Hyderabad traffic cops struggle to crack down on violators

Hyderabad: Motorists are continuing to violate various provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act such as cellphone driving, jumping signals, triple-riding and speeding.

Nearly 5,000 motorists have been booked in the first few months of the year for speaking on cellphones while driving. Despite the police claiming a crackdown, the number was the same as last year. Though cases of drivers jumping signals have come down, the numbers are still on the higher side with at least 1,000 violations being reported every month.

Violation of traffic rules

The situation is not different in terms of cases booked in the first four months of 2015 and 2016 for triple-riding, speeding and not having Pollution Under Check certificates.Traffic and transport experts said traffic cops would not be able to rein in violators unless stringent action such as suspending licences and even sending them to jail are taken.

“It is crucial that the police maintains data of violations of all motorists. Police should ensure that every violation of a motorist is updated in the database based on which the severity of punishment should be increased such as levying penalty, counselling, suspension of licence, stringent norms for renewal of licence after the suspension period concludes and sending them to jail ultimately,” said traffic expert Prof. P.R. Bhanu Murthy of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University.

Indian Federation of Road Safety chief functionary Vinod Kumar Kanumala said the “history of every motorist” should be maintained so that he or she knows they cannot escape punishment for flouting rules. “Suspension of driving licences will definitely help in bringing down the number of violations,” he said.

Consultant psychiatrist at Apollo Hospital Dr Minhaj Nasirabadi said the fear impact is reduced if the challan is received by the motorist a day or two after he or she has violated the rule. It should be fast and severe. “The message should be clear that even a single violation will be booked and the motorist will be punished,” Dr Nasirabadi said. DCP (traffic), Hyderabad, A.V. Ranganath said the crackdown against traffic rule violators would commence shortly.

Cops to continue helmet rule drive

Nearly two months after the traffic police launched a special drive to rein in helmet rule violators, a large number of two-wheeler riders are still riding without helmets.

Though traffic cops are continuing the special drive and booking around 70,000 cases every week, many two-wheeler riders are refusing to follow the rule. Traffic expert Prof P.R. Bhanu Murthy of JNTU said all bikers would start wearing helmets if the traffic police continued with its drive and increased the number of hours of counselling.

“If traffic police is able to send the message that there is no option other than wearing helmets, the bikers will fall in line,” he said. DCP, Traffic, L.S. Chauhan, said there would be no let-off and the drive against helmet rule violation would continue.

“We have successfully continued the drive against drunk driving in the last three years. Even the enforcement against helmetless-driving will be continued till all bikers start wearing helmets,” he added