Police bikes hunt violators

More than 7,500 persons have been prosecuted by the fleet of traffic motorcycles since it was introduced last week, reports Nivedita Khandekar.

Many of you get away after violating traffic rules, especially at a busy intersection. But not all can be lucky, as more than 7,500 persons were prosecuted by the fleet of traffic motorcycles since it was introduced one week back.

As many as 7,805 violators have been booked for various offences across Delhi since February 7, police said.

The violations included jumping red lights, yellow line violation, driving without wearing a seat belt, wrong parking and defective number plates, and for two-wheelers, triple driving and driving without helmets, among other offences.

The 200-strong fleet has come as a boon for traffic cops, who were managing with just 12 mobile enforcement vans till now. Apart from smaller beats, they are now able to reach congested lanes to enforce better traffic disciplines. Not all is hunky dory though.

Sources said teething troubles include shortage of manpower, which means, the motorcycles are presently running from morning till late evening hours only and also shortage of equipment which each vehicle should have.

“We are happy with the results so far but our men are still learning. It's not just a question of chasing, stopping and issuing a chalan; our men have to do this without causing any harm to anyone, without disturbing the ongoing traffic,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SN Shrivastava.

Apart from on the spot prosecutions, the cops also note down the vehicle number of the violator and a notice is sent afterwards, according to DCP (Traffic) Headquarters Rupinder Kumar.

Police Commissioner YS Dadwal had earlier said absence of enforcement mobility was felt for quite some time, which prompted the department to go for traffic motorcycles.