Nailing traffic offenders through FB, WhatsApp

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

Aware city residents are helping the Chandigarh Traffic Police in issuing challans and punishing traffic violators through social networking sites Facebook (FB) and WhatsApp.

A rising number of residents is posting pictures of violators either on the Facebook page of the Chandigarh Traffic Police or sending these on their Whatsapp number — 9779580985. 

The in-charge of the Facebook cell, Sub-Inspector Sharanjit Singh, said over 11,000 people had joined their Facebook page while around 22,000 had shared their concern with the police through WhatsApp. Around 20 to 25 challans are issued daily on information received through WhatsApp.

“We keep the name and number of those sharing violations with us online confidential. Some people also post pictures of non-functional traffic lights, which we get restored,” he said. According to the traffic police, from January 1 to June 30, 2,545 challans were issued through pictures posted by residents on the traffic police WhatsApp number. In 2016 and 2015, 2,172 and 1,619 challans, respectively, were issued through information provided on WhatsApp. The top three violations are of the zebra crossing, riding without helmet and jumping the red light. The number was launched in 2014.

The Facebook page was launched in 2011 and is handled by a techno-savvy team comprising constables Dinesh, Rajesh and Monika. Through this medium, 75 challans have been issued this year while 494 and 238 challans were issued in 2016 and 2015, respectively