Traffic violators in Goa to get challans at home

Traffic violators in Goa to get challans at home

PREETU NAIR, TNN

PANAJI: If you are one of those who chat on the phone while driving and take pride in your skills in giving the traffic cops the slip, there is bad news for you. From now on, your thrill of avoiding a fine may just be momentary.

For, a notice of violation will be delivered at your residential address by the postman. Concerned about the increasing number of rule violations— fancy number plates, talking on the phone while driving, getting glasses tinted beyond the permissible limit, not wearing seat belts or helmets, and not having proper documents— the police have decided to enough is enough.

While two-wheelers breaking traffic laws will be challaned on the spot, owners of four-wheelers will get them by post. On noticing any violation, a gazetted police officer will write down a challan which will be sent to the traffic police, who will then issue a notice to the vehicle owner for violating the traffic rules, the North Goa police have decided. The reason for this, say cops, is to avoid traffic jams.

“In Goa, if a policeman stops a four-wheeler, it hurts the ego of the ‘so-called’ law abiding citizen, many of whom start dropping names to get away. To avoid this, we have decided not to stop four-wheelers,” said SP (north) Bosco George.

If you have fancy registration plates the design of which is in violation of the motor vehicle rules, you better take them off. Else, you might be flagged by the police on the road and asked to get rid of them. You may even receive a challan at home.

Last year, the number of people fined for talking on mobile phones while driving was 1,103, while in 2007 the number was only 477. Is it difficult to say whether more people are using their mobiles while driving or if enforcement has become stricter. The number of those booked for fancy number plates has now touched almost 100 a week.

The Times of India, Goa edition,24 September 2009,