Traffic cops book 616 cases against food delivery staff

The number of persons earning a living as food delivery personnel for the food delivery companies has significantly increased in the recent days. According to traffic police personnel, most of them were found breaking traffic rules, as they are always in a hurry to deliver food within the shortest possible time.

A senior police officer said that the drive would continue, pointing out that enough awareness campaigns have been conducted and the delivery personnel were already given enough warnings. Among the 616 cases booked, the violations include not wearing helmet, rash driving and over-speeding.

However, facing charges of rash driving from not only the police but also fellow road users, the personnel said when they were out to deliver food, they are constantly under pressure from three sides – the company that employs them, the hotels from where they pick up the food and the customers who order them.

“If we get late by even a minute, we get calls from customers who want to know the reason for the delay,” said Vivek, who delivers food in and around Kilpauk. He also alleged that several traffic policemen misuse the instructions from senior officers and have started demanding bribes again. “If we question this, they would start abusing us,” he said.

Meanwhile, these delivery personnel have come together and decided to protest as their earnings have drastically reduced after the fare was revised. “We used to get Rs 35 to cover four km and Rs 120 for eight km and above. But now it has come down to Rs 15 and Rs 80 respectively,” said one of them.