Children want traffic offenders to be jailed!

Children want traffic offenders to be jailed!
New Indian Express

P Rajashree, Meghashree U K, Sachin Kumar Kindal, A Vikranth Kumar, R Pradeep Kumar and Ritika S

BANGALORE: If the City police implements the suggestions of these children for traffic offenders, they might not only lose their licenses and vehicles, but would also be placed behind the bars, forever!

From emission till signal jumping, the future citizens of this City strongly feel that a mere fining of Rs 100 will not help in bringing the offenders under control.

The six student reporters, almost stunned Deputy Commissioner of Police for Traffic, (east) M A Saleem, with their innocent yet sharp questions, in an exclusive interview session.

The extracts from the interview:

Q: The high-beam lights are causing havoc to the commuters coming from the opposite side. Why people act so irresponsibly?

A: We have booked 52,475 drivers for using high-beam light in city limits. In last ten months, 21,238 cases have been booked for the similar offences.

People should inculcate some traffic sense. The traffic police along with NGOs has been running awareness programmes to educate people.

Q: What measures the traffic department has taken to ban vehicles emitting black smoke?

A: There are several agencies across City who certify the vehicles for their emission levels. We are detaining the vehicles which are found emitting black smoke.

There is a marginal decrease in the usage of low profiled fuel for the vehicles.

Q: Do you think fining Rs 100 will help in bringing offenders under control?

A: We have to go according to the law. Even in countries like USA, the traffic offenders are fined. The Motor Vehicles Act is common throughout the country.

There are also poor, who can not afford to pay heavy fines.

Q: Why can’t the traffic offenders be jailed?

A: The traffic police is a law enforcing agency, which has to work under certain parametres. Unlike, other crimes, the traffic offence will not harm anyone’s rights. Imprisonment is meant for serious crime.

Q: How to improve traffic conditions in Bangalore?

A: Bangalore stands second after New Delhi, where most number of cases are booked. We have booked 15 lakh cases last year.

Citizens should become sensitive while commuting on roads. Compared to other metros, traffic movement in Bangalore is much better.