and apply brakes so that he cannot "escape". I get out of my car and ask him to lower his window. He is smiling! I ask him what his car regn number is. He appears nonplussed, but replies "KA02MF6813".



I tell him that his car has my number (KA02MF681) instead and ask him to come take a look. We together go to the back of his car. We discover that the last 3 has been washed off and someone has industriously cleaned it to remove all traces of the last "3". I see the front number plate of his car and even that has the 3 partially washed away.



I show him my car and tell him that both of us could get into trouble - I request him to get the number corrected. He assures me he will - he seemed a normal guy and this could actually be a genuine mistake. What an anti-climax! (Thank God!) Anyway, I tell him again to get it corrected and move on.



Now, although the situation turned out to be better than my wild imagination, it is still a cause of concern for me that there is a car running around on the road my number on it - atleast till the owner decides to get the number plate corrected.



A few questions here to all fellow bhpians:

- What recourse do I have at this point - can I complain to the BTP to enforce a number plate correction

- where can I get more details about this vehicle in case I need it at a later point?

- What course of action is most recommended at this point? Here is how it happened:I am cruising along ORR near the Bangalore University when I come up behind this white ford fiesta driving sedately. The first thing I notice about this car is the number: KA02 MF681.My thoughts: Oh look! Another number similar to mine. Wait... Duh! it is the SAME as mine!This is when horror set in. I was shocked to say the least. Myriad thoughts run through my mind: How can another car have the same number as mine? Did the RTO make a mistake? Is this a stolen car with a fake number plate? Is this a mafia don pulling the number plate switcheroo like in the movies? What if he is a drug dealer or a gangster?Amidst all these thoughts, I realize that I need to record this scene as evidence - I pull out my mobile phone and take a pic (disclaimer: using the mobile phone to take pictures while driving is hazardous and illegal). Here is the pic.A close-up of the number plate on the FiestaA close-up of my number plateNow, my next thoughts - what should my immediate actions be? Should I stop him and question him? What if he pulls out a gun - after all he could be a gangster right?I then remember that there is usually an interceptor a kilometer from where we are. I speed ahead hoping for once that the interceptor is there and I can make them stop this vehicle and deal with any resulting guns or goons. While overtaking, I peek into the car - I see a single person driving the car while speaking on the phone - that explains the sedate driving - but he still could be the gangster talking to his mob.I speed ahead. Unfortunately, no interceptor! Where is the police when you need them?With no recourse to law enforcement, I steel myself to stop the white Fiesta. I coast gently in front of him and apply brakes so that he cannot "escape". I get out of my car and ask him to lower his window. He is smiling! I ask him what his car regn number is. He appears nonplussed, but replies "KA02MF6813".I tell him that his car has my number (KA02MF681) instead and ask him to come take a look. We together go to the back of his car. We discover that the last 3 has been washed off and someone has industriously cleaned it to remove all traces of the last "3". I see the front number plate of his car and even that has the 3 partially washed away.I show him my car and tell him that both of us could get into trouble - I request him to get the number corrected. He assures me he will - he seemed a normal guy and this could actually be a genuine mistake. What an anti-climax! (Thank God!) Anyway, I tell him again to get it corrected and move on.Now, although the situation turned out to be better than my wild imagination, it is still a cause of concern for me that there is a car running around on the road my number on it - atleast till the owner decides to get the number plate corrected.A few questions here to all fellow bhpians:- What recourse do I have at this point - can I complain to the BTP to enforce a number plate correction- where can I get more details about this vehicle in case I need it at a later point?- What course of action is most recommended at this point?