Women police constables have joined their male counterparts in discharging traffic regulation duty at the busy thoroughfares. The measure was put in place a few days ago after a group of women police constables from the city armed reserve were posted to different traffic police stations in the city.
Of the 24 women constables posted to the city police traffic wing on the order of the Commissioner of Police, 12 will be deployed in the traffic north range and the rest in the south. The traffic points where they are to be deployed in shifts have been identified, and they are sensitised to the nature of duties. Some of them have already been deployed at strategic points such as Cantonment, court junction, and the central bus stand. Women constables posted at major traffic points will be equipped with walkie–talkie sets.
The city, where vehicle density is on the rise, accounts for six traffic police stations – Cantonment, Ariyamangalam, Palakkarai, Fort, Srirangam, and Woraiyur – with the numbers exceeding 300.
Police sources say women constables will also be deployed along the NSB Road and Singarathope. Deployment of women constables in traffic regulation are in vogue in other major cities, including Chennai.
In 2006, a group of women police constables from the Tamil Nadu Special Police was handpicked for traffic regulation along with their male counterparts in the city. However, this was done on an experimental basis and the initiative did not continue.
According to city police records, the number of drunk driving cases booked from January to November is 1,734. Cases booked for over speeding are 811 during the same period. Fine amount collected from violators is Rs. 1.83 crore in the last 11 months.
