Traffic cops see red over violations

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police collected Rs 6.1 crore in the last four months by way of fine from people for not having driving licence. A total amount of Rs 6,155,626 crore was collected in the last four months, which is from January 1 2019 to April 30 2019.

Underage driving in India is punishable but it is becoming a rampant in Hyderabad. Speaking on the number of cases booked for lack of licence, Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) IPS Chauhan stated that as many as 5,825 citizens had been booked for violating the rules of Motor Vehicle Act and riding without a valid licence.

As many as 1,736 minors were also booked for riding vehicles. The official warned of stringent action and said the Traffic police department was clamping down on such violations. Alongside, special drives were being conducted to educate citizens about the importance of having a license to drive, he added.

Though driving vehicles without licence leads to imprisonment under Section 180 and 181 of Motor Vehicle Act, citizens are still taking risks and violating the law.

In 2018, 4,282 cases were booked against minors and 19,027 cases slapped on those driving without licence. Court imposed a fine of Rs 166,694,379 in the former case and Rs 3,777,662 in the latter instance.

Citizens booked for violating rules of MVA are given detailed counselling on why it is important to drive or ride with a valid licence. Minors are asked to take an oath that they won't repeat the offence. Traffic police also urges parents to keep a check on minors and stop them from driving/riding.

For now, the police are refraining from taking severe measures like sending parents of minors behind bars for letting their wards drive illegally. Mostly, they conduct impose fines and conduct counseling sessions and leave them after stern warning. Taking things on a serious note under Motor Vehicles Act, driving a vehicle without license would get an imprisonment for 3 months or can be fined Rs 500. In extreme cases, both the punishments can be given if the citizen is underage minor.