Phone drive keeps motorists on track

Calcutta: A police drive on Wednesday against motorists using mobile phones at the wheel appeared to work as much for the penalty of embarrassment as the prospect of being fined Rs 1,000 for a first offence.

Metro watched from the sidelines as traffic cops stopped alleged offenders and, depending on what call records showed, seized a driving licence, imposed a spot fine or let someone off with a warning.

Compliance has increased on city roads since city police announced the crackdown on mobile phone use while driving, according to officers.

"Word has spread. People are alert these days...the sight of our white uniform is itself an alarm," said a sergeant on the job near Queensway.

A repeat offence doubles the penalty to Rs 2,000 for every subsequent breach.

"I called and texted my friends and cousins to be alert while driving. There seem to be policemen everywhere," said Ayan Mukherjee, a young businessman who spotted cops prosecuting motorists at four crossings between Shibpur and Manohar Pukur Road.

According to Lalbazar data, 141 people were prosecuted on Tuesday for using a phone or earphones while driving.