Ranchi: A 21-year-old woman scooterist was surprised when cops stopped her for riding without a helmet at Kishoreganj Chowk but didn't penalise her. Instead they jotted down her name, phone number, address and the two-wheeler's registration number before letting her go.
"Sir, naam aur address se kya karenge? (Sir, what will you do with name and address)," she inquired. "Prashati patra bhenja hai ghar aapke (Commendation letter will be sent to your house)," replied a constable, sarcastically. "Sir, fine lelo but koi challan vallan mat bhejo. Helmet bhul gai aaj. (Sir, take fine, but don't send any challans. I forgot to carry the helmet)," she pleaded but to no avail.
Over half-a-dozen people were similarly treated on Friday as part of the ongoing traffic drive in the city.
Talking to The Telegraph, traffic DSP Radha Prem Kishore said they have adopted the new strategy of sending notices to the residences of traffic violators to impact the psyche of erring drivers. "Currently, it is limited to only those caught riding without helmet. However, in case of other violations, we are taking spot fines," said Kishore, adding that the new strategy was in addition to counselling sessions that they were holding to tame traffic rogues daily.
But how will they ensure that addresses spelt by those caught are genuine? "Notices would be sent to the addresses by cross checking the violators' licenses and registration numbers. In many cases, we are also calling the numbers provided by them to cross check if the address given by them is right. The percentage of people giving incorrect addresses would be few since most people still fear the cops. We would see how it goes," he said, adding that in the coming days, challans would be sent to houses directly.
What kind of notice was being sent? "Currently, it is just a warning informing that he/she was caught riding without a helmet and that the vehicle could be seized the next time," he said.
Another traffic DSP Dilip Xalxo said they, too, have been undertaking a similar exercise to build pressure on traffic violators.
"If a student is caught without a helmet, a warning letter from police will certainly have an impact on the family and the violator," he said.
