By Qamar ZJ
In a special drive, the city traffic police have nabbed several people in the last one week who were repeatedly violating the road rules. One such person who violated the rule was found guilty on 77 counts. The proprietor of the two-wheeler was caught and fined Rs 42,500 today by Madiwala sub inspector Shivaraj Kumar. Another rider of a two-wheeler was caught red-handed today by Adugodi sub inspector Annappa. The rider was found to have violated traffic rules on 16 occasions and was fined Rs 8,500.
A few days ago, Whitefield sub inspector Arun found Kailash M another two-wheeler rider who had violated on 20 instances and fined Rs 10,000. The previous day, Adugodi sub inspector Ramaiah had caught the culprit and fined him Rs 8,700 for 23 offences on his two -wheeler. All the repeat traffic offenders were given compulsory training in road safety rules. For their effort, they received a ‘certificate of participation’ at the end of it.
Privacy concerns
However, some residents expressed concerns. Rahul Machaiah questioned the Deputy Commissioner of Police – Traffic East about the need to publish the photos of people paying the fine, particularly those without a mask. “Being a law enforcing agency, you need to follow the law on privacy,” he tweeted to the top cop. “There are a number of Supreme Court and High Court orders prohibiting the shaming of the accused.”
Spectre of false cases
Shrikanth Kote had another query: “What about false cases? Where should we report?” Another resident had many complaints and suggestions: “You are enjoying the collection of fines from the public but what about the poor road conditions! Please collect the fines from BBMP Commissioner.” He asked the department to introspect and clean up its act before asking the public to clean up theirs. He wanted the cops to fix the dysfunctional traffic signals and timers first. The other residents were with the cops. “Keep it going sir. Don’t bother about the critics. Critics will only be critics and will never help you or me with road safety,” said one person.
Removing road encroachments
Road encroachments removed in Wilson Garden
Vendors removed from footpath and road in front of St John’s Hospital
It’s not just the collection of fines. On October 23, the vendors who had encroached the footpath on St John’s Hospital Road were removed by the traffic police in a special drive to decongest the thoroughfare. On October 27, the Wilson Garden traffic police also removed all footpath and road encroachments that were hindering traffic too. One resident has pointed out a similar encroachment near Madhura garments on Hosa Road where vehicles congest the road with indescriminate parking. The cops have promised action on that front too.
Bike wheeling will attract Rs 2 lakh fine
There is another new rule. The riders repeatedly caught wheeling on their bikes, and running vehicles with modified silencers that cause noise pollution will be fined Rs 2 lakh. Besides, anybody who has not paid 10 traffic fines can even expect the cops at their door. This doorstep fine collection has been introduced in some city police stations before they reach the rest of Bengaluru.
