Punjab Police to act tough with traffic violators

Jalandhar, July 17

With the Punjab Government issuing a fresh notification on the fine amount and suspension of licences for traffic rule violations, Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) AS Rai has urged people not to violate rules to curb road mishaps.

He said the traffic police wings across Punjab had been given the necessary directions to ensure strict compliance of instructions stipulated in the new notification. In the days to come, the police would check speeding, red light jumping, use of mobile phone while driving, overloading and drink driving. Rai said now licences of violators would be suspended for a specific period on the first and second violations. Besides, they would have to undergo community services as suggested by the authorities. The ADGP urged parents and the school authorities to educate children/students about traffic rules and not to drive vehicles unless they obtained a licence.

Now, only a police officer of the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector and above would be authorised to challan vehicle drivers for violations, he said.

Giving details of the new notification issued by the Transport Department, the ADGP said now driving at a speed exceeding the specified speed limit would attract a fine of Rs 1,000 along with suspension of the licence for a period of three months on the first violation. The fee will be double (Rs 2,000) in the case of a second violation along with suspension of the licence for three months. A fine of Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 along with suspension of the licence for three months will be imposed, respectively, on the first and second violation in case of jumping the red light, he said.

In case of using a mobile phone while driving, the fine is Rs 5,000 for the first violation and Rs 10,000 for the second violation as well as suspension of the driving licence for three months each time. The ADGP asked people not to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs as this could be led to accidents. The fine for this is Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for the first and second violation, respectively, besides suspension of the licence for three months, he added.

The violation for overload and carrying persons in goods carriages would attract a fee of Rs 20,000, and Rs 2,000 per extra tonne for access load and suspension of licence for three months on the first violation and Rs 40,000 with Rs 2,000 per extra tonne for access load and suspension of licence for three months on the second violation, he said. The violation of more than two persons riding a two-wheeler will attract a fine of Rs 1000 for the first violation and Rs 2000 for the second violation, along with suspension of the licence for three months. — TNS

Violators to undergo community service

• Speed limit violators and those found driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs will have to undertake a refresher course and teach at least 20 students in schools
• The violators will take part in community services for at least two hours in a hospital or donate at least one unit of blood at a nearby blood bank