TimesView The staggering increase in the number of traffic violations is just the tip of an iceberg, considering that many more go unnoticed and unpunished. The CCTV cameras may be helping the police push up the number of cases registered, but very few of these offenders actually take the challans seriously and pay the fines. Recently, the police had to undertake another drive to recover the fines imposed through e-challans. There is still a long way to go, before citizens actually feel scared of the traffic police and the punishment. Only persistent and strict policing, innovative punishments and harsh steps, like the permanent cancellation of driving licences, will bring some order on roads PUNE: The number of traffic rule violation cases increased from 68,951 in the first half of 2017 to more than 8 lakh during the same period this year. Matching pace with this massive increase is the significant rise in fines collected.This year, the traffic police have already levied Rs 20 crore in fines and collected half the amount. In comparison, in the first half of 2017, only about Rs 1.3 crore was collected.According to Suhas More, sub-inspector with the Pune traffic police, 2 lakh of the 8 lakh cases were of people stopping their vehicles on the zebra crossing while waiting for the signal to change. “These 2 lakh cases have been recorded through CCTV monitoring as well as manual policing, and Rs 4.61 crore has been collected as fines,” he said. Other major traffic violations include driving and parking on footpaths, parking in no-parking zones, wrongside driving, jumping signals and helmetless riding.Speaking about fine collection, More said, “When traffic personnel intercept vehicles, fines are collected right away. We also ask for the vehicle registration papers to check for previous violations. If there are uncleared dues, we tell the motorists to pay the entire amount. Only then are the papers returned and the motorist is allowed to go.”More said that the revised fine amounts have also contributed to the high collection this year. “For example, if a fine of Rs 100 was levied for a particular violation last year, the amount has now been doubled. However, the number of violations have also increased across the city,” he added.The huge jump in the number of traffic violations and the amount of fine collected can be attributed to several reasons. First, policing has been more proactive in the city. Second, the CCTV camera surveillance is helping the traffic personnel spot more violations. And finally, the increasing number of vehicles on the road too has contributed to the rising number of violations.Prashant Inamdar, convenor of Pedestrians First, an NGO, said the Pune traffic police have certainly become more proactive.“Ashok Morale, the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), has brought in a better mechanism of dealing with traffic violations. The number of cases has gone up as strict action is being taken. Moreover, there is no resentment among the people. The police have adopted a more polite approach and have been instructed to counsel violators. CCTVs too have helped. This approach is yielding better results,” he said.However, Inamdar said the number of traffic violations will continue to go up as the number of vehicles on our roads increases. “When people find it tough to travel due to congestion, they violate rules. A better enforcement has not necessarily resulted in better traffic discipline. However, people are aware that they might get caught if they break the rules,” he said.“The three keys to curbing traffic violations are engineering, education and enforcement. If engineering, which includes design, planning, development and maintenance of roads and related infrastructure , is up to the mark, people will be unable to violate the traffic rules. Second, people will not break the rules if there is proper education and awareness. Enforcement is the last and final step,” he said.Incidentally, better law enforcement is evident not only in the case of on-road violations. Yash Khandelwal, who is in the business of secondhand automobiles, said even transfer of vehicle ownership has become tougher. “I deal with second-hand cars and I have seen that enforcement has improved over the years. Earlier, one faced no problems while buying or selling cars. However, now to transfer registration from one owner to another, the records of the former are checked. If any challan is pending, the fine has to be paid before the transfer,” he said.

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