The traffic wing of East Singhbhum police conducted a pre-Diwali surprise drive at Jugsalai and Bistupur on Tuesday.
Over 100 two-wheeler and four-wheeler drivers were caught during the traffic drive held from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Police fined offenders riding without helmets and proper number plates and those driving cars and mini vans without wearing seat belts.
Bikers without helmets had to cough up a spot fine of Rs 270. An additional Rs 100 was charged if the number plate was missing and Rs 1,000 for not possessing documents related to vehicle insurance. Those driving cars without seat belts were asked to pay Rs 300.
“It was a pre-Diwali drive that will continue in various thanas areas across the city. The objective of the drive is to instil discipline among vehicle owners, which in turn will help in checking road mishaps,” said Shivendra Kumar, new traffic DSP of East Singhbhum.
A constable, who was deployed during the drive at Jugsalai, said offenders, mostly youths, were not carrying valid documents such as driving licence and insurance papers. “Several car owners were not wearing seat belts and a couple of bikes had fancy number plates and lights,” he said.
Arvind Singh, a resident of Bistupur, who was caught in Jugsalai for driving his car without a seat belt said, “I never use the seat belt and today I ended up paying a fine. From now on I will make it a habit of put on the seat belt whenever I am driving.”
Meanwhile, members of Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday met traffic DSP Shivendra Kumar at his chamber in Sakchi and suggested several ways to improve the traffic scene in the steel city.
Leading the delegation, the outfit’s patron Mohan Lal Agrawal and another senior functionary Alok Choudhary said apart from regular drives, the traffic police should ensure that roads and markets were free from encroachments. “This will help in the smooth movement of vehicles during Diwali and Chhath,” said Agarwal, adding that overloading in commercial vehicles is also a menace and needs to be checked.
Policemen crack down on road safety offenders in Jugsalai, Jamshedpur, on Tuesday. Bhola Prasad
