Violation of traffic laws to attract staggering fines starting today

MYSURU: Violation of traffic laws in Mysuru city may well cost motorists a day’s wage, perhaps more starting Tuesday. As part of its efforts to make roads a safer place for citizens, the government issued a notification revising penalty for violations of traffic norms three weeks ago. Mysuru city police on Monday announced that they would start charging the revised fines starting from Tuesday. Among the violations that will attract a minimum fine of Rs 1,000 include using mobile phones while driving or riding, riding vehicles not insured and parking vehicles in a manner that endangers other road users or at spaces designated as ‘No Parking’ zones.
Traffic cops in Mysuru city have broadly classified offences into four categories – speeding, dangerous or rash driving, travelling in an un-insured vehicle and unauthorised, and hazardous parking. These offences will invite a fine of Rs 1,000 to begin with, while the penalty will increase two-fold if the violation is repeated.

Prior to Tuesday, the fine for exceeding the speed limit was Rs 300, while it was Rs 300 for rash driving. Riding an un-insured vehicle attracted a fine of Rs 500, while parking dangerously set one back by Rs 100. In most cases, the fines for these violations have been tripled, while the penalty for riding a vehicle that is not insured has been doubled. A traffic cop said that the machines that they use to produce receipts for traffic offenders had been recalibrated.
Mysuru city police commissioner KT Balakrishna exuded confidence of the revised penalty acting as an effective deterrent against traffic offenders. “This will usher in discipline on the city roads. I have issued directions to all the officials in Mysuru to enforce the new rules,” Balakrishna told TOI.
Another cop said that the new fines were being imposed in accordance with the directions they had received from their superiors in Bengaluru. “The fine for riding without a helmet, and not wearing a safe belt while driving have not been changed,” he added.