Rash driving cases shoot up

NEW DELHI: If statistics are anything to go by, then traffic policing has indeed taken a beating in the city. There has been a sharp increase in almost all kinds of driving offences. Instances of dangerous driving have gone up by as much as 101.65 per cent, with 87,870 drivers being prosecuted for the crime in 2004, as compared to the 43,571 in 2003.
Similarily, offences such as traffic signal violation have increased by a whopping 133.47 per cent.From the 9,45,925 violaters in 2004 to the 4,05,157 in 2003. Naturally, these figures are a patch on the claims of ''strict enforcement'' of traffic laws by the authorities. The violations, meanwhile, seemed to have continued despite various special drives organised by the Delhi Traffic Police.
The traffic police is only too quick to put the blame on the commuters. Said joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed: "These violations are only reflective of the driving habits of people in the city. They just go on to show his or her understanding of the traffic laws and how sensitive they are towards it."
In fact, this seems to be a major grouse for the traffic officials, as they have gone all out towards educating people about safe driving. About 44,140 commercial vehicle drivers were imparted safe driving skills this year by the road safety cell of the traffic police, apart from several other categories of drivers who were given similar training. This was in addition to the various other steps taken to spread knowledge about traffic safety amongst school children as well.
In fact, with the aim to giude the commuters as well as to redress their traffic woes, the traffic police distributed complaint cards at various market places, railway stations, airports as well as important intersections across the city.
Apart from private vehicles, Delhi Traffic Police also focussed on buses and other commercial vehicles. Special enforcement drives were carried against buses and commercial goods vehicles for violating the directions of the Supreme Court.
Approximately 38,636 vehicles were impounded for violating the SC directions. Buses from Uttar Pradesh also faced stringent action for plying on routes not mentioned in their permits and against the Motor Vehicle Act. According to traffic officials, the all such plying of UP buses has now been stopped. New routes on the periphery of Delhi have been allotted to UP buses to undertake such journeys.
Meanwhile, about 17, 641 autorickshaw drivers and 158 taxi drivers were prosecuted various offences like refusing to ply to a certain destination, misbehaving with the customer, overcharging or plying with tampered meters. As a precautionary measure against overcharging, fare charts for autorickshaws and taxis were distributed among commuters, informed a traffic policeman.
Ahmed said : "There has to be increased awareness in people about road safety and traffic laws. If more people are booked for violations of traffic laws, it would only serve as a deterrent for others."