Dead-end for traffic violators

If the absence of traffic police personnel on roads encourages you to break road rules, this should come as a warning. Even local policemen can now penalise you for violating traffic rules.

If the absence of traffic police personnel on roads encourages you to break road rules, this should come as a warning. Even local policemen can now penalise you for violating traffic rules.

HT Image

This special arrangement was made some 10 days ago.

"Violating road norms by bikers is common on colony roads in Delhi. But violators will have to pay for their unruliness from now on," said a senior police officer.

As per the arrangement, the police will look out for traffic offenders. They will have the authority to catch those who are speeding, not wearing helmets or carrying two pillion riders.

Delhi police bosses have empowered all the 186 police stations to issue challans to two-wheelers. As per the new arrangement, one team from each police station will keep a look out for traffic violations. Besides, 10 teams of traffic policemen from each of 43 circles will issue challans to violators on arterial roads.

This arrangement has multi-fold benefit. "This arrangement will help identify stolen bikes, check traffic norm violations and spot criminals," he said.

The police will also man arterial roads late in the night, when traffic police presence is thin. There has been a sudden rise in the cases of motorcycle lifting. Many times, the stolen bikes are used for snatching chains and even by members of organised crime gangs, said the police.

The police have already prosecuted 6,500 violators in the July 13-23 period. Most of them were driving their bikes without wearing helmets. However, no stolen bike has been seized so far through such checks.

The local police, however, are not entitled to fine on the spot. They can only issue court challans, police said.