Minor offenders off radar, cops target speedsters

If you violate 'minor' road norms such as parking your car in an improper manner or triple-ride on two-wheelers, chances are you may get away if not caught on the spot.

If you violate 'minor' road norms such as parking your car in an improper manner or triple-ride on two-wheelers, chances are you may get away if not caught on the spot.

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But if you speed beyond permissible limits or drive dangerously, the traffic cops will make sure you are nailed anyhow.

The Delhi traffic police believe sending notice for minor violations is an expensive exercise that yields little results in terms of revenue.

So now they have started targeting harsher offences such as speeding and rash driving that attract bigger penalty. Their target: more revenue and lower road deaths.

"Speed violations such as speeding and dangerous driving is one of the major reasons for fatal accidents," said a traffic police officer.The traffic police have now stopped sending notices to violators whose offences earn them just Rs. 100 and are busy rushing off challans to speedsters.

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Since April 2, notices are being sent through speed post for prompt delivery and also because there is proof of receipt. Earlier, notices were sent through ordinary post for which there was no proof.

This year, during the same period, they had earned R26.58 lakh from 5,761 notices.

"Realisation through fine from notices has gone up by about 900%. This has been possible due to two reasons. One is the amount for speed violations (see box). The other is the assured fine realisation process," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Also, in a bid to avoid traffic congestions and ensure safety of commuters, the police have stopped issuing on-the-spot challans for speed violations to vehicles registered in Delhi.

Only outside vehicles are stopped and issued spot challans. Vehicles with Delhi numbers are served notices.