Bengaluru traffic cops mop up Rs 100-cr penalty this year

Penalty collections by the city traffic police have seen a substantial jump this year, smashing all records. The police have mopped up Rs 100 crore during the January-November period this year. On an average, 1,178 persons paid a fine every hour. That works out to Rs 1.2 lakh per hour.

The official data show the police registered 94.63-lakh cases of traffic violation till November end this year, which is way beyond the total number vehicles registered with the Transport Department in Bengaluru.

The trend can be explained in two ways. While critics may argue that the sharp jump in fine collections shows the propensity of vehicle users to repeat violations, instead of being deterred by the penalty, the other view is that these violations always existed and the sustained enforcement activities have led to the higher number.

The rise in cases of violations is primarily due to people parking vehicles in no-parking areas and the new rule which made the wearing of helmet by the pillion rider compulsory.

Compared to the previous calendar year, the traffic police have collected Rs 35 lakh more in fine this year although the increase in the number of cases is only by 2.8 lakh in 2017.

Quick action against wrong parking is also evident in the data as over 2.47 lakh towing cases were registered this year, which is 67% more than the towing cases booked in 2016. Besides, about 40% of the total cases were in respect of the helmet rule. Two-wheelers made up more than half of the number of vehicles involved in violations as compared to other vehicles.

The traffic rule enforcement figures of the past ten years point out a gradual increase in the number of cases. While the police registered 14 lakh cases in 2007, the number shot up to 95 lakh cases in 2017.

Additional commissioner of police (traffic) R Hithendra felt the all-time high collection of fine “is not an achievement”. “We have only booked those who have not followed the rules,” he told ET.

“Even in the past, the police used to collect fines but not all of them was recorded. All that I have told the police is to ensure the enforcement activities are above board, and violations recorded,” he said, and clarified that he has not set any target for policemen to book cases.