Traffic cops promise action against their own

Delhi traffic police have finally realised that regulation, rather than prosecution, could prove more effective in bringing down major traffic violations, including jumping red lights.

Delhi traffic police have finally realised that regulation, rather than prosecution, could prove more effective in bringing down major traffic violations, including jumping red lights.

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Within three days of deputing vigilance teams equipped with video cameras to keep tab on its own personnel, the number of daily challans issued came down from 3,000 to 1,800. Of these 1,800 prosecutions, about 1,300 were executed by the 'chase and challan' squad.

The initiative has brought huge relief for commuters in the Capital, where a large number of challans are issued on a daily basis, owing to traffic police personnel hiding from view and prosecuting violators the moment they jump red lights.

Till August 31, over 6lakh motorists had been prosecuted for this traffic offence, police said.

To curb the practice, traffic authorities directed vigilance teams to monitor the positions of traffic policemen, especially on intersections.

“If these teams find such instances, the traffic cops involved would be punished,” said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Garg said further that police would soon start considering jumping red light by motorists (despite presence of traffic cops at intersections) as dangerous driving. And for violators would be fined R1,000 for the offence. The fine for jumping red light is Rs 100.