Peak hrs: Bengaluru traffic cops will not fine, only control traffic

Bengaluru: Soon, city traffic police might stop penalising motorists during peak hours and focus on regulating traffic. But that doesn’t mean traffic rules would be violated. Visible violations will be penalised on the spot.

“During peak hours, we find four to five traffic policemen at main junctions catching violators and imposing fines, while on the other side traffic would be piling up. We are left wondering why these policemen are not regulating traffic and are penalising motorists instead," wondered a commuter.

Now, the city traffic police are chalking out a plan to stop penalising motorists during rush hours of 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. A senior police officer said, "We have been discussing this idea. The traffic police involved in catching motorists violating rules during these hours can be used to regulating traffic. It does not mean that motorists can get away with violating rules. The traffic personnel will have digital cameras and they will make note of vehicle registration numbers, which were involved in traffic violation.” 

He said, “The idea is being experimented also to check how responsible the motorists are when they know they won’t be caught for breaking rules. Motorists should be responsible and ensure that they do not break rules and trouble others.”

Another officer said that all jurisdictional traffic police stations have been asked to study important junctions where there is heavy movement of vehicles and submit reports on how to ensure free flow of traffic. He said, "We are experimenting with new methods to decongest roads during peak hours. If motorists try to take advantage of this, then they will be dealt with seriously and we will ensure that their licences are cancelled."