From October 1 to 19, over 99,600 two-wheeler drivers were caught for violating the helmet rule. The violators together coughed up Rs 5.74 crore in fines.
Meanwhile, if you are one of those who like to walk in this city, here is another bit of statistics to scare you. As per the latest figures from the city traffic police, 12,716 drivers were caught for speeding and dangerous driving during the 19 days of October and fined over Rs 2.66 crore.
“We have done a lot to create awareness among citizens. This includes distributing free helmets, organising awareness programs about speeding and dangerous driving in colleges etc. However, the disregard for traffic norms continues,” said JCP (Traffic) NN Chaudhari.
Chaudhari said many of these violators are not deterred by fines either which forces authorities to recommend cancelling the driving licences of such drivers.
As for licences, during the same period, police booked 2,092 drivers for driving on city roads without a licence and collected Rs 64.94 lakh in fines.
Traffic expert Amit Khatri believes that unless lane discipline is enforced, the traffic situation will not improve on city roads. “The fine for not wearing a helmet and driving without a licence should be hiked substantially so that drivers realise their mistake. When a driver is caught without a helmet and does not pay the spot fine the matter reaches court where a fine is often reduced to settle the challan amount. Driving without a helmet or driving dangerously should carry a fine of Rs5,000; only then will it serve as a deterrent,” Khatri said.
He also quoted a visually impaired girl who spoke at an event organised on Sunday. She told the audience that just as a visually impaired person cannot leave home without a stick, a person who drives a two-wheeler should not leave home without wearing a helmet for their own safety.