Rs 2.59 lakh collected from traffic rule offenders in Patna

PATNA: Total 252 vehicles were caught and traffic policemen collected Rs2.59 lakh as fine on the first day of the weeklong special drive launched in Patna on Friday to implement the amended Motor Vehicle Act with provisions of enhanced penalty.
“The motive is not to collect fine, but to create awareness among motorists. People should know that racing on the road or violating traffic norms would not only put their life at risk, but of others too,” Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor said.
Kishor also instructed traffic SP as well as district transport officer to ensure six-inch broad red mark with shahri chetra written around the autorickshaws plying in urban area and green mark with gramin chetra mentioned on those plying in the rural areas of Patna. It has been made must for the auto drivers to put their names, contact numbers and licence numbers on their autos.
He said the vehicle owners found violating traffic norms during the special drive will also have to produce their licence, insurance and pollution certificates. They will be fined as per the amended Act and vehicles will be seized for not paying the fine on the spot. Altogether 65 vehicles were seized in Patna on Friday.
Kishor cautioned people against talking on cellphone while driving as Rs5000 will be charged for that. He also advised parents not to allow their children to drive vehicles without licence as it would incur a fine of Rs25,000 and three months imprisonment. “Even safety of children as well as commuters will be at risk,” he said.
Patna DM Kumar Ravi, traffic SP D Amarkesh, joint commissioner-cum-secretary of regional transport authority (Patna) Sushil Kumar and district transport officer Ajay Thakur were also present during the drive.
Kishor said pillion riders must wear helmets or the bike owner will be fined Rs1000 and licence of the rider will be suspended for three months.
“There is Rs1000 fine for more than two people riding a two-wheeler. The vehicle owners will have to pay Rs2000 if found over-speeding and Rs5,000 in case of reckless driving,” the divisional commissioner said.