Surprise drive catches city drivers off guard

“Such drives are necessary to bring in regulation and discipline. It has been noticed that people drive triple seat on two-wheelers and as soon as they reach a junction and spot a policeman,one of them would get down and cross the junction. Once the signal turns green and the policeman is well out of sight,the third person again hops on the bike. The two-day drive has shown us that people break rules rampantly,” said Manoj Patil,Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic).

Patil said the police strictly followed all norms and seized vehicles and licences of errant drivers. “A total of 334 licences would be suspended. Licence owners will have to approach the RTO for a hearing and give proper explanation after which they will be handed over their licences. We believe,only strict measures can bring about a change in attitude among people,” said Patil.

Of the offences registered,maximum were against those who spoke on mobilephones while driving,violation of one-way rules and riding triple seat on two-wheelers. “Such surprise drives will be repeated soon,” said Patil.

Rahul Chopda,a college student said that it is good that the traffic police are on guard. “We,in Pune,should respect traffic discipline,especially when all other cities have strict rules. I am from Mumbai where the traffic rules are very strict,” he said.