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Traffic cops write off long-pending fines from those offenders who can't afford to pay the large sum accrued over a period

Traffic cops write off long-pending fines from those offenders who can't afford to pay the large sum accrued over a period

The traffic police seem to be grappling with the big pile-up, not on any road, but in their own offices.

With a list of repeat offenders, who have been evading files growing to unmanageable proportions, the traffic cops have now decided to write off some of the amount, depending upon individual cases. They are also trying to make sure that they don't default again.

The cops have a pending list of more than 13,000 vehicles that have violated traffic rules more than 10 times. The list has been distributed to the concerned area police stations.



A senior police officer said, "As the numbers of cases are increasing every day, we want to close the pending ones as soon as possible.

Some of the offenders have violated traffic rules more than 30 to 40 times. Despite sending them notices, they have not paid the fine amount, which has led to the pile up."

There are 90,459 cases against 13,000 plus vehicles for the year 2009-10. The fine amount amounts to
Rs 1.4 crore.

Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic and Security, Praveen Sood told MiD DAY, "We had a drive on those who had violated traffic rules for more than 20 times.

There were around 10,000 pending cases and we were successful in collecting a huge amount. Now we are hunting those who have violated more than 10 times. We are visiting their houses and collecting the fine amount."

"We are more concerned about traffic enforcement, than the fine amount. If we are stricter, people will avoid breaking the rules.

Many of them don't know that a third eye (a camera) is watching them and booking cases against them. These repeat offenders will be sent to the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) and made to sit for the whole day there, and see how the traffic is monitored and cases are booked," said Praveen Sood.

Most of the offenders are rickshaws for refuse to hire, demanding excess fare, jumping signal, over speeding, parking in no parking zone etc. An auto rickshaw driver tops the list, with 157 cases against him.

"In some cases we waive off partial fine amount if he is unable to pay the huge fine amount. We see his background and economical status and later decide", says Praveen Sood.

The cops have a pending list of more than 13,000 vehicles that have violated traffic rules more than 10 times.

"I was booked near Frazer Town police station and was asked to pay the fine of Rs 3000 for traffic violation. I was shocked to know that I was supposed to pay this big amount.
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I was sent to the Traffic Management Center (TMC) where I underwent a days training and paid fine of just Rs 400. I have seen how the TMC works and book cases against violators. I have been warned not to commit any traffic violations henceforth.

I didn't know that a third eye was watching me. I will inform other auto drivers about my experience and educate them," said K Satish an auto driver.

13,000
The total number of traffic offenders in the city

90, 459
The number of cases filed against them

Rs 1.4 cr
The amount collected as fine from traffic offenders