Traffic violations and fines

- Divagaran T

We hear of road accidents, traffic rule violations pretty frequently nowadays. Recently, when I was traveling in my vehicle near the Gemini Flyover, I was caught by a rude Traffic Police for violating the stop line. The signal was there immediately after taking a ‘U’ turn near the flyover. So, it was difficult to notice the signal and stop the vehicle accordingly. 

I tried to explain the situation for the violation but he started to scold me like anything and never heard my part of the story. The traffic police made me wait for 30 minutes saying nothing and not listening to my words. Finally he asked me to pay a fine of 200 Rs for violating the stop line. He also asked me to wait till the Sub-Inspector comes. It was getting late for my office. That was the first day of my new job. I just didn’t have a second thought and paid him Rs. 200 without getting any receipt for payment and left the place.

After narrating this incident to my father that night, he told me that the fine for stop line violation is only Rs. 50!!!!! I was shocked hearing this. The Traffic Police thoroughly cheated me that day. The next day I went to the Traffic Inspector and asked him about this. He just replied that I was over speeding dangerously (I have only a TVS XL Super which doesn’t go above 40 Kmph and also as it was a ‘U’ turn, there is no chance for over speeding). He also added that my fine should have been Rs. 1000. I couldn’t speak anything more.

Then I learnt the lesson “Always pay the exact fine for traffic violations and that too with a receipt”. Here are some of the common violations and the maximum fine for that:

   If anyone is involved in disrespectful accident suspend license for 6 Months or fine of       Max Rs. 1000.
   If Anyone Breaks Marked Lanes Spot/Mail Fine Of Max Rs. 500
   If Anyone Crosses The Stop Line Spot Fine Of Max Rs. 50
   If Anyone Is Found To Increase Road Jams Spot Fine Of Max Rs. 100
   If Anyone Is Found Speeding Above Limits Spot/Mail Fine Of Max Rs. 500
   If Anyone Is Responsible For Road Fatalities Leads To Automatic Permanent       Cancellation Of License & Spot/Mail Fine Of Max Rs. 5000
   For Any Kind Of Road Accident/Incident Min Fine Will Be Rs. 25

The Government has made helmet wearing compulsory for the driver and the pillion rider. We don’t care about our head as much as we care about other things. It’s a proven fact that helmet wearing reduces the damage to the brain when involved in accidents. Wearing of helmets is a good move in the right direction. And remember the fine for this violation is Rs. 100 for first time violation and Rs. 300 for second offence (As given in “The Hindu”).