The traffic police in Mira Road, Bhayandar, Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar have collectively recovered Rs 2.21 crore in fines from autorickshaw drivers for a host of road safety violations last year. Officials said their efforts have brought in better road discipline in the area. The errant auto drivers were penalised for infractions like carrying excess passengers, jumping signals, wrong-side driving and not wearing uniforms. Officials said on-the-spot fines formed a big chunk of the amount, while many challans have remained unpaid.

Officials claimed that most autorickshaw drivers were not wearing their uniforms and they did not have their badges either, while ferrying passengers in Virar. The big bugbear which this space has highlighted earlier, too, was overloading of rickshaws in Vasai Virar, with two passengers even in the driver’s seat.