Netting traffic violators via social networking site

  Call it fear of law or safety, traffic management on Chandigarh streets is arguably better off than most cities in the country, many will vouch. The traffic system in the city just got better.

It’s not just the cop on the road who would be looking out to check traffic violations, city residents, too, have been empowered. They can now post pictures of traffic offenders they spot on the police Facebook page to help the cops nab violators.

The police is busy handling more than it can. Hundreds of pictures of offenders are being scrutinised and notices sent to the addresses of violators. But, the police now grapples with a more serious problem. Residents are increasingly posting more pictures of policemen violating traffic rules. A resident said the police needed to get a taste of their own medicine. One photo showed a lady officer driving a scooter while her pillion rider was not wearing a helmet.

Nevertheless, this unique idea of public participation through social networking site to check traffic violators has earned the city police applause.

Talking to Deccan Herald, advocate Pawan Girdhar said the police now had eyes in every nook and corner of the city to check traffic offences.

But a recent directive by the cops threatens to act as a dampener. The police say users need to be ready to depose for evidence before the court for uploading pictures or videos of traffic violation.

This, the cops say, is mandated by law and is required only if the court asks them to depose. Inspector General of Police Chandigarh P K Srivastava said not all need to appear. However, if the court want any person to narrate the facts, the user should be ready to cooperate.