Revanth Moots Auto-Debit of Traffic Challans
Revanth Reddy said the police system was being strengthened in tune with emerging challenges.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday proposed introducing an auto-debit system for traffic challans to ensure prompt collection of fines, with penalty amounts being directly debited from the bank accounts of motorists at the time of issuing challans for traffic violations.
Inaugurating the 10-day ‘Arrive Alive’ road safety awareness campaign organised by the police, and releasing a poster related to the initiative, the Chief Minister said leniency and concessions in traffic fines had diluted the fear of punishment among violators and proved counter-productive.
“There should be no leniency in enforcing traffic rules. Strict and uncompromising action alone can effectively control road accidents,” he asserted.
Revanth Reddy described traffic violations as a bigger threat than cybercrime, drugs and even murders, and called for a comprehensive, technology-driven approach to improve road safety.
He pointed out that a road accident occurs every minute in the country and stressed that road safety awareness must be inculcated at the student stage itself. He noted that more people lose their lives in accidents than soldiers in wars, recalling that even prominent personalities had suffered personal tragedies after losing their children in road mishaps.
The Chief Minister said the police system was being strengthened in tune with emerging challenges. With cybercrime on the rise, a special mechanism has been put in place to tackle such offences, he said. He added that the state had anticipated the danger of a drug epidemic and constituted the EAGLE Force.
Revanth Reddy reiterated the need to strengthen the traffic system using modern technology and technical expertise. He stressed the need for large-scale awareness on traffic signals and discipline, along with reforms to strengthen the traffic police system. He said the government would take all necessary steps to improve road safety.
Director-General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy said the primary objective of the ‘Arrive Alive’ initiative was to reduce road accidents and fatalities through public participation. The campaign aims to instil a sense of road safety, promote behavioural change, institutionalise a defensive driving culture and strengthen road safety mechanisms from the village level upwards.
Police officials have been directed to implement the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign uniformly across the state. Seeking cooperation from the public, the DGP said collective efforts were essential to make Telangana an example for the country in road safety.
