Rs 1000 Too much and ridiculous

The traffic fine revision by Hyderabad Traffic Police came as a terror to many city denizens. The revision was severe for routine violations. The new rule was brought in after tweaking certain sections of the MV Act as per GO 108. The fine amount for signal jumping has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. Similarly, for cell phone driving, Section 185 (a) of the MV Act paves the way for the traffic police to charge Rs 500, which also has been increased to Rs 1,000. Overload projection and unauthorised parking, which used to draw fines of Rs 200 each, will also now make commuters cough up Rs 1,000. The GO has come into effect on Monday, August 12. This new rule will involve every single commuter of the twin cities and has apparently irked every single one of them. Hyderabad Hans did a survey on what the common man feels about it. Without parking slots, how can the authorities charge fine for wrong parking?

Before the traffic cops implement these rules, they must first introduce timers at all the signal points. Must keep signals in the middle of the lane/road not on the edges of the divider. How can a motorist see the signal when he is behind heavy vehicles like buses etc, it is hardly visible when the signals are wrongly placed. Collaborate with the GHMC and redo the work of entire signal system. If roads are not your concern wrong parking fine has to be subsidised by the GHMC as they are the ones who give permission for commercial complexes without the parking facility. For buildings which have parking, motorists have to pay fine. Cell phone driving? I have a doubt. When bikers talk with ear phones/Bluetooth on, there is a concern that they can’t hear other vehicles and so accidents occur. What about cars which are playing songs, will they be fined too?

– Harsha Gadiraju, private employee.

Good, but what about the roads? We are paying taxes and the part of the work that should be done by the government is missing. If citizens are supposed to pay fines for their mistakes, who will collect fines from officials who do not perform their work? Justice should be equal for all. As the citizens are accountable for their errors, even the officials and government should be accountable. The police so ruthlessly collect fine from us but there will be no one to ask for the problems we face because of the bad management of roads. Is it fair?

- Joseph Ravi Kanth, a teacher

There are better things they can focus on instead of concentrating on fines. Traffic rules and people’s safety must be the priority. Traffic control is a cop’s job and not issuing challans. It is a common sight that cops are busy issuing challans a few metres away from the signal leaving traffic flow in disarray. They are more interested in catching the offenders on flimsy charges than regulating the traffic. And most of these offenders get away after greasing the palms of the cops.

- Cameron Marquees, founder member, Redline Revolution.

I wanted a clarification if this applies to RTC and autowallas. Of late I have seen the HTP as very lenient with RTC for signal jump . Throughout the day signals are broken at the RTC Cross Roads by APSRTC

- Nathan Kondala, private employee

A funny ruling by the traffic cops for all I see. This may amount to merry making by all traffic constables. This time they can really ask for more when they settle things without a challan. Students settling fines for 50 bucks may remain a farfetched dream.

- S Siddharth, a short film maker

Rs 1000 for petty traffic violations! That is a huge amount. There are fair chances of increase in the hafta. Who will Rs 1,000 if they can get away with one-fourth amount as hafta? This is not a righteous step to prevent traffic violation but motivation to corruption.

– Sai Krishna, founder of The Wish Tree.

Is the ruling unilateral, does it even apply to traffic police. I have noticed traffic cops jumping signals and overloading on vehicles. And drunken driving is too silly for the cops. I see most cops drunk on their mid-night patrol.

– Sai Kiran, B.tech grad

Rs 1000 is high keeping common man in view. Mistakes happen when the signal suddenly changes. This can affect the lives of common man in the city. And as always, the government and authorities are always oblivious about their existence.

– Likitha Sai, student

Rules are followed only when it comes to collecting fines, whereas a blame game gets started when it comes to providing parking space to vehicles on busy areas. I would suggest HTP to review the city roads first and then implement the planned idea on increasing fines if they still find it correct.

– Vinay Satya, private employee