Motorists, obey the stop line before the zebra crossing at traffic signals or be ready to cough up a fine of at least Rs 600.

Traffic police on Thursday introduced strict rules to instil discipline among drivers to streamline the chaotic traffic in the state capital.

Under the new rules and regulations, two-wheelers or four-wheelers will be penalised a minimum of Rs 600 for jumping the zebra crossing at traffic signals.

The upper limit of the fine can be raised if the driver fails to produce vehicle documents.

To ensure that the new system runs smoothly, the cops have engaged 1,000 volunteers, mainly NCC cadets, who will work with traffic police personnel.

These volunteers, whom the traffic department calls community police, will man major junctions with stop lines and zebra crossings.

"We have trained these volunteers who will work along with traffic police personnel," said Patna superintendent of police (traffic ) P.K. Das. "They will make people aware of traffic rules, catch violators and penalise them. The volunteers will work for 15 days to spread the word. Thereafter, the traffic police will man the system and catch violators."

A zebra crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing - marked by alternating black and white stripes resembling the coat of a zebra - used across the world. The zebra crossing is where pedestrians should cross the road.

According to traffic rules in India, vehicles passing roads have to stop at the line before the zebra crossing on seeing the red light to allow pedestrians to cross the road.

Pedestrians can cross the road using the zebra crossing after the walking sign in green lights up on the traffic signal.

In European countries, zebra crossings are equipped with black-and-white poles topped by flashing orange globes.

The zigzag lines before the crossing forbid parking and also overtaking a moving vehicle nearest the crossing or a vehicle which has stopped to give way to pedestrians. Drivers there must give way to someone who has moved onto the zebra crossing.

Pedestrians are advised to stop before entering a zebra crossing and ensure that all traffic has stopped before they use the crossing. If there are no specific signals for pedestrians, they have to wait for a safe gap in the flow of traffic to cross the street.

To educate drivers, Patna traffic police have put up signboards, banners and stickers at major roundabouts. The traffic department has painted zebra crossings at many intersections.

However, on first day of enforcement of the rules, many vehicles could be seen jumping the stop line and halting on the zebra crossing.

At Hartali Mor on Thursday, a car stopped on the zebra crossing, blocking the path of a woman who was crossing the road.

"It is good that Patna police have introduced new traffic rules but in a city like Patna, it will take time for people to understand the new traffic system," said Indrajeet Prasad, a commuter who was passing Hartali Mor.

He also questioned how successful the new traffic rules enforcement drive will be, given that many traffic signals in the city are dysfunctional.