New system to keep an eye on repeat traffic offenders

To ensure strict action against repeat traffic offenders, the state police plan to introduce e-challan — an electronic system to issue receipts that would also maintain a record of offences committed by a driver.

To ensure strict action against repeat traffic offenders, the state police plan to introduce e-challan — an electronic system to issue receipts that would also maintain a record of offences committed by a driver.

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As part of the project, all traffic control rooms in the state will be linked. The project will be first introduced in Mumbai’s city region. “The system will help maintain an electronic record of the offences committed by a driver. The project, which is functional in southern states, has helped the police curb vehicle thefts. This system has also helped trace vehicles which were used for crimes,” said a traffic official on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

“The Pune police have carried out a successful experiment with the system between 2009 and 2010,” said deputy commissioner of police Manoj Patil, the then head of the Pune traffic branch.

The University of Pune and Science and Technology Park had made the software and palmtops to issue challans for the test project.

“The feedback from Pune was very encouraging. The other states that used the system found it very good,” he added.

“The proposals for the system include suspension of licences of repeat offenders. Once implemented, the history of the driver will be available to the traffic official once he keys in the vehicle number and the licence number,” the official added.

The government will decide on the penalty to be introduced for those flouting norms repeatedly. “We are contemplating action against drunk drivers, and harsh punishment if the driver is found to be indulging in such acts more than once,” he said.