Traffic offenders should be made to spend time in emergency surgical out-patient departments (OPDs) so that they are able to see the consequences of dangerous driving, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has said in its latest report.

“This will have impact on reducing dangerous driving practices. This measure may be provided for offences such as dangerous driving, using mobile phones while driving, speeding, driving under influence (DUI), jumping red lights, not wearing protective headgear,” it said.

“The Committee recommends that while giving community service, the state should take care that the service to be performed by the offender may not be degrading in any way. The Committee notes that compelling the violators to spend time in emergency surgical OPDs of road accident victims is a good way of making them understand the consequences,” it stated.

The State may specify the particulars of community service. Community service is a global best practice designed to make an offender understand the impact of his action on society, by giving up his time and labour for the benefit of the society.

A stakeholder, while giving his presentation before the Committee, had submitted that offenders should be made to spend time in emergency surgical OPDs to see the results of dangerous driving so as to learn the devastating consequences of their actions, stated the committee report.

Another stakeholder submitted that community service is time-consuming and may create feelings of stress and frustration. It may be replaced with driver refresher training in order to develop road safety.

The Ministry has replied that under Section 200 of the Act concerned, State governments have been empowered to impose on the offender a requirement to undertake a period of community service.