Implement GO increasing fine for traffic violations within a week: HC

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad passing interim orders on a public interest litigation seeking to enforce the helmet rule for both the riders as well as pillion, also sought the Government to ensure that appropriate orders are issued empowering all the police officers not below the rank of Sub Inspector of Police including Traffic for imposition and compounding of offences committed under MV Act.

“In view of the increase of traffic by 150 per cent it is need of the hour that the government should exercise the powers conferred under Sub Section (1) of Section 200 of the Motor vehicles Act and issue appropriate orders empowering all the police officers not below the rank of Sub- Inspectors including the Traffic Police to discharge their duties and responsibilities of Sub-Inspector of Police Traffic under section 177 and 200 of MV Act,” the bench said.

“In so far as imposition and compounding of offences committed punishable for violation of MV Act and rules and to review spot fines ceiling and to Authorize SI’s as specified in column 3 of Table 2 in Government order 849 within a week,” the bench added 

Earlier, Additional Advocate General Aravindh Pandian submitted that an app enabling people to lodge complaints against those violating traffic rules has been introduced and so for 96 complaints have been received so far.

Also, noting that from 2000 to 2019 as much as Rs 605 crore has been spent for creating awareness on road safety, he further submitted that as per the Supreme Court guidelines, the police department in 2018 had registered 14.06 lakh cases for non-wearing of helmets and 39 lakh cases for non-use of seat belts. He also submitted that in all the districts and cities a nodal officer (ADSP, headquarters) has been nominated for road safety to prevent accidents and hold monthly meetings. The plea has been posted for further hearing to June 21.