Ride on footpath? FIR on the way

Police urge pedestrians to click photographs of erring motorists and upload them on Public Eye app.

Update: 2018-11-22 01:22 GMT
Footpath riders stopped by police in Jeevanbimanagar

Bengaluru: Despite warnings, fines and awareness drives, footpath users have to often scurry for cover from bikers riding on them.

Now the city traffic police have started registering FIR against such offenders.

The police have also urged the pedestrians to click pictures of erring motorists and upload them on the Public Eye app. The police assured FIRs will be registered against offenders.

A senior traffic police officer said, “The drive began a week ago and will continue until people imbibe a sense of responsibility and stop riding or driving on footpaths. The decision to register FIR was taken after the new Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Harishekaran took charge. He directed all the traffic police officials to register FIRs as footpath riding has become a menace and the fine amount was not deterring the offenders.”

He pointed out that once an FIR is filed, the offenders would have to attend court and their photograph, driving licence number and biometrics will be recorded at the police station. “They are being booked under section 279 IPC (Rash driving or riding in a public way). At times, the offenders will also be arrested,” the officer added.

A traffic police inspector said they have also been told to make a list of spots where footpath riding was rampant and step up their vigil.

“We will also start registering FIRs against people parking vehicles on footpaths. Our decision to register FIR has instilled fear among the erring drivers and they have become cautious,” he said.

The traffic police have urged the people to click photographs vehicles parked on footpaths and upload them on Public Eye app. “As of now over 300 FIRs have been registered,” the inspector added.

The list of spot notorious for footpath riding is being finalised and will be made public, the inspector added. 

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