PORVORIM: Mapusa Traffic Police Department has booked 23,314 cases of traffic violations from January 1 to December 31, 2013, and collected Rs 36.37 lakh by way of fines.
The traffic department has booked 7,999 two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets and collected Rs 7,99,900.
The cases booked under other major traffic violations and revenue earned by Mapusa traffic police are rash and negligent driving (78, Rs 56,150), dangerous parking (1,256, Rs 12,56,000), no parking (1,177, Rs 1,17,700), overtaking (28, Rs 2,800), no entry (3,692, Rs 3,69,400), tinted glasses (1,899, Rs 1,89,900), without seat belt (1,311, Rs 1,31,100), driving without motor driving license (428, Rs 1,97,150) and using mobile while driving (110, Rs 64,500).
Surprisingly, the traffic police do not appear to have imposed fines on people found driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Though they had booked 50 cases under Section 185 (driving under influence of alcohol) of M V Act, but they have not levied any fines on them.
In all, five police stations – Mapusa, Pernem, Bicholim, Valpoi and Anjuna comes under the jurisdiction of Mapusa Traffic Department. There is shortage of manpower at Mapusa Traffic Police department, as against the sanctioned strength of 44 police constables, there are only nine police constables.
Police officials stated that if more police constables are deputed at Mapusa, then they will be able to perform better. Almost 22% fines have been collected from two-wheeler riders who were found driving without helmets. “Wearing of helmets should be made mandatory on all the roads instead of highways alone,” opined an official.
