TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: With an average of 91 traffic violations per day in 2014, the Mapusa Traffic Cell (MTC) had a busy year and collected fines to the tune of Rs 35.88 lakh. But what has been of concern is that despite the fines, traffic violations are on the rise.
The MTC registered 33,212 cases of various traffic violations in the jurisdictions of four police stations of Mapusa, Pernem, Bicholim and Valpoi.
Most violations pertained to riding without the use of helmets (8,694) and MTC collected fines to the tune of Rs 8.68 lakh. Other offences registered by the MTC included 281 cases of rash and negligent driving (Rs 1,65,600), 1,970 cases of dangerous parking (Rs 1,96,400), 119 cases of overtaking (Rs 11,900), 3,738 cases of driving in ‘no entry’ zones (Rs 3,73,800), 1,804 cases of tinted glasses (Rs 1,80,400), 2,527 cases of driving without seat belts (Rs 2,52,700), 724 cases of driving without motor driving license (Rs 72,400), 198 cases of using mobile while driving (Rs 1,17,600), 2,670 cases of improper number plates (Rs 2,66,800) and 994 cases of vehicles without number plates (Rs 99,300).
Speaking to Herald, a staffer at the MTC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that despite imposing fines, traffic violations were on the rise.
“A rise in cases booked for riding vehicles without wearing helmets last year indicates that the two-wheeler riders prefer to pay fines rather than wear helmets. Almost 24 percent fines have been collected from two-wheeler riders, who were found riding without helmets. Further, the tendency of driving vehicles under influence of alcohol is also increasing,” said the staffer.
“When drivers are found beyond the permissible levels of alcohol in their body, they are produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class and the minimum fine imposed is Rs 2,500. But despite hefty fines, people continue to drive vehicles under the influence of alcohol,” the staffer added.
