1 lakh motorists prosecuted

Delhi Traffic Police have prosecuted 1.03 lakh motorists for driving on the wrong side against the flow of traffic since January. Of these, 312 were also arrested for rash driving.

According to Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander, driving on the wrong side should lead to driving licences being seized. The department has also raised the matter before a Supreme Court committee.

“We urge motorists to avoid shortcuts and follow traffic rules in the interest of their own safety and for the safety of other road users,” said Chander. The cops also booked 42,978 motorists for dangerous driving and fined Rs 1,000 each. Chander says that a special drive ordered by the Supreme Court has made the roads safer.

“We will continue the drive in the days to come,” Chander added.

On the other hand, 67,684 licences have been seized for violating traffic rules such as jumping traffic signals. Chander feels that Delhiites have become more aware and started following rules with the implementation of the court’s order to seize licences for breaking traffic rules.

“We are observing the situation. A trend will soon start where people will abide by traffic rules,” he said.

Chander, however, said the effective way is to not challan more people with meagre fines. “There is a need to increase compliance by deterrent fines,” he said, adding that fines under Motor Vehicles Act have long lost their deterrence.

“No one seems to be learning a lesson which costs Rs 100 as fine,” Chander added. The fine must be increased to Rs 5,000, he added. “People will stop five metres before the stop line,” he said.

The traffic unit only has 5,000 personnel and Chander said they need 15,000. Earlier, the entire staff used to be on duty during the day, but in order to curb deaths due to road accidents, at least 40 per cent of the staff were shifted to night hours. Around 3,000 personnel are available for day shifts. “Most of the time these police personnel regulate traffic instead of catching violators. Priority is traffic management during rush hours,” Chander said.