Challans down to 6K/month from 15K/month
Steep fines under the amended Motor Vehicles Act and the improvement in road infrastructure have brought down the number of traffic violations.
Around 100 cameras have been installed at various points across the national Capital with the purpose to detect traffic light and speed limit violations, which continue to be the most common offense in the national capital.
In collaboration with Hyundai India’s “Be The Better Guy” initiative, where people are urged to be a better person on the road and follow traffic rules, The Pioneer team met West Delhi’s Patel Nagar circle Traffic Police Inspector Rajendra Prasad, who described the city Traffic Police and technology as “Siamese Twins” which have led to the reduction in violations of traffic rules in the national Capital.
“After the new tech gadgets, including 3-D Red Light Violation Detectors and over speeding detectors, were installed around the city, it has changed drivers/riders’ perception about law enforcement. One can now see people respecting rules: maintaining speed limit and wearing seat belt across the city. Another reason is the amended Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) which penalises traffic violators heavily,” said Prasad.
“This system has also led to reduction in road accidents in the city as many overspeeding challans have been issued after the implementation of the system. After the introduction of the system, traffic police personnel in my area focus on illegally parked cars, illegal modifications, as well as pollution certificates,” Prasad said.
“From 15,000 challans per month, it has decreased to 5,500 to 6,000 per month. One of the important factors behind the reduction in the number of challans is the presence of traffic police on roads. In my area, the credit for smooth traffic flow goes to both technology and the traffic police personnel,” the inspector said.
“Though the technology keeps an eye on traffic violators, the police personnel too have to have hawk eyes. The traffic police personnel conduct patrolling in the area which leads to smooth traffic flow. There is also a decline in the illegal parking on the roadside. Earlier, it used to lead to traffic snarls. After awareness campaigns and fines, people now don’t park their vehicle on main road. If anyone is found parked, fine is imposed for improper parking.
“Now the next move, for smooth and safe traffic flow, police is planning to introduce a technology to insure that the people drive their cars in their respective lanes,” Prasad added.
However, the TI also pressed on the necessity of pedestrianising for the safety of commuters, decongestion of the roads and reduction in accident rates.
“Due to illegal encroachment, people walk on the road which also leads to traffic congestion several times during peak hours. We always try to specify the situation but there is a need to construct a walkway,” said Prasad.