Nagpur: Alarmed by the high number of fatalities in road accidents and enraged by the growing disdain for traffic rules, Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal has decided to crack the whip against violators. The top cop has appealed to the citizens to inform him on his cell number 7385982212 if they come across any traffic violation across the Second Capital.
With 294 fatalities in 1,646 road accidents reported in the city last year, Dr Singal has decided to act tough against the motorists violating traffic rules. The reasons for such accidents include pedestrians walking on roads instead of footpaths, over-speeding, distractions to driver, signal jumping, avoiding safety gears like seat-belts and helmets, wrong side driving, reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, using mobile phones while driving, overtaking in a wrong manner, potholes on roads, and carrying passengers in auto-rickshaws and other public transport vehicles beyond capacity.
The Traffic Branch has already taken up several traffic awareness programmes for school and college students, autorickshaw drivers, and truck drivers. The Traffic Branch is also coordinating with the Public Works Department, National Highway Authority of India and other authorities concerned for installing signboards, painting zebra crossings and stop lines at all squares. The City Police Chief has appealed to all motorists to strictly adhere to the traffic rules or face stern action. Social organisations and their volunteers can contact the police if they desired to assist in streamlining the traffic management.
The issue of contempt for traffic rules and cops posted at various junctions has already reached a dangerous level. Media has been at the forefront in highlighting the menace for long but to no avail. With growing number of vehicles on city roads every passing day, there was an urgent need to bring the situation of traffic violations under control. The Commissioner of Police has now decided to take things in his own hands to streamline traffic in the Second Capital before the situation goes out of hand.
