Decline in repeat traffic offences recorded since new penalty system

HYDERABAD: The newly-implemented penalty point system has helped bring down the number of repeat offenders, shows data available with the Hyderabad traffic police department.

An analysis of data from the Hyderabad region shows how after implementation of the new penalty system in August, the number of repeat offenders have come down by about 80% from the June-July period to August-September period. According to top traffic cops, the overall number of traffic violations have also seen a steep dip.

"We noticed a very steep decline in the total number of traffic violations and the number of repeat offenders," said A V Ranganath, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Hyderabad. He said, "While 13.5% of the total number of first-time traffic offenders would repeatedly violate traffic norms earlier, post implementation of the penalty point system, this figure has come down to just 5.7%. "Speaking about the frequency of repetition of offences by a person, he said, "Earlier, some people would repeat offenses more than 30 times. This has now come down to 6 times.Now, six-time offenders are called in for counselling."

According to data, while 31,060 persons were found repeating traffic violations in June and July, before the penalty point system was introduced, this number dipped to 6,519 for August and September. Traffic cops attribute the dip in repeat offenders to the 12-point system for traffic violations, which ensures that one's driver's licence is suspended for a period of one year once 12 points are accrued.

Between August 1 and September 25, post the rollout of the penalty point system, a total of 1,37,833 points have been issued by Hyderabad traffic cops to over 1.2 lakh people, for various violations. A majority of the points have been issued for violations such as driving without wearing a helmet. Traffic cops are presently mulling adding owner-specific violations to the 12-point penalty system.

"There are certain traffic violations such as the absence of a Pollution Under Control certificate and vehicle insurance, which are legally mandated by MV Act, which can be attributed to the vehicle owner instead of the driver. This is why we are planning to extend the penaltypoint system to owners, in which case, Registration Certificate (RC) will be suspended," said Ranganath.