RTO officials with the help of police have intensified their vehicle-checking drive to nab traffic rule violators in Jharsuguda district.
In the last 11 days, fines amounting to Rs 55.37 lakh have been collected from the offenders by RTO and police officials.
During the drive from September 20 to October 1, the penalty collection has crossed Rs 22 lakh. Out of this, 145 persons were caught for drunk driving, 145 vehicles were seized and 95 driving licences were cancelled.
Each evening, checking for helmetless driving is being conducted by the police near Bus Stand Chowk, Beheramal, Kisan Chhak and Bombay Chowk .
However, rash driving, driving under influence of liquor and over speeding incidents are not seeing a significant decline. As a result, the number of accidents continued to remain high.
To make matters worse, illegal parking along the National Highway and movement of stray cattle continues unabated in Jhasruguda town leading to frequent accidents.