Delhi Police have used a unique method to track down traffic violators within its own fold — social media site Facebook. During the past two-and-a-half years since the Delhi Police Facebook page was set up, nearly 1,000 police personnel have been prosecuted for violating traffic norms. Of them, over 100 were traffic cops.

This is how it works: Complainants upload grievances as well as photographs of traffic norm violators on the page, and police use the registration number to track them down.

Traffic police have already prosecuted over 24,000 people including police, politicians and senior government officers.

“Many of the errant police personnel have been moved out of traffic department to less important departments,” said joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg. 

Since the police Facebook page was launched, more than 1.5 lakh people ‘liked’ it.

“Delhi Police have built a culture of road safety with social media and it is yielding positive results,” said KK Kapila, chairman, International Road Federation (IRF).