CHENNAI: Call it a measure to bring in transparency or one to keep pace with the digital revolution. Chennai City Traffic Police will now allow traffic violators to pay spot fine through debit or credit cards. As many as 100 Point of Sale (PoS) machines were distributed on Wednesday, with senior police officials stating they will be put to use immediately.
At present, riders caught violating the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act (1988) are apprehended by police, who employ hand-held machines for spot fining. There are around 40 types of violations, such as disregarding traffic signs and driving without licence, for which fine amounting to a minimum of Rs 100 is levied.
However, instances of fine receipts not being issued and cops demanding quick money to let the drivers free have led to a significant section of people to share a negative perception about the system.
Senior police officials believe the latest measure will help to change the public impression. “This system of card payments will bring in transparency since there will be no involvement of hard cash.
We are looking to expand this provision in future,” K Periaiah, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) told Express. Though 100 machines, supplied by the State bank of India, have been put to use currently, more PoS machines will be procured soon. Only personnel holding the rank of Sub-Inspectors (Traffic) or above have been authorised to use the machines, for which training has been given to them.
“Three receipts will be generated for the rider, the officer and headquarters. The fine amount will be directly deposited in the road safety fund of the Transport department,” said a police officer. He added that drivers caught for all violations except for riding without helmet can pay using their cards. Helmet-less drivers are issued challans and have to pay their fines after appearing in court.
Police officials say they collected around Rs 25 crore as fine amount from violators last year. This year until this month, Rs 12 crore has been collected as fines, with maximum violations being reported for overspeeding and parking.
This year so far
Traffic police have filed a total of 10.5 lakh cases, with fines totalling D12 crore collected for the same
Maximum offences
No parking: 1.5 lakh cases, fine amounting to Rs 1.7 crore collected
Without licence: 3,000 cases, fine amounting to Rs 14.60 lakh collected
Overspeeding: 37,000 cases, fine amounting to Rs 1.14 crore collected
Stop-line violations: 41,000 cases, fine amounting to Rs 43 lakh collected
Signal violations: 60,000 cases, fine amounting to Rs 60 lakh collected