Nagpur: The Nagpur traffic police fined almost 84 motorists every hour in 2020. This roughly translates to penalizing 2,015 motorists every day.
In 2020, the city witnessed a 61.75% increase in general traffic violations as compared to 2019 when 4,55,402 violators were made to cough up a fine of over Rs8.49 crore. Last year, 7,37,434 motorists paid over Rs10.9 crore in fine for various traffic related offences.
According to DCP (traffic) data, the highest 1.12 lakh motorists were caught in Sitabuldi zone for various violations pertaining to Motor Vehicles Act. It was followed by Cotton Market zone, which penalized 96,937 violators. In MIDC zone, 82,040 motorists were penalized for ignoring traffic rules.
Sadar zone, which comprises Civil Lines having a large presence of government offices and police headquarters, too caught 76,914 violators.
The data revealed that there was better traffic discipline under Ajni Zone. Here, the traffic police caught 56,374 motorists. Similarly, Sonegaon zone caught 58,233 violators.
Expressing concern over the rise in traffic violations, traffic expert Vinay Kunte said, “It exposes how citizens are becoming careless about traffic rules.”
He stressed the need for consistency in traffic police action against violators. According to him, combing operation from one square to another is the need of the hour to inculcate traffic discipline among motorists.
Citing example of Dubai, he said people there never dare to jump any traffic signal or commit any violation even in the absence of police personnel. “They know even a challan generated from CCTV cameras can penalize them heavily. But here, cameras installed at intersections have failed to meet the basic purpose of reducing traffic violations,” he said.
DCP (traffic) Sarang Awad said 2021 will see stricter implementation of Motor Vehicles Act. “We will also take a holistic approach to bring discipline and safety on the streets,” he said.
He further said traffic police will work closely with all stakeholders like NMC, MahaMetro, PWD, NHAI for improving existing road infrastructure to reduce accidents, jams etc. “Better coordination will help ensure smooth traffic as many infrastructure works are going on in the city,” he said.
The DCP also urged the NMC to implement the policy for curbing haphazard parking. “In absence of parking fees, people tend to park vehicles anywhere and everywhere. NMC will have to implement the parking policy without further delay if people are to be discouraged from using private vehicles. Instead promote public transport,” he said.
ALARMING RISE
Year — Violations---Fine
2020---7,37,434----10.93
2019---4,55,402---8.5
2018---3,16,928---7.5
(Fine in Rs crore)
TOP 5 VIOLATIONS OF 2020
Without helmet --- 1,84,950
Without seat belt --- 44,297
Fancy number plate --- 38,073
Using mobile phone --- 36,048
Red light jumping --- 31,542
Zone---Violations---Fine
MIDC---82,040---1,17,19,000
Sonegaon---58233---78,75,700
Sitabuldi---112179---1,81,72,850
Sadar---76914---1,07,86,100
Cotton Market---96937---1,59,12,750
Lakadganj---65379---1,00,17,100
Ajni---56374---79,03,550
Sakkardara---59744---93,82,550
Indora---62789---85,48,600
Kamptee---66845---89,45,100