A traffic police collects fine from an errant driver in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jan. 12: Rash bikers can be a productive catch for traffic policemen.

A large number of catch of rash drivers could generate a lot of revenue for the traffic.

Monday (January 10) was one such day. With eight bikers being caught by the traffic police, the revenue generated was Rs 35,000.

The city police are on a mission to zero-in on rash bikers. SK Puri station achieved the feat on this occasion, generating a hefty revenue.

However, The Telegraph learns that it is not the speed on the pretext of which the bikers were penalised. B.P. Srivastava, the station house officer (SHO) of SK Puri police station said once caught on the pretext of speeding, the police then checked for many other details including the required papers and registration and the fines kept increasing.

“A couple of days back, we had caught a total of eight bikers who were speeding, breaking traffic rules and were indulging in rash driving. In the past 15 days, the police here have caught a total of 20 bikers. Once caught, we found that the riders were not carrying any licenses. In several cases, they did not have helmets, registration papers or insurance. Therefore, the fines kept accumulating,” Srivastav said.

The fine for speeding and rash driving is Rs 1,000. Fines range from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000 for various offences including driving without helmets, triple loading, driving without registration papers to mention a few.

Police sources said they have started clamping down on speedsters and all the police stations across the city have been asked to ensure that rash drivers do not go about freely.

“The police stations have been asked to look for bikers who flout traffic norms and drive rashly. Though the stress is on them, speeding four- wheelers are also being caught and fined. Imposition of heavy fines and penalties always has an effect on the people who indulge in such activities. It is usually the parents who have to shed the amount, and they ensure that such an act is not repeated in future,” a traffic constable said.

Recently, the city police came up with an anti-rash driving cell consisting of a few officers who have been deputed just for one task, to catch hold of speedsters.

An exclusive team of officers have been formed for the task and they would be taking care of the speedsters, mostly those zig-zagging on motor bikes, an official said.

The teams will be increased in times to come and is being headed by deputy superintendent of police (law and order) Lalit Mohan Sharma.

“If a biker tries to flee after seeing an officer, one officer will immediately inform the next stationed on the same route about the physical appearance of the biker and as well as the registration number of the bike if possible. The whole team has been assigned the task. The team could be present at any place anytime. The surprise element always works and catching them is easy. And with the cell responsible for just this task, their entire concentration would be on this alone. Those indulging in rash driving would get a good lesson,” city superintendent of police Manu Maharaj told The Telegraph earlier.

A quick mobile service from each of the police stations has also been subjected to the same task in addition to the team.

In last year, the city police received information about a game of betting in the city for speeding.

They learnt that a group of motor bikers was assembled and they would bet with an amount between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000.

However, the police are yet to trace the gang.