The Lok Ayukta raids in Karnataka have proved beyond doubt that cops in the traffic department are devising means for more corruption day by day. Today newspaper has revealed the nos of cases booked by traffic cops they are jumping traffic signals 3955 cases, Wrong parking 3499, Overspeeding 1032, Dangerous driving 1062, No entry driving 1991, 583 for shrill horns, 221 for riding on pavements, 464 cases of drunken driving, 606 for using cell phones while driving.
There are other silly reasons why a vehicle owner can be booked such as not updating PUC, using high power headlight, driving without first aid box, defective number plates, overloading passengers, not carrying papers such as Insurance, driving license etc.
All these cases are yielding a revenue of more than 20 crores to traffic department. Considering that vehicle population has doubled during the 3 years, and fines have trebled. It obviously means corruption is on the rise, based on this logic if percentage remaining same the fines collected should be more than 150 crores. But cops continue to collect officially 20 crores and atleast 50 to 60 crores are pocketed by the same logic. This is proved by the fact that more and more are netted by Lok Ayukta.
Under this circumstance how do we regulate motorists and increase corruption free policing. The only way is to install more no of hidden cameras and levy reasonable fines based on taped evidence. Earlier the official fine for no parking was Rs 50 now it is Rs 200/- The cop lets go persons with influence or if he is shopping or eating in a roadside famous restaurant like Kentucky, Veena Tiffin, Imperial, Empire, etc.
In certain cases there is a need to re-train motorists in a classroom, which can be done by charging a nominal fee of Rs 200/- and re-trained in traffic discipline. In case one violates after re-training the current fines can be imposed which are steep. In case of drunken driving the fine is as per the discretion of court judge. The receipts are manipulated it can vary between 100 to 1000 as per discretion of the judges. In case spot fines are collected the vehicle should not be allowed to be driven, a relative should be called to drive the vehicle or it should be parked and vehicle should be released next day morning.
Ultimately the objective of traffic violation should be to reform the motorist and not for cops to pocket bribes. The officials should be encouraged to collect 25% of the fines officially levied, which means a cop collect Rs 50 on fine of Rs 200 and Rs 250 on fines amount to Rs 1000/ which is normally charged for drunken and rash driving. Anybody has better suggestions or in disagreement are welcome to express their opinion
