Outraged cops want steep hike in traffic fines

“People who are caught for violations just throw a Rs 100 note at the policeman. Nobody is afraid of this Rs 100 fine. The fine is very low. We hope the Motor Vehicles Act which is being amended will increase the fines,” Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta told reporters.

He said the strict enforcement of rules during Commonwealth Games was an eye-opener as it helped in reducing the number of fatal accidents.

Last year,the fatal accidents declined to 1,978 from 2,182 in 2009 while the simple accidents decreased from 2,366 to 2,169.

“Traffic management through the lane system and fines during the Commonwealth Games was highly praised worldwide.

Fines and lane system can be Delhi’s key to smooth traffic management,” Gupta said.

Another highlight for the traffic police last year was the prosecution of drunk drivers. Last year,over 10,161 people were fined for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Out of this,driving licences of 580 were suspended while 710 people were imprisoned for upto ten days.

In 2008,a total of 7,579 people were prosecuted for drunken driving while the next year saw a steep increase in challans on this front to 12,109. The figure in 2007 for the same offence was 3,748.