Bengaluru: Hefty fines fail to deter violators

BENGALURU: Many thought that implementation of the new Motor Vehicle’s Act, which has led to manifold increase in fines, will act as a deterrent against traffic violations. They felt they would see a greater order on the roads, and signal jumping and dangerous driving will be a thing of past.

However, the situation on the ground has hardly changed, even the threat of a jail term and cancellation of driving licence mean nothing to traffic violators.

When Deccan Chronicle spoke to few traffic violators of various age groups they seemed to be nonchalant about the present traffic fines and its consequences.

When three minor boys, who were riding triple on a bike, were asked whether they were fearful about the new fines and stricter punishments, they guffawed.

When asked about how they could be so cool, they maintained that all this will arise only when they are caught. “Traffic police can never catch us. We can somehow smell their presence. We will never get caught,” they asserted.

An elderly person, who was riding without helmet, said that whenever he sees traffic police from a distance, he will stop the vehicle and wear it. He hurled abuses at the entire system for implementing hefty fines, but doing nothing to improve the infrastructure.

Another person challenged the traffic police will not be even handed in implementing the new traffic rules. “Let them touch a local politician’s follower for any traffic violation. They will not dare do that. It’s always the common man who suffers,” he added.

The traffic cops, when contacted, maintained that there are two sets of people in the city across all age groups. One group will obey traffic rules come what may. They just don’t even jump signal even we sometimes ask them to. There are another set of people who just come on road to break the rules. They will not learn their lessons. Now the provision has been made to cancel the driving licences and jail term, we are hoping that there will be some change.

As for the continuation of traffic violations, traffic policemen said that at present they are busy with Ganesha visarjan duty. Once it is over, more traffic cops will be deployed on roads to curb violations.

After one or two imprisonments happen, the people will feel the heat take traffic rules seriously, they explain.

East division DCP (Traffic) K.V. Jagadeesh explained that it’s the mentality of Indians. “The change will come; it takes some time for effective implementation,” he maintained.

Joint Commissioner (Traffic) B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda had already stated that, any traffic violation by the children of the rich and influential people will not be allowed and action will be taken if it is brought to his notice.It remains to be seen, how the new rules will ensure safety on roads in the coming days.