It is only money
Traffic Violation Fines no Deterrent to Motorists
Until April 2010, over Rs 57 lakh fine recovered
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar: The traffic police might have recovered huge fines from violators during first four months of the year, however, the latest figure suggest a dangerous trend among violators, who observers say, don’t hesitate to pay fines to get away with the crime.
In the first four months of 2010, traffic cops have recovered Rs 57,13,270 fine from rules violators even as this figure could shoot up as about 481 cases are still waiting mobile magistrate judgment.
“Our estimates say the figures could touch Rs 60 lakh,” SP Traffic (City) Showkat Hussain Shah believes.
The official data reveals that the average fine every day has remained between Rs 47000-50,000 making it around Rs 1500000 every month in the year 2010 against the overall fine of Rs 1.51 crore in 2009.
These figures, officials say, could increase tenfold if more officers are inducted in the department. Currently the department is run by only 40 officers.
“Right now the department is short of about 60 officers. And if more cops are inducted, the recovery could move up ten times,” the SP Traffic (City) says.
While the department remains understaffed, the fine imposed on traffic rules violators doesn’t act as a deterrent.
Observers say the latest statistics only reflect how the citizens are developing a habit to fund their violation instead of taking lessons from the fine imposed.
“It is a dangerous trend,” an instructor at a driving institute here said.
He said the habit could increases cases of tailgating, speeding, and aggressive behavior among youth who form majority of the violators.
The expert said the motorists continue to violate traffic rules simply because the fine amounts are not so heavy to deter them from committing offences.
“Cops must come hard on violators,” he suggested.