Hyderabadis Are Getting Helmets From Cops Instead of Hefty Fines. Here’s Why!

While the country is amidst a furore around the newly-imposed traffic fines, Hyderabad Traffic Police (HTP) have arrived at a first-of-its-kind solution to school drivers who flout traffic rules.

Instead of levying challans, traffic cops in the cyber city are now helping traffic violators obtain licences, insurance and even helmets on the spot. The initiative, introduced from 14 September onwards, is the brainchild of N Divyacharan Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Rachakonda, one among the three police commissionerate in Hyderabad.

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Speaking to The Better India, DCP Rao says,

There was a lot of backlash after the Central Government amended the traffic penalty rates. Most of the outrage was targeted toward the police. People would say that the police were harassing citizens and charging hefty fines at the drop of a hat. We wanted to change that mindset.

The initiative is applicable in case of four types of traffic violations – absence of helmet, driving licence, insurance and pollution certificate. 

The cops on duty are guiding the violators to acquire licence or pollution certificates, at the earliest, by registering at the relevant government websites. “Those driving without licence are instructed to register for a learner’s licence at the Telangana Transport Department e-portal, instead of demanding a Rs 5000 fine,” informs DCP Rao. 

రాచకొండ కమిషనరేట్ పరిధిలో నేటి నుండి Traffic Police ల వినూత్న ప్రయత్నం డీజీపీ, రాచకొండ సీపీ ఆదేశానుసారం #TrafficChallan వేయకుండా Helmet Insurance Pollution Licence లేని వారికి వాహన దారులతో కొనిచ్చే ప్రయత్నాన్ని నేటి నుండి మొదలు పెట్టినట్లు ట్రాఫిక్ డీసీపీ దివ్య చరణ్ రావు అన్నారు. pic.twitter.com/OPj1EG0g1v

— Rachakonda Police (@RachakondaCop) September 14, 2019

For vehicles without insurance, the cops themselves are contacting government insurance portals and ensuring that the necessary documents are granted as soon as possible. Pollution certificates are being provided on the spot at a nominal cost of Rs 40-60, while the general fine happens to be a whopping Rs 5,000. 

Most interestingly, now there are also stacks of helmets available at traffic junctions which the drivers can buy then and there at Rs 800 each. The violators will be saving Rs 200 since the hiked fine for driving without a helmet is Rs 1,000. 

Following is a table of the types of traffic violations and the alternatives offered through the novel initiative of HTP.

Within only a few days of its introduction, the initiative has garnered widespread appreciation from across the country. Social media is abuzz with praises for Telangana Traffic Police and netizens are demanding similar measures all over India. Hyderabad citizens are overjoyed at the much helpful alternative to humongous traffic fines.

“The idea is to raise awareness about the importance of traffic rules rather than spewing apathy among people about the police,” asserts DCP Rao.

“Everyone should be aware of the existing traffic rules and follow these willingly to ensure their own safety, rather than being afraid of the police or penalty,” he adds. 

Also Read: Obey Traffic Rules, Get Discount Coupons: Pune IPS Officer Rewards 15000 Citizens!

Image Credits: Rachakonda Police/Twitter

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