Traffic cops launch special drive to nabauto, truck drivers with criminal past

Nagpur: Indora, Pardi and Kamptee traffic zones are vulnerable to crime by truck and autorickshaw drivers, states a study by the crime detection branch of city police.
As many as 454 cases, including 438 accident-related, were reported in zone V. Truck and autorickshaw drivers were involved in 1,147 cases, especially the hit and run ones, and other crimes like robbery, molestation etc. Drivers of both three-wheelers and heavy vehicles having criminal records will be under the scanner of both city and traffic police.

“Cops from 11 traffic zones have been asked to locate and detain such vehicles,” DCP (traffic) Chetna Tidke told TOI.
Action will be carried out under the guidance of CP Amitesh Kumar. After scanning the driver’s track record, the traffic police may also ask the regional transport officer (RTO) to cancel their driving licence, the DCP added.
Of the 1,147 cases registered against drivers of autorickshaws and trucks, 904 offences were registered in road related accident cases (mostly were related to hit and run).
Ajni and Sakkardara traffic zones too have become infamous for recording the second highest number of cases against drivers (both trucks and autorickshaws) involved in criminal activities. The data revealed that as many 225 cases were registered against them in different police stations, including Ajni, Hudkeshwar, Beltarodi, Imamwada, Sakkardara, Nandanvan and Wathoda.
Cotton Market and Lakadganj zones too recorded 189 FIRs against drivers of autos and trucks.
Traffic experts welcomed the initiative of the traffic police citing drivers of both category vehicles behave arrogantly. But they questioned the intensity of the drive.
“In the last week of March, traffic police had launched a similar drive which continued for 10 days against unruly autorickshaw drivers and truckers with much fanfare. But on ground zero, it has failed to ease congestion with autorickshaws continue to rule the roost, while transporters brazenly park their heavy vehicles on city roads,” they said.