Only 7 speed guns to check violations on 69,000 km road network

The traffic adviser to Punjab government has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that the state had only 125 operational alcometers and seven speed guns to check speeding on 68,879 km road network.

The traffic adviser to Punjab government has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that the state had only 125 operational alcometers and seven speed guns to check speeding on 68,879 km road network.

Navdeep Asija, appointed adviser by the high court, added that out of 9.9 lakh total violators, only 5,688 (0.6%) had been challaned for “drink and drive” and speeding in 2014.

The adviser also asked the court to direct the state government to modernise the traffic police and equip cops with modern gadgetry, besides creating infrastructure for pedestrians in cities.

The high court bench headed by justice Surya Kant has sought a response from the Punjab government on Asija’s report. With regard to creating infrastructure for pedestrians, the court sought a report from Haryana government as well.

As per a ministry of road surface and transport report-Road Accidents in India 2013-in Punjab, out of a total 4,588 road crash fatalities, 1,711 (37%) were due to drunken driving and speeding.

Asija, in his report, told the court that in 393 police stations of Punjab, the poorly-equipped traffic police managed an estimated 40 lakh vehicles per day, and added that each day 1,500 new motor vehicles were being registered.

Anija said 2,700 challans were issued by the traffic police daily and that in each district on an average one challan was issued for speeding and drunken driving.