Concerned over increasing indiscipline and violation of traffic rules, the city police have launched a special drive against traffic offenders, booking more than 9,000 cases during the last four days.
Unlike routine checking of vehicles, when the erring motorists are penalised and let off, the traffic police are detaining vehicles of offenders during the ensuing drive.
“If the motorists or the pillion riders are riding without a helmet, the vehicle will be detained till the offenders bring a helmet and wear them. They will also have to cough up a fine. Similarly, if the vehicle is being driven without insurance, the vehicle will be detained till insurance is paid,” said Sandesh Kumar, Inspector of Devaraja Traffic police station, Mysuru.
The traffic police are also penalising motorists without a valid DL, talking on the mobile phone and triple riders.
During the last four days of the drive, which began on March 2, more than ₹10 lakh has been collected from the offenders.
“About 80% of the offenders are youth. Only a small percentage of the offenders were found to be either middle-aged or senior citizens,” Mr. Sandesh Kumar said.
The police have resorted to the drive after they found that a lot of traffic offenders were “neglecting” the notices sent to their address for the offences booked under Field Traffic Violation Report (FTVR).
Under FTVR, the offences are captured on a camera and notices for payment of penalty are sent to their addresses.
At a recent programme, City Police Commissioner A. Subramyeshwara Rao had voiced concern over the increasing indiscipline on the roads in the city, which had already reported 11 deaths in the first two months of 2017.
Mr. Rao had regretted that violation of traffic rules was rampant with two-wheeler riders and pillion riders not wearing helmets while riding.
Youngsters were found riding vehicles recklessly on the roads, he said and even pointed out that it was not uncommon to find instances of triple riding on two-wheelers and people talking on mobile phones while driving.
