Traffic cops issue 7.5k e-challans in 17 days

As many as 7,500 E-challans were sent out to vehicle owners in 17 days as Ahmedabad Traffic Police renewed its drive against traffic offenders from April 15. A majority of e-memos, about 70 per cent, were sent out to vehicles violating the stop line rule at traffic junctions.

Gujarat home department started issuance of E-memos in several cities including Ahmedabad from April 15, 2018. "Of the 7,500 E-memos issued until Wednesday, 5,600 were sent out for breach of stop lines at traffic junctions. E-memos were also issued for hap-hazard parking, use of black films on car windows, use of cell phones while driving, entering BRTS track, more than two persons riding pillion on two wheelers, fancy number plates and overloading of passengers in rickshaws among other offences," a traffic police official told Mirror. "Most people are aware of traffic rules but violate them deliberately believing they will not get caught," the traffic official said.

A G Solanki, the in charge officer at CCTV traffic control room said, "Live footage and photos are captured using 229 cameras at 80 junctions in the city presently. It has been observed that offenders cross the stop line even after stop signals at traffic junctions. This causes problems to pedestrians using zebra crossings and also leads to traffic congestion. At this point, E-memos are captured manually but they will automatically captured once our network connects to AMC's cameras. The system itself will identify the offender breaching the stop line and capture footage. An average of 650 E-memos are issued daily but the number will increase once our network is connected to 1,350 cameras installed under the AMC smart city project."

Ahmedabad Traffic Consultative Committee president Dr. Pravin Kanabar said, "The city has the best roads in the state but it is unfortunate that there is no awareness of traffic rules. The stop line sign is clearly visible on the roads but people still breach the line and stop on zebra crossings. There is an urgent need to start awareness programmes in residential societies, schools and colleges as traffic is not the responsibility of traffic police alone. Participation, awareness and cooperation of people is must for traffic management."

Prasant shah (35), software engineer and resident of Vejalpur said, "Awareness is directly connected with safety. Traffic rules are for people's safety. I make it a point to stop my motorcycle before the stop line and this has led to angry exchanges with other vehicle owners who have asked me to stop on zebra crossings. This situation can change only if there is awareness and not just the fear of fines by traffic police."

Fines collected by traffic police
1. Breach of stop line – Rs.100 for first offence and Rs.300 for the second and third offences.
2. No Parking - Rs.100 for the first offence and Rs.300 for second and third offences.
3. Fancy number plates – Rs.100 for the first offence and Rs.300 for second and third offences.
4. Use of Black films in cars- Rs.100 for the first offence and Rs.300 for second and third offences.
5. Entering the BRTS corridor- Rs.1000 for the first offence and Rs.2000 for second and third offences.
6. Overloaded passenger auto rickshaws - Rs.1000 for the first offence and Rs.2000 for second and third offences.
7. Use of mobile while driving- Rs.1000 or the first offence and Rs.2000 for second and third offences.
8. More than two people on two wheelers- Rs.1000 for the first offence and Rs.2000 for second and third offences.