Traffic cops launch Facebook drive against violators

” As first part of our special movement using the Facebook,we are launching a drive against parking of vehicles on footpaths and cycle track. The drive will start on November 20 and go on for the next 15 days. We appeal people to post information and upload photographs of the vehicles they found parked on footpaths and cycle track. Our control room will pass on the Facebook information to the patrolling teams that would actually go to the spot and fine the vehicles drivers,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil.

Patil said people should avoid giving old photographs or information on the Facebook. “Action will be taken if the vehicle is removed from the footpath or cycle track before the traffic police team reaches the spot. As per law,we can collect fine in only those offences that happen before traffic police personnel reach the spot,” he said.

Patil said once the action is taken they would also inform the complainant about it through Facebook. “We would be carrying out similar Facebook drives in future. The drive aims at involving peopel in improving the city’s traffic situation. We have only 850 cops in traffic branch. So the involvement of peopel will act like additional man power for us,” he said.

Patil said that citizens should not post their complaints related to traffic control branch or policemen on Facebook. “Anybody having complaint against the cops or traffic branch should file their complaints at our office in the premises of Police Commissionerate. Complaint on Facebook in there matters would not be entertained,” he said.

The traffic control branch has prepared squads for collecting fine from errant drivers. Officers of the rank of sub-inspector and above would be collecting the fine.

” We found that some zebra crossings were wrongly coloured at some of the junctions. Due to it,people were getting confused. So the traffic police officers prepared a plan for improvement of traffic situation at 171 junctions. Architect Manoj Kanse has prepared the plans. Police commissioner Meeran Borwankar has given it to the municipal commissioners of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and the cantonment board authorities,” he said.