Traffic cops don’t say it with flowers

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

A NCC cadet spreads awareness about traffic rules in Ranchi on Saturday. Picture by Prashant Mitra Ranchi, May 28: Saying it with roses might have been innovative but it certainly was not economical. The tactic of public chastisement by handing out flowers to traffic violators, perhaps made famous by a Sanjay Dutt starred Bollywood film, might have served the cause, but soaring flower prices, thanks largely to weather disturbances and a number of shutdowns observed, has broken the back of the police department’s finances. So its back to the tried-and-tested method of distributing pamphlets to create awareness among the masses for the city traffic police officers. SSP Praveen Kumar inaugurating the awareness campaign here today, however, took a diplomatic stand towards the sudden change in stance. “The purpose is to make the denizens familiar with fundamental traffic rules and regulations in place. Although we are cracking down on violators by conducting regular checks, we thought of educating masses before imposing fines on them,” Kumar said. He added that the response on the first day was good but there was a lot of ground to be covered. “Our men are doing their best to create awareness. The campaign will gain pace in the coming days, when we will aim to spread the message of safe road habits throughout the city,” the SSP said. The traffic police have also put up hoardings and posters (with illustrations) at various traffic points like Kanta Toli, Sarjana Chowk, Sujata Chowk and Doranda, among other places, to reach out to people. A bunch of 40 from Ranchi University and NCC cadets also joined hands with the police officers and are working as volunteers to make the campaign success, sources said. Prodded about the most common traffic violations, Singh was quick to list parking of vehicles in No Parking zones and stopping vehicles on zebra crossings at traffic intersections, not wearing a helmet and talking on your mobile phone while driving consisted some of the oft repeated violations. Meanwhile, with the administration cracking down on autos plying without proper permits, the three-wheelers have gradually tried to fade away from Ranchi roads. “We had received a notice from the district administration to phase out autos without permits. Only 1,006 autos have been issued permits till date and we will try and clear the rush of applications seeking permits from today,” Singh said. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110529/jsp/jharkhand/story_14042472.jsp