Rules seem to take a complete diversion when it comes to applying them on VIPs. The traffic police are letting vehicles with tinted glass and no-number plates that belong to legislators, including several ministers, go unchecked. Even vehicles with fancy number plates seem to escape the eyes of the traffic cops.
As per Supreme Court order, effective from May 4 2012, any vehicle having beyond the visual light transmission (VLT) limit of 70% for the front and rear windshields and 50% for the side windows, would be punishable by law. Similarly, the central motor vehicles rules (CMVR) do not allow driving a vehicle without registration, even with the ‘A/F’ (applied for) status.
Throwing traffic rules out of the window, a number of legislators enter the assembly in dark tinted glass cars. Ironically, quite a few ministers are not even bothered about ensuring number plates on their cars.
When asked if they face any trouble by traffic police for not having number plates or using tinted glass, the personal secretaries of some legislators said that the police know them and so would not fine their vehicles.
Superintendent of police (traffic) Rajiv Ranjan said that VLT limit was applicable for the vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles that ply on the highway. He said that it was not applicable for cars that ply in the city area. Ranjan said that there was provision of a Rs 4,500 fine for unregistered vehicle but if the car owners have deposited the registration fees and did not get the number, they could avail a relaxation period of 15 days.
Superintendent of police (traffic) Rajiv Ranjan said that VLT limit was applicable for the vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles that ply on the highway. He said that it was not applicable for cars that ply in the city area. Ranjan said that there was provision of a Rs 4,500 fine for unregistered vehicle but if the car owners have deposited the registration fees and did not get the number, they could avail a relaxation period of 15 days.
However, DTO Ranchi Rajesh Kumar said that VLT limit was also applicable in city areas. As far as relaxation is concerned, a registered vehicle can get a week’s period to ply on city roads with or without the A/F status, he said. Assembly speaker Sashank Sekhar Bhokta said, “Legislators make laws. Therefore they must follow them too. If they are not following traffic norms, they are wrong.”