TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM: Mapusa Police Traffic Cell has booked 26,541 cases of traffic violations and collected fine of Rs 30.14 lakh from January 1 to Sept 14.
The Traffic Cell booked 7,019 two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets and collected fine to the tune of Rs 7,06,900. The cases booked under other major offences and fines collected by Mapusa Traffic Police are 201 cases of rash and negligent driving (Rs 1,10,150), 1,578 cases of tinted glasses (Rs 1,57,000), 1,794 cases of driving without seat belt (Rs 1,79,400), 549 cases of driving without motor driving license (Rs 2,66,150) and 163 cases of using mobile phones while driving (Rs 74,100).
Speaking to Herald, Traffic Inspector Roy Pereira informed that during the just concluded traffic safety week, 732 cases were booked, out of which 37 cases pertained to those driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol and 194 cases of two-wheeler riders driving without helmets.
“Most of the accidents occur due to drunken driving. As per the Act, whoever while driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle has in his blood alcohol exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml of blood or is under the influence of drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine which may extend to Rs 2,000 or both,” he informed.
“Those booked under this offence are produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class at Mapusa, who impose fines as per the Act,” added Pereira.
“From January 1 to September 14, the government collected fine amounting to Rs 2.14 lakh towards 173 cases of drunken driving,” he said.
Pereira further said almost 22% of the fines have been collected from 2-wheelers.
riders who were found driving without helmets. “Wearing of helmets should be made mandatory on all the roads instead of highways alone,” opined Pereira.
