E-Paper
Despite dip in challans during lockdown, speeding cases in Chandigarh see 250% rise in 2020
Speeding has remained the cause of over 90% of fatal accidents in the city over the years
Even though the number of challans this year came down as vehicular movement remained on the lower side during the lockdown, the cases of speeding saw a rise of around 250%.
Till December 27, 30,710 challans had been issued for speeding; this is the highest since 2014 for which data was available with the traffic police. In 2019, 8,814 challans had been issued for speeding for the same time duration.
The reason for the spike can be attributed to the use of the three automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems since May 2020. Rather than have a whole naka to check speeding, the machines are set up with only a couple of people to operate it. Traffic violation information slip (TVIS) challans are automatically issued against the defaulters.
Speaking about this PRO of the traffic police deputy superintendent of police (DSP, Traffic East) Charanjit Singh Virk said, “The high number of challans has come from the ANPR systems. These also keep our cops safe from Covid as no interaction is required with the drivers. We will continue their use in 2021 till the driving habits of the people in the city improve.”
Speeding has remained the cause of over 90% of fatal accidents in the city over the years. Violators are fined ₹1,000 for the first offence and ₹2,000 for subsequent offences. The driving licence is also cancelled for a period of three months.
In total, 1,71,145 challans have been issued by the traffic police till December 27 and ₹8,62,19,910 collected in fines. In comparison, 2,69,854 challans were issued in 2019 and ₹5,81,51,850 was collected.
Speeding aside, there has been a fall in the number of challans issued for other offences. Drunken driving saw the lowest dip, coming down to 322 challans from 596 issued in 2019. This happened after the use of alcometers was discontinued around March after PGIMER had advised the traffic police to use disposable mouthpieces in the alcometers.
Member of National Road Safety Council Kamaljeet Singh Soi said, “In 2021, the traffic police should continue the same momentum. Speeding needs to be checked at night as this is the time when people are most likely to indulge in fast driving.”
