Soon, the Delhi Traffic Police will no longer be the sole enforcement agency utilising technology to make the streets of the Capital safer.
The Transport Department is in the process of procuring 60 hand-held e-challan tabs, one for each of its Enforcement Wing teams. Government sources said that the devices will be superior to the ones being used by the Traffic Police.
The devices will be used to catch those violating Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules, Central Motor Vehicle Rules and Motor Vehicle (MV) Act.
The device is especially intended to catch repeat offenders, who are liable to pay higher fines.
‘Strong deterrent effect’
“Each of the 60 teams of the Enforcement Wing will be given charge of one such device. When a offender is pulled over, the device, which will be synced with the central database or registry of challans, will immediately be able to identify a repeat offender who will then be issued a higher on-the-spot fine,” said a government source.
“For example, while the first instance of red light jumping entails a fine of ₹990, the second time the same driver commits the same offence, he or she must pay ₹2,070 as per provisions of the MV Act. Higher on-the-spot fines are expected to have a more significant deterrent effect on the offender,” the government source said.
Similarly, the first time fine for offences such as triple riding, driving without a helmet, not displaying a number plate or driving with a defective number plate, and violation of stop line is ₹90. Repeat offenders have to pay ₹270.
More serious offences such as speeding, dangerous driving and carrying goods aboard passenger vehicles (or passengers aboard goods vehicles) carry fines of ₹360, ₹900 and ₹9,090 respectively for first time violators. Repeat offenders have to pay ₹900, ₹1,800 and ₹18,180 respectively.
Expected to be procured in two months, the devices will have a printer attached for immediate issuance of challans. It will also be capable of accepting payments through debit cards.
“The devices will also ensure that discipline is instilled in drivers of commercial vehicles such as goods carriers, auto rickshaws and taxis which will go a long way in guaranteeing the safety of commuters – especially female commuters,” the government source added.