In a novel way, traffic police are using CCTV cameras for identifying law violators across the city. Following directives from East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar, the district police have embarked on a campaign against two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets.
He has asked the traffic police to identify the traffic law violators through CCTV cameras installed at various places in the city and prosecute them.
Sources said the city traffic police identified 32 two-wheeler drivers with the help of CCTV cameras installed near Karim City College. Police identified 34 violators near Shilta Mandir, 16 near Sakchi roundabout, 16 near Kadma market, 22 near Baug-e-Jamsheed roundabout and eight near Mango T.O.P.
Administration sources said notices have been sent to those found not wearing helmets.
They said around 40 per cent people were still not wearing helmets while driving two-wheelers. In view or rising rate of road accidents, the DC ordered action against violators of traffic rules.
Concerned over rising cases of road mishaps involving teenagers, the East Singhbhum traffic police have directed all traffic police posts to increase duration of surprise checking drive against bikers involved in rash driving or driving without helmets in city.
Traffic DSP Shivendra Kumar said, “We are concerned over rising cases of road mishaps involving youth. We have asked all the five traffic police stations in the city to conduct surprise checks at different locations throughout the day at least till evening.
We have observed that school and college students mostly indulge in rash driving and also drive without helmets while going to and fro from their institutions and we hope to instill a sense of fear and help them adhere to traffic rules".
Incidentally, earlier the surprise checking drive used to be conducted for few hours (maximum two-three hours) till afternoon at various traffic police stations and there was hardly any checking on traffic violators in the evening or morning.
The traffic DSP said that the drive being carried while coordinating with the police patrolling team deputed (22 PCR vans) deputed at various strategic points in city and also with local police stations patrolling team to catch such offenders.
When a van notices any bikes indulging in stunt on road like criss-crossing they note down the number and immediately inform through wireless to the traffic officials at various checking points.
According to officials in Motor Vehicle Inspection unit, the fine for riding without helmets as per MVI Act is Rs 300 and those found indulging in rash driving will be fined Rs 1000.
Directive was issued to all the senior police officials in the district to instruct all police stations to prepare a list of ‘habitual offenders’ in their respective areas along with recommendations for action against them as per law.