Delhi Cops to keep tab on violations by auto drivers

Not only have the traffic police decided to crack the whip harder on auto-rickshaw drivers for refusing, misbehaving or overcharging passengers, they have started to record each violation by a driver.

Not only have the traffic police decided to crack the whip harder on auto-rickshaw drivers for refusing, misbehaving or overcharging passengers, they have started to record each violation by a driver.

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The traffic police believe that by maintaining a record, they will be able to keep a tab on frequent violators. Right now, there is no mechanism to identify second or subsequent violations.

“From January 1, we have started feeding data of each violation committed by auto-rickshaw drivers. This will help to identify second-time violations by the same auto driver,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic).

The police will record the registration number of the errant auto, challan number, name of the circle where the violation took place and the date of violation.

Currently, the traffic police issue challans based on complaints received through SMS and phone. But after failing to check the problem, the traffic cops have decided to start booking the errant auto-rickshaw drivers for permit violation and issuing court notices of Rs 2,000.

The violations, which now attracts a challan for Rs 100, will be made punishable by a fine of Rs 2,000 for the first time. Subsequent violation of rules will attract a fine of Rs 5,000.

“We have already issued a circular and will soon start booking the violators for permit violation,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic).

So far, errant autodrivers were booked under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which entails a penalty of Rs 100 for the first offence (minimum penalty for rule violation by cabs and autorickshaws).

“We hope that the higher penalty would act as deterrent,” said Shukla.

Meanwhile, during an ongoing drive initiated after the revision of auto-rickshaw fares on May 7, the police issued a total of 17,328 challans to errant auto drivers.