Force of habit vs a force that wants to cure city of it

GURUGRAM: Traffic police on Tuesday carried out a city-wide drive to nab those who drive down the wrong side — a common habit in these parts — in an attempt to relieve traffic congestion and ensure road safety. The move came after department’s public feedback programme indicated increased instances of wrong-side driving reported by residents.

Speaking to TOI, the department pointed out it has been actively pursuing residents’ complaints via social media and other channels. The recent drive was also an outcome of its response to citizen’s feedback on issues that lead to traffic snarls, besides making the roads unsafe.
The department had earlier zeroed in on 26 spots across the city. On Tuesday, they fined 623 offenders, of which, maximum violations — 122 — were recorded near Sheetla Mata Mandir. The next highest number of challans issued for wrong-side driving was 60, along the stretch between Badshapur and Vatika Chowk, followed by 46 between Vatika Chowk and Bestech business park, 45 in Udyog Vihar 1 and 42 along Galleria road.
“We’ve been actively following public feedback. Several instances of wrong-side driving were being reported, so we decided to carry out a city-wide drive yesterday. We asked people for spots where this offence was most prevalent, on the basis of which as well as our internal reports, we complied a list for our drive,” DCP (traffic) Himanshu Garg told TOI.
Apart from issuing challans, the department also impounded 17 vehicles — five on Artemis Hospital road, four between Rajiv Chowk and Medanta, three each from near Sikanderpur metro station and Ninex mall, and two between Vatika business park and Omaxe mall.
The traffic department also noted that they are focusing on major violations that are directly connected with congestion and road safety, and said they will continue these drives. “We’ll carry out drives that focus on major offences like wrong-side driving, red light jumping, underage driving, to name a few. Our focus is on violations that directly or indirectly affect congestion and road safety,” noted Garg. He added that in the coming days, the department will also carry out a city-wide drive against those who jump red lights. “Our idea is to keep taking public feedback to devise our policies and enforcement drives,” he said.
The drive was a hit among residents, many of whom took to social media to appreciate the department’s initiative. “I witnessed this drive in more than one location, and I can say it was a sight to watch. This will instil fear of wrongdoing in commuters. Though fear is not the best way to stop crime, it’s at least a decent weapon. Kudos,” said Vishnu.
Traffic snarls and prolonged jams are a common sight in Gurugram, especially during peak office hours, forcing traffic cops to be on their toes to ensure smooth traffic flow. The current move is expected to address the city’s pressing traffic problems, department claimed.