If you thought that traffic police has gone lax on the implementation of drunken driving enforcement and is going soft on other violations too, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) C.V. Anand is promising otherwise.
After being away from the traffic duties for the last two months, Mr. Anand is back in action.
The traffic police are getting ready to roll out a host of new projects to streamline the traffic management with the latest technology and yes, a renewed focus on arresting drunk driving.
Drawing upon your experience and recent trips to Europe, what are the practices that can be adopted here?
It has been observed that people adhere to traffic rules when they are given better facilities and infrastructure.
There is a need for better public transport system, like metro, MMTS and better RTC buses, to reduce the burden on roads.
European cities have a fantastic infrastructure.
What are the immediate steps that can be taken up?
Issuing driving licences should be made stringent. The Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) should be strengthened and for the sake of better coordination between various departments, there should be a unified centre to deal with traffic and public transportation related issues.
Do you think all this is possible here?
It is not impossible. Most of the time civic authorities have their hands full with various projects. I found that many things, which seem difficult, become simple when we establish better coordination. Upcoming projects like Hyderabad Traffic Management System (H-TRIMS) is a result of such coordination. Work on the system will begin soon. There are other projects in the pipeline too.
What are the other projects?
A completely revamped e-challan system will be initiated soon. Faulty CCTVs cameras are being repaired and new cameras will be procured to bring all junctions under their coverage. New plans are being devised to educate people about traffic rules. Rigorous enforcement against drunk driving will be resumed with even more breath analysers.
What further steps are required to ensure lane discipline?
With more than 74 per cent of vehicles being two-wheelers, it is difficult to ensure lane discipline. Even in Paris, police find it difficult to restrict two-wheelers to a lane. Only an effective signalling system and stringent enforcement will result smooth traffic flow.
Is it true that the police officials have to meet a set target for issuing ‘challans’ everyday?
Yes. Traffic Inspectors are expected to meet a minimum target for issuing ‘challans’ everyday. Basic responsibility of traffic police is to enforce the rules that were laid out under MV Act. An officer’s performance is usually assessed through such targets.
But aren’t motorists being harassed in pursuit of this ‘challans’ target?
There is such a possibility. But we ensure that corrupt and abusive behaviour is punished promptly. There were instances where some inspectors were sent away from the traffic police on these grounds.
Such practices can be reduced by setting up an effective non-contact enforcement like the revamped e-challan system.
Keywords: drunken driving, law enforcement, lane discipline, rule violations
The best way of disciplining folks to stay in their lane is to put
barricades preventing people from crossing lanes. That is the only
thing that can work in India.
Second is driver license issual. Make it really strict and bereft of
bribery...that way you can more literate drivers who understand the
impact of breaking rules.
Good to know that Mr.Anand is back. However he should know that no one is above the law. The punishment against violation of law (traffic) is one and same to all. I think he knows that the most violators of traffic law are the AP government employees, police, RTC and Municipal drivers. When seat belts are not worn by the above government drivers, then what right Anand and his team has to punish civilian drivers. If Mr. Anand reads this email, he should be a honest police office to punish and treat each and everyone the right way.
Its good that a great IPS officer C.V.Anand is back to his job. I know many IAS officers visited foreign countries and its extra excequer to public/tax paid money, because the LAWs in Europe/USA can not be implemented here for two reasons; They build infrastrcuture(road etc) and implenet traffic rules enforced with strick guidelines to issue DL. Here in India, every dept including police corruption is systematically institutionalized and we have bad infrastructure. On top of it, LAW is very weak. Example, one day I was stopped my two wheeler bullet by a traffic constalble assigned the job at Begumpet airport. I have every document as I was working in AP State and produced all documents. The constable said " Please give me some money for CHAI(TEA)because I stopped you". First of give good salaries to Police working on steerts and ask/warn them not to collect bribes. Can not blame public, bcz If I do not give bribe, the man take my vehicle to police station and my vehicle is gone.
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