Hyderabad, November 16: Hyderabad streets are somewhat notorious for their reputation as deathtraps. For not a day goes by when a major accident takes place, claiming lives or grievously injuring people. In an attempt to curb traffic violations in the city, traffic police of Hyderabad has constructed a new traffic education park at the Public Gardens.
Inaugurated on Monday by the commissioner of police, AK Khan, the park is part of a special drive to counsel serious traffic violators. The park consists of an L-shaped miniature junction with traffic signals to recreate a real road junction. Demonstrations will be made in the park on how and why to follow traffic rules. As part of counselling sessions, violators will also be shown videos of accidents caused by over-speeding, jumping signals, drunken driving and use of cell phones while driving, to make them aware of rules.
The first day of counselling was for those who jumped traffic signals. T Vinod, a first-year degree student who attended the session said, “Videos of accidents caused by jumping signals was very disturbing.
From now onwards, I will never jump a signal again.” Next week, RTC bus drivers will receive counselling. “In the past, we have noticed traffic violators just pay the fine and don’t think twice about the risk caused to themselves and others.
The counselling session is an attempt to make them learn to follow traffic rules,” said CV Anand, additional commissioner of police (Traffic).
Arbitrary fines by cops alleged
Traffic police seem to be taking the mickey out of older motorists by charging exorbitant fines for offences. Narrating his bitter experience with traffic police, Joseph Jeyaraj said a mistake which actually attracts Rs 50 as penalty, ended up making him pay Rs 500. 55-year-old Joseph Jeyaraj, waiting for his turn at Khairatabad junction had moved a few meters ahead to give way for a motorist coming from behind.
Traffic police asked him to pay Rs 500 for jumping the signal. When Jeyaraj questioned about the exorbitant fine, which included offences which he did not commit, police said he was charged for disobedience of law. “My two-wheeler was taken to Lake View guest house and later I was asked to go to Goshamahal to watch a video. I was told my vehicle will not be released until I watch the video,” said Jeyaraj, a school teacher. Traffic police implicated Joseph Jeyaraj under three sectionsjumping signal, dangerous driving, disobedience under the Motor Vehicles Act. However, the fine under these sections comes to Rs 400. “Its ok if I was asked to pay fine for jumping signal. But they included charges like disobedience of orders and dangerous driving against me,’’ Jeyaraj said.
—Agencies