Pune-Mumbai Expressway: RTO cracks the whip on errant drivers; over 1,500 vehicles fined

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After the accident, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis initiated a slew of measures to address the matter, including increasing the vigilance on the e-way. Also, the chief minister had talked about measures to stop traffic violation.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Jeetendra Patil said RTO officers and Highway Police have been conducting raids to take action on errant drivers. During the drive, 1,512 vehicles were found to be erring and were fined.

Majority of the cases were for not following the lanes while driving —1,080 and 69 vehicles were fined for overspeeding. As many as 263 drivers were fined for not having their seat belts on and 81 vehicles were fined for being overloaded. In all, 26 vehicles were impounded by the RTO. Besides this, 73 fines were issued for other traffic violations.

“We have received reports that our action has resulted in people following some lane discipline, especially the drivers of heavy vehicles,” he said. The drive is expected to continue for the rest of the month with Patil talking of surprise checks and operations being also carried out to fine errant drivers.

The 94-km long Pune-Mumbai Expressway has been witnessing 1,000 accidents resulting in 100 deaths every year. Disobeying lane rules, over speeding vehicles and tyre burst have been the common complaints that have led to the accidents on the expressway.