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I got challanned
Written By murali772 - 8 November, 2008
Traffic Bangalore Congestion Police Analysis Enforcement Fines
While I do appreciate the recent drive by the traffic authorities at enforcing rules, their letting off the regular violators like the autos, BMTC buses, call centre vehicles, etc, and for much bigger offences, makes them susceptible to charges of partiality, or other forces at play. Do they want to do something about that?
Last Thursday afternoon, around 1 PM, I was headed towards Indiranagar (from Koramangala) along the Intermediate Ring road. With the road almost totally empty at that time of the day, I must have been doing about 70 KMPH. Ahead of me, I noticed what looked like a police vehicle parked to the side. And, even as I approached the vehicle, two cops jumped across my path (rather riskily), and waved me to a stop. The charge was that I was speeding beyond the 60 KMPH limit.
The police vehicle was fitted with a speed gun, and could measure my speed as I approached it. The officer in charge was very polite and showed me the reading. The fine was Rs 300/-, and in a very professional manner, he went about punching in my vehicle registration number and driving license details on to his hand-held device, and within a few seconds, produced the receipt. And, matter over!
Not quite! This is the second time my vehicle registration number, and driving license details have gone into their records (The earlier instance was at the NIMHANS junction, for jumping the signal. I was right behind a BMTC bus, and couldn't see the lights, and followed the bus across the junction. Again, a cop jumped across my path and waved me to a stop, even as the bus was let off - apparently, they are a privileged class. The fine then was just Rs 100/-). The next time I get caught, I fear, my license may be confiscated.
And, I am not the only one in the family to get challanned. My wife has also got challanned twice over the past month, for 'improper parking', paying a fine of Rs 100/- each time.
And, mind you, we both can be classified as conscientious drivers. Whatever, as a result of it all, I have become extra careful now. So much so, yesterday morning around 7 AM, I waited patiently for the green light at the Maharaja junction, even as any number of vehicles were jumping the signal all around me, and a call centre vehicle trapped behind me kept honking.
Now, while I do appreciate this drive by the traffic authorities at enforcing rules, their letting off the regular violators like the autos, BMTC buses, call centre vehicles, etc, and for much bigger offences, makes them susceptible to charges of partiality, or other forces at play. Do they want to do something about that?
Check my earlier comments on the subject at: http://praja.in/bangalore/blog/admin/2008/09/09/next-meeting-with-mr-sood-sep-20-2-pm#comment-8067
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
Photoyogi - 8 November, 2008 - 16:05
Dear Murali sir, my apologies on the fine.
I normally have my hands free when i am driving and this was just my unlucky day I guess. I was speaking on the phone while i passed a traffic constable and his superior officer who was writing the challan for another offender.
I knew it was my mistake and pulled over and rolled down the window. I told the cop "Hey i am very sorry and I know it was my mistake and its the first time blah blah"
He asked me to get my license out and talk to the higher officer. I was aware of this license number business and repeated offenders would have their license canceled!
When i went up to the officer i was able to convince him that its my first offence and he should not make an entry of my license number. I did tell him i am fully aware of the process and i support him doing his job but must let me without the fine.
The officer was smiling, It was my lucky day! there i was walking back to my car without the ticket. I was just so lucky i always thought only pretty girls get away.
I don't say this will work all the time I strongly advise not talking on the phone while driving. If you must, please use a hands free ..
if what you are talking is serious or a long call, and will affect judgment, please pullover and complete the conversation.
Drive save!
--
Praveen Sundaram
AkA PhotoYogi
Naveen - 8 November, 2008 - 17:48
Hi All,
Good to see traffic cops making an earnest attempt to impose some traffic rules now. All along, they were the sleepy kind, almost with "Do Not Disturb" signs hung around their necks.
Driving through red signals & trying to push through traffic in the ensuing jam cost a driver dear today at BEML gate. The 'invisible' cop suddenly appeared out of nowhere, with his pen & receipt log in hand & stopped all traffic whilst he collected the fine. Even whilst this was going on, other stopped vehicles were seen trying to slither past !
What a shame. The only medicine for this is to somehow reduce the no. of vehicles & impose very strict discipline, else things will only get worse.
I think violations by public BMTC buses are quite common. However, we must also remember that though they are not above the law, they are to be accorded some priority since they serve the public. Also, our private vehicle on the road adds to the chaos, delaying those that are using public transport.
I have a wide grin on my face...
idontspam - 8 November, 2008 - 18:44
psaram42 - 9 November, 2008 - 04:18
There was an old Tata Sumo vehicle with Gujarat Registration parked in front of my house for more than 2 months, for which I lodged a complaint with JB Nagar Police here. They were reluctant to confiscate the vehicle, even after my bringing to their notice the vehicle registration not being changed for a long period of 2 years. However they contacted the owner and got the vehicle removed, by the owner himself.
I have a feeling the Police tend to take the path of least resistance.
Nitinjhanwar - 8 November, 2008 - 13:26
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