The next time you think of jumping a traffic signal, think twice, as you may get an unexpected inland letter at your doorstep, explaining your offence and the penalty. In a bid to deter commuters from violating traffic rules, the Pune Traffic Police has come up with this unique idea. It will send inland letters to violators on their address.
The traffic department has already installed 1,236 CCTV cameras at crossings that witness heavy traffic in Pune and Pimpri
Chinchwad. The CCTV cameras will capture images of violators and the number plates of their vehicle.
The traffic cops will upload the vehicle number of violators in a special software, which will flash detailed information of the vehicle – name of owner, address, contact number and so on. Based on this information, the police will send inland letters to the violator’s address. The letter will explain details of the offence – date, time and when and where the traffic rule was broken. Not to forget the image and amount of chalan to be paid. The will also mention name and address of the police station where the violator needs to pay the penalty within seven days after receiving the letter. On failing so, the offender will be produced in the Sessions Court at Shivajinagar.
Pravin Mundhe, deputy commissioner of police (Traffic), Pune, said that this is the first time a city in the state is starting such an initiative. “Earlier, Thane traffic police had started a drive to send letters with registered post to traffic violators, but they had only three or four CCTV cameras,” he said. Besides, letters sent via registered post by the Thane police required Rs 55 per letter vis-a-vis the inland letters that cost Rs 2.5 per letter.
The Pune police don’t want to disclose the names of the roads and crossings that will be monitored. “Otherwise commuters will violate rules at other traffic signals,” said Mr Mundhe. J.J. Shinde, assistant police inspector, traffic police Sangvi, said that they take action against more than 300 violators daily.
