Traffic Violations on the Rise fetch City Cops Rs 1.5 cr in Fines in 8 months
Mangaluru: With the increase in vehicle population in the City, simultaneously there has been an increase in traffic violations also – which as a result the City Traffic Cops at the four traffic police stations have netted a whopping Rs 1.5 cr collected through fines in just eight months according to police sources- and this is a record for the first time in the last seven years. It is learnt that of the four traffic police stations in town, the West and East police stations have slapped fines on traffic rules violators and collected the highest fines. The installation of the new Traffic Automation System has also helped the cops in cracking down on violators.
Of all the traffic violations, the most fine collected of Rs 44 lakh is from two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets, followed by Rs 61.05 lacs collected from other traffic violations, as per police records. Next on the list of violators, are the private buses contributing for hefty fines collected by the cops- for not issuing tickets to passengers, allowing excess passengers, blaring shrill horns near schools/colleges/hospitals etc, footboard travel, stopping buses at non-designated stops, alighting and picking up passengers at non-designated spots etc.
Regarding DUI (Driving Under Influence) cases, they too have been on the rise since last seven months, where the cops have registered 1270 DUI cases. Although the exact fine amount collected is not available, since its the court that decides the fine amount.
Police sources reveal that earlier the cops used to crack down on drunk drivers only on Saturdays and Sundays, now they have checks even on Friday’s. You Drink, You Lose? This move was taken by the cops due to the recent drunk driving incidents where two lives were lost, one near Jyothi Circle (Ambedkar Circle) and the other in Panambur.
ACP (Traffic) Tilak Chandra giving his statement to a media had said, “Though people are aware of the hazards of not wearing the helmet, they have developed a don’t care attitude. They wear the helmet only when they see traffic cops on roads. The moment we disappear, the helmet comes to hand. The habit of riding without a helmet is increasing as 85 new bikes hit the city roads every day. Even we have seen two-wheeler riders speeding and getting into accidents, resulting in injuries or deaths. Motorists should follow the traffic rules and regulations, thereby avoid getting slapped with hefty fines”.