manoj

Brash drivers beware: 3,000 cops on prowl

Armed with augmented fines and tougher rules, a total of 3,000 traffic cops will be launched on road, to implement the high court’s March 26 directives on city traffic, starting Monday.

Delhi will witness an intense traffic regulation and enforcement drive at close to 150 locations under the surveillance of senior officers to ensure that shortage of staff does not hamper the implementation. The number of challans issued per day are slated to go up almost five times from the current 10,000 on the first day.

‘‘Rather than focusing on increasing the staff, we have asked all our men to remain extra vigilant. We expect the number of prosecution carried out by each one of them to go up. The entire city has been covered,’’ said additional commissioner (traffic) M S Upadhyaye. In a major step forward, all head constables have also been granted the power to challan an offender.

Monday onwards, the cops will also punch the licences of offenders. Initially, however, this will be done only for safety-related offences like jumping red lights, overspeeding, drunken driving and overtaking from the wrong direction. If a person’s licence is punched five times, he will have his licence cancelled.

Areas like the AIIMS roundabout, Vikas Marg, Hauz Khas, Rani Jhansi Marg, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road among others will see maximum deployment. The police said that special teams have been formed to rein in Blueline and other buses plying on Delhi roads. These staff dressed in plain clothes will randomly carry out checks in buses. ‘‘As per the order, we have to ensure that the drivers are dressed in uniforms and are carrying their badges,’’ said the officer.

Delhi Police have also formed a committee comprising ACPs from security and traffic wings to keep a check on vehicles with tinted glasses. Any VIP who wants to use tinted glasses beyond the permissible limits for security reasons will have to acquire a no-objection certificate from this committee. The committee will study the threat perception before granting permission.

Starting Monday, smoking will also be banned while driving. As per the order, the minimum fine for a traffic offence will go up to Rs 600. Parking will not be allowed anywhere in Lutyen’s zone from Monday. The police, however, said that they are still talking to NDMC for allowing people to park at India Gate.

Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 09-Apr-07

__________________
Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

vishal

I appreciate new traffic rules concept but the proper enforcement of these rules is also necessary. I hope we can see well mannered traffic in Lutyen’s zone from today.

manoj

THE FIRST day of an intensive drive against traffic violators saw more than 4,000 motorists, including two Members of Parliament, being prosecuted by the Delhi traffic police. About 20 VIPs were prosecuted on Monday for various violations.

A Member of Parliament from Rajasthan was penalised for putting using a beacon light. The incident took place on Monday morning near Parliament House.

"When the driver was asked to stop, he resisted and said the car belongs to a VIP. We informed him that such lights are not allowed in the city from today, following High Court orders and we penalised him," said a senior traffic police officer.

In another incident, an MP was penalised in the Tilak Marg area for installing tinted glasses in his can According to the new direction of the Delhi High Court, even MPs and MLAs are not allowed to use beacon lights or tinted glasses in their vehicles.

The drive began at 6 am and continued for 12 hours. Even senior traffic police officers including deputy commis- sioners of police were out giving orders and ensuring their staff maintained a strict vigil on erring motorists.

According to tranc police records, 4,571 violators were prosecuted till 2 pm and 1,333 licenses were punched. Till two in the afternoon, an amount of Rs. 17,64,100 was collected and 220 vehicles were impounded. The High Court said the money collected through these fines should be used for infrastructure to improve the traffic situation in the city.

At various intersections in the city traffic policemen were seen punching licenses. The traffic police presently own about 300 punching machines.

According to officers, the drive against erring motorists is not a temporary one as the High Court appointed monitoring committee would be making and submitting a monthly report on police action against violators. "We will continue strict action against violators.

Special enforcement teams have been formed and posted at major intersections in the city," said Qamar Ahmed, Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic).

"The High Court has made a good beginning. During this drive, the enforcement agencies should understand the causative factors of traffic violations. Much of the violations happen because of faulty traffic planning and management and not due to the road users' mistakes," said Rohit Baluja, head of IRTE.

"Violations are sort of inculcated in Delhi road users. It had to be reined in somehow It's good that the drive has started. But there needs to be strict monitoring," said Dr P.K. Sarkar, head, Department of Transport and Planning, School of Planning and Architecture.

Traffic Police used the opportunity to put itself as an example. The policemen took out dark films and curtains from their vehicles before starting the drive. "We had been ordered to take down the dark films by our senior officers.

The idea was to show people that if we can abide by the rule, so can you," said a senior officer "Whenever we booked someone, we showed them our vehicles and told them that even we were required to follow the rules. This instilled a sense of belonging in them and they felt like following the rule. It is a precedent that we, as government servants, were setting before them," added the officer and said such acts even acted as a deterrent for civilians.

The court order has not come a day late. With this massive drive, the message goes out that violations must remain as exceptions. The key thing is to keep the pressure and go on.. Kiran Bedi, former Joint Commissioner, Traffic.

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 10-Apr-07

__________________
Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

manoj

FOR DELHIITES who primarily depend on buses to travel in the city, Monday had a pleasant surprise in store for them. When a team of Hindustan Times correspondents descended on the roads of the Capital to find out if the recent High Court orders on public buses were being carried out, it found the changes actually taking place.

Travelling in Blueline buses plying on route 460 between Badarpur and Minto Road terminal is never comfortable. The conductors are rude and the different buses on this route race against one another to get as many passengers as possible.

Monday, however, was an altogether different experience. Both the driver and the conductor were in uniforms, not a usual sight at all. As the new traffic guidelines does not have a clear ruling on the colour or make of the uniform, the bus driver and conductor, like those of other buses, were donning a greycolour dress.

The bus conductor had even scribbled his name on a piece of paper and pinned it on to his uniform with the help of a safety pin. "We have to do it, else a hefty fine would be imposed on us," he reasoned.

He also said that the owner of the bus had given them clear instructions to wear uniforms to avoid being penalised. Not only this, the drivers had even adjusted the seat belt with a piece of rope. Buses running on route 727 between Jawahar1al Nehru Stadium and Palam Village are always jam-packed and their conductors almost always foul-mouthed.

On Monday when this correspondent trayelled in a bus up to the Palam Airport, the driver did not stop anywhere for long, waiting for more commuters. The presence of traffic policemen at most intersections seemed to be the reason for this change of heart. And yes, the driver was wearing a neal grey uniform. The conductor was not beating the side of the bus or whistling either.

However, on route 781 between Palam Village and Minto Road terminal, music was still being played, albeit in a subdued manner not witnessed in a Blueline bus usually The driver was wearing a uniform and the conductor meant business - no whistling, shouting or beating the side of the bus.

The scene was similar on a bus plying on route 604 from Vasant Kunj to New Delhi Railway Station. Here, however, the beating of buses and loud music were still in place.

Falling in line

• Drivers, conductors sported uniforms
• Wore names on uniforms
• Buses did not stop for long at stops
• Conductors were not beating the sides of buses or whistling
• Many drivers didn't play musi

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 10-Apr-07

__________________
Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

prem

Definitely situation is better then earlier one but still needs lots of improvement. It is true that cops can’t stand on each and every corner of the road to track the defaulters. Now it is our turn to cooperate the administration by following and respecting the traffic rules atleast those who are educated.

spy

I would like to thank the honorable High Court to tame the indiscipline road users in Delhi. Now motorists will think twice before jumping a red signal or rolling out a vehicle with tinted glasses.

road runner

It's a significant achievement by Delhi traffic police. Such traffic laws should have been amended and applied in the strictest sense a long time ago.

ruchi

Gr8 work Delhi traffic cops..keep it up..but court has overlooked few issues in its order like stray animals on roads, encroachment of pavements, forcing pedestrians to jostle with moving traffic etc.

manoj

Fine start, but bettter road environment the key, say tragic expperts.

TRAFFIC FINES are up, and so are the challans. Will it do the trick? Some experts don't think so; a better road environment is vital, they say.

The figures that back up this assertion boggle the imagination. A study conducted by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) reveals that motorised vehicles alone commit 146.2 million violations daily According to the study, 33 million of these are caused by faulty traffic engineering systems and are not due to the negligence of drivers.

"In case of running violations, the driver is not always at fault. There are instances when a driver jumps a traffic signal because it is not properly visible. People drive dangerously because there are no lanes marked, inducing them to wrongful overtaking or driving in the wrong lane. In many cases, it's the municipal agencies and the transport department who should be held responsible," said IRTE president Rohit Baluja.

The traffic police have to often take the responsibility for traffic violations and its implementation. With an understaffed force, enforcement remains a problem for the traffic police.

With no scientific investigation carried out for accidents, the real cause of accidents is seldom known. "It is only when accidents are scientifically investigated can we know the cause of the accident. Only when the real cause of the accident is known can the data be utilised for improving road conditions," added Baluja.

The IRTE's is not an isolated view. Other traffic experts also say that road situation in the city is not adequate. "Encroachments and parking on the roads have removed footpaths, leaving no room for the pedestrians, who are usu- ally victims of fatal accidents in fast-moving traffic. There are no separate tracks for slow-moving and non-motorised traffic," said EK. Nanda, Chairman, Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).

Dinesh Mohan of Transport Research Injury Prevention Programme of IIT Delhi agrees. Apart from lack enforcement, bad road designs are a major cause of accidents and traffic violations, he said. "Roads in Delhi are not designed to meet the requirements of commuters in the city With almost 45 per cent people using two-wheelers or walking to work it is surprising that there are no separate paths for them," said Mohan.

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 11-Apr-07

__________________
Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

manoj

THE DRIVE against errant motorists went into its second day on Tuesday On Monday, the traffic police prosecuted 7,381 violators and an amount of Rs 30, 33,900 was collected. A total of 1,457 driving licences were punched and 445 vehicles impounded.

Cars with tinted glasses topped the list of violations for which prosecutions were carried out on Monday. As many as 1,541 cars were prosecuted for using tinted glasses; a little over one fifth of total prosecutions. The High Court had ordered a complete prohibition on use of dark films to avoid cars being used for committing crimes.

However, the police say that they faced resistance from people in many areas over the fines. Many motorists refused to pay Rs 600 for offences like red light jumping, driving without a seatbelt, and use of tinted glasses. "One of the violators told us that not allowing people to use partial films in this heat was inhuman. But we had no option other than prosecuting them as we have to follow the court orders," said HPS Virk, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Northern Range.

"There were others who pleaded innocence, saying that they were not aware of the new rules as they live abroad and had landed in Delhi only two days back," added Virk.

Cars clearly outnumbered buses in the violations race on Monday A total of 576 buses were prosecuted while 3,381 cars were found breaking traffic rules. "Even violations by buses, RTVS and TSRs put together were not more than the number of prosecutions cars figured in.

On Monday, a total of five VIP cars were prosecuted for traffic offences, including those of two Members of Parliament, one of which had tinted glasses.

A car belonging to the Chhattisgarh police was prosecuted for using a red beacon outside Chhattisgarh Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg. "With many official cars plying in the New Delhi area we had to keep a strict vigil on these cars misusing beacon lights. Many carowners have removed their lights since the drive began," said Suvashish Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi Range.

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 11-Apr-07

__________________
Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

dhoomk2

Delhi traffic police campaign is running sucessfully, fine... Thousands of challans had been booked within last 2 days for jumping signals, not wearing helmets and seat belts, standing at a zebra crossing, using tinted glasses and many more but I have neither heard nor read yet in last 2 days that any challans is issued for not obeying lane driving rule. Why police is not taking interest in this issue?

manoj

PROSECUTIONS...............3, 973

AMOUNT COLLECTED IN FINES...........18,74,000 (Figures till 2 p.m. on Wednesday)

LICENCES PUNCHED................990

VEHICLES IMPOUNDED..................155

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 12-Apr-07

__________________
Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

ruchi

good going.

hemant

The minimum fine of Rs 600 for a traffic violation seems to be acting as a disincentive. I have seen few changes like stop lane violation, not jumping traffic lights, wearing helmet like that. I hope Delhi peole shall prove being civilised.

babu

Now, jumping a traffic light will cost you Rs 600. Your license will be punched for every offence committed, and if it's punched five times, it will be retained for cancellation.
But is it just the mindset of delhi that makes roads a traffic terrifying?

sam

• We do not need the solar films ripped when there can be rapes in open buses.
• We do not need to prosecute car owners for pollution check when commercial vehicles plying are causing 100 times the pollution as compared to a car and nobody is bothered.
• We do not need fines for over speeding when private bus operators are causing traffic jams by overtaking dangerously just to reach the destination before their competitors or stopping anywhere on the road in order to get business.
• We do not need to fine people having flashy number plates when a number of public vehicles are running without valid STA permits.
• We do not need a class XII pass driver if he cannot read and understand the traffic rules and signboards just because he got his licence made from a tout, or for that matter the signboards are all full of advertisement hoardings.
• And we do not need to enforce seat belt laws when poor people travel hanging on to the buses like baboons having no choice but to risk their lives.

apurva

I feel this 500+ will have it effects for few days on delhi road and then it would be all back to sqaure one. It would just help the policeman earn more for not challing ppl.

God save the ppl.

dhoomk2

May be

I believe that only a strict vigil can work, a time of zero tolerance. People have to learn that traffic laws are meant to be obeyed, not followed at a person's own discretion. After all, when one is traveling on the road, we are not only responsible for our own safety, but that of others on the road. At the same time, traffic policemen have to develop a perception of being incorruptible, and that seems equally difficult.

sam

About breaking rules in India

Breaking laws is what all of us have enjoyed since childhood… reaching school at just the last bell… eating lunch boxes during classes… bunking classes…not reaching home at the deadline set by parents… guess this has continued in all aspects of our lives…

we were never taught to respect ourselves and others ever.. I feel once we really start respecting ourselves rather than being selfish we automatically will resolve issues…

Its not mathematics….Its about people its about their lives.