KOLKATA: Days after the enhanced traffic fines were implemented in the city, the traffic police has recorded a sharp drop in prosecutions. In a little over a week, between January 28 and February 4, the prosecution count has slumped by 70%.
Police said this could be an indication of motorists and bikers becoming more cautious and falling in line to obey traffic rules to avoid huge financial penalties.
The order on enhanced traffic fines was passed on January 24 and implementation started from January 26.
On February 1, the city recorded 1,001 prosecutions, the most commonly used MV Act Section 122 usually involving stop line and lane and bus stop violations attracting 212 cases. The next day, it came down to 935 cases, 145 of which were under Section 122. On February 4, it fell further to 675 cases, 96 of which were under Section 122. In comparison, on January 28, the city had recorded 2,235 prosecutions (1,298 under Sec 122) and a day earlier there were 2,196 prosecutions (1,335 under Sec 122).
The drop in cases of smaller offences is much more pronounced than those in serious violations like drink driving and dangerous driving.
Police say this indicates that while irresponsible behaviour by motorists cannot be checked immediately, smaller traffic violations can be avoided if drivers, bikers and motorists are a bit more careful.
Another reason for the dip could also be that sergeants of all traffic guards and constables have become a lot more discerning and are keeping in mind the severity of the offence and the financial implication it entails when slapping citation cases.
Many sergeants are yet to become familiar with the revised act and provisions for compounding cases. Also, fearing penalty, nearly 800 buses are off the road.
