Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Despite numerous drives launched by the traffic police, cars with tinted glass can be regularly spotted on the roads of the capital. The fine of Rs 100 is hardly a deterrent. This poses a serious challenge to law and order - nothing is visible inside. Not surprisingly, in many major crimes, particularly against women, such cars have proved to be quite handy.
The traffic police, however, is promising to give the violators a very tough time. It's launching a drive on Thursday against tinted glass and car owners not sticking to the percentage of tint that's allowed will have to hand in either their registration certificate or their driving licence along with the usual Rs 100 challan slapped on defaulters. "A notice will be issued to them by the traffic personnel and the defaulter will have to report to the area traffic inspector where the violation was recorded within 72 hours for inspection of their vehicle. If the directions are not followed, the matter will be forwarded to the court," explained joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg. At present, there should be at least 70% transparency in the front and rear windows and 50% transparency on the side windows.
The same directive will also apply to those using vehicles with defective numberplates and pressure horns, said the cops. "Usually, since the fine is just a meagre Rs 100, which is nothing compared to the money spent on films (ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 14,000 for the more fancy ones that protect from UV rays), it is not enough of a deterrent. We hope that the stricter action will make the defaulters mindful of the rules," said a senior traffic officer.
In the first six weeks of the year, 20,000 vehicles were booked for tinted glass, significantly more than the 1500-odd such prosecutions last year during the same period. "Significantly, a major of these were repeat offenders, showing that despite being caught, Delhiites are mostly unmindful of the rules," said a senior traffic officer.
The "Rules of Road Regulations, 1989", framed by the central government under section 118 of the Motor Vehicle act states that, "a driver of a motor vehicle and every other person using the road shall obey every direction given, whether by signal or otherwise, by a police officer or any authorized person for the time being in charge of the regulation of traffic." Under the rule, even a traffic constable has the power to issue the notice to the defaulter, claimed traffic cops.
Tinted glass in vehicles have been a major source of concern for women's security as well as criminal activities. Delhi Police had earlier sent a proposal to the Union home ministry to amend the Motor Vehicle Act for enhancing fines on use of tinted glass. While Delhi Traffic Police is currently in the process of acquiring machines to test the percentage of tint, they claim that defaulters usually are aware that they were not following the regulations. "Usually, we can easily tell if the thickness of the glass is more than the permissible limit. However, if anyone contests the claim, we will send the matter to court. However, the prosecutions that have taken place this year have not been contested by the vehicle owners," said a senior traffic officer.
Tinted glasses have been known to be used by several criminals especially during rape and murder. Whether it was the murder case of IT executive Jigeesha or the infamous Dhaula Kuan and Mayapuri rape incidents, cars with tinted glass have been brazenly used.
Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Tinted-glass-violators-wont-get-away-easily-now/articleshow/7605467.cms
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment