38% rise in traffic fines in twin-city
The traffic department of Mira-Bhayandar has registered a whopping 82,673 cases under the relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) against erring motorists for various traffic-related violations and have issued challans having a collective value amounting more than Rs5.49 crore till December 20, this year.
Notably, the amount was limited to just Rs3.99 crore during the corresponding period in 2022, signifying a rise of more than 38% (Rs1.50 crore). Apart from a manual penalty, around 800 e-challans have been generated either by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras or by traffic police personnel watching camera footage at the command and control centre (CCC), which has been operational in Bhayandar since April, this year.
While the highest and lowest number of cases were registered in January (7,644 cases) and July (4,519 cases), respectively, a cursory glance at the statistics reveals that an average of 232 motorists were being caught every day for violating traffic rules in the twin-city.
Driving without seatbelts tops the list followed by helmet-less riding and vehicles sans side mirrors. Other cases include signal jumping, using mobile phones while riding/driving, drunken driving, triple seat riding, illegal parking, installing fancy number plates and ferrying passengers’ without taxi permits.
“Apart from our regular vigil duty, we have been conducting special drives and awareness campaigns to instil traffic sense in the minds of motorists. Snarls due to the ongoing metro and other developmental works have added more work to the existing load,” said police inspector (traffic) Devidas Handore.
While 43,388 offenders have cleared challans by paying more than Rs2.75 crore, around 38,459 challans amounting more than Rs2.74 crore continue to remain unpaid. This is apart from 826 cases, which reached the court where magistrates concerned awarded punishments – mostly by slapping monetary fines.