Over 38,600 challans issued to residents for violating traffic norms

Cracking the whip on traffic rule violators, over 38,600 challans were issued in the district and fines to the tune of Rs 1.46 crore realised from January 1 to September 30.

The data procured from the district police reveals that lane change, overspeeding, driving without helmet, three passengers on two-wheelers and driving without seat belt continues to be the major traffic rule violations despite the awareness campaigns being run in the district.

The district police have issued 38,676 challans to the traffic rule violators and imposed fines of Rs 1,46,23,000 during this period. Of the total challans issues, as many as 9,976 were issued for lane changing, 2,598 challans for overspeeding and 1,982 people were issued challans for driving without helmet. As many as 1,274 challans were issued for triple riding on two-wheelers, 557 challans were issued for driving without seatbelts, 71 persons were issued challans for using mobile while driving, 33 persons were issued challans in drink and drive cases and 112 challans were issued to underaged drivers.

Apart from these violations, 19,984 challans were issued for other offences related to traffic norms.

Despite the challans being issued and the Police Department holding campaigns in educational institutes and other areas to educate people about traffic laws and road regulations, people continue to violate the norms.

An official said constant efforts were being made to educate people about the traffic norms but still they violated rules and sometime negligence also led to accidents. Road safety programmes were being organised and challans also being issued for violation of traffic norms. The most common violations these days were the use of mobile phones while driving and changing of lanes on the National Highway.

Superintendent of Police Surinder Singh Bhoria said, “Special drives are being run to educate people, increase awareness and prevent road accidents. Our special focus is on lane driving and we appeal to heavy vehicle drivers not to change their lanes as such driving leads to accidents on the highways. Even in city areas, people are motivated to follow traffic rules. Directions have been issued to ensure strict compliance of traffic rules and ensure smooth flow of traffic.”

The district administration has also decided to launch the ‘traffic vigil’ plan in the district in which the residents will be appealed to share information on traffic rule violators on a dedicated number, which will be issued by the police.

Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta said to ensure compliance with traffic rules, it was decided that a ‘traffic vigil’ programme would be started. The residents would be able to share videos and pictures on violations, including riding without helmet, jumping red lights, triple riding and driving without seatbelt, on the WhatsApp number so that the traffic police could take further action. The prime objective was to motivate people to follow the rules and bring the number of accidents down, he said.