Patna, Jan. 1That did not deter two-wheeler owners from flashing fancy number plates, which are not only expensive but also illegible and annoying for other commuters. Police are now chasing these violators with tins of black paint in their hands.

Their aim: Paint the fancy plates black so that the violators are bound to get them changed immediately.

The unique correctional drive of the Patna police is set to continue for at least a week before the cops start imposing penalties.

The district transport office (DTO) has also joined the operation, with senior officers planning a meeting with shop owners engaged in painting number plates. They intend to inform the shopowners about the norms regarding the size of the number plates as well as the fonts of the letters and numbers.

Police sources said today that shops painting number plates will be checked and action will be taken against those found violating the norms of Motor Vehicles Act.

“This drive has been started to create awareness among the motorists. Once the number plates are painted black, the biker needs to correct it as soon as possible. The police are sure the violators will not repeat the mistake. Earlier, the cops were imposing fines on violators but that did not help much. This new move, the police feel, will make a difference,” Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Alok Kumar told The Telegraph.

The “black paint” drive, which started on Monday evening, is already making an impact on violators.

Kamlesh Kumar, a student, said: “I will change the number plates of my motorbike tomorrow itself. I don’t want to be caught by the police and then be pulled up by my parents.”

Those whose vehicle number plates were painted black were not complaining either. Anil Kumar, a resident of Patliputra Colony, said: “I am a businessman. I had a lot of work because of which I did not get time to change the number plate. Today, the police caught my motorbike and painted the number plate black. I had to rush to the shop and get it changed immediately.”

Police said for now, their focus was on two-wheelers. “Four wheelers will be checked soon. The number printed on the registration plates needs to be absolutely clear and legible,” a police officer said.

The job of painting the registration numbers of two and four-wheelers rests with private shops as there is no government-approved agency to carry out the work.

District transport officer Harihar Prasad said: “A list of shops engaged in the business of painting number plates is being prepared and is likely to be completed by next week. At present, it is difficult to state how many such shops exist. The DTO will soon hold a meeting with the shop owners and instruct them about the norms regarding the number plates.”

Meanwhile, the police are upbeat over the response to their “Patna Police Aapke Saath” drive against rash drivers. “The move has clicked and cops are getting information about overspeeding vehicles. We also need information on people driving dangerously. People should call the police if they spot someone violating traffic norms,” SSP Alok Kumar said.

According to 2011 records, 1,225 road accidents occurred in the state capital. In these, 507 people died while 576 were injured. In 2010, 1,170 accidents were recorded on Patna roads in which 444 people died while 606 people were injured.

“It is difficult for the police to know if some person on a bike or a car is speeding. But if we get information from the people, we can act fast and a possible accident can be averted,” the SSP added.