Traffic wing’s mission — reducing accidents, deaths on roads

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 15

As per the recent directions by the Additional Director General of Police, Traffic, Punjab, SS Chauhan, the traffic police need to regulate traffic and take remedial measures to reduce accidents or deaths on roads.

But those attached with the National Road Safety Council feel that such orders were “ambiguous” as traffic cops have to check if any offense is made or not by drivers, speedy vehicles need to be stopped and checked among other things.

In a letter written to all SSPs, Commissioners of Police in Punjab, Dr Chauhan said it had been observed that many traffic police constables were seen conducting stop and search operation of vehicles, which has nothing to do with their duties. These are with special reference to nakas outside city limits.

Chauhan told Commissioners of Police and SSPs in the district that they should discontinue with the stopping and checking of vehicles till the time they were directed by SSPs/ CPs as part of resource mobilisation for law and order. Chauhan said the traffic cops should be asked to regulate and maintain the flow of traffic, especially on highways.

Kamaljit Soi, member National Road Safety Council, however, said such directions were “ambiguous”. “The prime concern of traffic cops is traffic regulation and road safety etc. They need to stop people who make an offense and for that, they need to check vehicles/documents etc. Else, other cops are stationed at police stations. If someone is driving rashly (over-speed), not wearing seat-belts, jumping red lights, who will take care of the offense if not a traffic cop? I feel such instructions need to be looked into again,” Soi said.