SPOT FINE

SPOT FINE
From challans to BlackBerrys, traffic policing in Bangalore has taken on a new look. Amit S Upadhye traces the role of hi-tech gizmos to keep order on the roads
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


The age-old challan books of the traffic police will soon be stashed away in storerooms. For, wireless pocket printers are sweeping in revolutionary changes in traffic management. On Thursday, traffic police started using BlackBerrys to track the offences of motorists on city roads. Around 280 officers, including traffic ACPs, inspectors and sub-inspectors, will be provided with Black-Berrys after their training programme. Additional commissioner of police (traffic) M N Reddi says the new software helps track repeated offenders and computerise fine collection. “We’ve covered most parts of the city with the new device from Thursday. Offenders cannot go scot-free now.’’
BlackBerry phones are connected to the main server of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) from which police can source the address of the offenders by typing in the vehicle number. The violation, once entered in the BlackBerry will be permanently registered and subsequent violations will impact the fine amount. For instance, if you are caught without a licence, you end up paying a fine of Rs 300. Your violation is registered in the BlackBerry and the next time you are caught for the same violation, the earlier data will be recalled on the system and this time, your fine will be doubled.
The BlackBerry will also be useful for the people as they can now register complaints on the spot, instead of going to the area police station. An FIR copy will be either sent to you online or printed at the nearest printing centre. The new task of the central automation centre is to computerise the daily activity of the traffic police like fine collection and violations. There are two such centres at Public Utility Building and MS Building. However, all the RTOs are not connected to the automation centres as the new RTOs on the outskirts are yet to be computerised.
“The device is expected to bring transparency within the department as the beat police cannot fudge. But its also essential for us to be watchful as the high-tech devices, earlier, were used only for supervision,’’ said traffic officials. The device will enable officers to get information on traffic density in adjacent areas and other conditions in their beat area. The same device can be connected to the Bangalore Traffic management System. It can also be linked to signboards which give traffic updates.
DRAWBACKS
Manual data entry of field violation reports from forms given by beat constables Lacks adequate quality of data entry Large amount of data lost while using manual synchronisation with main server Automation fine collection centres are decentralised
BENEFITS
Device allows officer to verify whether driver is a repeat offender, and guides officer to take necessary action Application is designed to check pending violation on vehicle registration numbers and collect fine amount of pending violation and current offences Officers on court duty can print chargesheet online on the court premises
HOW THE NEW
SYSTEM WORKS
This application allows officers with BlackBerry devices and automation fine collection centres in traffic police stations to collect fines without any inconvenience to the public. Black-Berrys are connected to the main server using Airtel GSM/GPRS, EDGE network which allows traffic police officers to communicate and carry out routine work without interruption and data loss