Cops turn counsellors to traffic rule violators

With the amended Motor Vehicles Act coming into effect in the state from Monday, cops from Parle Point to Athwa Gate circle remained busy throughout the day issuing challans, which numbered several hundred to traffic violators in the city. But at Chowk Bazaar junction, the scenario was beyond mundane policing. If the cops came across any two-wheeler riders without helmets here, they gave them roses and didn’t make them pay Rs500 fine.The cops asked them to buy a helmet with the fine money that they had just saved.
Chowk Bazaar is one of the busiest junctions in the city and has traffic density of 10, 000 vehicles per hour during peak hours. Traffic cop Allauddin Sandhi stood here with roses which he gave to people caught riding two-wheelers without helmets. Before handing a rose to a traffic violator, Allauddin would extract a promise that he/she will purchase a helmet before going home with the Rs500 that was not charged.
A lady offender caught without helmet riding a scooter was embarrassed when she received a rose from the traffic cop. “Now I have to buy a helmet first before going home. I can’t keep taking roses for violations,” she said.
BN Dave, assistant commissioner of police, (traffic), said, “More than 80 per cent commuters were offenders for one or the other reason. Mostly, people were found riding two-wheelers without helmets. However, awareness about helmet is increasing in city and now more people have started to wear it.”
Sudhir Desai, deputy commissioner of police, (traffic), said, “We are collecting figures about the number of challans issued today. The day had passed off smoothly and many people have started to follow the MV Act. Road safety is in everyone’s benefit.”